For your next haircut, do you want a ‘high and tight‘ hairstyle or would you prefer a ‘crew cut‘? It is better to understand the terms before you head to the barbershop so that you will know what you are talking about when you get there. Our guide will help you to understand the differences between a Crew Cut and a High and Tight hairstyle for men.

Difference Between High & Tight Vs Crew Cut

So how you will be able to differentiate between these two very similar, but not the same haircuts? Below are the 3 distinctive points between high and tight vs crew cuts so that you can identify it instantly.

#1: Length

High and Tight

A high and tight style is one that has been clipped short all of the way around the back and the sides of the head. However, the hair on the top of the head is normally left longer. The length of the hair on the top of the head is normally one of two guards longer than the length that the hair is cut along the sides and around the back.

Crew Cut

With a Crew Cut hairstyle, the length of the hair is tapered at the sides and the back of the head. The hair on the top of the head is neatly clipped or trimmed so that the hair at the front is slightly longer than the hair which is closest to the crown.

#2: Origin

High and Tight

The High and Tight cut is a classic style which has been used by the US military for a long time. This look was chosen by the military to help to ensure that all men looked the same and felt part of a unit. Short style like this help men to keep cool when they are in hot environments and prevent the hairstyle from becoming a distraction when they are in dangerous combat scenarios.

Crew Cut

Crew cut hairstyles for men are similar to High and Tight hairstyles in that they were created as a uniform style for men. These cuts are easy to create and help to give men a neat, clean appearance. Rather than being a purely military style, Crew Cuts have often been worn by sportsmen, including rowing crews and soccer players.