A low taper middle part is a haircut with a centered part on top and sides that taper gently shorter at the ear and neckline, leaving the hairline soft instead of faded to skin. It is a clean, slightly retro look that works well for men with straight or wavy hair who want length on top without looking unkempt.
The direct answer on how to get it: ask for a low taper with a number 2 or 3 at the top of the sides, tapering down to a number 1 or 2 around the ears and neck, and leave three to five inches on top with the part set in the center. Style it with a blow dryer and a little light cream. Plan to return every three to four weeks, because the length on top is part of the look and the taper is the part that grows out first.
What is a low taper middle part?
It combines two things: a centered, usually softly swept part with top length that falls to either side, and a low taper on the sides and back. The taper starts only a short way up from the ear and neck, so most of the side hair is left intact. The overall effect is neat and natural.
The middle part gives the cut its character. It reads as a 90s curtain style, but with modern tapered sides it feels current and tidy. This is the cut for a man who wants his hair to move and frame the face, and who still needs to look right in a conference room. For a similar mood with more texture on top, look at our post on the low taper fade with textured fringe.
Who does a middle part with a low taper suit?
It suits men with straight or wavy hair of medium density who can grow three to five inches on top. Fine, very straight hair parts easily and falls well. Thick wavy hair gives a fuller, more relaxed shape. Very tight curls usually do not part cleanly, so a different style is better.
Face shape is the other factor. A center part draws the eye down the middle, which flatters oval and square faces and softens a round face when the sides stay close. On a long face, keep the top a bit shorter and avoid height at the front so the cut does not lengthen the face further. A receding hairline can show more with a part, so tell your barber and they will adjust the length around the temples.
If you have thick straight hair, our guide to fade haircuts for Asian hair covers density and growth direction, which affect how a part sits.
How do you ask your barber for it?
Use these steps, in this order, so nothing gets lost in translation.
- Say you want a low taper, not a fade, if you want the hairline to stay soft.
- Give the guard numbers: a number 2 or 3 where the taper starts, down to a number 1 or 2 at the neckline.
- Say the top length: three to five inches, cut with scissors so it falls naturally.
- Ask for a center part and say which side your hair naturally falls on.
- Ask for the neckline to be tapered, not squared, for the natural look.
A scissor cut on top is the best way to get a part to lie right, and it is how our classic scissor cuts are done, at $35. Combine it with clippers on the sides for the taper and you get the whole look in one visit.
What is the difference between a low taper and a taper fade?
A taper leaves some length at the shortest point, usually a number 1 or 2, while a taper fade continues down to skin or almost skin. Both blend from long to short. The difference is how far down the blend goes and how obvious it looks.
| Feature | Low taper | Taper fade |
|---|---|---|
| Shortest point | Number 1 or 2 | Skin or number 0.5 |
| Contrast | Subtle | Stronger |
| Hairline | Soft, natural | Clean, defined |
| Grow out | Slow and gentle | Looks grown in sooner |
| Office look | Conservative | Sharper, more modern |
Our guide to types of fade haircuts places each version on a scale, and our mid taper fade post shows what happens when the taper starts higher.
What does a low taper fade look like?
From the front it looks like a tidy, short cut with the hair on the sides lying close to the head. The change is only noticeable near the ear, behind it and at the nape, where the hair gets shorter. It does not draw attention. It simply looks like a good haircut, and our low taper fade for straight hair post shows how the blend behaves on fine hair.
With a middle part on top, the profile has a soft frame: longer hair falling toward the cheekbones, tapered sides behind it, and a clean neck. From behind, the taper creates a gentle curve that follows the neck rather than a hard horizontal line.
That is why it is a favorite with clients who work in suits. The taper looks fresh within a day of the cut and still looks right two weeks later.
Is a skin taper haircut right for a middle part?
A skin taper takes the bottom of the taper down to bare skin, which gives more contrast and a sharper edge. It can work with a middle part if you want a more modern, defined look.
The trade off is upkeep. Skin shows growth quickly, so a skin taper looks grown in after about two weeks. It also exposes more of the neck and behind the ear, which some men like and others do not. If you want something between the two, ask for a low taper that ends in a number 0.5 at the very bottom.
Our fade haircut at $35 includes the skin option and a hot towel neck finish. If you would like the sharp finish with the lengths of a middle part, bring a photo and tell your barber where you want the skin to start.
How do you style and maintain a low taper middle part?
Dry your hair while combing it into the part, then add a pea sized amount of light cream or paste and finish with your fingers. That is all most men need.
Styling steps
- Towel dry, then blow dry on a low setting while combing the hair away from the center.
- Use a light cream for a natural look or a paste for more hold.
- Set the part with a comb and tuck any stray hair behind the ear if you want it clean.
How often to get it cut
Every three to four weeks for the sides and neckline. The top can be trimmed every other visit if you are growing it. The taper is what tells people it is time for a cut, so do not wait too long. Read our guide on taper haircuts step by step to see what a visit involves.
Book a low taper at Deja Vu in Murray Hill
Deja Vu Barbershop is at 101 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. We are open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm, closed Saturday, and walk ins are always welcome. You can also book online.
Every barber is New York State licensed with 15+ years of experience on the team. Call (212) 576-1062 or use our contact details. If you want the full rundown of how a low taper works on straight hair, read our low taper fade for straight hair guide, then bring the numbers with you.
Questions readers ask
Does a low taper work with curly hair?
Yes, but a center part is harder on tight curls. A low taper with curls on top and no part is a more natural pairing.
How long should my hair be for a middle part?
About three to five inches on top. Shorter than that and the part will not hold, longer and it looks like a different style.
Can I get a middle part with thinning hair?
Often yes, but a center part can expose thinning at the front. Tell your barber, who may suggest a shorter top or a side part.
What product is best for a middle part?
A light cream or a soft paste in small amounts. Heavy gel makes a part look stiff.
Is a middle part professional?
It can be. Keep the top neat, the sides tapered and the part clean and it works in most offices.