7 Best Taper Fade Haircuts for Men

By Ally Burnie - Guide Published: 14 Nov 2023

The taper fade is a haircut where the sideburns and nape are gradually faded to below a 0 blade. Often referred to as a temple fade, this popular men’s hairstyle has become a favourite amongst celebrities due to its versatile nature and low-maintenance properties. So, if you’re looking for some style inspiration, we’ve rounded up a list of the best taper fade haircuts for men, from low taper to high, alongside some bushy curls and short edges.

Best Taper Fade Hairstyles at a Glance

Best for short hair: High Taper Fade
Best for Afro hair: Afro Taper
Most modern: Taper with Natural Flow
Best low maintenance: Low Taper Fade

Best Taper Fade Hairstyles at a Glance
What is a Taper Fade Haircut?
Taper vs Fade: What’s the Difference?
How Man of Many Chose the Best Taper Haircuts for Men
Taper Fade FAQs

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1. Low Taper Fade

If you’re not into dramatic changes, a low taper fade might be the best choice for you. This style starts the fading process at the bottom near the ears and has a gradual shift in length. It’s important when you ask for this haircut to establish the ‘blend’ point. In the above photo, you can see the point where the edges and sideburns meet the maximum hair length on the sides and the back sits just above the earline.

For men, a low taper is the best way to keep your hair looking neat without too much effort. Utilising a taper, rather than the square-back cut which is favourited by hairdressers, allows the hair on your nape and sideburns to grow out more naturally. This will ultimately give the haircut more longevity and keep you looking neater for longer. The low taper fade is a safe option that won’t leave you feeling too exposed, and it’s perfect for side parts, pompadours, comb-overs, and undercuts.

Here are the key characteristics of a low taper fade:

Low Fade Point: Where the taper begins is quite low on the sides and back of the head, typically around the hairline at the nape of the neck.
Longer Hair on the Sides and Back: Compared to a high taper fade, you can leave the hair on the sides and back of the head a little longer.
Gradual Transition: As this is the least aggressive style of the cut, the hair on the sides and back of the head gradually fades into longer hair on the top of the head. Similarly, the transition between the shorter and longer hair is more natural and subtle, without a distinct line as in a high taper fade.
Versatility: A low taper fade is perhaps the most versatile of the taper fade styles. It can be paired with a variety of hairstyles, such as a textured fringe, a side part, or a slicked-back undercut.

2. Mid Taper Fade

Moving up the fade ladder, we have the mid-taper fade haircut, which typically starts an inch above the ears and gradually fades up to the eye line. It’s still formal but has a modern edge to it. The mid-taper fade is a versatile style that pairs well with a range of short-to-long haircuts, including crew cuts, French crops, faux hawks, and pompadours.

Like other styles on this list, the hair gradually fades from longer on top to shorter on the sides and back of the head. The fade can start at various heights, but typically it starts at the middle of the head, hence the name “mid-taper fade.”

With this kind of taper fade, you’ll generally receive a defined line that sits a few centimetres above and behind the ears. The mid-taper haircut is a slightly more stylish version of the low-effort cut but is still neat and classy enough to wear in all formal settings.

Here are the key characteristics of a mid-taper fade:

3. High Taper Fade

More of a gung-ho ‘let’s give this shit a real hot crack’ kinda guy? The high fade haircut starts about two inches from your hairline and tapers down on the sides and back, producing a shorter and more defined silhouette. This edgier style is perfect for those who want a bold look and works best with high and tight haircuts like quiffs, comb-overs, and high tops.

The high-taper fade is best suited to darker hair colours, allowing the cut to demonstrate a greater contrast. It’s a far more extreme variation of the cut and may not suited to more conservative workplaces, however, it is one of the most stylish interpretations of the taper fade.

Here are the key characteristics of a high taper fade:

High Fade Point: The bald point of the fade begins high up on the sides and back of the head, usually around the temple or ear area.
Defined Line: A distinct line is often created where the short hair meets the longer hair on the top of the head.
Maintenance: A high taper fade requires regular maintenance to keep the fade looking sharp and defined. You might need to get a touch-up every few weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows.

Taper on Afro hair | Image: henry_jnrr/Twitter

4. Afro Taper

Men with naturally curly, coil-like, or kinky hair textures hair are perhaps the most suited to taper fade haircuts. This style of cut accentuates the contrast between the sideburns and nape, giving a clean look that lends itself well to waves, blowouts and tight curls. Like others on the list, the afro taper removes some of the weight from over the ears and around the back of the neck, resulting in a neater appearance.

You can customise the level of taper fade you want, from a low to a higher fade, but we suggest going with a low fade for the best look. Additionally, removing hair from the sides of the head can help highlight your facial structure, so if you’ve got great cheekbones, this is the perfect haircut to show them off.

Here are the key characteristics of a taper fade on Afro hair:

Tightly Curled Hair: Afro hair is typically tightly coiled or curly, which requires a skilled barber or stylist with experience working with this hair type. You might want to do your research and check if your desired barber has done this kind of cut on Afro hair before.
Different Fade Styles: A taper fade on afro hair can be a low fade or high fade, depending on the desired look.
Length on Top: The hair on the top of the head is left longer and can be styled in a variety of ways, such as a curly Afro, twists, or locks.

