Viking hairstyles do not need a horned-helmet fantasy. What we actually have is evidence that grooming mattered. Archaeology turns up combs and other hygiene tools and museums and researchers note that these were common personal items in the Viking Age.
We also have written clues. In Ælfric’s Letter to Brother Edward, he complains about people dressing in “Danish fashion” with “bared necks and blinded eyes,” often discussed as a distinctive style choice that likely involved a clean neck and longer hair forward.
Another outsider snapshot comes from Ibn Fadlan, who describes Norsemen in the east and remarks on their daily grooming and hair care.
So in this guide, think Viking-inspired, not Viking costume. Clean sides and nape if you want structure, length and texture on top if you want presence, and braids or ties if you want function.
Pick your version of Viking hairstyle based on your hair type, density and how much time you can allocate for maintenance because the look only works when the grooming is done properly.
1. Side-Combed Hair with a Full Beard
This Viking hairstyle proves there is a way to rock a rugged look in a neat way. Just comb short hair to one side and rock a full beard that is cut in a rounded shape and brushed down smoothly.
Ideal for: Oval or other long face shape.
2. Long Waves with a Shaved Side
If you’re rocking long hair with a bit of wave or curl to it, you can easily punch up your style to a Viking look. You’ll need to shave half your head so it’s completely bald, and pair it with a full beard that covers the chin and jaw. Be sure to keep the beard and mustache neatly groomed.
Ideal for: Men with a strong bone structure (ex. square-shaped face).
3. Scalp Braids with an Undercut
The perfect Viking braids look for men. A minimal bald undercut subtly peeks out from under a long braid on this Viking hairstyle. Start with large scalp braids that extend from the hairline to the neckline, then continue with a long braid down the back.
Ideal for: Square and round faces.
4. Thin Hair with Long Beard
Older men with medium to long hair and a long beard should choose this dapper version of the Viking haircut. Wear hair down and brush your beard until it’s mostly straight.
Ideal for: older men with a round, small face shape.
5. Red-Accented Locs with Shaved Sides
A sharply shaved side perfectly complements these long locs. If you’re a man with natural black hair, you can rock twists or dreads in a thick ponytail. For a bit of color, add a few bright red locs.
Ideal for: long or oval face shapes
6. The Redheaded Viking
Are you a natural redhead? This low-maintenance hairstyle does red hair justice when worn loose with a long beard. Keep your mustache short and trim to avoid looking too caveman!
Ideal for: oval or round face shapes
7. Fishtail-Braided Man Bun
We’re getting all sorts of Brad Pitt in Troy vibes from this fishtail braided man bun! The typical messy Viking look instantly becomes filled with detail with the addition of braids. If you’re feeling bold, consider a taper fade on one side.
Ideal for: rectangle or “boxy” face shapes
8. White Loc Mohawk Ponytail
Pair closely cropped sides with long white loc extensions for this Viking-inspired style. The locs run along the center of your head and continue into a long ponytail. Black wraps hold sections together over the crown and down the tail.
Ideal for: square face shape
9. Braided Half Updo
A Viking half updo is very hot with a braid down the center of your head. Make two thin braids at the side and gather them all in the back at mid-height.
Ideal for: any face shape
10. Short and Combed Back
You don’t have to have long hair to rock a Viking hairstyle. This short haircut is finger combed back away from the face. It looks slightly rugged with a full beard. The height up top is great for accentuating strong cheek bones.
Ideal for: rectangle face shape
11. Long Hair with Braids
Braids are among the most common details in Viking hairstyles. To create this braided style, sweep the hair towards one side and part the hair on the opposite side in three horizontal sections.
Braid each section into a scalp braid and secure it with an elastic band. Decorate the braids with some hair rings. You can repeat the process on the other side as well or leave the braids only on one side. Wear the rest of the hair messy.
Ideal for: Oval and square-shaped faces.
12. Men’s Short Braid with Undercut
Use hair clippers to shape the undercut. The length of the undercut Mohawk should be even everywhere. Braid the hair from the top into a wide Mohawk braid. You can intertwine a leather band in the braid if you want to give it a more authentic look.
Ideal for: Oval and round-shaped faces.
13. High Loc Ponytail with Shaved Sides
Dreadlocks for men can have a Viking hair vibe too! You can shave the sides of the head, especially if you have a tattooed headpiece that you want to show off. Secure the dreadlocks in a high ponytail. A well-shaped beard can also be a great match for this hairstyle.
Ideal for: Oval and round-shaped faces.
14. Messy & Thick Wavy Hair
A messy wavy hairstyle also represents a Viking men’s hairstyle very well, especially if combined with a ginger beard. You can just use a little bit of hair gel to make it sleek at the front. It gives you a rough and rugged look.
Ideal for: All face shapes.
15. Man Braids
A similar take on man braids as the first one, except it’s much cleaner as you should comb through the entire hair before braiding. You can always ask someone to help you if you find it difficult to braid hair at the back.
Ideal for: Square and heart-shaped faces.
16. Shoulder-Length Blonde Hair with a Center Part
Vikings were simple warriors who were highly practical and went with what they had. You too can keep it simple. No need to do many fancy things to your hair to fashion it into a Viking style hairdo.
