Summary
A larger ratio of mouth-width to nose-width is considered attractive. Research shows that the width of a person’s mouth compared to their nose can influence how attractive they’re perceived to be. Dawei et al. study in 1997 found that a mouth width about 1.5 times larger than the nose width is generally seen as more attractive. This was supported by Farkas et al. in 2007, who found that many North American men have this ratio. So, if someone’s mouth is the same size or smaller than their nose, it might not look as appealing to others. Another study by Hage and colleagues in 1997 mentioned that men with wider mouths appear more masculine. Lastly, Cunningham’s research in 1990 revealed that a smaller nose width is often associated with a manly facial appearance. In simple terms, for many people, a broader mouth and a smaller nose on men seem more attractive.
Research
A research study titled “Differences in Horizontal, Neoclassical Facial Canons in Chinese (Han) and North American Caucasian Populations” by Dawei et al. (1997) has shed light on the ideal mouth-width to nose-width ratio. According to this study, it is generally considered more attractive for the mouth width to be approximately 1.5 times larger than the nose width. Similarly, the study by Farkas et al. (2007) found North Americans males to have mouth width 1.5 times the nose width. Hence, it can be said that if the mouth is of a similar size or smaller than the nose, it may not be perceived as attractive.
If someone refers to a “larger ratio” for mouth width to nose width, it means the mouth width is significantly larger than the nose width. Considering this, in the study titled “Gender-confirming facial surgery: considerations on the masculinity and femininity of faces” by Hage et al. (1997), it was suggested that males with a wider mouth tends to look more masculine.
On the other hand, when it comes to nose width, the study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology titled “What Do Women Want? Facialmetric Assessment of Multiple Motives in the Perception of Male Facial Physical Attractiveness” by Cunningham et al. (1990) found facial masculinity to be correlated with smaller nose width.
Therefore, a larger ratio of mouth width to nose width in males (i.e., wider mouth and smaller noses) is considered attractive because it aligns with standards of masculinity. A wider mouth and a relatively smaller nose seem to enhance the masculine appeal of male faces making them look more attractive.
Reference
Dawei, W., Guozheng, Q., Mingli, Z., & Farkas, L. G. (1997). Differences in horizontal, neoclassical facial canons in Chinese (Han) and North American Caucasian populations. Aesthetic plastic surgery, 21(4), 265-269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002669900123
Farkas, L. G., Katic, M. J., & Forrest, C. R. (2007). Comparison of craniofacial measurements of young adult African-American and North American white males and females. Annals of plastic surgery, 59(6), 692-698. 10.1097/01.sap.0000258954.55068.b4
Hage, J. J., Becking, A. G., de Graaf, F. H., & Tuinzing, D. B. (1997). Gender-confirming facial surgery: considerations on the masculinity and femininity of faces. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 99(7), 1799-1807. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006534-199706000-00001
Cunningham, M. R., Barbee, A. P., & Pike, C. L. (1990). What do women want? Facialmetric assessment of multiple motives in the perception of male facial physical attractiveness. Journal of personality and social psychology, 59(1), 61. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1991-01192-001