For guys, short hairstyles are like the little black dress for women: they can be stylish and up-to-date or simple and low-maintenance. The classic short back and sides is always in style and never goes out of style. It’s also easy to control and keep up, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative. Since I’m a licensed barber, I’ve seen the basic style done in almost every way possible, from a low taper cut to a messy fringe. In light of this, I have chosen the most popular short haircuts for guys right now.

This is a long list of short hairstyles for guys. I have organized them by length, style traits, and what to ask the barber for. You can look at wavy tops, simple undercuts, short side front bangs, and a lot more here. But picking the right cut is more of an art than a science. Before you sit down with the barber, I think you should think about everything, from your body type and attitude to the clothes you like and the shape of your face. There are different short haircuts that look good on different guys, so talk to someone before you decide on a cut, and don’t be shy about asking questions.

About the Author

Nick Hall is a trained hairdresser and barber who has a SHB30516 Certificate III in Barbering from The Queensland Hairdressing Academy. He knows a lot about how to cut and style men’s hair. Before becoming Editor-in-Chief of Man of Many, he worked as a senior stylist for five years at The Chopspot in Brisbane and for two years at Kings Domain in Sydney. The expert on men’s hairstyles has directly chosen every haircut on this list and can give you a lot of information and advice about each one.

Best Short Hairstyles for Men

There are still some classic male styles that will never go out of style. Most men still like a simple look that makes them look good but isn’t exactly ready for the runway. Here is a list of the best short hairstyles for guys. Feel free to make them your own, though. Click on the link to get some ideas.

Outgrown Buzz Cut

Buzz Cut Features That Are Too Old

This style has longer hair on top. A standard buzz cut keeps the hair on top very short, but this one leans more toward a longer clipper length (about a 5 or 6).

Messy Styling: Because the hair is short and spiked, it should be styled in a messy way. Use a matte product that brings out the structure.

The best face shapes for cutting off a buzz cut

Oval

Round

Square

Men’s haircuts that are on trend should always be short, and the humble buzz cut is the best example of this. Men have always been able to rock this clipper cut because it is easy to care for, but in recent years, the haircut has become more popular. Adam Levine and David Beckham have started a trend toward longer clipper-lengths on top, which makes hair look like it has a buzz cut that has grown out. Of course, this may take a little more care and often some hair product, but you get more room to show off your hair follicles and your style.

You can also choose the buzz cut and then just let it grow out a bit more to change the texture or volume. It’s best to leave the hair on top about an inch longer than usual if you choose this cut. Even though the look I want is more like a clipper cut, I often find it easy to add texture and movement by cutting the hair down with scissors.

I think the best thing about this style is how versatile it is. Men with oval, round, or square faces look best with the outgrown buzz cut. It can help make a round face look longer and a square chin look more balanced. Not surprisingly, the buzz cut is one of the best short hairstyles for guys. It’s a favorite among people who want a cut that doesn’t need much care.

How to Achieve an Outgrown Buzz Cut

Cut the hair all over with a long clipper blade (a 5-8 clipper works well).
Make the back and sides shorter to get a smoother look.
Blend the right way to get rid of the sharp edge.

Short Crop

Short Crop Characteristics

Blunt Fringe: The hair in the front will be cut very short and pushed forward. This can help make a face that is too long look wider.
Texture: To balance out the sharpness of the fringe, the hair on top should have a lot of different textures, making it look messy and worn-in.
Face Shapes That Look Good with a Short Crop

Oval

Round

Square

Short hair that is fixed close to the crown and generally points forward or up is a sign of a solid crop cut. For most guys, this means that the barber will style the hair forward and then blunt-cut the fringe to make a sharp, straight line. In the end, you can style this part of your hair however you like, but I always think that the best way to do it is to keep the fringe down and forward.

The rough edge of the fringe can sometimes make you look like you have a bowl cut, which is never a good look. Make sure the sides and top are different enough from each other to avoid this, or style the fringe diagonally downward. This will give the cut more movement and flow, which will balance out the sharp and straight lines and make the fringe look better.

