# Haircuts for Black Men: 38 Styles, From Low Cuts to Locs

> Twist and shout.

- Canonical: https://luxe.digital/style/black-men-haircuts/
- Author: Editorial Team (https://luxe.digital/author/editorial-team/)
- Published: 2026-10-01
- Publisher: Luxe Digital (https://luxe.digital/)
- Cite as: Luxe Digital, "Haircuts for Black Men: 38 Styles, From Low Cuts to Locs", https://luxe.digital/style/black-men-haircuts/
- AI-use policy: https://luxe.digital/ai-policy.txt

You've got a screenshot saved on your phone and a barber asking what we're doing today. Is it the waves? The twists? The braids your cousin swears take an hour, tops?

Here's the part nobody mentions in the chair: the style you pick decides when you're back. A fade wants your barber every two to three weeks. Cornrows can stay in for up to six. Locs take about six months just to settle in, and then they're yours for years.

So scroll until one looks like you, check what it asks of your calendar, and read the Ask line out loud when you sit down.

## Low cuts and fades for Black men

## 360 waves

## Sponge curls and short afros

## Afros

## Two-strand twists and comb coils

## Cornrows

## Braids

## Locs

## Which Black men's haircut should you choose?

Start with how often you'll go back. A low cut, a fade or a line-up means a barber visit every two to three weeks. Twists last up to two weeks, cornrows up to six, and box braids six to eight. Locs are the long game: about six months to mature, then a retwist every five to eight weeks.

Then think about length. You can start waves, sponge curls and short afros from a couple of inches. Comb coils start locs on a couple of inches too, while two-strand twists need four to five. If you're keeping it short, our [short haircuts guide](/style/men-short-haircuts/) has 51 more cuts.

## Who suits each style?

Every style here works on tightly coiled hair, so pick by what you'll keep up. Short cuts and waves suit a man who's happy in the barber's chair every few weeks. Twists and cornrows suit a man who'd rather sit for two hours once and forget about it for a while. Locs suit a man who's happy to play the long game.

If your hairline is thinning or your scalp is sensitive, go easy on tight cornrows and braids, and look at a low cut, waves or a short afro instead.

## What to ask your barber or braider for

Bring two photos, one from the front and one from the side, and read out the Ask line under the look you picked. For a cut, give the length on top, the guard number on the sides, where the fade or taper starts, and whether you want a line-up. A number 1 leaves an eighth of an inch.

For braids, twists and locs, give the size (small, medium or large), the parting (box parts, straight back, curved), and the length. Tell your braider straight away if it hurts. A style that hurts is too tight.

## How much upkeep does each style take?

| Style | How often you go back | What it costs |
|---|---|---|
| Fade or low cut | Every 2 to 3 weeks | Varies by barber |
| Two-strand twists | Up to 2 weeks | $65 to $150 |
| Cornrows | Up to 6 weeks | $38 to $183 |
| Box braids | 6 to 8 weeks | $90 to $135 |
| Locs | Retwist every 5 to 8 weeks | $50 to $75 a retwist |

Waves are the one style where the upkeep is daily. You brush, you wear a durag at night, and your barber keeps the line-up sharp.

## What is the most popular haircut for Black men?

Waves, low cuts and braids come up again and again, and the fade is the base most of these styles build on. It sits under waves, under sponge curls, under a short afro and beside cornrows. If you're not sure where to start, a low cut with a line-up is the easy first step: short, sharp and quick to change.

## What is a number 1 haircut for Black men?

A number 1 is a clipper guard that leaves 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) of hair. On tightly coiled hair it reads as a very short, even low cut.

## Twists vs locs: which should you get?

Twists are temporary and locs are permanent. You can take twists out in a couple of weeks. Locs stay until you cut them.

| | Two-strand twists | Locs |
|---|---|---|
| How long it lasts | Up to 2 weeks | Years, once mature |
| Cost | $65 to $150 | Under $100 to start; $50 to $75 a retwist |
| Upkeep | Redo every couple of weeks | Retwist every 5 to 8 weeks |

If you're not sure, start with two-strand twists. They're one of the ways to start locs, so you can decide later.

## How much do braids cost for men?

Men's box braids cost about $90 to $135 in some areas. Cornrows run $38 to $183 across the U.S., and men usually pay toward the lower end because there's less hair to braid. Two-strand twists cost about $65 to $150.

## How long do cornrows last on men?

You can keep cornrows in for up to six weeks. Wash your scalp and moisturize in between, and take them out when the roots start to frizz.

## Can braids and cornrows cause hair loss?

Yes, if they're too tight. The American Academy of Dermatology names cornrows, braids and locs as styles that can cause traction alopecia. The early signs are broken hairs around the forehead, a receding hairline, a stinging scalp, or skin pulled up like a tent where the hair is tight. Left untreated, it can become permanent. Ask for looser, thicker braids and change styles now and then.

## How long does it take to get 360 waves?

It depends on your hair and how often you brush. Wolfing (letting the hair grow for several weeks between cuts) deepens the pattern, and a durag at night protects it. Give it a few weeks of steady brushing before you judge it.

If you'd like your curls longer at the front, our [textured fringe guide](/style/textured-fringe/) has curly versions, and so does the [modern mullet guide](/style/modern-mullet/). For something shaggier, try the [wolf cut](/style/men-wolf-cut/).

So when the barber asks what we're doing today, hand over the screenshot and read the Ask line under it. You'll both know when you're back.

## Related on Luxe Digital

- [Taper Fade Haircuts: 53 Styles, From a Low Taper to a Skin Fade](https://luxe.digital/style/taper-fade-haircuts/)
- [An Illustrated Guide To The Best Fade Haircuts For Men](https://luxe.digital/style/men-fade-haircuts/)
- [Our Guide To The Best Curly Hairstyles For Men](https://luxe.digital/style/men-curly-hairstyles/)