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 cut 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 is longer at the top and then 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.

Typically, the hairline around the perimeter is cut very short but left completely intact which has to be one of the main differences between tapers and fades.

You can find both men and women rocking tapered haircuts more so than fades since you don’t have to cut as much hair off. It is important to have a good idea of what type of look you’re trying to achieve when deciding between a taper or 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 1in of hair and lower that tapers 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.