Let it grow to shoulder length. After washing your hair, which is recommended to do regularly, dry it with a blow dryer to keep it full of volume and sport a blonde beard for the final touch.
Ideal for: Heart and square-shaped faces.
17. Shoulder Length Half Updo
A half updo is one of the more common and simpler hairstyles for Viking men where you should just take a strand of hair on each side of your head above the ear and tie them horizontally at the back of your head. Keep the overall haircut at shoulder length.
Ideal for: Heart-shaped faces.
18. Fully Shaved Head with a Beard
Sometimes, to get a Viking hair look, you don’t need hair at all. Shave it off clean and grow a long beard to complete the full circle of manliness.
It is highly recommended to use sunscreen if you go outside on sunny days and some skin moisturizer during winter times so that your skin doesn’t become dry. As for the Viking beard, regular beard oil will keep it healthy and soft.
Ideal for: Round and oval-shaped faces.
19. Short Undercut
This one is one of the most easily recognized Viking hairdos. Instead of braiding, simply twist the hair strands from the forehead down. You can keep the twists short or fashion them down to the nape of the neck to form a short Mohawk fade.
Ideal for: Oval and round-shaped faces.
20. Man Bun with Shaved Sides
This is the kind of haircut modern Viking dramas love to put on clan elders and priests. In combination with a scruffy beard, it will give you a menacing, mischievous look. But it is definitely one of the coolest Viking haircuts out there. The man bun can be let loose into a ponytail and, in a more Viking fashion, braided.
Ideal for: Round and oval-shaped face.
21. High Ponytail with an Undercut
This is another simple Nordic hairstyle that is low-maintenance. It will take a lot of time and patience to grow it so use the hair clipper for the undercut very carefully. Use some hair oil or wax to keep the ponytail smooth and silky.
Ideal for: Oval and round-shaped faces.
22. Short Faux Hawk with a Beard
If long braids or tapered undercuts are not your thing, don’t worry. With this haircut, you can still achieve a Viking hair look with just a tad of hair gel.
Grow the hair on the top out just a little bit longer than the sides. Rub some hair gel into your palms and go through your hair in an upward motion, slowly forming the fohawk.
Ideal for: Heart and square-shaped faces.
23. Loose Viking Braids
Several scalp braids keep the front and sides pulled back while narrow braided tails hang down. A full beard adds balance to the long braids. Keep the braid pattern clear at the scalp and let the tails fall freely.
Ideal for: Oval and heart-shaped faces.
24. Undercut Faux Hawk with Braids
This Viking look is a stylish mix of the two most common hairstyles, great for both formal and casual occasions.
Braid small strands of hair and then combine them, eventually twisting them into a single ponytail that is held together with an elastic band at the base of it and with one at the end of it. Men’s box braids should be braided tightly so as to not fall apart easily.
Ideal for: Round and oval-shaped faces.
25. Chonmage Hairstyle
The chonmage and similar topknot styles have appeared in cultures far beyond Scandinavia. The Native Americans used a haircut similar to the one Viking people used.
But a clear distinction between the two is in the facial hair which just goes to show how important an asset a beard is to the authentic Viking style. Wash it regularly to keep it silky smooth.
Ideal for: Oval and round-shaped faces.
26. Disconnected Undercut
This disconnected undercut was probably used by some of the younger Viking guys in the past as they just started to grow their hair. Simply combing the hair backward will do the trick. Some hair oil can be used to keep it soft and glossy.
Ideal for: Oval and square-shaped faces.
27. Slick Back Fade
This is another style for short-haired men that is sleek and fresh. Easy to style with some hair gel or wax to keep it swept backward. The length should be kept somewhere around the middle of the back of your head and the sides should be shaven daily.
Ideal for: Oval and round-shaped faces.
28. Braid with a Fade
If you don’t think a ponytail will fully complete your Viking hairdo, then make a simple, thick single braid for men. Faded sides complete the look, turning it into a proper braid with a fade. If you are impatient to grow long hair, there are plenty of great hair extensions that you can find and use to completely blend in with your own hair.
Ideal for: Oval and round-shaped faces.
29. Spiky Blonde Fringe with Clipped Sides
Since Vikings lived more than 10 centuries ago, it’s hard for us to picture how they looked. Contrary to popular belief, written accounts such as Ælfric’s letter suggest that a lot of them actually fashioned a short undercut or a messy fringe with a lot shorter back and sides.
It was quite a modern Viking hair look for those times, one that was both easy to style and to maintain. Just a tad of hair gel or wax should be enough to style the fringe and prevent it from falling into your eyes.
Ideal for: Oval and heart-shaped faces.
30. Braided Viking Mohawk with Side Accents
Combine a voluminous center braid with tight side braids for a rugged, warrior-inspired look that commands attention. It is a great way for guys with long hair to keep their mane tamed and secure while showing off maximum texture.
Ideal for: Square, oval, and round face shapes.
Viking hairstyles can never be a miss if you wear them with the attitude of a real Viking. They will always bring out your courageous side and make you look confident, ready for any task coming your way.
