60 Classic Taper Haircuts For Men

The taper haircut is a timeless and popular style that looks classy, masculine and effortlessly stylish. Balanced and versatile, the classic taper can be a low-maintenance choice for men who want a short blended cut on the sides and back without transitioning the hair into the skin. These tapered haircut styles will highlight your longer hair on top with understated contrast and modern elegance to create the perfect look for any length, texture or occasion.

Whether you need a new cut for school or a clean business professional style, a taper is a classic cut that offers simplicity, sophistication and a textured aesthetic for a wholesome finish.

If you’re looking for visual inspiration, here are some of the best taper haircuts for men that will elevate your style.

Taper Haircut Styles

Textured Brush Up with Tapered Sides

The brush up is a cool hairstyle for men who want a stylish and casual look with tapered sides. Full and textured, this haircut works well on every texture and can be a low-maintenance look. While the fade is always the most popular cut, the classic taper offers an elegant and timeless style that will complement your short to medium-length hair. Keeping more weight on the back and sides while layering the top allows for a thicker finish with dimension.

Comb Over with High Taper Fade

If you rock a preppy look, the comb over is a handsome choice for guys who want a short and professional-looking taper on the sides and back. Keeping the top long will add weight and movement, while the tapered cut keeps the overall look clean and soft.

Brushed Up Comb Over with Tapered Sides

The brushed-up comb over is a high-volume style for modern gentlemen that will naturally complement the tapered sides to create a charming and fashionable look. This balanced haircut incorporates a high taper for contrast while maintaining longer healthy hair on top for maximum versatility. Keep more length in the front than the back to pull off a coiffed look with confidence. Use a matte low-hold styling product to show off your texture and flow.

Low Taper

A low taper is an elegant haircut style for any guy who wants to exude sophistication and class while looking attractive. The low tapered sides will clean up the hairline around the ears and neck while creating understated contrast that lets the longer style on top steal the show.

Textured Pompadour with Low Taper

The textured pompadour is a classy hairstyle for modern men who want a retro look with the latest styling. The low taper gives structure to the look while highlighting the impressive height and volume.

Textured Side Swept Style with Scissor Cut Taper

The textured side style with a scissor-cut taper can be a wholesome look that will suit any length or occasion. Easy to maintain and style, the volume on top is brushed out of the face and the tapered sides provide a subtle finish for the understated gentleman.

Textured Messy Quiff with Low Taper

A textured messy quiff is a good cut for young men. The height of the style is enhanced by layers and the low taper makes for a haircut that won’t require biweekly bald fades. You can use a dime-sized amount of pomade to style.

Classic Mid Taper

The classic mid taper is a timeless gentleman’s haircut for men who need blended sides that will work with any style. If you just want a trim that’ll keep the hair off your ears and neaten up the corners, ask your barber for a tapered cut.

Modern Quiff with High Taper

The modern quiff is an exceptional cut that lets men with thicker hair embrace their natural volume. Layers help loosen the look, allowing for greater versatility in styling, while the high taper gives dramatic contrast.

Combed Back Style with Low Taper

Textured and naturally flowing, the combed-back hairstyle is a must-have look that creates a softer, smoother finish. Whether you have a slightly receding hairline or thick straight hair, this medium style is achieved using a matte pomade and brushing the hair straight back. A low taper complements the look while adding volume and height.

Long Wavy Fringe with Low Taper Fade

A thick wavy hairstyle with a long fringe can be a flattering look for guys who appreciate their texture and want to put it on display. With volume on top, the low taper fade will offer clean-cut sides and keep the look from getting unruly.

Long Brushed Back Hair with Classic Low Taper

The classic low taper is the ideal complement to the long brushed-back look. Both make for an easier hairstyle that is suitable for men of all ages and never goes out of style. All you’ll need to lock in this look is hair gel and a comb.

Messy Textured Spiky Hair with High Taper and Long Beard

With a textured finish and high-contrast taper, short messy spikes are a modern men’s hairstyle that provide a rebellious vibe. The clean-cut sides and back highlight the tousled spiky styling while the use of a strong styling product offer the volume and hold necessary for this multidimensional look. For an extra masculine element, add a nicely-groomed longer beard.

