The top knot is an edgy men’s hairstyle that will transform your aesthetic and flaunt your volume, texture and personality by tying your hair up. Also known as a top bun, the sexy and popular haircut generally includes a taper fade or undercut on the sides and back with pulled-back and tied-up longer hair on top, creating a fashion-forward look with height and texture.
After growing out your hair, the modern top knot can be an easy choice for any guy wanting a trendy and contemporary style that will get him noticed. Like the man bun, you can experiment with several variations of the top knot, but each can be stylish, functional and wearable to suit your preferences.
For inspiration, browse the most attractive men’s top knot hairstyles to find effortlessly flattering and handsome looks before your next visit to the barbershop.
Popular Men’s Top Knot Styles
Classic Top Knot
The classic top knot is a versatile style that is easy to maintain with minimal styling. Grow your locks out and tie them into a bun at the crown of the head for a relaxed look that suits any hair length. Uniform length around the head creates a fuller bun, while choppy layers are essential if you’re a fan of loose strands and a casual vibe.
Undercut Top Knot
An undercut top knot offers a neat look that brings density to the crown of the head to create fullness. The top is left long, while the back and sides are shaved or closely cropped for eye-catching contrast and visual interest. The short sides minimize the need for trims and give any guy an effortlessly cool and contemporary aesthetic. A rugged, manly beard will enhance this Viking hairstyle.
Curly Hair Top Knot Fade
A curly hair top knot fade highlights natural texture and keeps hair away from the neck for a comfortable style. Pull your hair high on the crown and let your curls fall loosely into their natural pattern. A sleek line-up, daring high fade and well-groomed beard add structure. A spritz of volumizing mousse and light scrunching offer lift on top with minimal frizz.
Top Knot Fade
A top knot fade is a clean look that gives you enough styling versatility for any occasion. Pulling the hair high onto the crown can look awesome combed back with a sleek front and a striking mid fade for a structured appearance. Run your fingers through the front and tie a looser knot for an effortlessly casual alternative.
Top Knot Man Bun
A top knot man bun is a sexy and unstructured style with a softer, bedhead appearance. Keep the hair long and create a natural feel along the top with a comb for a textured look. Pick a looped bun with a folded ponytail or wrap the hair into a secure coil at the crown. Let extra length fall around the face for a cool, tousled appearance.
Messy Top Knot
A messy top knot is an excellent choice for guys who appreciate loose, preppy styles that frame the face. Pull strands around the front to create a fringe and throw in a neat, full beard for a rugged, bohemian edge. Use a fine-toothed comb and texturizing products to fashion a few bumps and attractive fluffiness around the bun.
Top Knot with Taper Fade
A top knot with a taper fade is a modern men’s hairstyle that will transform your vibe with a sharp cut and edgy finish. The fade will taper the sides to achieve a clean, structured look, while the high top knot bun offers a practical and sleek style. The low-maintenance longer hair on top can be a playful and charming look that complements the short cut. A hard part, a thicker ruffled bun or a trimmed beard can bring a new dimension.
Full Top Knot with Beard
A full top knot works well with a rugged full beard to create a bold, masculine look that commands attention. You can alter the placement of your knot to switch up your style or throw in a split part that leaves the bottom tresses loose. Scrunch the bottom strands with sea salt spray or mousse to add texture. Using heat at the front and lightly brushing the hair back creates the illusion of volume for a striking, lifted look. A manly beard is a great finishing touch for balance and visual interest.
Top Knot Man Bun with Undercut Fade
A top knot man bun looks stunning with an undercut fade, providing a clean, structured and balanced appearance with a modern edge. The faded back and sides create a clear split against the top, pulling focus to the voluminous bun. A high fade will make the top look denser, while a low fade offers a neat, wearable look that keeps the length intact.
Faded High Bun
A faded, high bun is a contemporary hairstyle that requires minimal daily maintenance to look stylish. A high fade creates dramatic contrast against the sleeker top and bulbous bun. Throw in a shaved line to create a disconnected look with defined edges.
