The taper fade haircut is one of the most classic hairstyles for men. The style is defined by clean short hair on the sides of the head that gradually gets longer as you move up. At its shortest, the hair is tapered to fade with the skin. It’s a great hairstyle for men who want something neat and clean yet easy to style and maintain.
If you want a fade with taper haircut, also sometimes called a temper fade haircut, it’s essential to the different types of fades available (see the best fade haircuts for men here). The first step to a great haircut is to know how to explain what you want to your hairdresser.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of all the taper fade hairstyles available. The first thing you should decide on is the height of the fade. We typically say low fade when it starts in the neck and around the ear. A mid fade or medium fade is slightly higher, above the eyebrows. And the high fade is higher still, ending up near the top of your head.
Kérastase
SHOP NOW
Rogaine
SHOP NOW
HairGenics
SHOP NOW
TIGI
SHOP NOW
Check our selection of the best hair products for men to see the complete collection.
The 51 best fade with taper haircuts for men
You’ll find below our illustrated style guide to the best fade-with-taper haircuts for men.
For more short hairstyle inspiration, check the rest of our men’s haircut styles guides series:
- Illustrated guide to men’s short hairstyles
- Illustrated guide to men’s medium hairstyles
- Illustrated guide to men’s long hairstyles
- Illustrated guide to men’s curly hairstyles
- Illustrated guide to the fade hairstyle for men
- Illustrated guide to the taper fade haircuts for men
Short Taper Fade
We start our list with the shortest taper fade possible, where the taper only starts close to the ear and in the back of your head. It’s the least sophisticated style on the list and easiest to maintain too as your hair grow.
Low Fade Haircut
The low fade haircut, also called the taper fade low, moves things up a notch, with the fade starting just a little higher. It’s a subtle difference but can be more appropriate to your personal style and face shape.
Medium Taper Fade
The medium taper fade haircut continues to move up the sides of the head, ending slightly above the eyebrows.
Mid Fade Haircut
The mid-fade haircut pushes things a little further with the fade just a little higher.
High Taper Fade Haircut
The high taper fade haircut ends the list of the basic styles with the tapering starting much higher to the sides of the head.
Taper Fade Haircut Black Man
The taper fade haircut is a great fit for most black men too, with multiple variations of the style possible.
Skin Taper Fade
The skin taper fade refers to how close to the skin you want the fade to be. When asking for a skin taper fade to your hairdresser, it means that we can see the skin through your hair.
Bald Taper Fade
The bald taper fade is so short that your hairdresser will use a stainless steel blade to shave off your hair where the fade ends.
Brushed Up Top with Temple Fade
A variation of the style is to brush the hair up on the top with short to medium temple fade on the sides.
Faded with Stranded Brush Up
You can start adding some sophistication with a stranded brush up on top and fade to the sides. This works particularly well with men who have thick hair and want to use some wax for structure.
Slicked Back Fade
A classic of Wallstreet, the slicked back fade is somewhat a bit retro but works great if you have the style to match it. Check our guide to business professional attire for men if you want some inspiration to match your haircut with your clothes.
Clean Temple Fade
The clean temple fade is what most guys will ask their hairdresser. It does live the door somewhat open to interpretation though. The style is roughly defined as short and clean hair around the ear with a fade to skin.
Classic Fade Harvard Style
Perfect to add a little je ne sais quoi of preppy look to your style, the classic fade Harvard style elevates the fade haircut by keeping things balanced and elegant.
Wavy Messy Top Taper Fade
The wavy messy top taper fade is perfect for guys with wavy hair that want a clean and low maintenance hairstyle.
Fade With Messy Curls
The fade with messy curls is similar to the previous undercut style, it works great for men with curly hair.
Faux Hawk Tapered Fade
The faux hawk tapered fade takes things up a notch with something more sophisticated and high-maintenance.
Low Taper Fade with Pompadour
A pompadour can look great depending on your face shape. Combine it with low taper fade on the side for a clean look.
Afro Taper Fade
If you have Afro hair, the taper fade on the sides is great for a clean finish.
Comb Over Taper Fade
For the comb over taper fade you’ll need to keep your hair longer at the top but it works great with low to high fades.
Caesar Fade
The Caesar fade combines tapering to the sides with brushing the hair forward at the top to cover the hairline.
High and Tight Fade
Probably one of the shortest styles on our list, this haircut combines high fades with tight hair at the top.
