The 10 Most Handsome Men In The World, According To Science

He composed this world-renowned piece of art by contrasting human body parts in relation to one another using the principle called the Golden Ratio. This ratio, 1.618, also represented by the Greek letter Φ (Phi), has been scientifically found to draw in observers through visual appeal. For this reason, society has a unique fascination with figuring out which pieces of art, including living human beings, match up the most to this visually appealing symmetrical ratio.

But can the Golden Ratio actually be a universal standard for aesthetically pleasing beauty? Some scientists and mathematicians disavow the idea while others provide genuine scientific reasoning behind why the ratio suggests that a person is more visually appealing than someone who lacks these specific proportions. In fact, some plastic surgeons now have patented facial grids based on the Golden Ratio to guide their facial plastic surgeries, despite other experts claiming that beauty is not dependent on harmonic, facial symmetry.

Let’s Dive into the Facial Mapping

Plastic surgeon from The Centre for Advanced Facial Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Dr. Julian De Silva, mapped out male celebrities' faces by applying the Golden Ratio to score each beau’s overall aesthetic perfection.

He used the Golden Ratio to map out each man’s face with rectangles around the following features:

• Inside of the eyes to face width

• Eyes to mouth to chin

• Head to height width

• Facial width to inner eye

• Eyebrow top to upper eye and lower eye lid

• Side of face to inside of near eye to opposite side of face

• Center of face to the middle of eye compared to the width of face

• Cupid’s bow tip to width of lips

What does this look like in practice? For example: If a man’s ear length is equal to the length of his nose or if the distance between his eyes is equal width to his eyes, he is considered to have more perfect proportions according to the Golden Ratio.

Alright, so now the most important part: Which men ended up on top?

10. Ryan Gosling

87.48% accurate to the Golden Ratio

Best known for his role in The Notebook, actor and musician (yes, aside from contributing music for La La Land and Blue Valentine, he was in a Halloween-themed band called Dead Man’s Bones) Ryan Gosling fits the textbook definition of a Hollywood heartthrob. Gosling is famous for his triangular face shape, deep-set blue eyes, and laid-back demeanor, but don’t let his good looks distract you from his long list of awards and accolades for his many acting roles. Many women find Gosling irresistible, whether that’s due to his pleasantly symmetrical facial features or his acting chops.

9. Kanye West

87.94% accurate to the Golden Ratio

Rapper, fashion designer, entrepreneur, record producer, and free-spoken spirit, Kanye West has regularly been topping lists for his musical success as well as his overall influence. As one of the best-selling digital musicians of all time, West is well-known for his unmatched confidence and charisma. His visage emits “bad boy who’s actually good” charm, and his strong chin and chiseled jawline give him a unique appearance that sets him apart from other Golden Ratio men. Rolling Stone once called him “as interesting and complicated a pop star as the 2000s produced” and The New York Times thought West was worthy of earning the title of the most “sui generis hip-hop career of the last decade,” meaning he is in a totally unique league of his own.

8. Idris Elba

88.01% accurate to the Golden Ratio

With his defined, square jawline and “hunter eyes,” actor Idris Elba was deemed the “Sexiest Man of the Year” by Essence in 2013 and “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine in 2018. He’s best known for his role as Stringer Bell in The Wire but has also been in multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe films and even recently voiced Knuckles the Echidna in the film Sonic the Hedgehog 2. What people might not know about this man of top Golden Ratio proportions is that he is also a DJ and R&B musician! Between his charisma on screen and his air of confidence off screen, it’s no wonder that many women find Elba to be a Hollywood hunk.

7. David Beckham

88.96% accurate to the Golden Ratio

Though he’s notoriously considered one of the world’s greatest football (soccer) players, David Beckman is also a repeat offender on “hottest male celeb” lists. Whether he is dressed to the nines or donning his soccer gear, ladies love his twinkling eyes, strong nose, and natural charm. His body (side of head and neck too) is covered in tattoos, yet Beckham has left his famous face free of ink, and I’d wager that his wife, Victoria Beckham, is probably happy about that. No matter if he’s sporting a ponytail, buzz cut, Mohawk, or crew cut, David Beckham’s facial symmetry easily earned him a spot on this Golden Ratio list.

