Many men like the clean look of a fade but still feel unsure about the terms, especially the difference between a high fade and a low fade.
A fade is a cutting technique where the hair gradually gets shorter until it blends into the skin. It is a popular style and a key part of modern men’s grooming.
A smooth fade takes skill, so it is best done by a professional barber. If the blend is uneven, it can throw off the whole haircut.
When you sit in the barber’s chair, you will usually be asked which type of fade you want. This guide explains the main features of high fades and low fades so you can ask for the right one.
Low Fade vs High Fade Haircuts
Here are three main differences between low fade and high fade haircuts in short.
High Fade |
Low Fade |
| Starts 2–3 inches above the perimeter hairline. | Starts 1 – 1.5 inches above the perimeter hairline. |
| Great for bold definition. | Perfect for subtle definition. |
| Mistaken for an Undercut hairstyle. | Mistaken for a regular taper. |
There is also a mid fade, which sits right between these two. The fade starts around the middle of the sides, so you get some of the low fade’s subtlety and some of the high fade’s contrast.
What is a High Fade haircut?
A high fade haircut is a hairstyle where the fading of the hair begins and ends quite high up the back and sides of the head. The fade typically begins high up, around the temples or parietal ridge, roughly 2 to 3 inches above the perimeter hairline, leaving only the upper section of the sides and back with any real length. This helps to make the hair on the top of the head look thicker and fuller. It is reminiscent of military cuts like the high and tight hairstyle.
The hair on the top of the head can be as long as you like with a high fade haircut. The best way to personalize a hairstyle is to use strong and bold features, such as a disconnected undercut (leaving a sharp length difference between the long top and the faded sides without blending). More subtle features are less likely to be noticeable in a High Fade hairstyle.
Be careful not to confuse a High Fade haircut with an undercut style. In an Undercut hairstyle, the hair at the back and sides of the look is cut to a uniform length without any gradient.
How to Cut High Fade
You’ll find below detailed instructions for a high fade cut.
Pre Step
Clean and dry your hair thoroughly before cutting a high fade.
Step One: Trim the Top
Using styling scissors, trim the top of the hair in sections up to the desired length. For this, hold the hair between your forefinger and middle finger. Trim to your desired length, elevating the sections to follow the natural curve of your head.
Step Two: Shave the Back and Sides to a Uniform Length
Set up a 3-way mirror or use a handheld mirror to see the back of your head, then begin at the temples and shave the entire back and sides with a number three guard. This will make it easier to do the high fade cut.
Step Three: Section Your Hair Into Different Lengths
Begin approximately one inch below the top of the section that you shaved with a number three guard. This starting place should be about one inch below your temple.
Shave out an area that is approximately one inch long with the number two guard, then below that, a one-inch area with a number one guard, and everything below that with a number zero guard.
Step Four: Blend the Sections
Go back to each transition site with the guard for the shorter of the two sections you’re blending. Use a comb and that shorter guard to create hair lengths between the two guard sizes. Do this for each shaved section.
Step Five: Clean Up the Edges
Make sure that the base of your neck has a solid hairline that goes straight across and that the hair around your ears is an evenly trimmed shape. Stick to a zero-gapped T-blade trimmer to carefully clean the neckline; attempting to use a straight razor on yourself without professional training poses a severe cut risk.
Watch the video below to learn how to cut a high fade
What is a Low Fade haircut?
A Low Fade haircut is a haircut where the hair starts to taper much lower down the head. In a low fade cut, the fade will typically start around 1 inch above the perimeter hairlines at the ears and the nape of the neck. As with any other type of fade cut, men can have the hair on the top of their head as long as they would like.
However, a Low Fade style can give men more freedom about what the rest of their style looks like. Because there is more hair involved in the whole style, it is easier to create distinctive features and definitions in the hair.
For example, the barber can create alternating sections of thicker hair and thinner hair as part of a low fade style. It is not possible to create this type of look with a High Fade style because the lack of hair would mean that there wasn’t clear definition in the style.
While a Low Fade haircut relies heavily on hair clippers, it is often refined using scissor-over-comb techniques.
How to Cut Low Fade
Let’s look at the different steps necessary to achieve a low fade cut.
Pre Step
Before cutting a low fade, make sure that your hair is clean and ready. After washing your hair, make sure that you dry it thoroughly.
Step One
Take proper scissors and trim the top of the hair to the length you want. You should always use styling scissors, as regular ones might give you a blunt and jagged look.
Hold hair between your pointer and middle fingers and trim to your desired length, elevating the sections to follow the natural curve of your head. Use small sections of hair, and always use a portion from the section that you already cut and leveled to know you are being consistent.
Step Two
Set up a 3-way mirror or use a handheld mirror to see the back of your head, then begin just above the ears and shave the entire back and sides with a number two guard. Removing all excess hair will make it easier to start your fade.
Step Three
Approximately one and a half inches below the top of where you shaved with a number two guard, shave out an area with a number one guard. This section should also be approximately one and a half inches. Below that section, shave with a number zero guard.
Step Four
If your top section isn’t too long, you can use a number three guard and a comb above the number two section to blend with the top. Otherwise, use a clipper with an open guard in a sweeping “C” motion, or use the scissor-over-comb technique to blend the top into the shaved section.
For transitions between the shaved sections of hair, use a comb and the shortest guard for that section to get hair that is between the two guard lengths.
Step Five
Make sure the hairline at the base of your neck is clean and straight across. The hair around your ears should also be evenly trimmed. Use a zero-gapped T-blade trimmer to clean the neckline with care. Do not use a straight razor on yourself unless you have professional training, as it can easily cause serious cuts.
Watch the following tutorial to learn how to cut a low fade
Which Fade Suits You?
It helps to think in terms of contrast and upkeep rather than strict face-shape rules. A low fade is the safer choice when you want subtle contrast, want to keep some weight on the sides, or are working around a receding hairline, because it leaves more hair near the temples. A high fade works when you want sharper contrast and a leaner, cleaner side profile, and it pairs well with thicker hair on top. Remember that a high fade, and especially a skin fade, exposes more of the upper scalp, so it shows growth sooner and is less forgiving of any unevenness.
Just remember that the fade is only half the look. The hair on top does most of the talking, so think about how you want to wear it. A low fade keeps things subtle under a side part or comb over, while a high fade gives a bolder frame to a pompadour, quiff, or textured crop.
Maintenance Tips for Fades
To keep your fade looking fresh, regular upkeep is important. Here is what to expect:
- To keep your fade looking sharp, you need regular barber visits.
- How often you need a touch-up depends mostly on how close to the skin the fade goes and how crisp you like it.
- Skin (bald) fades show regrowth fastest and need a touch-up about every 1 to 2 weeks to stay sharp.
- Fades left at a guard length (a shadow or taper fade) are more forgiving and can hold for about 2 to 4 weeks.
- For both styles, the longer hair on top usually needs a trim every 4 to 6 weeks.
If you keep the top short as well, plan your visits around whichever part loses its shape first, usually the sides and neckline.
Both low fades and high fades are trendy and very popular among men. You can also try fade hairstyles with a comb over and pompadour fades. Choose between these two fade styles according to your face shape, size, and personal taste.
