The mid taper fade is a versatile haircut on the sides and back that starts in the middle of the head and seamlessly blends the hair down to create balanced contrast, accentuating the stylish longer hair on top. This medium tapered cut offers some modern, youthful edge while maintaining a classy, charming look, making it a popular choice for men.

The timeless tapered style pairs well with numerous short and long hairstyles, including the crew cut, quiff, faux hawk, comb over, side part, mohawk, man bun, slick back and high top. Ask your barber to cut a clean, precise mid taper to add an elegant dimension suitable for any occasion, formal or casual.

In this expert guide, we present some examples of the most popular and masterful mid taper fade haircuts to elevate your style.

Popular Mid Taper Fade Haircuts

Classic Mid Taper Fade

A classic mid-taper fade is a dapper and versatile haircut that can infuse a simple, refined element into your style. When paired with a deep side part and brushed-back volume, a traditional taper creates the illusion of lift and draws the eye upward. Wear it with a stubbly masculine beard or try a clean-shaven face for a stately, formal look.

Short Hair with Mid Taper Fade

Short hair with a mid taper fade combines edgy spikes with a quirky personality into a rugged, handsome style. The hair on top stands up and leans forward in chunky spikes, and a single kiss curl at the center of the forehead softens the look. Much shorter hair at the sides and back carries down through the sideburns, and the full beard mirrors the height and volume on top for a face-framing effect.

Mid Drop Taper Fade

A mid drop taper fade takes an angular approach to the more traditional taper by “dropping” as it moves backward toward the nape. Barbers and stylists use this technique to give haircuts like the contemporary ducktail their shape and structure. The brushed-back, feathered layers flow backward to a central point, resulting in a finish that resembles a duck’s tail.

Curly Hair Mid Taper Fade

Pairing curly hair with a mid taper fade is a simple, low-maintenance way to showcase curls and remove bulk. Layered spirals on top fall forward over the forehead, forming a short, handsome fringe. The curls become shorter toward the crown, and the fade draws the eye upward to focus on the natural body and movement. Recreate the look by applying styling mousse to damp hair, then scrunching and allowing it to air dry.

Brush Back with Mid Taper Fade

A gravity-defying brush back with a mid taper fade is a confident, expressive style that works best with thick, straight hair. Long hair at the front forms a tall pomp, then gradually gets shorter toward the crown, tapering to a few millimeters long at the sides and back. Brushing the front section of hair up and back creates sleek volume, leading to an eye-catching side profile.

Blunt French Crop with Mid Taper Fade

A blunt French crop with a mid-taper fade is a low-maintenance, short hairstyle for guys who need a stylish look tailored to everyday wear. The uniform length and blunt fringe on top add refined precision while the taper softens the style for a streamlined appearance. The cut exudes confidence and strength, and when paired with a chin patch or goatee, it can visually elongate a round- or square-shaped face.

Low Mid Taper Fade

A low mid taper fade offers a subtler transition between lengths, ideal for high-volume styles. A strip of hair that is longer at the hairline and shorter at the crown stands straight up and flows back, mimicking a faux hawk along the top. The crisp, polished fade contrasts sharply with the volume on top, leading to an edgy but balanced finished look.

Trendy Mid Taper Fade with Messy Thick Hair

A trendy mid taper fade with messy, thick hair is an eye-catching, low-maintenance style. The tousled layers feature body and fall over the forehead in a dense, mussed fringe. The hair at the back is equally full, creating a sense of balance, and the taper adds a dashing final touch. Apply styling gel to damp hair, brush it into place, then tousle the fringe, top, and back before air drying.

Short Curly Hair with Mid Taper Fade

Short curly hair with a mid taper fade combines natural texture and movement with the clean, refined look of closely cropped sides. The layered curls on top appear uniform, creating a short fringe as they fall forward from the crown. The taper adds structure and consistency while making the cut more manageable to style. Use a matte curl cream to damp, towel-dried hair, then allow it to air dry. The resulting definition contrasts sharply with the cropped sides.

Mid Burst Taper Fade

A mid burst taper fade is a modern haircut with a distinctive curvature that can be tailored to suit your style, length and texture. The technique lends an aura of edgy boldness, especially when paired with a traditional gentleman’s or Ivy League cut. Wear it with a full beard for a mature face-framing effect, or opt for a clean-shaven face for a youthful and rebellious finish.

Comb Over with Mid Taper Fade

A comb over with a mid taper fade is an aesthetic combination of vintage and contemporary grooming. The cut features longer hair on top and shorter hair on the sides, with a taper wrapping around the head to emphasize volume. To style it, apply a high-shine styling gel or wax to damp hair, create a hard part, and then comb the hair on either side perpendicular to the part. Comb the front section up and back, allowing the ends to curl over the top.

Brushed Back Waves with Mid Taper Fade and Line Up

Brushed-back waves with a mid taper fade and line up feature longer chaotic waves on top and neat, orderly, straight hair at the sides and back. Brushing the hair up and back in the front adds depth and dimension, and the sleek taper creates extra sophistication. Clean lines around the temple and behind the ear create a cohesive, balanced finish.

Pompadour with Mid Taper Fade

A pompadour with a mid taper fade is a timeless, elegant style that combines height and fullness with a bold transition to the skin at the sides and back. The skin fade starkly contrasts the distinctive volume on top, adding to the visual appeal. When worn with a long, angular beard that mirrors the direction and height of the pomp, the rugged style can elongate and frame a rounded or squared face.