Importantly, this stylish haircut for guys looks great on almost all face shapes. However, it looks best on oval, round, and square faces combined. The short sides and textured top can make bigger faces look better and make square jawlines stand out. These days, a worker who works as hard as he plays should wear this style.

How to Achieve a Short Crop Cut

Ask for the sides and back to fade. Starting point should be very short, usually under a 1-blade. Cut the top to about the length of a finger.
Feel free to ask for the top point to be cut.

Of course, this will depend on your forehead. If you want a more blunt look, you can ask to have the front lined up.

Use texture powder to push the hair forward.

Pompadour

Pompadour’s traits are:

High Volume: The pompadour’s high volume at the top is what makes it stand out. In mind, Elvis and James Dean.

It is common for pompadours to look shiny, but modern versions use smooth creams and pastes to make them look more natural.

For Pompadours, the best face shapes are:

Round

Square

Triplets

Short hairstyles like the pompadour look great on almost all face shapes. Even though the famous cut has been around for hundreds of years, you may know it best as the style that Elvis Presley wore. Today’s standards are a bit different from The King’s pompadour because of the smooth creme-based style and extra-long sideburns, but modern takes on the style are still very stylish.

This short to medium-length hairstyle for guys is very flexible. The sides and back are short, and the top is longer, which you can push back and style neatly or let go of and let it wave naturally. If you have a round or square face, adding height and bulk to the top can help make your face look longer and more balanced. Those with an oblong face shape, on the other hand, should avoid this choice because it can make your face look a little long.

A scissor cut, in which the hair is combed back over the ears, is the standard style. More modern takes will use a clipper on the nape and sideburns for a cleaner look. One more choice is a hard side part. You could also prop it up or sweep it back, but my favorite is a slick-back skin fade. The top is sharp, which is a nod to the haircut’s 1950s roots, and the skin fade brings a nice touch of modernity to a classic male short hairdo.

How to Achieve a Swept Back Pompadour

Ask them to cut or slice the sides and back.
You can choose the pattern, but leave a lot of length on top. It’s possible for pompadours to look smooth and shiny or rough and tangled.
If you want a certain texture, style the product into wet hair by brushing it all back and then lifting the front part.

Messy Hairstyle

Things about a messy hairstyle

Texture: To add more movement and texture, ask your barber to point-cut the top part.

Powder: For this style, a texture powder is the most natural-looking choice instead of heavy creams and pastes that weigh down the hair.

Which face shapes look best with messy hair?

Oval

Triplets

L-shaped

A good messy haircut isn’t easy, even though it might look that way. For a messy fringe look to work, you should have short hair because longer hair will fall and split because of the weight. Because of this, you should cut the sides to a 2 or 3, leaving two to four inches of hair on top.

Texture is the most important thing for a messy fringe haircut because it helps to add volume and definition. If I wanted this look, I would ask the barber to “point-cut” the top part, which makes the length and movement of the hair slightly different. When you style your hair, look for a textured product, like smooth clay or powder, that can give the look more body. Don’t forget that you still need to put some work into your fringe style, even though it looks messy.

How to Achieve a Messy Hairstyle

Ask them to cut the sides off short or fade them in from 0.
Use a mix of clipper over comb and scissor work to blend the sides.
Cut the top down to about two to four inches.

To add more complexity, ask to have the top point cut off.

Use a texture product, like smooth clay or powder, to style your hair.

Side Part

Characteristics of the Side Part

Defined Parting: The hair will split at a clear and set point, going straight from the head to the crown.

Which Face Shapes Look Best with Side Parts?

Oval

Round

Diamond

The classic comb-over is a must-have for any list of stylish short haircuts for guys. The classic short hairstyle looks best on people who are in a business or formal setting most of the time. However, it has become a popular haircut for everyone. The clear, planned parting that goes from the front of the hairline to the crown is what makes this short men’s hairstyle stand out.

