What Is a Taper Haircut and Taper vs Fade Comparison

Taper and fade are both popular men's haircuts, what is the difference between fade and taper? In this article, let's take an overview of the taper haircut with a step-by-step tutorial, and compare these two hairstyles. 

What Is a Taper Haircut?

Taper is one of the most classic hairstyles for men, the most distinctive feature of a taper haircut is the gradual shortening of hair from the top to the sides and back. Typically, starting about one centimeter above the ear and extending to the nape of the neck, the hair length decreases progressively. This creates a smooth transition between the top and sides/back and neat lines, showing a refined and professional appearance. It is suitable for various face shapes, hair types, and textures. Whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, a taper haircut can be customized.

The taper haircut originated in the 1940s and 1950s as a military-inspired style designed for functionality. It required minimal upkeep while maintaining a clean and professional appearance. Over time, it evolved into a fashionable style embraced by various subcultures. Today, it is one of the most popular cuts in barbershops worldwide. 

What Is Taper Fade?

A taper fade haircut is a modern variation of the classic taper and fade hairstyles. It gradually shortens the hair from the top of the head down to the neckline and around the ears. The signature look comes from the "fade" element, where the hair blends into the skin or reduces length smoothly without visible lines. Unlike traditional fades, a taper fade keeps more length on top and often begins the fade higher up on the head, such as above the ears or near the temples, and the fade process involves a more gradual reduction in hair length rather than an abrupt transition to skin. Compared to classic taper haircuts, the taper fade not only shortens the hair on the sides and back but also gradually fades into the skin or reduces length smoothly.

How to Do a Taper Haircut (Step-by-Step)?

1. Starting Point: Begin the taper at the first point of consistent hair growth, typically around the bottom of the ear.

2. Initial Trimming: Use trimmers to remove hair below the starting point, creating a clean baseline.

3. Shaving: Use a shaver to achieve a skin-close finish below the trimmer line, blending the edges carefully.

4. Open Clipper Section: Create the next guideline about half an inch above the shaved area using open clippers with a taper blade.

5. Blending the Bald Line: Use a closed clipper to blend out the line between the shaved area and the open clipper section, gradually opening the lever to create a smooth transition.

6. Creating the One Guard Section: Apply an open #1 guard about half an inch above the previous section.

7. Blending with Closed One Guard: Use a closed #1 guard to blend the line between the open clipper section and the open #1 guard section.

8. Half Guard Blending: Employ a half guard, set halfway open, to refine the blend between the #1 guard section and the open clipper section.

9. Two Guard Section: Use a closed #2 guard to blend the top of the #1 guard section into the longer hair above.

10. One-and-a-Half Guard Blending: Apply a #1.5 guard, set halfway open, to smooth out any remaining lines between the #1 and #2 guard sections.

11. Final Detailing: Go back through the haircut with various guard lengths to address any inconsistencies or lines, working your way down from longer to shorter guards.

12. Line Up: Finally, use trimmers to clean up and sharpen the hairline, completing the taper haircut.

Types of Taper Haircuts

What are the most common or popular tapered hairstyles? Here are classifications and types of taper haircuts.

1. Classified by the starting position of the taper

Low Taper

The taper begins just above the ears. This style offers a subtle transition from longer hair on top to shorter hair on the sides and back, maintaining more length overall. 

Mid Taper

This taper starts around the temples, providing a balanced appearance between low and high tapers. It allows for more styling versatility while still maintaining a polished look.

High Taper

The taper begins significantly higher on the head, usually at or above the temples. This style creates a more dramatic contrast between the longer hair on top and the shorter sides.

2. Classified by hair length

Short Taper Haircut

This style creates an elegant and edgy look by starting the taper point lower, resulting in a low taper haircut. The top hair is slightly longer and shaped forward, while the back and sides gradually shorten in a neat, smooth taper. A thin line is drawn above the ears across the sides of the head for added detail.

Long Taper Haircut

Ideal for men who wish to keep their long hair without shortening it. The taper gradually reduces the length from the top to the sides and back. The top hair can be styled with lotions to shape it as desired. 

3. Classified by the style of the fade

Taper Fade Haircut

One of the most iconic hairstyles in history, the taper fade haircut has endured due to its classic look, simple design, and adaptability. It shortens the hair on the sides and back while leaving the top hair longer. The hair gradually becomes shorter as it descends the head until it matches the skin length. 

Skin Taper Fade Haircut

This ultra-short fade blends down to the skin, offering a clean and contemporary appearance. It appeals to those who prefer a minimalist haircut, as the sharp contrast between the skin and the longer top hair accentuates facial features. It is great for highlighting a well-defined jawline or cheekbones and is suitable for men with thinning or straight hair.

