38 Cool Taper Fade Haircuts Every Man Should Try in 2025
The taper fade is a timeless men’s haircut that has lasted for many years. It stays stylish and well-liked because it looks sharp and neat. This flexible hairstyle suits men of all ages and fits many different lifestyles, which is why it remains popular.
A taper haircut for men slowly changes the hair length from the top of the head down to the neck. The hair is longer on top and becomes shorter near the neck. A fade is usually shorter than a taper. It starts with short hair on top that blends down to the skin at the neck.
What are the different taper fades?
This fade combines the popular taper and fade styles, creating a medium-length haircut for men. When talking to your barber, decide if you want a high fade, a low taper fade, or a mid fade. A high fade usually starts close to the crown and stays thick down to the temple. A low fade begins to shorten around the temple area. The mid fade sits right between these two styles.
Another type of fade is called a bald fade. In a skin fade, the hair on the sides is cut close but does not go higher than the temples. On the back, the fade stops at the occipital bone. There is also a style called a drop fade, which creates a curved fade that dips down behind the ears.
The shadow fade is another favorite style because it creates a cool shadow effect when done right. It begins with lighter hair on the sides and gradually blends into the longer hair on top.
Take a look at these photos of the best taper fade haircuts for men before you get your next haircut:
#1: Tapered with a Curly Top
A tapered haircut works well if you have curly hair on top. It gives your curls more shape and texture by keeping them longer on top. Adding a taper fade on the sides removes extra bulk and creates a more balanced, square look. A bald taper fade around the neck and sideburns makes this style stand out even more. To style at home, use R Co’s Chiffon lightweight mousse on your curls from roots to ends. Then, blow dry with high airflow to boost volume and loosen the curls.
#2: Long Top with Designs
A single line can take this haircut to the next level, as shown in this long top style. The sides are closely faded around the ears. The design is carefully carved with small clippers and then shaved to make it pop. The hair on top stays longer and is styled with extra volume for a bold finish. Since the pattern grows out fast, you can try a new design every time you get a haircut.
#3: Taper Faded with Spiky Long Top
This taper fade with a spiky long top gives you a bold, modern style. The short sides make the textured top stand out even more. You can customize this haircut with different fades, like burst fades or taper fades. If you want, add hair designs for a unique touch. To get the best volume, blow-dry your hair daily. Use matte clay from roots to tips to style the textured top.
#4: Faded Beard with a Taper Faded Cut
If you want a stylish and tidy haircut with a tough look, try a taper fade with a faded beard. This flexible style blends longer beard hair into shorter hair on your head. The tapered sides match the faded beard, giving you a sharp and clean look. To keep your beard soft, use beard oil or balm. For a textured hairstyle, apply matte clay.
#5: Edgy Taper Fade with Designs
The edgy taper fade with designs is a fresh take on a classic haircut. It gives men a cool and unique style. The taper fade means the hair gets shorter step by step on the sides and back, creating a neat look. Adding hair designs or patterns makes it more creative and shows off your personality. This flexible haircut suits many hair types and face shapes.
#6: Long Edgar Cut with a Beard
Edgar haircuts are a fresh twist on classic crop styles and have become very popular. The main feature of the Edgar cut is a straight, blunt fringe paired with faded sides. This longer Edgar cut with a beard offers a different style. The sides are faded down to the skin and carefully blended into the top for a smooth look. To get a natural finish, I suggest using Crazy Bull Space Dust Powder.
#7: Mullet with Highlights and a Taper Fade
Take a look at this trendy mullet with highlights and a taper fade! Many men and women are wearing different versions of this style. Show this haircut or a similar one to your barber or stylist. They can help you find the best look for your hair type and style. If you have textured hair, use curl cream and let it air dry. For straight hair, try using clay to style it.
#8: Layered Blonde Hair with a Taper Fade
Looking for a fresh and stylish look? Try this layered blonde haircut with a taper fade. It works great if you have fine hair and want more volume. The short sides keep it neat, while the longer top adds height and style. For best results, use your barber’s favorite matte clay. Blow-dry your hair back away from your face, then apply a small amount of matte clay. Finish with hairspray to keep your style in place all day.
#9: Hipster Side Parted Short Cut
If you want a laid-back, stylish look, try this hipster side parted short cut. If it’s your first time, ask your barber for a one fade on the sides. The top length depends on your hair type. Fine hair usually lays flat when cut shorter. Coarse hair may need to be longer to stay down. Use a cream like Malin and Goetz Sage Styling Cream to add a natural shine.
