Abstract: An automatic hair curler comprising, in general, a U-shaped frame, a fixed shaft extending across the open top of the frame, a curling drum idly journaled on the shaft, a coil spring for energy storage, and ratchets to control drum rotation and coil winding. In use, the coil spring is pre-wound; hair tips are clamped to the drum; and the drum ratchet is disengaged, thereby allowing the spring to turn the drum thus curling the hair. An over-winding protection feature prevents excessive spring tension. A spring ratchet assembly, connected to the right arm, is connected to the spring inner end for controlling the coiling of the spring. The spring ratchet assembly has an engaged position permitting coiling of the spring and wherein rotation of the drum does not cause rotation of the spring inner end, and a disengaged position allowing the spring inner end to rotate and to uncoil the spring independent of drum rotation.