This is an important difference because the side of your head where the crown (the spiral part at the back of your head) sits will decide which side you part your hair on. Run a comb in a straight line from the middle of the crown to the hairline to find the best spot. This should make a natural split, but it can be hard to do if your hair has cowlicks or curls. While you might be able to pull off a cowlick sometimes, this style works best on people with thick, straight hair.

In recent years, barbers have been known to shave all the way up to the “disconnection” part. This is not a good idea, though. The hair will grow out in a bad way, and a small part of the head is often shaved during this process. Ask instead to have some weight left on the side and to be mixed. After that, style the hair to the side in one direction while leaving a large amount of hair on top, about two to three inches. For a more basic and clean look, choose a pomade or water-based product. However, a matte product like clay can often be used to tone down the look.

How to Achieve a Side Part

Have them cut or clip the sides and back.
As a guide, ask to leave some weight on the part side and mix it in with the first part.
Cut the top down to about two or three inches.

To style the top, comb the hair to one side and lift the front part.

Undercut

Characteristics That Undermine

Harsh Disconnection: The lengths of this cut will be very different from side to top, with the longer parts on top hanging over the sharp sides and back.

Short Sides and Back: For this haircut to work, the sides and back need to be much shorter than the top. For these parts, it’s always best to choose a fade.

Undercuts look best on these face shapes

Square

Round

If you want a stylish short haircut for guys, the simple undercut is a great choice. This short hairstyle for guys is best known for the way the sides and back are cut, which is very different from the long sections on top. In a fade, the hair goes from short to long without a break. But in an undercut, the short sides and longer top are very different from each other.

Some face types, especially those with extra width at the jawline, can look good with the undercut, even though it might seem like too much. For people with square or round faces, the extra height can make them look taller, which makes their faces look more balanced. Men often choose short hairstyles that are easier to keep up than the simple undercut. It looks good and is useful.

Tips on How to Do the Undercut

Ask them to shave the back and sides pretty high.

Make the top stand out by clearly separating the long and short parts (no blend).

Buzz Cut

Features of a Buzz Cut:

Shoulder-Length Hair: Shoulder-length hair on top doesn’t leave much room for style.

Male haircut with the Least Upkeep: The buzz cut is the male haircut with the least amount of upkeep because it doesn’t need to be styled.

For buzz cuts, the best face shapes are:

Oval

Square

Round

Diamond

Shaving your whole head might sound like the lazy man’s way out since it’s the fastest haircut for men, but the truth is that a good buzz cut can often make you look great, especially when it shows off the shape of your face. While I’ve always thought that oval and square faces look best with the buzz cut, I think that any shape with a wide forehead will look good with this cut. A longer clipper can be used to take off the top, leaving you with some hair to style and play with. However, a #2 or #3 guard over the head is probably the best choice.

How to Get a Buzz Cut

Use a clipper to make the length the same all over the head.

Longer clippers can be used to thin or taper the back and sides for a cleaner look.

Back and Sides

Features of the Back and Sides:

4 Guard Lengths: To give your hair a grown-in look that’s easy to style, this style takes a sensible #4 guard to the back and sides.

Corporate Look: This haircut is most definitely a corporate haircut. It is the everyday cut because it is simple and not rude.

The four best face shapes for the back and sides are:

L-shaped

Round

Triplets

Oval

A short back and sides haircut doesn’t always have to stick close to the crown. Ask your barber for a 4 back and sides cut instead of a buzz cut or trim. This will keep your hair short all over, but not too short. Basically, this is the best example of a textbook corporate hairstyle. I did thousands of these cuts when I worked in barbershops in the city and the central business district. The number 4 in the name refers to the #4 clipper guard that is used on the back sides. This guard is about 13 mm long.

The best thing about this style is that it is completely bland and basic, which makes it very flexible. If you need to, you can add a side part, use a powder to give it some movement and structure, or just comb it through, and you’re good to go.