6. Hugh Jackman

89.64% accurate to the Golden Ratio

Once named the “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine, actor and singer Hugh Jackman has played major screen roles but is probably best-known for portraying Wolverine in X-Men. As for his looks, this Aussie actor maintains a chiseled figure and is famously known for his deep sideburns that blend into his trimmed facial hair. Some Wolverine fans may not know that Jackman is actually a prolific theater actor and singer as well, with some of his most notable roles being Curly in Oklahoma! (his early stage days), Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, and P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman. 

5. George Clooney

89.91 % accurate to the Golden Ratio

Multiple accolade winner, including the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, Hollywood star George Clooney made his mark with his acting career, but his classic charm and silver-fox persona have guaranteed him household name status. Ladies young and old swoon over this multiple year “Time 100” champion, the list which notes the most globally influential people. Clooney has branched out into humanitarian work, political activism, and even tequila-crafting with his brand Casamigos. I don’t know about you, but for celebrity alcohol brands, Clooney’s gets pretty high marks from me. Anyway, there’s no denying that his strong bone structure and suave appearance give him an effortless charm which sets him apart from other Golden Ratio gents.

4. Brad Pitt

90.51% accurate to the Golden Ratio

It’s hard to pin down which film role has been actor Brad Pitt’s best moment, but he has racked up enough international acclaim to earn him an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and much more. Was he at his hottest in Troy? What about when he was getting bruised and bloodied in Fight Club? Or perhaps you’re more into the blood-sucking allure of his role in Interview with the Vampire? Whatever part Pitt is playing, he has established himself as a Hollywood heartthrob. Between his eye crinkles when he smiles, his combination of masculine, rugged features and softer, boyish features, it’s no wonder why Pitt has made it onto many major aggregates of Hollywood’s sexiest men.

3. Bradley Cooper

91.08% accurate to the Golden Ratio

Named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive'' in 2011, actor and filmmaker Bradley Cooper is a Hollywood staple. He’s received two Grammy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, and has been nominated for nine Academy Awards and six Golden Globe awards. Best known for his roles in The Hangover, Silver Linings Playbook, and American Sniper, this more rugged gent is well-known for his captivating eyes and warm smile. He’s pretty down-to-earth about his good looks though, saying, “It’s really cool that a guy who doesn't look like a model can have this,” after he won that “Sexiest Man Alive” title.

2. Henry Cavill

91.64% accurate to the Golden Ratio

Man of Steel and The Witcher actor Henry Cavill is a favorite of many Evie girls. Take one look at that face and you’ll understand why! His angular jawline and bright blue eyes set him apart with a timeless visage. Fun fact: Cavill was actually a fan-favorite to play both Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and Edward Cullen in Twilight, two roles that went to the man who topped him in Golden Ratio score, Robert Pattinson. Named the “World’s Sexiest Man” by British Glamour and Empire magazine’s third “Sexiest Movie Star” in 2013, Cavill’s looks garner him worldwide attention.

1. Robert Pattinson

92.15% accurate to the Golden Ratio

Whether or not you were Team Edward, actor Robert Pattinson has gone on to become one of the highest paid actors since completing the Twilight series. This British beau also starred as Batman in the Matt Reeves 2022 film The Batman, but his accolades go further. Pattinson has had the honor of being the face of Dior Homme fragrance, has been deemed the “Best Dressed Man” by GQ and Glamour, called the “Sexiest Man Alive” by Glamour UK, and has regularly appeared in many top publication’s most influential people lists. With Dr. De Silva’s Golden Ratio rating, Pattinson can also cross another one off the list: being deemed the most handsome man in the world.

Closing Thoughts

So, what do you think? Did your favorite male celeb make the list of our generation’s Vitruvian men? Let us know in the comments below!

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