diff --git a/src/build123d/topology/shape_core.py b/src/build123d/topology/shape_core.py
index 11a7216..a57fda5 100644
--- a/src/build123d/topology/shape_core.py
+++ b/src/build123d/topology/shape_core.py
@@ -448,6 +448,12 @@ class Shape(NodeMixin, Generic[TOPODS]):
     @property
     def is_planar_face(self) -> bool:
         """Is the shape a planar face even though its geom_type may not be PLANE"""
+        warnings.warn(
+            "The ``is_planar_face`` property is deprecated and will be removed in a future version."
+            "Use ``Face.is_planar`` instead",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=2,
+        )
         if self._wrapped is None or not isinstance(self.wrapped, TopoDS_Face):
             return False
         surface = BRep_Tool.Surface_s(self.wrapped)
@@ -2773,10 +2779,12 @@ class ShapeList(list[T]):
         # could be moved out maybe?
         def axis_parallel_predicate(axis: Axis, tolerance: float):
             def pred(shape: Shape):
-                if shape.is_planar_face:
-                    assert shape.wrapped is not None and isinstance(
-                        shape.wrapped, TopoDS_Face
-                    )
+                if (
+                    isinstance(shape.wrapped, TopoDS_Face)
+                    and GeomLib_IsPlanarSurface(
+                        BRep_Tool.Surface_s(shape.wrapped), TOLERANCE
+                    ).IsPlanar()
+                ):
                     gp_pnt = gp_Pnt()
                     surface_normal = gp_Vec()
                     u_val, _, v_val, _ = BRepTools.UVBounds_s(shape.wrapped)
@@ -2810,10 +2818,12 @@ class ShapeList(list[T]):
 
             def pred(shape: Shape):
 
-                if shape.is_planar_face:
-                    assert shape.wrapped is not None and isinstance(
-                        shape.wrapped, TopoDS_Face
-                    )
+                if (
+                    isinstance(shape.wrapped, TopoDS_Face)
+                    and GeomLib_IsPlanarSurface(
+                        BRep_Tool.Surface_s(shape.wrapped), TOLERANCE
+                    ).IsPlanar()
+                ):
                     gp_pnt: gp_Pnt = gp_Pnt()
                     surface_normal: gp_Vec = gp_Vec()
                     u_val, _, v_val, _ = BRepTools.UVBounds_s(shape.wrapped)
diff --git a/src/build123d/topology/two_d.py b/src/build123d/topology/two_d.py
index 0559486..3175047 100644
--- a/src/build123d/topology/two_d.py
+++ b/src/build123d/topology/two_d.py
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ from OCP.GeomAPI import (
     GeomAPI_PointsToBSplineSurface,
     GeomAPI_ProjectPointOnSurf,
 )
+from OCP.GeomLib import GeomLib_IsPlanarSurface
 from OCP.GeomProjLib import GeomProjLib
 from OCP.gp import gp_Ax1, gp_Pnt, gp_Vec
 from OCP.GProp import GProp_GProps
@@ -872,7 +873,7 @@ class Face(Mixin2D[TopoDS_Face]):
         if self._wrapped is None:
             raise ValueError("Can't determine axes_of_symmetry of empty face")
 
-        if not self.is_planar_face:
+        if not self.is_planar:
             raise ValueError("axes_of_symmetry only supports for planar faces")
 
         cog = self.center()
@@ -1062,9 +1063,11 @@ class Face(Mixin2D[TopoDS_Face]):
         return self._curvature_sign < -TOLERANCE
 
     @property
-    def is_planar(self) -> bool:
-        """Is the face planar even though its geom_type may not be PLANE"""
-        return self.is_planar_face
+    def is_planar(self) -> Plane | None:
+        """Is the face planar even though its geom_type may not be PLANE - if so return Plane"""
+        surface = BRep_Tool.Surface_s(self.wrapped)
+        planar_searcher = GeomLib_IsPlanarSurface(surface, TOLERANCE)
+        return Plane(planar_searcher.Plan()) if planar_searcher.IsPlanar() else None
 
     @property
     def length(self) -> None | float:
diff --git a/tests/test_direct_api/test_face.py b/tests/test_direct_api/test_face.py
index 96c93bb..fa60acf 100644
--- a/tests/test_direct_api/test_face.py
+++ b/tests/test_direct_api/test_face.py
@@ -1213,7 +1213,7 @@ class TestFace(unittest.TestCase):
 
                 wrapped_face: Face = surface.wrap(star, target)
                 self.assertTrue(isinstance(wrapped_face, Face))
-                self.assertFalse(wrapped_face.is_planar_face)
+                self.assertFalse(wrapped_face.is_planar)
                 self.assertTrue(wrapped_face.inner_wires())
 
                 wrapped_edge = surface.wrap(planar_edge, target)
@@ -1266,7 +1266,7 @@ class TestFace(unittest.TestCase):
         text = Text(txt="ei", font_size=15, align=(Align.MIN, Align.CENTER))
         wrapped_faces = surface.wrap_faces(text.faces(), path, 0.2)
         self.assertEqual(len(wrapped_faces), 3)
-        self.assertTrue(all(not f.is_planar_face for f in wrapped_faces))
+        self.assertTrue(all(not f.is_planar for f in wrapped_faces))
 
     def test_revolve(self):
         l1 = Edge.make_line((3, 0), (3, 2))