32 Trendy Designs For Short Square Nails We’re Obsessing Over

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Short square nails are finally having a moment. After years of pointy stilettos and coffin nails, the chic low-maintenance mani is back with many fresh looks.

Woman's hands with red short square nails with silver glitters in a light colored background

Whether you want to go all out on your nail art or keep it low-key, your options are endless. It’s the best time to try swirls, studs, charms, and everything in between on short nails.

Although these styles can look good on any shape, they’ll look even better on your square nails.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the coolest trends right now. We hope you’ll find the right short square nails design that matches your vibe and style from our list.

Table of Contents

1 Top Nail Trends for Short Square Nails
2 32 Styles That Are Perfect for Short Square Shaped Nails
3 Frequently Asked Questions
4 Short Square Nails Are Never Boring

Top Nail Trends for Short Square Nails

Short square nails with designs are officially in! Gone are the days of basic solid colors or classic French tips. Everything you’ll see will have a creative twist.

Modern French Tips

The classic French mani with its signature white tip and nude base will never go out of style, but this year, it’s all about modern twists. From ombre shades to geometric shapes, we have seen countless takes on this timeless nail art trend.

Adding pops of color, fun shapes, and jewelry can give your classy short square French tip nails a bit more personality while keeping everything sophisticated.

Chrome Polish

Chrome nail polish has a metallic finish with a high reflective effect. Now, you can get it in every color and shade of chrome.

The best thing about the chrome polish trend is its versatility. You can apply it as a solid color or as French tips. Also, you can add rhinestones or foil accents to make your nails look more radiant.

Bling Embellishments

For the longest time, bling embellishments have been reserved for long nails. This year, however, you have more options for bling on short square nails.

Even without your ultra-long tips, you can add accents like crystals, gems, and iridescent glitters. Whether you want a full-on glam or a little razzle-dazzle, accents are a great way to jazz up your square nails.

Mismatched Nails

One of our favorite trends is having mismatched multicolored nails. Wearing different colors and designs on each nail can be a fun and creative way to express your personality and style. So if you can’t choose a single trend, you can wear them all.

32 Styles That Are Perfect for Short Square Shaped Nails

What does this year have in store for cute short square nails?

1. Flower Power

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish base that has floral French tips with white and red blooms and green foliage — Image courtesy of @nails.by.iz_

No matter the season, flower nail art can jazz up your look and give it the added oomph it needs. For cute square short nails, choosing floral French tips with white and red blooms and green foliage against a nude base is the way to go.

2. Glitter Bomb

A closeup of a woman's hands with silver glitter nail polish — Image courtesy of @_racquelsnails

Just because you have short nails doesn’t mean you have to hold back on glitter and glam. These reflective glitter gel nails are always a great choice for a night out or special occasion.

3. Marble Nails

A closeup of a woman's hands with pink nail polish that has a swirled, veined patterns nail designs — Image courtesy of @holliebedsbeauty

Marble nails, also called tie-dye nails, have swirled, veined patterns that look elegant and mesmerizing on short narrow square nails.

4. Funky Tips

A closeup of a woman's hands with pale pink nail polish base that has warm, vibrant color combination of pink and orange nail tips — Image courtesy of @natalie_thedollshouse

Level up your simple short square nails with this funky yet laid-back French manicure! The warm, vibrant color combination of pink and orange stand out against a nude base.

5. Sophisticated Accents

close up photo of woman's nail colored with nude pink nail polish with silver accents — Image courtesy of @tiptoenailstudio1

Adding some silver accents to your mani can elevate the most basic nude short square nail design. It’s a creative way to introduce a little more fun to your nails without compromising their trim and clean appearance.

6. Sparkly Outline

A closeup of a woman's hand with nude matte nail polish and glitter nail tips — Image courtesy of @nails.byabb

Cuffed nails have an unending appeal because of their simplicity and elegance. To spice up this minimalist style, you can use glitter to line the small arc around your cuticle. Add glitter tips on some accent nails to switch things up a bit.

7. Animal Print French Tips

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish that has colorful animal print designs — Image courtesy of @tiptoenailstudio1

We can’t resist a modern twist on the French mani, especially these animal print tips. Copy these zebra-striped tips or change it up with a leopard or cow print.

8. Glossy Nudes

A closeup of a woman's hands with glossy neutral shades on each nail — Image courtesy of @nails.byabb

A nude mani is a look you can wear all year round. To spice it up, go for a different neutral shade on each nail and polish them off with a glossy top coat, which will allow you to achieve a high-end yet low-maintenance aesthetic.