#10: Taper Fade with Voluminous Top
This taper fade with a full, high top looks stylish and clean. Different versions of this haircut work well with most hair types. It is also simple to style each day. If you are new to fades, plan to book a trim every 2 to 4 weeks to keep the sides neat. Since hair grows at different speeds, you might only need to cut the top every second visit.
#11: Blonde Long Curly Top
Choosing a style for your curly hair can be tricky. This look features long, blonde curls on top. The back and sides are cut very short, about a grade 1, blending smoothly into the beard. The top is left longer and disconnected to highlight the curls. Let your curls stay natural, but use some styling product to shape them better. Avoid brushing your curls, as this can cause frizz and make styling harder.
#12: Pumped Up Taper Fade
Men with straight hair can easily rock this bold taper fade. To get this style, ask your barber for a faux hawk combined with a taper fade.
#13: Faux Hawk + Taper Fade
A faux hawk with a taper fade is perfect for guys who like different styles. Spike it up high for a cool punk look, or comb it back neatly for work. When done right, this haircut easily fits any time of day or night.
#14: Undercut Taper Fade
An undercut taper fade highlights the longer hair on top while keeping the sides neat and clean. This men’s taper fade can be styled in many ways. You can slick it back into a pompadour or try a tighter slick back. You can even add a topknot for a different look.
Undercuts for men help make thick hair feel lighter by taking out some of the bulk. If you choose an undercut taper hairstyle, you will need to visit your barber often to keep the fade looking sharp.
#15: Tapered Faded Mullet
This taper faded mullet is based on the classic style but with a modern update. Traditional mullets have short hair on top, longer hair at the back, and short, disconnected sides. The front hair is cut short with a sharp line shaved in to match the blunt bangs. Using a cut throat razor to shave the design makes it stand out more. For a dry, natural look, use a styling powder.
#16: Buzz Cut and Bald Taper Fade
Choose a buzz cut with a bald taper fade for a sharp, stylish look. If you like your hair short and neat, talk to your barber about how to care for this haircut. Remember, this taper fade is very close on the sides. If you want to keep your sideburns, this style might not be the best choice.
#17: Flat Top with a Taper Fade
This modern take on a flat top with a taper fade gives the style a fresh look. The faded sides create a clean, smooth blend. Keeping the hair longer on top adds height and makes the haircut look stronger.
#18: Mohawk + Taper Fade
A mohawk with a taper fade gives you a balanced look. This style works well if you care about your head shape. The longer, textured hair on top and back helps shape your head or cover any dents. The short, tapered sides add a neat and stylish finish.
#19: Curly Taper Fade
The curly taper fade is a popular choice for men with curly hair. It features a close-cut taper that removes sideburns and hair at the back of the neck. Many men with curly hair find long curls around the ears and neck bothersome. A curly taper fade helps tidy up these areas for a neat look.
#20: Taper Fade + Dreads
A taper fade with dreads features a close-cut fade that blends smoothly from the skin up to the dreadlocks near your temples. It’s a great way to keep the sides neat while highlighting your dreads. A sharp, clean hairline finishes the look that many black men prefer.
#21: Slick Back Taper Fade
The slick back taper fade is a stylish update to a classic haircut. It looks good on any face shape and works with all hair types. If you have thick or coarse hair, apply a strong hold product to damp hair. This will help keep your style neat and in place.
#22: Caesar Taper Fade
A Caesar taper fade combines a tight fade on the sides with a short crew cut on top. Since 90’s styles are popular again, this classic haircut is back in style. The caesar is easy to style and needs little maintenance. It works well for any hair type. You can wear it brushed forward with bangs or add texture and push it back for a fresh, modern look.
#23: Taper Fade Comb Over
The taper fade comb over uses clippers to trim hair from very short near the neck to longer on top. The hair on top is cut neatly and styled smoothly. When trimming close to the scalp, be careful to blend the sideburns into the beard for a natural look.
#24: The French Crop with Taper Fade
The French crop with a taper fade is a timeless men’s haircut. It has a sharp, neat edge and a smooth fade that looks professional. The top hair is textured and falls forward, giving a fresh, youthful style. To boost the texture, put a little hair clay or pomade on your fingertips and work it into small sections of your hair.
#25: Mid Taper Fade with Texture
This mid taper fade has a relaxed yet bold style. It features a small quiff paired with a taper fade. Many men choose this haircut as their favorite everyday look.
#26: The Crown with a High Taper Fade Haircut
A stylish and sleek high taper fade haircut brings attention upward, highlighting the hair on top. This look works well for men with a receding hairline.
#27: Clean Short Taper Fade
This clean and stylish short haircut shows how a classic taper fade with a smooth finish can make any man look very handsome!
#28: Sharp Tapered Fade with Hard Part
This hard part with a taper fade is very versatile. It looks good on men with all hair types and textures.
