The basic forms of nawabari (castle layouts) include the following: Rinkaku (contour) style, where the Kuruwa is positioned concentrically along the Honmaru (castle keep), the Ninomaru (second bailey) and the Sannomaru (outer part of the castle); Teikaku style, where the Honmaru is positioned closer to a mountain, sea or river (ushiro-kengo), the central compound is positioned adjacent to the castle walls, and additional compounds are positioned around the Honmaru; and Renkaku style, where independent Kuruwa are placed in a row along the ridges.
縄張の基本的な形式としては、曲輪を本丸・二の丸・三の丸と同心円状に配置する「輪郭式（りんかくしき）」、山や海川を背後におき（後堅固）本丸がその方向に寄っている「梯郭式（ていかくしき）」、尾根上などに独立した曲輪を連ねる「連郭式（れんかくしき）」などがある。