9. Chrome Nail Art

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish base that has red roses on select nails and red glitter tips — Image courtesy of @natalie_thedollshouse

Red roses on the accent nails steal the spotlight in this red French manicure. The secret to making all the elements in this design shine without using glitter? Chrome polish!

10. Gold Chrome French Tips

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish that has gold nail tips — Image courtesy of @nailsby_harieva

Golden tips on barely-there polish is a low-maintenance trend you should try this year. Gold chrome tips are the way to go if you want to add a hint of shimmer to your nails.

11. Barely-There French Tips

A closeup of a woman's hands with a glossy nude nail polish that has white nail tips — Image courtesy of @sdsnailsandbeauty_x

The barely-there French mani is a trendy take on a classic look. Instead of a bold white line on your fingertips, use a thin strip to achieve this super-minimalist aesthetic.

12. Geometric Nail Art

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish that has multicolored diagonal French tips — Image courtesy of @natalie_thedollshouse

This geometric nail art is a playful take on the diagonal French tip. It’s chic, interesting, and easy to do at home using cute square acrylics, short gel nails, or natural nails.

13. Colorful Minimalism

A closeup of a woman's hand with well-defined lines and geometric shapes with rich, vivid color combinations nail polish — Image courtesy of @sjpolished

Minimalist nail art doesn’t have to be boring, and this color-block mani proves that. It combines clean, well-defined lines and geometric shapes with rich, vivid color combinations for a look that’s as playful as it is sleek.

14. Short and Edgy

A closeup of a woman's hand with black smiley faces on yellow nails to black-and-white flames and checkered patterns on French tips — Image courtesy of @leannehaycock_

Looking for short square nail designs with a little more edge? This one’s for you! From black smiley faces on yellow nails to black-and-white flames and checkered patterns on French tips, everything you need for a punk mani is here.

15. Nostalgia Hearts

A closeup of a woman's hands with pale pink nail polish that has handpainted hearts on select nails — Image courtesy of @sdsnailsandbeauty_x

Can you remember the last time you played a clever game of tic-tac-toe? This nail design can feel a bit nostalgic. Except this time, it’s the Xs vs the hearts, no pun intended!

16. Black Lines and Bright Hues

A closeup of a woman's hands with a glossy nude nail polish that has multicolored nail tips — Image courtesy of @nails.byabb

Line art nails can give your skinny square nails, short acrylics, and gels a creative edge. From abstract swirls to actual faces, line art can be as simple or intricate as you desire.

17. Tortoise Shell

A closeup of a woman's hands with black nail polish base that has a tortoise shell design on select nails — Image courtesy of @natalie_thedollshouse

The tortoise shell is a fun and sophisticated design you can try on short nails. It looks incredible with a deep brown base and a glossy finish.

18. Black French Tips

A closeup of a woman's hands with a glossy peach nail polish base that has black nail tips — Image courtesy of @1999houseofnailsnz

Switching white nail polish for black is a simple way to spice up your favorite French mani. It gives you that edgy yet professional look.

19. Shades of Purple

A closeup of a woman's hand with different shades of purple nail polish that has glitter on select nail — Image courtesy of @bysarahnailartist

There’s a purple shade for everyone — or should we say, for every nail. These soft purple hues can make your nails look luxurious, whether you go with deep purple colors or dreamy pastels.

20. Ombre

A closeup of a woman's hands with a glossy pale pink nail polish base that has white nail tips — Image courtesy of @sdsnailsandbeauty_x

Ombre nails are as stunning and timeless as your traditional French mani, especially on short classy square nails. The colors blend seamlessly together, creating a subtle yet elegant look.

21. Night Sky-Inspired Nails

A closeup of a woman's hands with celestial black-and-white and nude nail design and polish that has star stickers — Image courtesy of @tiptoenailstudio1

The wavy diagonal corners along the tips and cuticles of this celestial black-and-white nail design create the illusion of length, making your short square nails appear just a tad longer. Add star stickers to the mix, and you’ve got an otherworldly mani!

22. Groovy Swirls

A closeup of a woman's hands with white nail polish base that has two-toned swirls in different shades of orange, pink, blue, yellow, and purple — Image courtesy of @sdsnailsandbeauty_x

Want to get your groove on? Try this retro-inspired look! It’s DIY-friendly because the two-toned swirls are easy to recreate with nail polish products in different shades of orange, pink, blue, yellow, and purple against a white base.

23. Tiny Dots

A closeup of a woman's hands with a glossy white nail polish base that has a tiny dot on each nail — Image courtesy of @sdsnailsandbeauty_x

The tiny dot design is a great low-maintenance, everyday look. This clean-girl aesthetic includes a nude base and a pop of black and white for the tiny dot for each nail.