Top Knot with Low Drop Fade and Groomed Beard
A top knot with a low drop fade is a versatile hairstyle that looks extremely masculine with a groomed beard. The drop fade tapers the hair gradually towards the nape of the neck, creating a defined and stylish curve at the back. This structured shape complements the taut top knot and manicured beard for a manly, polished aesthetic.
Braided Top Knot with Bald Fade
Style a braided top knot with a bald fade to create an eye-catching, unique style with a short back and sides. The longer hair is intricately braided into a small knot to create texture and visual interest across the front and top. Balance the short sides with a long beard to show off your masculinity.
Top Knot with Undercut Fade and Beard
A sleek top knot with an undercut fade and beard creates sharp contrast across the head for an attention-grabbing approach. This dapper style combines the gradual tapering of a fade with the short back and sides from an undercut. Loosen up the standout top knot with finger mussing or slick it back with a high-shine pomade for a sleek result.
Top Knot with Shaved Sides
A top knot with shaved sides is a bold and sexy hairstyle for men who want to show off their rebellious side with a fresh look. Shaving the sides gives the face a sharp structure while pulling focus to the sleek top knot and pulled-back top. By completely buzzing the sides, you take virtually all maintenance out of this cut for a relaxed and confident everyday look.
Trendy Braided Top Knot with Undercut and Beard
A braided top knot with an undercut and beard is a casually cool and trendy style for any modern guy looking to transform his appearance and experiment with a low-maintenance approach that will get him noticed. The dynamic texture and braid pattern create a striking focal point and the shaved sides accentuate the design and top knot bun. Balance the edgy undercut with a full, disconnected beard for a masculine finish.
High Top Knot with Undercut
A high top knot with an undercut is a daring style that emphasizes volume with tight sides and neat lines. This ruggedly handsome hairstyle adds structure to rounder faces and can be combined with a high fade for an edgier look. Ask your barber to feature a hard part or shaved design to infuse some personality into the cut.
Asian Top Knot
Sometimes called the samurai bun, an Asian top knot is a sexy and sleek style that involves slicking longer hair back into a small knot at the crown. Ensure you comb through the top with a pomade before crafting your bun for a sleek look. Grab a hair tie that matches your natural color and twist the hair into a tight ponytail. You can then tuck the edges under to form a half-bun.
Long Hair Top Bun
The long hair top bun is a half-up style that lets lengthy and disheveled locks stand out. Sea salt spray on naturally wavy hair will give your strands volume, texture and flow. The messy, bohemian result is perfect for guys who prefer keeping their back and sides long and uniform.
High Top Knot Bun with Tapered Sides
A high top knot with a bun and tapered sides is a stylish, contemporary look that will keep you feeling cool and confident. The high placement of the bun creates a focal point that contrasts the structured sides for a youthful appearance. The sides are neat, but a beard gives weight to the look for a rugged, manly edge.
Messy Samurai-Inspired Top Knot
Textured and relaxed, a messy Samurai-inspired top knot is an old-school Japanese hairstyle where the bun sits higher on the head. The undone style lets guys express their personality with minimal styling products. Leave some hair poking out of your bun for bedhead vibes and keep the bun lower for a casual appearance from the front.
Straight Hair Top Knot
A straight hair top knot is a functional, straightforward style that showcases natural sleekness for a tidy aesthetic. The hair is kept long and can be paired with a full beard for more visual interest. Create lift around the front and top with heat and a round brush before securing your top knot at the crown. Leave a few loose ends out at the top knot for a spiky, rebellious feel.
Long Afro-Textured Top Knot Fade
A long, afro-textured top knot fade is a simple style for black men that’s easy to manage and effortlessly awesome. Dramatically fading the sides into a sleek, trimmed beard offers balance and contrast against the fluffy top knot. The tightness of the bun will also lift your features for a sharp appearance.
Glossy High Bun with Undercut
Sleek and striking, a glossy high bun with an undercut can be a professional style for teenage boys and younger men who want to look good with a refreshing aesthetic. The shiny pulled-back top looks polished against the closely cropped back and sides. A clear parting line between each section will create breathtaking definition and pull focus to the mass of hair on top.