How to Get a 4 on the Back and Sides

Cut the back and sides with a four-bladed clipper.

Ask them to mix the shorter parts with the longer ones.

Cut the top down to a length that is easy to handle, about three to five inches.

Low Taper Fade

Features of a low taper fade:

Low Fade Point: The curve starts quite low on the sides and back of the head, where the hairline is at the nape of the neck.

As this is the style with the least amount of aggression, the hair on the sides and back of the head slowly fades into longer hair on top of the head. In the same way, the change from short to long hair is more natural and soft, with no clear line like in a high taper fade.

Face shapes that look best with a low fade:

L-shaped

Round

Oval

Because it is so easy to change, the low taper fade may be the most useful short hairstyle for guys. For this simple style, the hair at the sideburns and neck is faded out to the skin in a smooth, gradual way. As I said in our guide to tapers, I always try to stress how important it is to find the “blend” point. At this point, the ends and sideburns meet the longest hair on the sides and back. This part of the hairline sits just above the earline in the picture above, which I think is normal for a low taper.

The low taper fade traditionally joins the sideburns to the head, which means that any changes you make to one must also be made to the other. But this has changed a lot in the last few years. A low taper fade on the cheeks and a natural flow at the nape and back is one of the most popular short haircut styles for men right now. This lets you play with graduation and fall while still letting the hair move naturally.

When you get this style of cut, you can change the length on top. If you want something more stylish and up-to-date, I suggest a low-taper textured fringe. Tapers look good with slick-back styles, clean-cut choices, and buzz cuts. For this look, the front hair is styled to fall down. This can help shape the hairline and make a wide or big face look less noticeable.

For guys who are new to low-maintenance haircuts but want to try something new for summer, the low taper fade is a great place to start. As you go, you can change the blend point’s height, going from a low taper to a mid fade or even a high fade if you want something a little bit stronger. At the time, my favorite style is the low taper fade. It’s just the right amount of stylish and classic, and it lets you look both classic and modern.

How to Make Your Hair Fade Low

Cut the sides and back of the neck with a clipper.

Slowly fade these spots until they are just skin.

Ask that the hairline mix point stay below the temple line.

Mid Drop Fade

What the Mid Drop Fade looks like:

Slow fade: The hair on the sides and back of the head gets shorter over time as the hair on top gets longer. Depending on what you like, the fade can be smooth or more sudden.

Drops of Fade in the Back: The round movement of the blend point is what makes this haircut unique. On the sides, the fade may begin at the temple line. However, as it goes around the back of the head, it falls below the occipital bone.

The best face shapes for a mid-drop fade are:

L-shaped

Round

Oval

If you want to make a bigger statement with your style, the Mid Drop Fade is a great way to mix a few different ones. In a standard fade, the hair is cut very short all the way around the head and then slowly grown out until it blends with the hair on top. The shape of the fade is a little different, though.

The round shape of the blend point is what makes this haircut unique. It may start high at the eyebrows and slowly move further down the head as it goes to the back. Different people do this for different reasons, such as style, personal taste, or to hide hair loss. There are two main benefits to this. You can make the fade look more natural and seamless by bringing it below the occipital bone at the base of the head. This can make the haircut look better and cleaner.

Most of the time, this fade will give you a clear line that sits a few centimeters above and behind the ears. Because of this, I often suggest this cut to guys who want to switch things up from their normal skin fade but still want to keep things sharp. There is a slightly more stylish version of the low-effort cut called the mid-drop fade. It is still neat and classy enough to wear to any formal event.

How to Get a Mid-Drop Fade

Cut the sides and back of the neck with a clipper.

Slowly fade these spots until they are just skin.

Ask that the hairline stay below the occipital bone in the back.

Short Mullet

Things about a short mullet:

The mullet part of your hair in the back should be kept very short, so it’s just noticeable and flicks out behind your ears.

