35 Classic Taper Haircuts

The taper haircut is trending as one of the best short hairstyles for men. Unlike the high or low taper fade, a men’s tapered haircut is cut with scissors instead of clippers. Although cool short and long taper hairstyles have always been popular, the renewed interest in this classic style is likely the result of its stylish versatility. By choosing a taper, guys can combine this gentleman’s cut with a comb over, slick back, pompadour, side part, quiff or any cool hairstyle desired. The result is one of the best classic men’s haircut styles.

Check out the best taper haircuts for the latest trends to try on your next visit to the barbershop. Whether you want a modern or traditional cut, short or long style, or faded finish, you’ll find many ways to wear a taper haircut!

What Is A Taper Haircut?

The taper haircut is the process of trimming men’s hair on the sides and back shorter gradually. Using hair clippers, barbers slowly blend or taper the longer hair at the top into short hair around the ears and neckline. There are many different types of taper haircuts that determine how high or low to start the taper.

Low Taper Haircut

The low taper is a classy cut. With the hair tapering just above the ears and hairline, a low taper haircut is the most conservative. Low tapers are often the favorite of businessmen and professionals who need a stylish gentleman’s haircut for the office but want to avoid exposing too much scalp.

Mid Taper Haircut

The mid taper focuses on blending the hair at a middle point. A medium taper haircut is not as edgy as the high taper, but styles nicely for business professionals.

High Taper Haircut

A high taper starts near the top of the sides, creating more of a contrast between the short sides and longer top. High taper haircuts are stylish and popular, and can be further tailored with a line up around the hairline.

Best Tapered Haircuts

If your curious about trying a tapered hairstyle but aren’t sure if this cut is right for you, check out the pictures below. We’ve combed through hundreds of modern short and long taper haircuts to bring you the best cuts and styles.

Taper Fade

The most popular taper haircut is the taper fade. This low taper blends the hair on the sides and focuses attention on the longer hair on top. But not all tapers are fades, and guys can ask their barbers for a classic cut with scissors instead of clippers. Nevertheless, both types of styles work well with short sides, long top hairstyles.

Short Taper with Brushed Back Hair

Most trendy men’s tapered hairstyles require short sides for a low-maintenance finish. The short taper is a good haircut for guys who want a classy, sophisticated look for both their professional and personal lives. The textured brush back with low taper offers the perfect balance to achieve this.

Slick Back Taper

This slick back taper combines the conservative, clean cut look of a tapered hairstyle with the edgy styling of a slick back. To style a slick back taper fade, you’ll also need a good pomade and brush.

Tapered Sides and Back

The tapered sides and back blend seamlessly into your neck and sideburns, allowing the short hair on the sides to focus attention to the thicker, longer hair on top. In this example, you’ll see a blowback haircut, which is a type of slick back style but with textured, natural hair. For a matte finish, guys will want to apply a matte wax, clay or pomade.

Low Taper with Comb Over

Like a fade, there are high, medium, and low taper haircuts. This low taper with a modern comb over is a timeless look that’s been trending hot around the world. For handsome hair that women will love, ask your barber for a comb over taper fade.

Medium Taper Haircut

The medium taper is another sexy haircut for men. The mid taper haircut starts in the middle of the head and offers a more aggressive cut. The masculine look is complete with the stubble beard and natural comb over.

Tapered Sideburns

Similar to a beard fade, guys can taper their sideburns. While you first need to grow a full beard, tapered sideburns allow your hair on the sides to blend into your facial hair for a unique but attractive finish.

Short Taper Fade with Crop Top

A short taper fade may be your only option if you plan on getting a very short haircut on top. Like the crew cut or buzz cut, the French crop is a clean, low-maintenance look that doesn’t need much styling or product.

Tapered Sides with Long Comb Over

The comb over hairstyle looks stylish with many different cuts, including tapered sides, fades, and undercuts. Add a beard and a few hairs falling off your forehead and girls will absolutely love this look.