Half Loop Top Knot with Thick Beard
A half-loop top knot is a quick and carefree idea that cuts down on styling time. Create texture at the top with a blow dryer and twist your hair into a coil in a clockwise direction. A hairband is all you need to secure a playful loop with a few loose ends.
Heavy Top Knot with Undercut
A heavy top knot with an undercut is an edgy haircut for cool guys wanting short sides to accentuate the tousled, high bun. The style works well with thick curly hair, while the edgy line up brings a contrasting element.
Long Top Knot with Kinky Curls and Low Fade
A long top knot with kinky curls and a low fade is a playful, energetic style with plenty of customization. The cut is ideal for pulling the hair back and away from the face without sacrificing the gorgeous natural curl pattern. A low fade removes bulk from the head, allowing the top knot to stand out. Men can opt for various color choices to make the look their own.
Short Top Knot with Mid Skin Fade
A short top knot with a mid-skin fade features a short ponytail at the back of the head that curls under and down. The cut is sophisticated and sleek, perfect for guys who want to look professional without sacrificing their longer hair. The fade is a clean transition that creates the illusion of lift and draws the eye upward to the knot.
Textured Top Knot with Low Taper
A textured top knot with a low taper is a carefree, relaxed, and effortless style that combines rugged masculinity with sexy, tousled tresses. The long hair at the top forms an unkempt bun, and the ends poke out in all directions. This low-cut taper blends seamlessly into a short beard and highlights angular facial features.
Top Knot Bun with Low Fade and Cool Hair Design
A top knot bun with a low fade and hair design adds creativity and structure to the classic men’s updo. The bun blooms outward in every direction for a pulled-together finish. A low fade creates a subtle transition between the length on top and the skin at the sides and back, and it also offers up a stunning canvas for any design imaginable.
Top Knot Locs
Top knot locs are an artistic, expressive style that involves pulling long dreads into a thick knot at the top of the head, much like a crown. The caramel blonde at the ends of the locs contrasts beautifully with the deep brown and black shades.
Long Hair Top Knot with Low Drop Fade
A long hair top knot with a low drop fade allows men to pull their long, flowing hair back into a structured, out-of-the-way style. The parts along the sides of the head separate the long hair on top from the fade below, and allowing the ends of the hair to fall downward from the knot at the crown creates a cohesive finish.
Half-Up, Half-Down Top Knot
A half-up, half-down top knot is an expressive way to wear very long, thick hair in a way that showcases the face. The top third of the hair fashions into a knot at the center of the head, while the remaining two-thirds of the length falls freely around the shoulders.
Edgy Top Knot with Beard
Men can wear an edgy top knot with a beard in various expressive ways, whether they prefer a high knot at the top of the head or a short ponytail at the back. The bold silvery-white color looks flawless against the deep, dark roots and facial hair, and the scissor-cut taper at the back of the head infuses some structure.
Sleek Top Knot with Low Taper Fade and Full Beard
A sleek top knot with a low taper fade, and a full beard pulls the hair up and away from the shoulders elegantly and sophisticatedly. Most of the hair fits into the high knot, but an unusually low fade that blends into the thick beard offers an exciting contrast that pulls the look together.
Slick Back Top Knot
A slick back top knot is a simple yet refined style for formal gatherings and business meetings. Just apply some styling pomade or gel to damp hair, then use a wide comb to brush it away from the forehead and gather it into a short, simple knot. The cut looks phenomenal with a full beard, a bare face, or anything in between.
Afro-Textured Top Knot
An Afro-textured top knot is a stunning combination of artistry and elegance. The full-bodied knot at the top features meticulous twists, and the refined undercut utilizes fun angles that give the style its character. The cut frames the eyes and elongates a round face when worn with a full beard.
Braided Top Knot Fade
A braided top knot fade features several rows of stunning textured braids woven into a glamorous knot at the back of the head. The eccentric braid pattern just behind the hairline is creative and individualistic, while the undercut and line up serve as contrasting elements that highlight the intricacy of the style.