The best face shapes for a short mullet are:

L-shaped

Oval

Fans of the controversial cut, like Jacob Elordi and Paul Mescal, love the short mullet. It gives the cut a little style. This style is more of a “medium short haircuts for guys” than a simple clipper trim. The hair on top and sides is kept pretty short, and a slightly longer piece is left at the nape.

It will be much more natural to leave this part at the back of the head open, letting the hair run and flick out to the sides. To get this look, have your barber or stylist feather blade the back of your hair. This will give it a softer, more natural look. Plus, this is one of the best and easiest ponytail styles to pull off because it doesn’t need much upkeep.

To add some texture and movement to the top of your hair, I suggest styling it with a messy fringe. In the back, you should let your fingers do the ruffling. As the hair is already cut, I would choose a texturizing powder or sea salt spray because I don’t want it to get too heavy on the back of the head.

How to Cut Your Hair Short

Cut the top off at a point and keep the sides pretty short.

Slowly trim the sideburns away, but don’t go all the way to the skin.

Cut the hair in the back with a feather blade, and leave the length an inch or two longer than the longest part on the sides.

High Fade

Characteristics of High Fade

There is a clear line where the short hair ends and the longer hair begins at the top of a high fade. This line is usually above the ear line.

Short Sides and Back: The hair will be cut short on the sides and back, below a 0.

Sharp Fade Line: When the mix point is high, hair will quickly go from short to long, leaving a sharp fade line. It’s also sometimes called a “quick fade.”

Face shapes that work best for high fade:

Pear

L-shaped

Oval

Square

When it comes to men’s short haircuts, the high fade is the cutest. In this style, the blend point of the hair goes all the way up to the head. This style has been popular for decades. It comes from military background and is best known for its intense changes between long and short parts.

Since I wrote about this cut in our guide to fades, this cut shows most of the sides and back of the head. The top and sides meet just above the skull. The high fade is often used to bring out the difference between short and long areas. It is also sometimes called a “quick fade” or “high and tight fade.”

This short haircut will only work if your hair is thick and the right type. Because there is a lot of difference between the light and dark parts, this style will look better on people with thick hair. This cut is great for people with tight curls, wavy hair, or Asian hair, but be aware that you will have to go to the barbershop a lot. If you trim the hair on the sides and back of your neck to the skin, it will probably come back in one to two weeks. At that point, you’ll need another cut.

If you want to try a high fade for the first time, I think you should leave a little extra hair on top. Again, think about the shape of your face before you cut off the top, but I think leaving a little extra length is a great way to get used to the style without going all in at once.

How to Get a Thick Fade

Start at the temple and cut the hair all the way around the head to the skin.

Fade the smallest parts into the longest ones slowly, making sure there is a natural slope.

Men’s Short Hairstyle Tips

Finding the right mix between your own personal style and current trends is key to making every hair on your head work for you. Don’t forget to bring hair products with you, because even short haircuts for guys can go wrong if you don’t take care of them. There are new types and trends for short haircuts every year, so it’s important to keep up.

Here are some tips from the professionals:

Add Texture Make sure to achieve the most out of texture. You can try out more looks and styles when there is more material. The same is true for both easy and hard haircuts. Layering, getting the right cut, using good shampoos and conditioners, sea salt sprays, and even natural highlights are all ways to add texture to your hair.

Try to go a little longer on top than on the sides. A good taper, fade, or haircut will look good with almost any short hairstyle on top and do you good.

Adding product to your hair will help you go the extra style mile and let you try new things. You could condition and firm your hair with holding gel and then add a touch (and only a touch) of pomade for shine and body. You’ll get what you pay for if you buy cheap stuff.

Care for your hair: Don’t forget to style your short hair or take it for granted. Go to the barber or hairdresser every four weeks and keep up with your cleaning routine, which includes getting rid of any hair that you can see on your neck.

If You’re Receding If your men’s hair is falling out and bald spots are showing up, don’t use a comb-over or any other way that is just as clear. Cut your hair short with a crop cut, a buzz cut, or shave it all off.