Short haircuts are stylish, masculine, and low-maintenance styles for men that can elevate your look. There are many men’s haircuts that are popular and versatile, including the crop top, crew cut, comb-over, faux hawk, and quiff. Whether you want a fade or undercut on the sides and back, you’ll want to consider several short hairstyles.
Some guys may want a business professional style like the hard side part or slicked back. Teenage guys and little boys may need a more casual look like the long fringe, mohawk fade, or textured crop top. To inspire you, we’ve gathered a list of the best short haircuts for men. If you’re struggling to get a new cut, explore these cool men’s haircuts to find the latest styles.
Short Men’s Haircuts
Comb Over
The comb-over is a popular haircut that offers a stylish and versatile look. Gone are the days when this style was reserved for elderly men, sometimes to hide a bald spot. “The comb-over has become one of the best hairstyles for business professional men who want a youthful and classy look for work and beyond,” said James, a master barber and co-founder of MensHairstylesToday.com.
As the name suggests, the hair is combed to one side for a parted look. A comb-over looks dapper on guys who want a timeless look, especially if you tend to wear mostly formal attire. It’s easy to style and maintain so it goes hand in hand with a busy lifestyle.
Quiff
A quiff boasts a shorter back and sides with more length on top. If you’re one of the lucky guys with luscious, thick locks, a quiff will suit you perfectly. It will also help you showcase your hair’s health and natural shine.
The cut has been popular since the 1950s and supports a plethora of variations. In short, a skilled barber will be able to adapt it to suit any face shape. As for styling, a touch of pomade is enough to give your quiff a messy, alluring look.
French Crop
The French crop is a short style that features a fade or undercut on the sides to create contrast with the longer hair on top. This type of cut often features a slight fringe, making it a solid option for men keen to hide a high forehead. Barber Chris, the founder of MensHairstylesNow.com, says “the cropped haircut has been a popular trend for guys around the world and was first seen in Europe.”
It’s a fitting style for curly hair, enabling you to tame your wild locks and appear more put together. Depending on the styling, a French crop can also enable you to look carefree and sexy, so it transitions well from day to night.
Buzz Cut
The buzz cut first gained mainstream appeal when manual hair clippers hit the market in the late 19th century. It continues to make waves to this day. It’s a short cut where the length of hair is the same on all parts of the head.
The buzz cut may be a popular choice for new recruits in the armed forces, but plenty of celebrities are rocking the cut too. If the style works for Channing Tatum, it can work for you as well: especially if you share similarly symmetrical facial features.
High and Tight
The high and tight is a very short hairstyle, which makes it a favorite among law enforcement, army personnel, and other similar professions. The back and sides of the head are shaved to the skin, while the top can be faded into longer hair, depending on your personal preference.
The high and tight is more versatile than the buzz cut since you can play around with the long locks to achieve a messier look. If want to come across as masculine and dominant, this one will fit you perfectly.
Hard Part
Unlike a regular side part, a hard part involves the use of a trimmer or razor. To achieve a hard part, TheSalonGuy says “your barber will shave a clean line down to your scalp on one side of your head, creating a thick, defined line where guys generally part their hair.”
A hard part is more noticeable, providing definition and contrast. It works well paired with a variety of styles, from the classic comb-over to a fancy pompadour. That being said, it can also be used with a basic buzz cut to break visual monotony and help you look more like a renegade. Add a leather jacket into the mix and you’ll be turning heads in no time.
Short Afro
Black men know that managing a full-on afro can be a hassle. If you want to display your hair’s texture and volume without too much effort, a short afro is a perfect compromise. It’s effortlessly cool and not too difficult to maintain.
Furthermore, a short afro is an excellent choice for men who work in a high-pressure environment where you always have to look sharp. It allows you to appear professional without sacrificing personal style. Let Donald Glover and Drake be your inspiration.
Crew Cut
A classic by this point, the crew cut consists of longer hair at the front hairline and short hair everywhere else. It’s a gradual transition, which makes the crew cut quite tame in day-to-day life. The crew cut is a favorite look for guys who need to look professional and fashionable but still want some wiggle room as far as styling is concerned.
It’s believed that the cut got its name because it was the go-to cut choice for Ivy League rowing teams. You can pair it with a low fade for extra style points.
Faux Hawk
If you want a bold and rebellious cut that lets you showcase your personality, the faux hawk might be the ideal hairstyle. Also known as a fohawk, the faux hawk is a less extreme mohawk with less contrast between the top and the sides of your head. As a more manageable style, Mike Shaw from The Hairstyle Review says “the faux hawk is sexy and eye-catching, allowing you to keep the inner punk spirit alive while still maintaining a clean look.”
As with all cuts on this list, there are variations. You can choose between a long or short faux hawk and use a fade to emphasize the cut even more. When in doubt, a skilled barber can help you pick the perfect option for your face shape and hair type.
Ivy League
The Ivy League is a fabulous combo between a crew cut and a side part. If you’re blessed with high cheekbones, maybe even a strong jawline, get this cut and you’ll be collecting compliments in no time. It offers volume and texture, as well as a welcome dose of class.
Easy to style and maintain, the Ivy League can be paired with a fade or undercut. If you want even more flair and love to experiment, ask your barber for a long Ivy League cut. You’ll have more hair to play with.
Messy Hair
Men who like to keep things simple are in luck – messy hair gives you a cool appearance and will never go out of style. Plus, we’ve heard from reliable sources that women find the bedhead look incredibly appealing.
If you go this route, we recommend keeping your locks on the shorter side to avoid things from getting completely out of control. You want to look like a bad boy, not like a person who has given up on life. That is the opposite of appealing.
Fringe with Taper Fade
Bangs are making a comeback. Pairing a taper fade with a fringe may seem like a kooky way to go, but it comes with obvious advantages.
The taper fade helps to direct all attention on the fringe, which benefits men with thick or wavy hair. As for styling, you only have the fringe to worry about, keeping the cut fairly low maintenance.
Mohawk
For men looking for an edgier cut than the faux hawk, a full-on mohawk is a definite way to go. Granted, you need the right attitude to pull it off. If you’re the non-conformist type, it will fit you like a glove.
A mohawk cut is defined by having both sides of the head shaven and a strip of noticeably longer hair in the center. For formal occasions, comb your mohawk to one side to achieve a relaxed and chic look.
Spiky Hair
If you want a retro style, spiky hair should go to the top of your wishlist. A 90s staple, spiky hair involves a short haircut with multiple layers. You’ll need to use hair gel to give it that spiky, carefree finish.
While the cut is mostly embraced by younger men, it’s a bold choice regardless of age. Spiky styles can make you look youthful and edgy. With a textured product, your hair will look fuller and have extra volume.
Slick Back
A slick back is the epitome of class, ensuring a polished finish. It’s been a hairstyle staple for decades, which means it won’t go out of style anytime soon. Even better, it works with a variety of hair lengths and cuts.
To achieve the perfect slick back, make sure that your hair is clean and towel-dried. Then, use a wide-tooth comb to guide your locks in the general direction you want and apply a generous amount of product. We recommend a paste and gel blend for a higher hold.