Classy Top Knot
A classy top knot is a simple, versatile, and refined way for men to wear long hair. The knot consists of a sleek, smooth bun with just a hint of tousling that creates a sophisticated profile, and it works well with all hair types and lengths. Pair it with a full beard for a rugged look or a clean-shaven face for a youthful appearance.
Long Hair Top Knot with High Undercut
A long-hair top knot with a high undercut is an alluring hairstyle that will show off your length and texture while emphasizing your masculine features. The knot is somewhat messy, securing the hair in place without over-tightening the elastic.
Top Knot with Razor Fade
A top knot with a razor fade works wonderfully with medium-length to create a ruggedly handsome look. The style looks clean yet masculine when worn with a full beard and complemented with a high razor fade.
Top Knot with Short Sides and Beard
A simple top knot with short sides and a beard is a cultured, modern style that involves pulling the top section of long hair back into a tiny bun. The sides are short but not completely shaved, allowing a subtle and stylish transition between lengths. A full beard visually elongates the face and draws attention to prominent masculine features.
Sexy Top Knot with High Skin Fade with Beard
A modern curly top knot is a trendy men’s hairstyle that can embody masculine energy and look effortlessly sleek with a high fade on the sides. The skin faded-cut blends beautifully to highlight the bun, creating a clean and classy look. The line up enhances the vibe while the beard exudes strength.
Top Knot with Fade and Braids
A top knot with a fade and braids blends the artistic precision of thick braids with the carefree nature of a tousled bun into a cohesive and confident look. The fade at the sides and back is well structured, and the angular edges contrast perfectly with the densely textured hair on top.
Undercut Top Knot with Dreadlocks
An undercut top knot with dreadlocks features a thick mass of well-defined locs loosely gathered at the top of the head. The difference in textures between the smooth undercut sides and the dense, detailed twists create an elevated and stylish aesthetic.
Long Braids Top Knot
A long braids top knot is an eccentric half-up, half-down hairstyle with bold bohemian flair. The thick braids morph into dreadlocks at the tips, and the difference in textures lends a carefree vibe to the look. Blonde highlights pop against deep, dark roots, adding playful and lighthearted energy.
Braided Top Knot with Disconnected Undercut Fade
A braided top knot with a disconnected undercut fade has an athletic, clean, youthful appearance that suits a wide range of hair types and textures. The slicked-back hair is graceful, and the thick braid gives the style an edgy but polished feel when set against the skin fade.
What Is A Top Knot?
Also known as a high bun, the top knot is a trendy long hairstyle that involves pulling back your hair and tying it up near the crown or on top of the head with an elastic tie. The modern top knot combines a fade or undercut on the sides and back to complement the ponytail on top. Top knots are attractive men’s hairstyles that will show off your texture, length and individuality with some rebellious flair.
Top Knot vs Man Bun
The difference between a top knot and a man bun is the top knot should look like a ponytail and be positioned at the top of the head, while the bun sits in the back and generally involves wrapping the hair around to secure the style. Most man buns feature long hair all over and most top knots are shorter in length and come with faded, tapered or undercut sides.
How To Tie A Top Knot For Men
To tie a simple top knot, start with clean hair, a detangling brush, texturizing styling product and hair tie. Putting your hair in a man bun or top knot can be an easy way to get your hair out of your face while creating a stylish and modern style that will flatter any guy. Start by pulling your hair back towards the crown or higher on the head and putting an elastic hair tie through to secure a high ponytail.
After washing and towel-drying your hair, do a man bun in the classic top knot style by:
- Blow-drying your locks until they’re mostly dry.
- Detangle your hair with a comb or brush.
- Pull your hair back, gather all your strands at the crown and position your hair to suit your preference.
- Secure the hair into a ponytail at the desired height with a hair tie. For a looser look, skip the ponytail.
- After gathering the hair or securing a ponytail, twist the hair in one direction to create a secure knot.
- Once the hair is fully twisted, use a second tie or band to secure the wrapped knot.
- Adjust the size and shape of your top knot by pulling the knot slightly outward. You can also leave a few strands loose around the face for a relaxed feel.