Taper Fade Curly Hair | Image: MartyBlendz

5. Taper Fade Curly Hair

Want the most modern version of the taper fade? If you’re one of the lucky chosen ones with wild curly locks, you can easily give the taper fade curly haircut a go. A fade is especially great for curly hair as it removes some of the weight from your curls, while still maintaining volume on top. To style your curly hair taper fade, consider a forward style such as a Caesar cut or a French crop. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without a taper fade.

Here are the key characteristics of a taper fade with curly hair:

Tight Curls: Everyone has different hair densities, so this kind of cut is best suited to someone with a fairly unruly set of curls. This hair type allows for greater contrast between the short and long sections of the hair.
Styling the top: You can wear the hair on the top of your head practically any way you want. We recommend keeping the curls loose and wavy, to give some flow and movement to the style.

6. Burst Taper

For the most extreme variation of the taper haircut, ask your hairdresser for a burst taper. The burst fade haircut stands out from other fade haircuts thanks to its unique and dramatic features. This style involves tapering the hairline behind the ear while leaving the hair at the back longer, resulting in a burst effect at the neck that follows the curve of the ears. It’s a flattering cut that works well on both short and medium-length hair.

As this kind of cut is more likely to stand out, it’s not recommended for the conservative office worker. It’s like to grow out in a strange manner, so be prepared for some serious maintenance.

Here are the key characteristics of a burst taper fade:

Burst Effect: The hair around the ears and neck is cut very short, creating a burst effect where the hair appears to be “bursting” out from the head.
Regular Upkeep: As different sections of your hair will grow at different speeds, the burst taper is likely to grow out quickly and not uniformly. As a result, you’ll need to head back to the barbershop at least every two weeks to get this sorted.

Taper with natural nape | Image: Keller Konturen — Taper with natural flow | Image: Keller Konturen

7. Taper with Natural Flow

If you’re very into your mullet and want to take it to the next level with a fade, we recommend a taper with a natural nape/flow haircut. In this style, the sideburns are faded completely and the back is left longer to create a modern mullet style. If you don’t like the “boxy” or squared-off look, then this is the best fade haircut for you.

Here are the key characteristics of a taper fade with natural flow:

Medium-Long Hair Length: Unlike the other cuts on this list, you’ll need to have a bit more length to make this style work. It’s best characterised by its flick at the nape, which is only achieved with some added growth.
Straight Type: The taper with natural flow style is best suited to those with straight or wavy hair as it allows for some free-flowing movement.

What is a Taper Fade Haircut?

A taper refers to the gradual transition of hair length from top to bottom, usually only noticeable on the sideburns and neckline.
A fade is a more drastic version of a taper that goes around the entire head, ending above the natural hairline and blending into the skin.

Put two and two together and the taper fade involves gradually fading the hair from longer to shorter towards the bottom of the head. The hair on the sides and back is cut shorter with clippers, while the hair on top is left longer, resulting in a clean and sharp look that’s both versatile and very modern.

The great thing about taper fades is that they can be customised to suit different preferences and face shapes. You can even combine them with other styles like a side part, quiff, or pompadour. Plus, there are different types of fades to choose from, such as low, mid, high, or even skin fades where the hair is shaved down to the skin.

Taper vs Fade: What’s the Difference?

With a fade, all the hair around your head is cut at the same length. But with a taper fade, only the hair on the sides of your head (over the ears and neckline) is cut shorter, gradually fading from longer hair on top. What’s great about a taper fade is that it’s super versatile. You can choose to go all the way down to skin level (which is more common with regular fades), or keep it longer on top.

The classic taper is a bit different from the taper fade. With a classic taper, the hair is kept at a similar length around the sides, gradually getting a little shorter towards the ears. But with a taper fade, the change is more gradual as you move down to the ears and neckline.

How Man of Many Chose the Best Taper Haircuts for Men

When it comes to choosing the best taper fade haircuts for men, it’s simple. We know hair better than anyone, and our Editor-in-Chief, Nick Hall, is a qualified barber and men’s stylist. He holds a Cert III in Barbering and has personally chosen every haircut on this list with the help of the wider editorial team.

Taper Fade FAQs

What is the difference between low taper fade and high taper fade?

When it comes to taper fades, you can go for a low taper fade or high taper fade. A low taper involves cutting the hair at the bottom of your head, around the neckline. Meanwhile, a high taper means cutting the hair above your ears. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal style and preference.

Which is better – fade or taper?

It really comes down to personal preference, your face shape, and your hairstylist’s expertise in creating the look you want. Both haircuts are popular and can look great depending on the individual. It’s best to do some research, bring some reference images to your stylist, and discuss with your stylist what would work best for you.

Ally Burnie

Ally is an intrepid explorer and traveller, gluten-free pizza aficionado and dog-mum who never thought she'd call herself a dog-mum. When she's not using her creative copywriting skills and putting fingers to keyboard for publications like Man of Many, The Australian, We Are Explorers, MealPrep and more, she's out exploring Oz in her yellow/orange Jeep.