Parted Quiff with Taper

Think of the parted quiff as a side part with far more attitude. Like a quiff, the hair is left longer at the front but is styled up and to the side for more texture and direction. A taper blends the top and the sides without going short.

Two Block with High Taper Undercut

The two-block has made its way stateside and is here to stay. This style has a part down the center of the head, and layers are added to give its characteristic bounce and volume. A high taper undercut is the fade you want to go for this one to help bring focus to the iconic look.

Ivy League with Mid Taper

The Ivy League is a short crew cut with a side swept front that requires little effort. This style is characterized by the top being much longer than the back and sides and getting a mid taper will only help sell the cut even more. This layered style will breathe new life into the traditional look.

High Volume Side Part and Scissored Sides

The high-volume side part is a professional style that offers a Mad Men vibe with a modern twist. This bombastic cut gives offers height with main character energy, while scissored sides keep it all from getting out of control.

Combed Back Style with Taper and Stubble

The combed-back look is an iconic style that will take you back to the basics for a masculine retro vibe. Ask your barber for a taper and to take your beard down to the stubble for a charming look that the ladies will love.

Fluffy Textured Fringe with Mid Taper

For a versatile look try aiming for texture. Take this fluffy textured fringe, for instance, and its controlled chaos. Adding layers to the top adds dimension, while bangs frame the face and a mid taper anchors the whole look.

Thick French Crop with Brushed Up Fringe and Mid Taper

The thick French crop is a trendy style for men who want to texture and flow with their hair. Brushing up the fringe adds a new level of flair while a mid taper adds just enough contrast to keep your hair looking sharp.

Elegant Taper Blowout

A classy blowout taper is a trendy way to update your style. This approach offers more styling options for medium-length to long hair, allowing for greater versatility in your look. Use a texturizing spray or pomade to create a flawless style.

Ivy League Taper with Taper and Sideburn Fade

As an instant classic, the Ivy League is a great haircut for the guy who likes a simple routine. To keep this style looking full, ask for a taper and a sideburn fade to get the hair out of your ears.

Curly Hair Taper

One of the best ways to tame curly hair is with a taper. You can go short with your curls or let them run a little longer, but as long as you have the taper, you can be sure that your look won’t be crazy.

Thick Scissored Taper

The thick scissored taper is a sharp men’s hairstyle reminiscent of the 1920s. Forget the clippers with this haircut, as it’s all done with scissors to achieve precise layers and blending around the ears.

Long Spiky Style with Classic Taper

Long spiky hair will forever be hardcore, and you can’t convince us otherwise. This haircut deals with absolutes with its high volume and textured spikes that can be done with a generous amount of hair gel. The classic taper is the only thing standing in the way of a pristine cut and a porcupine façade.

Crop Top with Low Taper Fade

The crop top is a popular look and requires very little effort to style. You can take this laidback look one step further with a low taper fade, which keeps your haircut fresh without standing out too boldly.

Short Messy Top with High Classic Taper

While simple, this timeless messy hairstyle features a high taper for a short and low-maintenance look. Point cutting adds texture throughout the top while the classic tapered sides tighten the style for a manageable length. To lock in this look, all you need is a small amount of styling clay.

Middle Part Taper

Like the two-block hairstyle, the middle part is a stylish way to update your cut. Take things back to the early 1990s and ask for layers on top and a taper to soften out the back and sides. Let the top flow carelessly over the sides for that teen heartthrob finish.

Mid Length Curls with Scissor Cut

Getting your curls to mid-length is a brilliant tactic to keep your hair in check without buzzing it all off. This scissor cut lightly tapers the back and sides to make the look manageable, while the rest is styled with mousse to add shine and volume.

Crew Cut Taper

If you’re looking to go short for the summer, then try the crew cut taper. This hairstyle takes it short on top, about finger length, and tapers out the back and sides to keep it neat without looking like you just signed up for the military.

Spiky Brushed Up Style with Taper

The spiky brush up is a reliable hairstyle that works generally well on all guys for a simple and masculine look. Delicately textured on top and long enough to carry volume, this style is great whether you’re a working professional or a chill dude. Finish it off with the taper to nicely blend the look.

