fade · men
Taper Fade Haircut for 2027: Types, Styles, and Howto Ask
The taper fade explained, including how it differs from a regular fade, the low, mid, and high versions, the best tops to pair it with, and how to ask your barber.
Hairover Team
A taper fade shortens hair at just two places: the sideburns and the neckline. Those edges blend down to skin or very short hair, and the rest of the sides and back keeps its length. You get the clean, sharp finish of a fade with a much smaller short area, so it looks natural and grows out slowly. It is also easier to wear at work than a high skin fade. Going into 2027, softer blends like this have been gaining ground on high skin fades.
If you are still deciding which fade height you want, our low, mid, and high fade comparison goes over the full-fade options.
Taper, fade, and taper fade
These words get used interchangeably, including by some barbers, which is how many people end up with the wrong cut.
- Taper: hair gets gradually shorter down the sides and back, but it usually does not go down to skin. A soft, traditional finish.
- Fade: hair goes down to skin or nearly so, and that short section wraps all the way around the sides and back of the head.
- Taper fade: the fade only happens at the sideburns and the nape. Above and between those points, hair keeps more length.
The easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the area above the ear. On a full fade, there is very short hair there. On a taper fade, there is usually still some length.
Types of taper fade
Low taper fade. The shortest point sits just above the ear and around the bottom of the neckline. It is the subtlest option and suits people who want to stay conservative. It also works well on thick hair because it does not expose much scalp.
Mid taper fade. The fade starts a little higher, around the middle of the ear at the sideburn. It shows a more noticeable line, but it still leaves plenty of length at the sides. A good default for most hair types.
High taper fade. The blend begins higher up the temple. It looks sharper and has more contrast, which works nicely with a short textured top. It also grows out more quickly than the other two.
Skin taper fade. Any of the above, taken down to bare skin at the edges. It gives the crispest result, but you will need a touch-up sooner.
Burst-style taper. The fade curves around the ear, leaving length at the back. This is often worn with a mohawk or a mullet shape, since it keeps the back long.
Tops that pair well
Textured crop. Short, choppy hair on top, pushed forward. It is easy to style and hides thin spots well. See our textured crop guide.
Side part. A classic shape for offices. The taper fade makes the side part look a little more modern without losing its tidiness.
Curly top. Curls get to stay full while the edges stay clean. This is a great choice for thick, curly hair, because the sides do not lose their shape as curls grow out.
Afro or coils. A taper fade around a rounded afro is a clean, classic shape. It makes the whole style look sharp while leaving the volume alone.
Waves and short buzz. With a short buzz on top, the taper fade adds definition at the edges without needing any styling at all.
Long hair on top. Medium-length hair pushed back or left loose. The taper fade tidies the neck, so the look stays neat as the top grows.
Mullet. The nape stays long, and the sides fade around the ear. See mullet haircut trends for more ways to wear this.
Taper fades and face shape
Because a taper fade leaves length at the sides, it is less likely than a high fade to make a round face look wider or a long face look longer. A few pointers:
- Round: go for a mid or high taper, and add height on top.
- Square: any height works, and a low taper with a textured top softens the jaw.
- Oblong: a low taper keeps some side width. Avoid too much height on top.
- Oval: you can pick whichever version you like.
- Heart and diamond: a low or mid taper keeps the sides from looking too narrow.
Not sure about your shape? Our free face shape detector will read it from a selfie, and your photo stays on your device.
How to ask for a taper fade
Be specific, because “taper fade” can mean slightly different things to different barbers:
“I’d like a low taper fade. Please fade only the sideburns and the neckline, and keep the length around the rest of the sides. Scissors on top, leaving about two inches, with some texture.”
Then bring a photo showing the side and back of the cut, not only the front. If you know your clipper numbers, you can use them. If not, our guide to haircut numbers and guard sizes explains how to talk about length.
A few extra questions help too:
- Should the neckline be natural, rounded, or squared? A natural neckline grows out best, as there is no sharp line to lose.
- Do you want your sideburns to go to skin, or stay short?
- If you have a beard, do you want the fade to blend into it?
Upkeep
A taper fade looks at its sharpest for around two weeks, and it needs a clean-up after three or four. Since the short sections are small, regrowth is less obvious. Some barbers offer quick neck and edge clean-ups between full cuts for less than a full haircut, so it is worth asking.
Compared to the rest of the fade family, it is one of the lower-upkeep choices. Our list of low-maintenance men’s haircuts ranks the options by how often they need a trim.
Styling
For most tops, styling is simple. Towel-dry, work a matte paste or clay through your hair with your fingers, and shape it. A sea salt spray before drying adds texture if your hair is flat. For curls, a leave-in or curl cream on damp hair is usually enough.
Related guides
See a taper fade on your own photo
How much length to keep on the sides and how high the taper should go is easier to judge when you can see it. Hairover lets you upload a clear photo, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio. Try a few options side by side, then take your favorite to your barber.
FAQ
What is a taper fade?
A taper fade shortens the hair gradually at the sideburns and the nape, and leaves more length around the sides and back. It blends into the skin or a short length only at those edges, so it looks cleaner than a taper but less dramatic than a full fade.
What is the difference between a taper and a fade?
A taper gradually shortens hair and usually keeps some length at the edges. A fade goes down to skin or close to it and takes that short length higher up the head. A taper fade is a combination, with a fade only at the sideburns and neckline.
How long does a taper fade last?
It usually looks sharp for two to three weeks, and it stays presentable for about four. Because the short section is small, it grows out less noticeably than a high fade.
Does a taper fade work on curly hair?
Very well. The cut keeps fullness on top and at the sides and tidies only the edges, so curls keep their shape. It is one of the most common cuts for curly and coily hair.
