Low Taper Fade vs. Mid Taper vs. Low Fade: What to Ask For

A low taper fade shortens only the sideburns and the neckline, starting just above the ear. A mid taper does the same thing but starts higher, around the temples. A low fade starts at that same low height but wraps the short part all the way around the sides and back. Taper means the edges; fade means the whole perimeter.

If you want the basics of skin fades and tapers first, start with our guide to skin fade vs. taper. This post goes one step further: how high the short part starts and how far it goes, so you can name the exact cut you want.

The two questions that decide your cut

Almost every fade or taper comes down to two choices. Once you know your answer to both, the name of the cut takes care of itself.

1. How high does the short part start?

• Low: just above the ear and the natural neckline.
• Mid: around the temples, roughly halfway up the sides.
• High: close to where the head starts to curve toward the top.

2. How far around does it go?

• Taper: only the sideburns and the nape of the neck get short. The rest of the sides keep more length.
• Fade: the short part runs all the way around the sides and back at the height you chose.

So a "low taper" is low and edges only. A "low fade" is low and all the way around. A "mid taper" is edges only, starting higher.

Low taper fade

The low taper is the quietest version of the look. Your barber blends the hair down at the sideburns and the neckline, and the sides above stay close to your normal length. From the front, it mostly reads as a clean, sharp outline.

It suits you if you:

• want a neat cut that still looks natural at work or school
• are growing out the top and want the edges to stay tidy in the meantime
• like texture, curls, waves or a fringe on top and want the top to stay the focus

Is a low taper fade a skin fade?

This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is: only if you ask for it. A low taper can finish at bare skin right at the edges, or it can stop at a short clipper guard so a little hair stays at the bottom. Barbers use the names a little differently, so always say which one you want.

Mid taper fade

A mid taper keeps the taper idea, edges only, but the blend starts higher, around the temples. That gives more contrast between the short edges and the longer top, and it shows a little more from the front.

It suits you if you:

• like the low taper but want it to look more deliberate
• have thick hair that can look bulky above the ears
• want a cut that stands out more without going all the way to a full fade

Low fade

A low fade starts at the same low line as a low taper, but the short part wraps all the way around the sides and back. The result has more contrast than a low taper and looks clean from every angle, while staying lower and softer than a mid or high fade.

It suits you if you:

• want the whole perimeter clean, not just the edges
• like a sharper, modern shape that is still easy to wear
• plan to come back fairly often, because a full fade shows regrowth faster than a taper

Side by side

	Low taper	Mid taper	Low fade
Where it starts	Just above the ear and neckline	Around the temples	Just above the ear and neckline
What gets short	Sideburns and nape only	Sideburns and nape only	The full sides and back
Contrast with the top	Subtle	Medium	Medium
How it grows out	Gently	Gently, a little more visible	Shows regrowth sooner
Good first choice if	You want low-key and easy	You want a bit more edge	You want clean all the way around

How long each one lasts between cuts

Every head of hair grows differently, so think of these as starting points. Many people book a low or mid taper every two to four weeks. A low fade, especially one that goes down to skin, usually looks its sharpest for a shorter stretch, and many people come back every two to three weeks. If you finish at a short guard instead of skin, the cut tends to grow out more gently.

Our guide on how often men should get a haircut breaks this down by style.

How to ask your barber

Clear words and a photo get you the cut you picture. Before the clippers come out:

1. Say the height. Low, mid or high.
2. Say taper or fade. Edges only, or all the way around.
3. Say skin or guard. Bare skin at the bottom, or a short guard so a little hair stays.
4. Describe the top. How much length to keep and how you style it on a normal morning.
5. Mention the neckline. Tapered and natural, blocked, or rounded.
6. Bring photos. Ideally one from the side and one from the back.

A full request might sound like: "Low taper, down to skin at the sideburns and neckline, keep the length on top for a textured fringe."

Low tapers and fades at EverCutz

You can get all three at our barbershop in Richardson, at 525 W Arapaho Rd, Suite 23, and at our Murphy shop, at 104 N Murphy Rd, Suite 215. Ask for a skin fade in Richardson or a skin fade in Murphy if you want the bottom down to skin. A classic taper is part of a men's haircut, which includes a consultation, a shampoo and styling.

Both shops are open seven days a week, and each shop's hours are on its page. Walk-ins are welcome based on chair availability. Each service page shows the current price.