65 Best Coffin Shaped Nail Designs

Looking for a new way to style your nails? Follow one of the hottest trends and embrace coffin nails. You’ve probably seen coffin shaped nails before as they are a favorite of countless celebrities, including the fashionable Kardashian-Jenner clan. The coffin shape is achieved by filing the nail into a tapered point that is then squared off before glitz and polish is applied. Versatile and low-maintenance, coffin nail designs provide you with the stylish edge you desire. Check out the best coffin nail ideas to find colors and styles worth trying at your next salon appointment.

What Are Coffin Nails?

Coffin nails are essentially stiletto nails, but with a square and flat tip instead of a pointy tip. Also known as ballerina nails, coffin shaped nails get their name because the nail looks like a coffin or a ballerina slipper. As one of the most popular nail shapes, professionals have come up with a number of trendy coffin nail designs to try.

From short to long in length with limitless colors, coffin style nails are fun to experiment with and have. Discover the best coffin shape nail ideas to inspire your next manicure.

Short Coffin Nails

Short coffin nails are all the rage when you want elegant nails without the extra length. To develop the signature narrow shape, your existing nails need to reach slightly beyond your fingertip. Even a small amount of length will do the trick since the ends are squared off after the sides have been tapered.

Long Coffin Nails

Whether you want to try this design at home or the salon, long coffin nails are the most stunning option. This fierce look allows you to express the bold parts of your personality as you claw your way to the top of your personal and professional goals. If you want to try popular long coffin shaped nail designs at home, start by filing the sides of your nails to a center point. After the sides are filed, simply square off the point and you’re ready to rock this chic trend.

White Coffin Nails

It’s time to embrace white coffin nails for a simple and flawless look. Enhance the natural beauty of your nails with shine-coat finish or take a walk on the wild side with a matte coat over your white polish. This casual color choice enhances the coffin shape without distracting from its design.

Nude Coffin Nails

One of the most attractive nail trends in recent years, nudes are given a whole new life with nude coffin nails. Whether you go with shades of tan or pale pink, nude coffin nails provide you with a stylish yet edgy look that works well for daytime errands or evening activities.

Coffin Shaped Acrylic Nails

Coffin shaped acrylic nails to the rescue! Worried about your ability to naturally grow your nails long enough to try this sexy shape? Whether you want long or short coffin acrylic nails, go for the classic look and ask your nail artist to use a coffin shape before you pick out your go-to color and designs. The finished styling is sure to be trendy and hot.

3D Coffin Nails

The boldest of the bold: 3D coffin nails provide you with an added depth and sense of flair to perfectly represent your individuality. The options are endless when heading down the 3D coffin nail route as you can adorn your nails with cute rhinestones and decorative petals.

Matte Coffin Nails

If you’re looking for a chic, classy and professional design, matte coffin nails are going to become your next big obsession. This cool take on a classic is easy to accomplish. Start by choosing a bold nail color like navy, black, or crimson, then apply a matte topcoat over the polish after it dries.

Transparent Coffin Nail Design

Transparent coffin nail designs are super simple to achieve but provide you with eye-catching nails you’re sure to receive compliments on. To achieve this gorgeous look, purchase striping tape at your local beauty supply store. Apply the striping tape to your bare nails in any design you like, such as stripes or arrows, then apply your selected nail color over the taped sections. Once your nails dry, remove the tape slowly and reveal your transparent coffin shaped nails to the world.

Cute Coffin Shape Nails

Conquering a new nail trend is overwhelming at first, but sticking with traditional options like simple yet cute coffin shape nails alleviates some anxiety. The great thing about these types of nails is that you can choose any color or design you prefer, meaning you can be as pretty or feisty as you want. If you’re feeling fierce and edgy, choose a burnt orange hue or a deep red. If you want a classic cute color style, go with ballet pink or light teal.

Coffin Shaped Accent Nails

Be bold with your choices and opt for coffin shaped accent nails to add a pop of color or a sense of intrigue the next time you’re at the nail salon. Your accent nail can simply be a glitter polish that works with the plain polish you’ve chosen for your other nails, or you can get a little bit crazy and add a design as well.

Elegant Coffin Shaped Nails

For a more charming alternative, embrace elegant coffin shaped nails at your next big event. By choosing neutral colors or a classic design, you’ll present a sense of elegance without sacrificing the individuality of the coffin nail shape.

Black Coffin Nails

Black coffin nails are a classic choice among those who enjoy more dramatic looks. Whether you choose a standard gloss finish, or you want to take things up a notch with matte black nails, this design will become one of your favorites.

Red Coffin Nails

Red coffin nails are an effortless option if you’re looking for a way to bring a splash of elegance to your nail design. Modern, chic and fierce, red has been a staple color for decades and automatically presents you with an air of class and charm. If bright colors aren’t your style, consider matte red coffin nails for an understated yet sexy touch.

Pink Coffin Nails

For a softer finish, go with pink coffin nails and embrace a beautiful yet stylish nail choice. This option pairs well with light pink polishes, but if you want to turn up the vibrancy, choose a brighter hue. You’ll still look hot without worrying about whether your nail choices are too severe.

French Tip Coffin Nails

French tip coffin nails are a great way to spice up a traditional nail design. To achieve this effect, section off a longer portion of the tip on your manicure and apply a white polish to this section. Then apply a clear or soft pink polish to the bottom portion and voila! You’ve achieved the charming French tip coffin nails of your dreams.

Blue Coffin Nails

Blue coffin nails are perfect for those seeking a versatile look. Available in a variety of hues, blue coffin nails are an amazing way to incorporate a sense of style into your nail design. Whether choosing a baby blue or a dark navy, blue nails are always chic.

Clear Coffin Nail Designs

Clean coffin nail designs are essential if you want to combine several elements into one overall look. Section off portions of your coffin nails with tape and then paint and adorn each portion differently. For a unique effect, paint the bottom portion of your nail a solid color, leave the middle section clear, and then apply a different color with a row of gems to the top portion before removing the striping tape.

Grey Coffin Nails

Grey may seem like a drab color, but grey coffin nails are extremely stylish and trendy. Ranging from dark grey to lighter hues, these coffin nail designs suit any personality or profession.

White Tip Coffin Nails

If French tip coffin nails are a little too much for you, opt for a simpler white tip coffin nail design instead. Section off a smaller portion of the tip and paint this a solid white before applying a clear polish to the rest of your nails. For an even trendier alternative, ask your nail stylist to complete an ombre white tip coffin effect the next time you get your nails done.

Natural Coffin Nails

Natural coffin nails are the perfect option if you want the coffin nail design but are unsure of whether you want to embrace a bold color or daring design. Shape your nails into the coffin design and apply a sheer coat of nail polish to give your nails a glossy look.

How To Do Coffin Shape Nail Designs

To do coffin shape nail designs at home, you’ll need to follow a few basic steps. To start, grab a pair of nail clippers or nail scissors and cut your nails along the side to create a narrow effect. Next, take a nail file or emery board and file the sides of your nails until they taper into a point at the tip. After the sides of your nail are smoothed, file off the tip of your nail into a square shape.

Coffin Shaped Nails

• To achieve this effect for the first time, start by cutting and filing the sides of your nails into tapered lines before filing the tip of your nail into a smooth, squared edge.
• For those with short nails, either try to achieve a short coffin nail design or head to a salon where you can have acrylic nails placed on by a professional.
• Choose a color – whether bold or soft – then decide whether you want a matte or shine finish.
• For a funkier design, choose striping effects or embellish your nails with beads and petals.