Changing up your look is made easier once you know what to look for. Tapers and fades are two of the most popular haircut choices among men, especially those who are looking for an edgier look.
Since they’re fairly similar, it’s easy to get drawn into the taper vs fade confusion, but here are a few differences between the two:
Tapers
Tapered cuts are where the hair gradually gets shorter down the back and sides of the head. In a normal taper haircut, the top is left about 2-4 inches long while the rest of the hair is cut shorter.
The main difference between a taper and a fade is that a taper involves a subtle decrease in hair length without necessarily blending into the skin, while a fade features a more dramatic transition, often down to the skin.
Both men and women often prefer tapered haircuts over fades because they don’t require cutting the hair as short.
It is important to have a good idea of what type of look you’re trying to achieve when deciding between a taper or a fade. Here are a few of the most popular ways to sport a tapered cut:
Classic Tapers
Classic tapers feature longer hair at the crown and top of the head which gradually tapers as it extends down to the sides and back of the head.
Side Part Tapers
Side part tapers feature a prominent side part where the hair is thick at the part and gradually thins out as you extend down to the ear. This style is a great way to add some edge to a professional look and is very popular among business-type men.
Our favorite taper fade haircuts for black guys
Short Tapers
Short tapers are generally 1 inch of hair or shorter, tapering down toward the ear. This style is perfect for those who aren’t interested in leaving a substantial amount of hair at the top.
Long Tapers
Long taper haircuts feature hair that is longer at the top and shorter around the sides, but not short enough to see the scalp. This tapered style is popular among those who want to go short, but don’t want to commit to cutting the sides very low.
Faint tapers
Faint tapers are seemingly the same length, but a faint tapered effect is seen around the temples and ears. If you’re someone who wants to try the tapered look but doesn’t want it to be too dramatic, then this is the perfect style for you.
Long crown
This is another tapered style that features a very long crown area and short sides.
Video on Taper Vs. Fade
Fades
Fade haircuts can best be described as having no hair at the sides and back of the head, but graduating into more hair as you move to the top of the head.
A fade haircut is actually a form of tapering the hair, but the hair is cut drastically lower than a regular taper. Many barbers tend to bald the hair around the sides and back of the head beforehand and taper the cut so that it gradually gets thicker as it extends to the top of the head, giving it the “faded” look.
While most fades are cut relatively short, the top can be left long like a classic tapered cut. There are a few different types of fades, but the most popular variations include either a high fade, mid fade, or a low fade.
High Fades usually fade away completely within 2 inches of the top of the head.
Mid fades are cut close to the scalp at the bottom near the hairline, up to the occipital bone, and begin getting longer halfway up the head.
Low Fades feature a taper cut that gradually extends down the sides and back of the head and fades completely at the nape and right above the ears. Here are a few other fade styles to keep in mind:
Bald Fades
Bald fade cuts actually taper down from the top, and the hair around the perimeter of the sides and back of the head is completely shaved off.
Temp Fades
Temp fades are thinned out around the temples, hence the name. This is perfect for those who are looking to try out a fade without dramatically thinning out a significant amount of hair.
Disconnected Undercut Fade
Disconnected Undercut Fade hairstyles feature longer hair on top with a sharp disconnect line. The sides are gradually faded up from the skin, but instead of blending into the longer hair on top, they stop abruptly at the disconnect line.
Faux Hawk Fade
The faux hawk fade features longer hair up the middle of the head, like a mohawk, but instead of the sides being shaved, they are gradually tapered down into a fade.
High Top Fade
High Top Fade features a box cut at the very top of the head, which fades down around the entire perimeter of the head. The hair around the perimeter can either be tapered gradually or significantly.
Made popular by hip-hop group Kid ‘n Play, the high-top fade was a signature style during the 80s and early 90s but has made its way back into the style of hipsters and teens alike.
Side Part Taper Fade
This style features a very prominent side part that tapers into a fade.
Watch this video tutorial to understand how a high taper fade is done:
FAQs
Yes. A taper fade (often called a temple fade) is a specific haircut where the hair is faded down to the skin only at the temples and the nape of the neck, leaving a distinct arch of hair behind the ear.
Long, short, medium, parted, deep-parted, drop, etc., the list goes on.
Be specific about the height (low, mid, or high) and how short you want the shortest point to be (e.g., down to the skin, or a #1 guard). It’s always best to bring a reference photo.
It depends on your face shape. In general, tapered hair makes an oblong face look longer and suits people with oval face shapes best.
Yes and no. Tapered hair becomes gradually shorter toward one end, but it is not necessary for it to fade into the skin. So, based on the length at the end, it could be a type of fade or not.
This is similar to a standard taper fade, but the fading at the temples and the nape of the neck is pushed much higher up. However, it still leaves hair behind the ear, unlike a regular high fade.
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