A taper fade is a haircut where the hair gets gradually shorter toward the sideburns and the neckline, usually down to skin at the very edge. Unlike a full fade, it leaves most of the sides at their natural length. Here's what sets it apart, who it suits, how to ask your barber for it and how to style it.
Taper fade at a glance
- Top: Any length
- Sides and back: Gradually shorter at the temples, sideburns and nape
- Maintenance: Low to medium
- Trim every: 2 to 4 weeks
What makes it different
The taper gives a clean, sharp outline while keeping the haircut soft and natural. It suits every hair type and is easy to grow out, which has made it the default finish for modern men's cuts.
Taper vs fade
A taper shortens the hair only at the sideburns and neckline. A fade shortens it all around the sides and back. Every fade is a kind of taper, but a taper is not a full fade.
Who it suits
Nearly every face shape and hair type. Choose a low taper to keep width on the sides (good for long faces) or a high taper to slim the sides (good for round faces).
Not sure about your face shape? Find it with the free face shape detector, or read our guide to men's face shapes.
How to ask your barber for a taper fade
- Say taper, not fade, if you want to keep length on the sides.
- Choose the height: low (just above the ear), mid (around the temple) or high (above the temple).
- Say whether the edges should go to skin, and how you want the neckline: tapered out, rounded or squared.
- Bring a photo. Barbers use these names differently, and a picture removes the guesswork.
How to style it
A taper works with any style on top. Use a light product that matches your hair type and let the clean edges do the work.
Variations
- Low taper fade: the most subtle version, right at the hairline.
- Mid taper fade: starts around the temple for a little more contrast.
- High taper fade: starts above the temple for a bolder, sharper look.
- Taper fade with curly hair: volume on top with tidy edges.
Try it before you cut
A haircut takes weeks to grow out. Upload a selfie to the AI hairstyle changer and see the taper fade on your own face, next to up to three other styles.
Related haircuts
- Low taper fade
- Mid taper fade
- High taper fade
- Taper vs fade
- Fade haircut
- Blowout taper
- All men's haircuts
FAQ
What is a taper fade?
A taper fade is a haircut where the hair gets gradually shorter toward the sideburns and the neckline, usually down to skin at the very edge.
Who suits a taper fade?
Nearly every face shape and hair type. Choose a low taper to keep width on the sides (good for long faces) or a high taper to slim the sides (good for round faces).
How often does it need a trim?
About every 2 to 4 weeks.
