What Is a Taper? 8 Types of Tapers

A taper is typically a men’s haircut—though anyone can wear this hairstyle—marked by having longer hair starting at the hairline and short hair on the sides of the head and the nape of the neck. There are several types of tapers, and the easiest way to recognize the haircut is if you see short hair on the sides of the heads mixed with lots of volume on top.

A taper haircut is a common hairstyle you can get at a barbershop. Here are a few types, including fades, which are a type of taper:

1. 1. A fade haircut: A fade gradually takes longer hair down into a buzz cut. A fade haircut gives the appearance that the longer hair disappears (or “fades”) from the top of the hair into the hairline at the neck and sides of the head. Fade styles are often paired with comb-overs, pompadours, quiffs, and faux hawks.
2. 2. A high fade haircut: This is a type of fade haircut that starts on top of the head. A high fade haircut leaves a lot of volume on the top section of the head. A high fade haircut leaves enough hair on the side of the head to add drawn-on designs.
3. 3. A high taper: This long taper has a lot of length up top, but the hair is cut about an inch lower along the sides of the head and neck.
4. 4. A low taper: This type of taper cuts the hair length down around the lower edge of your ear. This classic taper allows more length on each side of the head, while still keeping it trim around the neck.
5. 5. A mid fade haircut: A mid fade has a longer buzzed look than a skin fade but less than a high fade. This hairstyle is a medium choice between the two, and choosing a mid fade can make your look a little softer. Generally speaking, a mid fade cut will have longer hair around the ears, and the hair on the top of the head is longer.
6. 6. A mid taper: A mid taper looks similar to a low taper, but the hair tends to get cut around the top of your ear. It’ll look like there’s a horizontal line between the top length of hair and bottom short cut.
7. 7. A skin fade haircut: With a skin fade, the fade tapers off into the skin but stops at the hair line. Barbers cut a skin fade—also known as a bald fade—very close to the skin, so you can see the scalp.
8. 8. Taper and side part: Some tapers separate the two sections of hair with a classy side part. You will need to style the side part, which will be accentuated with a smooth cut down the back and sides of the head.

Taper and fade haircuts may look very similar, but they are two distinct types of hairstyles.
Here is what you need to know about the two haircuts:

1. 1. A taper hairstyle is less dramatic. The main difference between a taper and a fade is that a classic taper gradually shortens the hair. With a fade, the look can have a drastic difference between the long and short sections of hair.
2. 2. A fade is a type of taper. Fades are a type of taper, but not all tapers are fades. A taper reduces the thickness of the hair, while a fade makes that hair disappear into the natural hairline. Both are common hairstyle choices.
3. 3. Both styles work with curly hair. Both hairstyles enhance tight curly hair. However, if you rock looser curls, you may want to opt for medium length tapering to show them off.
4. 4. Styling a taper is different than styling a fade. If you choose a taper or fade that leaves more hair along the neckline or back of the hair, you’ll need to run a brush or hair products through it. Fades often feature designs along the scalp, so you will need to maintain them. Selecting a fade that leaves short sides is a low maintenance choice.
5. 5. Stylists use clippers and blades to create fades and tapers. While your stylist will dictate the specific way they cut your hair, they will generally use a mix of clippers and blades to achieve these looks.
6. 6. Tapers require fewer trips to the barbershop. Fades typically require a lot of regular maintenance. If you opt for a fade haircut, expect to be at your barbershop regularly.

The best haircut will depend on your lifestyle and face shape. Regardless of which option you like best, your hair stylist can tell you which type of taper or fade will look best on you. They can give you advice on which type of taper to choose for your face shape.

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