Short Thick Hair with High Taper Fade

Thick hair can be annoying, but there are ways to tame it. One method is to keep it shorter on top, so you avoid looking like a tennis ball and getting a high taper fade to keep the cut from getting too round. This will both elongate your face and accentuate a strong jaw.

Side Swept Pompadour with Tapered Sides and Beard

The side swept pompadour is a high-volume look that keeps the top longer than the sides. Tapered sides help to tame the finished style with a subtle fade and a trimmed beard anchors your style.

Textured Caesar Crop with Low Taper Fade

For a masculine haircut, ask your barber for a textured Caesar crop. This style can be cool and sexy since it comes medium length and textured. A low taper fade works nicely to clean up the look just enough to tighten the sides without showing off too much skin.

Tapered Curly Hair

A tapered curly hairstyle is a short look that will help you manage your curls while creating a sexy vibe. A light trim on top can loosen the curls enough to push back while a taper fade keeps the sides easy to style. This dapper look is the solution you’ve been searching for.

Wavy Brush Up Taper

This medium brush up is a stylish haircut style that incorporates a high taper and a voluminous wavy fringe for the perfect finish. Hold the top in place with some pomade and a brush while getting a taper fade to keep the cut in check.

Short Hair Brushed to the Side with Taper

This stylish short hairstyle is the perfect look for hipsters and teenage guys who prefer a balance between easy and trendy. You’ll want to keep the top layered, choppy, and brushed to the side for simplicity. A taper fade takes enough off the sides that the cut will look neat but not crazy short.

Classy High Taper

The classy high taper is a low-maintenance and sleek haircut that creates a manly vibe. This style is simple enough to achieve since the top can be trimmed to finger-length, while the sides are tapered down for an effortlessly rugged look. Apply some hair gel if you’re feeling fancy.

Long Textured Crew Cut with High Taper

While it nearly ventures into a military-inspired style, the long textured crew cut sets itself apart with its length. Left slightly longer in the front and going shorter in the back with a high taper, this versatile cut is an ideal men’s cut.

Brushed Up and Over with Thick Taper

For the gentleman who wants to keep their long hair in control, the brushed up and over style is a fashionably current option. Adding layers on top will let the texture stand out without sacrificing any length. This look keeps the back and sides dense with a thick taper for a fuller, more stylish finish.

Short Comb Over Taper

The short comb over is a classic haircut style for men who want a popular, professional and effortlessly chic look. Leave the top longer with layers and ask for a taper to keep the final look square and even. Some pomade helps push the hair to the side and keep it there.

Long Hair with High Tapered Sides

If you want that pop star flair, then keeping your hair long with tapered sides is the way to go. This hairstyle goes all-in on the contrast as the top is left untouched while the sides are trimmed down to act like a shelf for the final look. Use a bit of hair clay and a blow dryer to give yourself long-lasting volume.

Side Part Taper

If you want to show off how well-dressed you are look no further than the side part. This traditional cut is known for its precision in styling and the taper fade that adds enough contrast to enhance your natural masculinity. With light gel, you won’t have a strand out of place.

High Top Taper

The high top taper is a retro haircut for black men who have thick textured locks and a desire for height. Similar to the flat top, this cut emphasizes volume on top with an angular finish and a tapered cut that gradually eases the back and sides.

Classic High Taper

Without a doubt, the classic high taper is a short haircut for men who want a stylish, masculine and low-maintenance look that will always work. Simple and flattering, the cut is achieved by keeping the top layered and long and the sides neat and tapered. Go simple and let it air dry or run a small amount of pomade through to embrace your inner heartthrob.

Slicked Back Hair with Low Taper Fade

While popular with an undercut, a slicked back hairstyle with a low taper fade can offer a modern twist on the classic look. With quality pomade, this style keeps the hair down and slick for a smooth finish, while the low taper breaks up the look with a sharp neckline.

Blowout with Low Taper

A blowout with a low taper is a high-volume style that offers dimension and texture to achieve an elegant and youthful finish. The low tapered sides are classy and versatile while the thick straight locks make styling effortless. Use a blow dryer and styling clay for a gravity-defying style.

