HaircutAI Team · Updated October 2026
The best haircuts for men, short to long, and how to pick yours.
Not sure what to ask for? Most men's cuts are one of a few types, set by the length on top and how short the sides go. Pick by face shape, hair type and how often you want the barber. Skip a cut your hair fights. Below: 20 cuts and their names.
One face, 9 types of cutKey takeaways
| You have | Look for |
|---|---|
| Round face | Height on top, short sides |
| Long face | Low height, fuller sides |
| Oval face | Almost any cut |
| Curly hair | Short sides, curls on top |
| Wavy hair | 3 inches on top, light layers |
| Thinning hair | Short, textured, tight sides |
Not sure of your shape? The free face shape detector reads it from one selfie.
Short sides, up to 3 inches on top. The most worn and easiest to keep.
01 of 20
One short length all over. The lowest-effort cut there is.
Best for: Any hair type. Zero styling.
02 of 20
Short sides, a little length on top. The classic that suits almost everyone.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. Work and weekends.
03 of 20
Only the sideburns and neck go short, so it grows out neatly.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. The safest pick.
04 of 20
Sides faded to the skin up to eye level. Sharp and clean.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. A sharp look. Barber every 2 to 3 weeks.
05 of 20
Shaved high on the sides and back, so the top stands out.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. A bold, clean outline.
06 of 20
Choppy hair falls forward to a short fringe. The modern short cut.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. Thick hair.
07 of 20
A straight fringe across the forehead, short faded sides.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. A high forehead.
08 of 20
A longer crew cut with enough hair to part. Neat with little styling.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. Classic looks.
Fade or taper? See fade vs taper.
3 to 5 inches on top: room for a part, a quiff or a flow.
09 of 20
A clear part and a combed top. The office cut that never dates.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. Office looks.
10 of 20
Hair lifted at the front adds height without a tall, stiff shape.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. A round face.
11 of 20
Volume swept up and back over short sides. A strong, dressed-up look.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. Thick hair. A short face.
12 of 20
Combed flat and back with shine. Shows the whole face.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. A full hairline.
13 of 20
A heavy top falls over short, hidden sides. The Korean cut that went global.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. Thick hair.
14 of 20
A middle part splits the top into two even curtains of hair.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. A balanced face. Thick hair.
15 of 20
One front piece curls down like a comma. Soft and current.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. A soft, current look.
Five inches and up, from curtains to the modern mullet.
16 of 20
Long front pieces part in the middle and frame the forehead.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. Hair you can grow to 5 inches.
17 of 20
Swept back to the collar. Easy, relaxed length.
Best for: Straight or wavy hair. Growing it out.
18 of 20
Short sides, length at the back. Back in style, cleaner than the 80s one.
Best for: A bold look.
19 of 20
Choppy layers on top, length at the back. A messy, textured mullet.
Best for: Wavy or curly hair.
20 of 20
Long hair pulled back into a bun. Neat for work, loose off duty.
Best for: Straight, wavy or curly hair. Hair past the chin.
A cut your hair fights
A slick back on tight curls, or a two-block on fine hair, means a daily fight.
More upkeep than you will do
A skin fade needs the barber every 2 weeks. A taper waits 4.
Only the photo, not the face
A cut that suits a long face can look wide on a round one.
Match the product
Clay for texture, pomade for shine, cream for longer hair.
Blow dry first
Dry it the way you want it to sit. Product only holds it.
Book the next cut
Fades every 2 to 3 weeks, tapers every 4, long hair every 8.
Bring a photo
A name means different things to different barbers. A photo does not.
Need one? See pictures to show your barber.
By length: short cuts (buzz cut, crew cut, fades, crops), medium cuts (side part, quiff, pompadour, middle part) and long cuts (curtains, bro flow, mullet, man bun).
A taper fade is the safest pick: short at the neck and ears, any length on top, and it grows out neatly. The best one for you depends on your face shape and hair type.
Textured crops, curtain hair, the modern mullet, the wolf cut and the two-block cut. Low tapers have taken over from high skin fades for everyday wear.
A textured quiff or a middle part flow, with 3 to 4 inches on top. Both work with straight or wavy hair and suit most face shapes.
Start with your face shape, then your hair type, then how often you will see the barber. A round face wants height, a long face wants fuller sides.
Yes. The HaircutAI app puts any of these haircuts on your selfie, so you see it on your own face before the barber starts.
We picked the classic and current men's cuts in the HaircutAI catalog, grouped them by the length on top, and put the easiest to wear first in each group.
More for men: what haircut should I get, haircuts for older men and haircuts for balding men.