Bald Taper Fade Haircut

This style creates a seamless transition from the longer top hair to a completely bald section on the sides. It is perfect for those seeking a striking look with minimal upkeep. The boldness of the bald fade adds a rugged edge, making it popular among men who want to stand out.

4. Special taper haircut styles

Afro Taper Haircut

Designed for men with Afro-textured hair, this style frames the face and sharpens facial features while requiring less maintenance than a full Afro. The Afro taper fade can be styled in various ways, from formal and polished to loose and unstructured.

Buzz Taper Haircut

A popular men's hairstyle where the hair is generally the same length across the entire head. It suits most face shapes and hair types and textures. 

Wavy Taper Haircut

A taper haircut provides structure to wavy hair, giving it a neat and polished appearance. The contrast between the structured taper and the textured top hair creates a stylish look.

Pompadour Taper Haircut

The small or mini pompadour is a more casual and relaxed take on the traditional pompadour. A taper fade pairs well with a mini pompadour, modernizing it with a subtly edgy touch.

Undercut Taper Haircut

This style contrasts a longer top with short back and sides. Compared to other variations like skin fades, the undercut with a taper fade offers a more relaxed and less severe appearance.

Mohawk Taper Haircut

Adding a high taper fade to a mohawk makes it more wearable and informal while retaining its edgy, punk look.

Taper Fade with Slick Back

Combining a taper fade with a slick back hairstyle creates a sophisticated and polished appearance. The slick back adds elegance, while the tapered sides keep the look fresh and modern. This style is perfect for professional settings and formal events, exuding confidence and class.

Taper Fade with Quiff

A taper fade with a quiff offers a trendy and youthful look. The quiff adds height and volume to the top, while the tapered sides provide a clean and structured finish. It allows for various styling options, from casual to sophisticated.

Taper Fade with Comb Over

This classic and sophisticated hairstyle works well in professional settings. The comb over adds elegance, while the tapered sides keep the overall look neat and polished. It can be adjusted to suit different hair types and lengths.

Taper Fade with Faux Hawk

This bold and edgy style is perfect for men wanting to make a statement. The faux hawk adds height and drama to the top, while the tapered sides create a clean contrast. 

Taper Fade with Dreads

This unique style combines dreadlocks with a modern taper cut. The tapered sides provide a clean finish, while the dreads on top add texture and personality. 

Taper vs Fade Haircut - Differences Between Fade and Taper

While taper and fade haircuts are often used interchangeably, and both have a gradual reduction in hair length from the top of the head down to the sides and back, there are still differences between the two. A fade is a bolder style that generally starts with no hair and progresses upward to a short length, with the scalp often visible at some point. In contrast, a taper involves shortening the hair length above the ear and extending it to the nape, but keeps some hair. Unlike a fade, which typically starts from bald or extremely short hair, a taper can accommodate longer hair. 

Which haircut is better for men? If you prefer a low-maintenance style that's easy to upkeep, a taper might be the way to go, offering a versatile look that can be worn messy or styled with products for a more polished appearance. On the other hand, if you're looking for a bold and striking style, a fade could be the perfect choice, but be prepared for more frequent visits to the barber about every two weeks to keep it looking sharp, as well as some at-home maintenance on the neckline.

Low Fade vs Low Taper

A low fade is a similar haircut to the low taper; the main difference between them lies in that a fade can suddenly change hair length. A low fade usually starts just above the ears, curving around the hairline and creating a rounder head appearance. A low taper also starts to get short above the ears. The low fade is considered more conservative than a high fade, similar to a classic taper fade. Both styles involve a gradual shift in hair length and offer a polished look, with the low fade explicitly noted for its ability to pair well with longer hair on top and even beards.

Skin Fade vs Taper 

A skin fade, also known as a bald fade, is a bold and dramatic haircut that blends short hair into the skin, creating a striking contrast with longer hair on top. Unlike a taper, which offers a softer, more gradual transition and leaves more length on the sides and back, a skin fade starts with longer hair on top and progressively shortens down the sides and back until it seamlessly blends into the skin. In addition, skin fades require more frequent maintenance, typically needing touch-ups every few weeks to maintain their crisp appearance, while tapers are generally lower-maintenance and grow out more gracefully.

Taper vs Drop Fade

A taper involves gradually reducing the length of hair from the top of the head down to the hairline only in the sideburn and neck areas, leaving the hair at a short but noticeable length. A drop fade takes the taper a step further by literally fading the hair down to the skin completely on the sides and back of the head, so that the hairline appears to gradually disappear into the skin. Unlike a basic taper, with a drop fade the fade starts higher up on the head and follows an arc down below the point where it starts at the temples, giving it a distinctive curved shape that tapers the hair down to nothing but skin.