Short Hair Taper

There is nothing simpler than a short hair taper. Ask your guy for a number two taper to keep it trim and leave the top just long enough to achieve textured spikes.

Classic Low Taper

The classic low taper is known for its clean-cut finish and old-time charm. This fade keeps the sideburns intact enough to give a fuller hairline while the top is properly trimmed for a perfect schoolboy cut.

Side Swept Brush Back with High Taper and Beard

The side swept brush back is an instantly handsome haircut that will put a smile on everyone’s face. Combine this timeless look with a high taper and you’ll be granted limitless styling options.

Textured Short Top with Tapered Sides and Back

Keeping your hair short and textured is a seamless way to get style points with minimal effort. Point cutting and layers are key for this haircut, as are tapered back and sides to ensure that the look doesn’t grow out too fast.

Stylish Medium Taper

The stylish medium taper is a handsome and versatile haircut that will look attractive in the office and at the bar. With neat short sides, the longer hair on top can be combed over, slicked back, parted or spiked to suit any occasion.

Business Classic Taper and Beard

If you want to succeed in business without really trying, then start by getting this business cut with a classic taper. This professional haircut is easy to achieve and style thanks to the taper that lets the top do all the negotiating.

Hard Side Part with High Taper

Show off how trendy you are with the hard side part. This haircut shaves a line where the hair naturally parts to create precision while the high taper adds contrast. A small amount of hair gel will go a long way.

Angular Fringe with Undercut Taper

The angular fringe is a casual and idyllic look for young guys who want to maintain a carefree and youthful style. Whether you’re a skater boy, college guy or young due, once you let the front of your hair grow over your face, ask your barber for an undercut taper to add some professionalism to your punk look.

Long Quiff with Short Tapered Sides

If you need a hairstyle change, contrast your long quiff with short, tapered sides. This method allows for greater style options that no other man would think to try.

Short Tapered Side with Long Top

Short tapered sides pair fantastically with longer hair because it provides a different texture to play with in the overall look. Use pomade to truly embrace your volume.

Back Taper

The back taper is a smooth neckline haircut that can be ideal for guys between trips to the barber. A short tapered back and sides will keep your neckline clean and continue to complement the longer style on top.

Classic Taper

The classic taper should be a constant in every man’s hair arsenal for its timeless allure and masculine flair. Break out the gel for this look because you’ll need something that’ll hold your hair in place all day long.

Cool Teen Guy Taper

To embrace your romcom fantasy, bring this picture of a cool teen guy taper. It is everything you’ll need in a cut from youthful to stylish. Watch out, because all your friends will want to copy this look.

Textured Brush Back with Tapered Sides

The textured brushed back is a cool look for the modern gentleman who wants to embrace extra volume. You can add layers throughout and let the texture stand out while getting the sides tapered for contrast and flair.

What Is A Taper Haircut?

The taper is a classic haircut for men where the sides and back are gradually blended shorter to achieve a stylish finish. Using clippers, your barber will gradually buzz to transition a longer length near the top into shorter hair around the ears and neckline. While there are several cool variations, the most popular tapered men’s hairstyles generally feature a short and understated taper with longer hair on top to deliver texture, volume and charm. When choosing a cut, you can ask your barber for a low, mid or high taper to suit your style.

For a timeless gentleman’s haircut, a clean low to mid taper is a versatile choice that will complement your styling. To create a high-contrast look, talk to your barber about a taper fade that will blend your hair into the scalp for a very short, bald finish.

Taper vs Fade

The main difference between a taper and fade is a tapered cut blends hair more gradually while the fade will seamlessly transition your sides and back into the skin. A fade haircut is a modern, edgy and shorter style whereas the taper is a classic gentleman’s look. Generally featuring longer hair on top, these haircut styles can be low, mid or high to determine how short you want the hair on the back and sides.

High Taper vs Low Taper

The difference between a high and low taper is that a high tapered cut creates a shorter style with more contrast and a bolder look while low tapered sides are generally conservative and classy for a timeless finish. The low taper haircut is a popular choice for men who need a clean and business professional style. A mid to high tapered cut will often be aggressively blended and short to achieve a cool and low-maintenance look.