Textured Quiff with Mid Taper Fade

A textured quiff with a mid taper fade is a youthful style that works with the hair’s natural movement and volume. The short sides and back emphasize the long, messy hair along the top, and the side-swept, brushed-up fringe adds volume and body. A generous amount of sea salt spray on damp or dry hair delivers grit and coarseness, making it easier to achieve the tousled texture.

Slick Back with Mid Taper Fade

A slick back with a mid-taper fade is a straightforward style that works best with straight hair. The stylist or barber leaves the hair on top longer toward the hairline and shorter at the crown, gradually tapering to only a millimeter long at the nape and around the ears. After applying styling gel or a strong-hold pomade to damp hair, brush it straight back and use hair spray to hold it in place.

Mid Taper Fade with Blended Neckline

A mid taper fade with a blended neckline adds precision and detail to a thick, voluminous comb over. A deep side part separates the short razor-faded sides and back from the voluminous, textured top. A few subtle splashes of burgundy incorporate a playful, youthful element, and a clean-shaven face ensures that the meticulous style stands out.

Side Part with Taper Fade and Brushed Up Front

A side part with a taper fade and brushed up front is a fun, textured look suitable for date nights, the office, or formal events. The subtle taper creates a slow, gradual transition between lengths, maximizing the illusion of fullness. The hair on top flows slightly forward and to the side, but the front section diverges as it sweeps up and curls back.

Hard Comb Over with Mid Taper

A hard comb over with a mid taper is an eccentric, dynamic look that is sure to garner attention. The front section of hair moves upward, back, and off to the side before blending into the top of the hair and tapering down to the skin at the ears and nape. The bold blonde color stands out against the natural red, particularly in the roots along the part and at the taper.

Messy Long Curls with Mid Taper Fade

Messy long curls pair naturally well with a mid taper fade to create a clean, sharp look. A curl-defining mousse is an essential product for this style, separating the strands while lifting the hair at the root and maximizing its volume. A subtle fringe draws attention to the eyes, and a short beard adds an element of maturity to an otherwise spirited and lively look.

Faux Hawk with Mid Taper Fade

A faux hawk with a mid-taper fade is a contemporary take on an edgy, offbeat style. A long strip of tousled hair from the hairline to the crown stands straight up in loose spikes, and the contrasting undercut fade accentuates the height. The cut strikes an exceptional balance between punk rock and professionalism, and its versatility allows for multiple styling options.

Sharp Mid Taper with Hard Part

A sharp mid-taper with a hard part is a simple yet attractive cut that is surprisingly easy to style and maintain. The hair on either side of the long, curved part flows away perpendicularly, and a high-shine product achieves a sleek, glamorous touch. The fresh, neat taper enhances the volume on top, giving the cut a more cultured and sophisticated feel.

Short Spiky Hair with Mid Drop Taper

Short, spiky hair with a mid drop taper exudes rebellious confidence with a masculine edge. A quiff in the front stands straight up before blending into the layered multidirectional spikes on top. A crisp taper emphasizes the height on top and provides an excellent canvas for a shaved design that follows through to the brow. A full beard comes to a sharp point in front of the ear, mirroring the spiky nature of the hairstyle.

Mullet with Mid Temp Taper Fade

A mullet with a mid-temp taper fade is an iconic look featuring shorter hair on the top and sides and longer hair in the back. At the front, the hair flows back and slightly off to one side to form a swoop, adding flirtatiousness and sex appeal. The temp fade ends just behind the ear, which gives the style its recognizable shape and dimension. Wear the cut with a short, well-groomed beard.

Taper Fade with Straight Hair

A taper fade with straight hair is an excellent canvas for many styles, including a brush back, slick back, or pompadour. Rather than a distinctive pomp in the front, the stylist applies a generous amount of styling gel and shapes the hair to create a flat top when viewed from the side. The taper at the sides helps to elongate the face and head, emphasizing the cut’s height and shape.

Afro with Mid Taper Fade

Pairing an afro with a mid taper fade has several benefits, depending on personal preference. The degree of the fade can reduce the frequency of barber visits, and for men who have incredibly thick hair, the taper can drastically minimize bulk. Clean lines and edges along the forehead and behind the ear contrast neatly with the rounded shape of the afro, creating a balanced, cohesive style.

Long Hair with Mid Taper Fade

Long hair with a mid taper fade is a sexy, masculine style that can be loose and relaxed or pulled into a top knot. The undercut fade features two distinct lengths, adding character and visual appeal. The hair flows down through the thick sideburns and into a rugged full beard, which mirrors the long hair on top.

Mid Taper Fade Undercut

A mid-taper fade undercut is an iconic technique that looks phenomenal with a voluminous brush back or pompadour. The longer hair in front flows upward and across the head, and the ends tumble over the much shorter sides and back. Wearing the style with full sideburns and a goatee adds balance, and a few subtle highlights enhance shine and texture.

Long Fringe with Mid Taper Fade

A long fringe with a mid taper fade is a fresh, vibrant look that is easy to style and maintain. The hair on top flows forward from the crown, ending in a thick, coarse fringe extending to the brow. The razor fade creates uniformity at the back of the head while keeping the sides neat. Apply matte pomade or a texturizing spray, then tousle with the fingertips for extra volume.