Tapered Side Part

This hard side part is a variation of the classic hairstyle. While the side part has been around for decades, the style continues to be a popular men’s haircut.

Low Taper Fade with Angular Fringe and Beard

The fringe is a good hairstyle for guys who have thick or curly hair. If you are having a difficult time styling your hair, a fade on the sides combined with a messy fringe on top is an easy yet trendy look any guy can pull off.

Quiff with Short Tapered Hair

If you have beautiful short to medium-length hair, a textured quiff is a cool hairstyle to try. You can get a high skin fade or undercut on the sides, or opt for a more conservative tapered cut.

Comb Over Taper and Full Beard

The contrast of the comb over taper style is perfect for men who have thick hair. To style the look and give your hair a textured feel, be sure to use a quality pomade and apply it while your hair is very slightly damp.

Hard Side Part with Taper and Beard

This side part with taper is a cool short hairstyle for men. The addition of the beard can make the style look hipster or very masculine, giving you the option to change your look throughout the week.

Short Tapered Sides with Textured Brush Up

Here we have short tapered sides with a textured brush up and goatee. This awesome hairstyle can be easily tweaked to style a quiff, pompadour, or slick back.

Tight Taper Fade with Textured Slick Back

Some tapered haircuts blend all the way to your neckline, creating a neck taper like the one pictured above. And instead of creating a shiny slick back with pomade, this stylist decided to texture the hair for a natural, loose men’s hairstyle.

Low Classic Taper with Thick Brushed Back Hair

As one of the most classic haircuts for men, here we have thick hair brushed straight back. The benefit of this look is that, with a bit more styling or pomade, he could design a pompadour or slick back.

Modern Pompadour with Taper and Hair Design

The modern pompadour is still one of the hottest men’s hair trends of recent years. Etch in a cool hair design and you’ve got a super cool style.

Low Neck Taper Fade

Neck taper fades are certainly under-appreciated. If you’re cutting your hair but not getting a very short fade or undercut on the sides, consider tapering your neckline.

Crew Cut with Taper

This messy crew cut is simple, easy to style, and low-maintenance.

Medium-Length Taper and Brushed Back Hair

One of the best hairstyles for medium-length hair is the effortless brush back. If you’re thinking of growing out your hair and need a longer hairstyle, this is one option to keep in mind. And if you ever want a more suave look, you can always apply pomade to create a slick back, comb over, or quiff.

Textured Slick Back and Tapered Sides

Tapered hair on the sides with slicked back hair on top makes for an excellent business or professional haircut.

Low Taper Fade with Beard

If you’re getting a low fade haircut, consider getting a beard fade. Connecting your fade to your beard looks hot and fashion-forward.

Long Comb Over Taper with Beard

If you don’t want a very short haircut because you’re trying to hide a receding hairline or have thin hair, then asking for a long taper on the sides and styling a long comb over on top is an excellent idea.

Long Taper Haircut

The men’s taper is versatile and timeless – it works well with short, medium or long hair.

Classic Comb Over Taper

The classic comb over remains an all-time favorite. As one of the most requested haircuts in barbershops today, parted hair will never go out of style.

Long Taper with Medium-Length Hair on Top

Some men just prefer the long taper haircut. However, the only way a long taper works is if you have even longer hair on top.

Low Cut Taper Fade with Textured Top

This low cut taper fade curves around the ear and drops down to the neckline. The faded sides are needed to emphasize the natural, short spiky hair on top.

Clean Cut Tapered Sides For Boys

Tapered hairstyles tend to be excellent for school boys. Before visiting your local barbershop, take a look at these awesome boys haircuts for inspiration.

Ivy League with Short Taper

The Ivy League is another gentleman’s haircut that looks classy. Often paired with a tapered cut and a side swept fringe or part, it’s a sweet style that will get you recognized as a gentleman.