Curly Taper Fade
Guys with curly hair can play with the different styles of taper fade for a neat and tidy look.
Temple Taper Fade
The temple taper fade focuses on keeping the hair at the temple shorter.
Hand Brushed Tousled Tapered Fade
The definition of low-maintenance style, you just need to hand brush and tousle your hair at the top for a messy look.
Neat Quiff with Taper Faded Side
The neat quiff with taper faded side is great for guys who want a sophisticated and clean look.
Classic Side Part Taper Fade
The classic side part on top can add an extra layer of movement to your taper fade.
Short Blowout Fade
Use a hairdryer to blowout your hair at the top for a short blowout fade finish. Check our selection of the best hairdryers of the year if you don’t already have one.
Textured Short Top Crop
If you have thick hair, the texted short top crop is a great option to keep things tidy.
Curly Dyed Highlights
The fade with taper can also be combined with dyed highlights if you like.
Burst Fade with Line Up
If you like your hair cut extra crispy, try the burst fade with line up, your hairdresser will use a razor blade to design a clean line around your hairline.
Undercut Brush Up Taper Fade
Another classic variation of the style with the undercut taper fade and brush up on top.
Thin Hair Undercut Fade
For guys with thin hair, the undercut fade can help add volumes and shape.
Taper Fade For Receding Hairline
The taper fade is also a great hairstyle to test if you have a receding hairline and want to style it appropriately.
Swiveled French Crop Fade
The name says it all, combine the classic swiveled french crop with sides fade.
Brushed Up Shaved Hairline
Similar to a previous style, you can ask your hairdresser to shave the hairline to add an extra level of structure.
Wavy Top with Mild Line Up
Add movement to your haircut with a wavy top fade taper.
Clean Combed Pompadour With Fade
Another take on the classic pompadour haircut using clean fade on the sides.
Bloated Pompadour with Fade
Take your pompadour up a notch by bloating it up with your fade taper to accentuate the look.
Taper Fade Slicked Back
The taper fade with slicked back hair is perfect if you want to use a wet-looking wax.
Airbrushed Taper Fade
The airbrushed taper fade is another classic style with extra texture using a hairdryer.
Drop Fade Disconnected
Add more sophistication to the hairstyle by disconnecting the drop fade.
Curly Fringe Fade
For guys with curly hair, just keep the hair at the top long enough to add a front fringe.
Long Fringe Taper Fade
For guys with straight hair, the option is also available with a longer fringe.
Side Part Tapered Fade
The side part tapered fade is a bit old school but can work great in some context.
Classy Brush Up with Mid Fade
The classy brush up with mid-fade is another classic interpretation of the style.
High Volume Fade
If you have thick hair, the high volume fade is great to keep things neat to the side.
Pompadour High Fade
Definitely on the more sophisticated end of the range, combine a pompadour with a high fade. This style requires more maintenance in the morning, however.
Neat and Clean Top with Finely Faded Sides
The neat and clean top with finely faded sides is an elegant take on the style, with a more gradual tapering to the side of the head.
Designer Top with Shaved Hairline
Want something more fun? Try the designer top with shaved hairline and taper with fade on the sides.
Tapered Top Crop
For a military look, combine the taper fade with a top crop style.
Flat Top Taper Fade
Missing the ‘80s? Opt for the flat top taper fade for a retro vibe.
Frequently asked questions about fade with taper haircut
What is a taper fade?
A taper fade haircut is a hairstyle with short hair to the side and back of the head that gradually grow as you move up. At its shortest, the taper fade is close to the skin. There are many different types of fades with taper, broken down into three broad categories: a low fade, a mid fade, and a high fade. Read our comprehensive illustrated guide to the best taper fade haircuts for men to see all the styles.
Can you get a taper and a fade?
Yes, you can get both a taper and a fade haircut, it’s called the taper fade hairstyle. The taper fade style comes if multiple heights and lengths depending on your personal preferences.
What is the difference between a fade and a taper haircut?
The difference between a fade and a taper haircut is that the fade is usually shorter (around 2 inches) to gradually disappear. The taper leaves more room for longer hair. The two styles can be combined in the fade with taper haircut.
What is a low taper fade haircut?
A low taper fade haircut is a hairstyle that features short hair around to hear and in the back of the head. The tapering is done gradually to the sides of the head.