24. Midnight Black

A closeup of a woman's hand with black nail polish that has glitter — Image courtesy of @practicallymagic_nailsbeauty

Wearing jet-black nails with an extra glossy finish can give you a dark, edgy appeal.

25. Pastel Matte

A closeup of a woman's hands with a combination of matte white and blue nail polish that has colorful blooms on select nails — Image courtesy of @nails.byabb

Matte nails are the epitome of elegance, but this doesn’t mean you can’t play around with them! This manicure gives you pastel-colored nails and accent nails with sweet, colorful blooms outlining them, all topped off with a gorgeous matte finish.

26. Glittery, Colorful Zebra Print

A closeup of a woman's hands with nude nail polish that has colorful zebra stripes in different patterns on pastel-colored short square nails — Image courtesy of @nails.byabb

Using glitter polish to create colorful zebra stripes in different patterns on pastel-colored short square nails? Absolutely inspired. To keep the zebra-themed look well balanced, select nails are given pastel tips lined with shimmery glitter.

27. Psychedelic Tips

A closeup of a woman's hands with a nude nail polish that has multicolored swirls on the nail tips — Image courtesy of @polishedbykiah

Fun and trippy, this French mani with psychedelic tips is made with multicolored swirls reminiscent of the ’70s. You can take this look one step further by adding a unique psychedelic pattern on each nail.

28. Romantic Hearts

A closeup of a woman's hands with glossy pale pink nail polish that has hearts design on each nail — Image courtesy of @nails.byabb

Make your nails ready for date night by painting romantic hearts on them. These cute short square nails are an ideal canvas for tiny doodles.

29. Golden Flakes

A closeup of a woman's hand with nude nail polish base that has little gold accents on each nail — Image courtesy of @leannehaycock_

Adding little gold accents to glossy nude nails can make any basic design pop. It’s an easy and impactful way to switch up your everyday look.

30. Textured Nails

A closeup of a woman's hands with matte multicolored nail polish base that has embossed knitted patterns — Image courtesy of @sdsnailsandbeauty_x

Textured designs like these cable knit nails will be popular this year. Their embossed knitted patterns, which are inspired by the coziest sweaters, are perfect for the holidays.

31. Feminine Glam

A closeup of a woman's hand with a combination of hot pink and glitter nail polish — Image courtesy of @nailsby__tessa

Hot pink and glitter are a hyper-feminine combo that won’t go out of style anytime soon. On short square nails, this glamorous duo shines even more! Top tip: use ombré glitter on a few nails to amp up the look’s allure.

32. Holographic, Chunky Glitter and Pink

A closeup of a woman's hand with pink nail polish that has glitter and flowers bloom nail designs — Image courtesy of @dipped.in.glitz

Another pink nail theme we couldn’t resist adding to this list is this lovely holographic look. It’s great for days when you want to be all dolled up!

Frequently Asked Questions

Should Short Nails Be Round or Square?

Beauty experts say that if you have short fingers, the nails are better shaped round or oval. For those with longer fingers, stiletto, square, or coffin shapes look best. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, you can rock whatever nail shape you want!

Are Square Nails Easier to Break?

Yes, they are easier to break compared to their round counterparts. This is because the straight-edges are more prone to cracking.

How Can You Shape Square Nails Naturally?

Filing your nails to your desired shape takes practice and the right technique. Check out this video for a step-by-step guide:

Do Square Nails Make Your Fingers Look Thinner?

No. If you want your nails to look visually longer, your nails must have more length than width. This makes your fingers look longer than they actually are. The opposite can be said with short, round and square nails.

Short Square Nails Are Never Boring

Not everyone is fond of wearing their nails long all the time, and keeping them short doesn’t make the look boring either!

Nail art is meant to be fun. Looking at your nails should make your heart giddy and, more importantly, give you a boost of confidence!

Our list of short square nails is a good starting point if you’re finding inspiration for a new look. Then again, choose what makes you happy and wear your nails proudly!

Looking for the Best Nail Art Trends?

Author

Ashley Pena
Ashley Pena brings over 13 years of seasoned writing and editing expertise, fortified by her Bachelor of Science in Management. Esteemed in the beauty domain, her content captivates readers with its depth and authenticity. While she navigates a broad spectrum of beauty trends, Ashley shines particularly as our resident K-beauty guru. Her articles are a harmonious blend of passion and profound knowledge, inspiring readers on their unique beauty journeys.
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