#29: Low Taper Fade
This straight low taper fade has short sides. This makes the hair on top look fuller and stand out more.
#30: Spiky Clean Skin Taper Fade
This sharp, spiky taper fade with a side part is what barber Cat Ferrara from Las Vegas, NV calls a “Barber/Stylist” style. The sides are closely faded down to the skin. A neat, defined hard part separates the fade from the textured, multi-directional hair on top.
Ferrara’s top advice is, “shave down to the skin only if your scalp is healthy, well-moisturized, and free of bumps or problems. If your scalp has issues, choose a shadow fade using a half or #1 guard to hide any imperfections.”
This spiky hairstyle with a taper fade is a cool and playful look. It has sharp, neat edges that give it an edgy feel. It’s perfect if you want a casual style that’s also a bit trendy.
#31: Airy Textured Medium Pompadour with Taper Fade
This hairstyle is a pompadour combined with a taper fade, created by barber Maurice from Amsterdam.
“I trim the top so he can style it back like in the photo, or comb it to either the left or right,” Maurice explains.
Maurice suggests choosing hair products based on your hair type. For medium-length straight hair, he recommends using Matt Clay from Osmo UK.
A taper works well with all face shapes. It gives a tidy, sharp look, perfect for guys who want a clean style with a sporty vibe.
#32: Textured Hairstyle with Blended Taper Fade
This taper cut looks fresh, neat, and easy to care for. It has a nice textured style. Stylist Danny Willis from Mill Creek, WA, created this look.
“I like how versatile it is. He can style it in many ways or simply wake up and leave it as is. The textured cut adds natural movement, making it easy to wear without much effort,” says Willis.
Willis says it’s “close on the sides but loose enough that you don’t need a trim every two weeks.” This style suits fine hair well because of its soft texture. You won’t need much product—just tousle it and you’re ready!
#33: Masculine Texture with a Tapered Fade
Barber Frazier Dyson from Tennessee calls this taper fade haircut the surfer pomp.
“The hair on top is messy, and he can easily run his fingers through it. The neckline and sideburns have a classic taper, which helps the haircut grow out nicely,” says Dyson.
“This haircut is perfect for guys who want a style they can dress up or keep casual. With a shiny pomade, he can get a classic look. I used a clay product to create a matte, beachy style,” Dyson says.
#34: Blowout Taper Fade for Long Hair
This men’s haircut, called a blowout taper fade, combines a modern style with a classic look. Barber Jesus Ruiz from Colorado says the special details make this haircut stand out.
“I encourage men to experiment with different haircuts. Life is short, so enjoy it,” Ruiz says. Keeping your hair longer works well. It blends nicely with the gentle fade along the neck.
#35: Textured Top with Faded Taper
This men’s taper fade haircut has a textured top paired with a clean, smooth skin fade. Created by Hungarian hairstylist Csobán Sándor, it’s a true work of art.
This haircut is perfect for cool, active guys. It looks amazing when paired with a faded beard!
“Sándor suggests using By Vilain Dynamite Clay Wax or By Vilain Blow Powder to style this hair for the best results.”
#36: Tapered Clean Cut Edge
This specific taper fade creates a sharp contrast that other hairstyles can’t match. When styled well, it combines a neat look with a bold, modern edge.
Barber John Carmona from Denver says, “One great thing is that it works well with nearly any hairstyle on top. You can use a round brush and blow-dry it to add volume. If you cut it short and close to the scalp, it gives a neat, low-maintenance style.”
This haircut highlights the narrowest part of your head, making it ideal for men with oval or wide faces. With shorter sides, your eyes move up and down instead of across. This helps your face look longer.
#37: Taper Skin Fade with Length
This style features a skin taper fade with longer, textured hair on top. Florida stylist Dallas Gent added a small pick in the fade to create a break. This adds a sharp contrast against the skin.
“What I love most about this style and cut is how well it grows out. As your hair gets longer, the top still looks neat and even,” says Gent.
Gent’s tip for any man considering this haircut is simple: wear it with confidence! A sharp skin fade suits all men. It gives a bold and powerful style.
#38: Taper Fade Afro with Beard
This is a taper fade afro with a twist sponge style for black men, created by barber Derrick Noel from Joliet, IL. To add style, Noel included a moon-shaped part and tapered both the hair and beard to highlight the fade.
“Noel says, ‘A sharp line on the hairline and beard makes the bald taper stand out and creates a smooth transition. Using a twist sponge on top adds modern curls to the classic afro style for men.’
This afro taper fade has a neat yet slightly messy style. To keep it looking good, you need to care for it every day. Regular shape-ups and brushing the sides are important.