Clean & Stylish: An Illustrated Guide To The Taper Fade Haircut

The taper fade haircut, also sometimes called a temper 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’re weighing your options, we also have illustrated guides to the best short haircuts for men and medium-length hairstyles.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Everything comes gradually. A tapered fade is a sleek, gradual men’s haircut with the shortest hair sections just at the nape and sideburns.
• Choose what fades away. The low fade starts in the neck and around the ear. A mid-fade or medium fade is slightly higher. The high fade is higher still, ending up near the top of your head (see the best fade haircuts for men for more details).

If you need a little help styling your hair, these are the most popular hair care products for men right now:

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 grows.

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 For Black Men

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 leave 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 volume 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.