Styleable and timeless, this hairstyle is known for its clean and sharp look. It features tapered sides that gradually fade into a blended top, giving it a sleek finish. The length of the top can vary, allowing for different levels of hair texture, length, and density.
You can customize the tapered sides to different heights, paired with a variety of lengths up top, making it perfect for any facial hair style or cool designs. Whether you’re aiming for a polished or casual vibe, this hairstyle is all about versatility, offering options for sharp hairlines and a bold statement on its own.
It’s a style that’s easy to maintain, with endless possibilities for personalizing the overall look.
1. Rounded Mid Crew Cut
A rounded mid section is ideal for guys with thin hair. Focusing on the mid sides adds sharpness, while pomade or cream gives separation to the top. Using V76 by Vaughn Texture Clay provides great hold and definition for an easy-to-maintain style.
2. Rounded High and Tight Crew Cut
Sides and a strong contrast make it perfect for those with a defined front hairline. It’s a great choice if you prefer little to no facial hair while remaining simple and easy to maintain.
3. Lengthy Top Crew Cut
For guys with thinning or receding hair, a longer top style adds volume and structure, while keeping the sides short. This look helps cover thinning areas, offering a more messy and free style. It’s a practical yet stylish choice for managing your hair with flexibility.
4. Classic Crew Cut
The crew cut is a short style that’s easy to maintain, offering a neat, textured look. A touch of light cream and a wide-tooth comb keep it well-groomed, with its timeless appeal seen in figures like Marie and J Balvin.
5. Diagonal Front-Low Crew Cut
A diagonal style with short cuts and a low front creates a sharp, clean look. The top and sides meet at a diagonal angle, offering a high-contrast effect while maintaining a balanced, modern edge. This cut requires minimal upkeep, making it ideal for those seeking both style and ease. Marie notes that it works particularly well for round faces.
6. Low Taper, Square Fringe Crew Cut
For those with thick hair, a low taper on the sides paired with a squared fringe creates a sharp, neat look. The taper reduces bulkiness, while the neatly trimmed fringe is styled downward for a defined shape. A strong-hold styling product like BluMaan Cavalier Clay helps control thicker hair and keeps the style intact all day.
7. Beveled Mid-Line Crew Cut
This cut combines a sharp, tight look with a slight play in the hair on top, featuring beveling that adds structure. The sides are trimmed close, exposing the skin, creating a head-turning style that enhances the round head shape while subtly drawing attention to the front.
8. Low-Taper Line Up Crew Cut
This style features a low-tapered fade with clean edges that blend smoothly from the top to the sides, offering a sharp yet subtle look. It requires minimal alterations and stays fresh with little maintenance. Celebrities like Vince Staples, Jamie Foxx, and PK Subban showcase this style well, making it a great option for a neat, tailored appearance.
9. Natural Wave Mid Crew Cut
A mid style with tighter sides and some volume on top lets your natural texture stand out. It’s a flexible, soft take on the classic look, offering a controlled style while allowing room for experimentation with different lengths.
10. Straight Hair Textured Crew Cut
A classic cut with short sides and a textured top works well for straight hair, adding definition and volume to flat hair. A stylist or barber can use a texturizing product like Byrd Texturizing Surfspray to create a choppy, fuller look that’s easy to maintain.
11. Blended Mid-Length Crew Cut
A blended mid-length style gives a sharp, structured look, especially for those with thick hair. It pairs nicely with facial hair for a balanced appearance and works well in both professional and casual settings. Liam Payne demonstrates its versatility.
12. Tapered Side Burn Crew Cut
A crew cut with tapered side burns offers a clean, sharp look. The sides are lightly tapered, blending into a full top. The sideburns are neatly shaped, and the front should be styled to draw attention. A crisp lineup around the edges keeps the hair fresh and sharp. This style is easy to maintain and looks polished.
13. Faux Hawk Crew Cut
Keep the sides at medium-length, apply a texturizing pomade like Blind Barber 90 Proof Pomade, and lift the hair forward to create a faux hawk look. Push it towards the center for a clean, textured style that works for both casual and formal settings.
14. Widow’s Peak Crew Cut
A crew cut is ideal for a V-shaped hairline, offering a clean, sharp look with minimal effort. It’s low-maintenance and works well with curl control products like Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream for a natural-looking finish. This cut highlights the hairline’s shape while maintaining a sleek appearance.
15. Wavy Forward Quiff
A crew cut can be given a fresh twist by adding a wavy style to the front. By lifting the hair forward, it highlights your natural wave while keeping the sides short and clean. This cut allows for more control over the style, making it easy to manage while adding a unique touch. It’s a quick, stylish change for anyone looking to try something different.
16. Lived-In Lifted Fringe
To create a messy, natural look with a crew cut, I recommend using texturizing paste or Oribe Fiber for a bed-head style that’s still office-ready. A little Elastic Texture Paste adds volume and control, making it easy to go to town without over-styling. Just a quick groom and you’re set.
17. Textured Caesar Cut
If you’re after a sophisticated, easy hairstyle that requires minimal upkeep, this cut is perfect. Its low-profile and textured design stays fresh with a quick trim every month. A small amount of matte paste can enhance the look, making it versatile and easy to maintain while still drawing attention.
18. Crew Cut with Natural Curls
A crew cut works great for curly hair texture, offering a simple, easy style that’s quick to maintain. It’s fast to style and gives a healthy-looking finish with a touch of light cream for extra shine. This cut keeps things purposeful and low-maintenance, letting your natural curls shine through with minimal effort and styling time.
19. Short, Messy Side Part
A finger-combed, messy part creates a modern yet classic look. It combines a textured hairstyle with a sophisticated feel, making it versatile for both casual and formal occasions. Andrews notes this style blends freshness and tradition effortlessly.
20. Low Fade Afro
A low fade afro combines sleek tapering on the sides with a natural, clean look, easy to maneuver. To maintain it, ensuring the right moisture levels is key. Using products like Scotch Porter Leave-In Conditioner helps keep hair hydrated and manageable while enhancing the aesthetics.
21. Textured Forward Quiff with Fade
This style combines a textured top with a clean fade on the sides, offering a bold yet balanced look. The fade smoothly transitions from longer hair on top to shorter sides, making it a great option for those who want a sharp, manageable style with some added texture.
22. High Fade Side Part
A high fade with a side part creates a smooth, well-kept look that’s easy to pull off. It works well for straight hair, offering a clean, medium length style that’s low-maintenance yet stylish. This cut blends effortlessly into any setting, giving a structured, polished vibe without being overly fussy.
23. Harsh Middle Fade
A harsh middle fade offers a striking contrast by creating a purposeful shift from shorter hair on the sides to longer hair on top. The fade creates a sharp and structured look, adding edgy sophistication. This style is neat yet bold, providing a gradual transition with a clean finish.
24. Wavy Caesar Cut
This short style blends natural curls and texture, staying under control. A pea-sized amount of American Crew Defining Paste adds separation and definition, creating a clean, easy-to-manage look with smooth corners.
25. Bleached Curls with Low Fade
A bleached curly style with a low fade creates a bold, contrasted look that complements natural hair colors. It’s a fresh way to embrace change, much like Odell Beckham Jr.’s daring styles. This choice requires maintenance trims to keep the style sharp and prevent the color from slowly chipping away while allowing hair to grow out naturally.
26. Crew Cut With a Perfect Quiff
A crew cut paired with a quiff creates a polished yet effortless look, often seen on figures like Jake Gyllenhaal and Alvaro Gonzalez. The key is using a lightweight product like hair cream or paste to style the subtly wavy texture, giving the hair volume without weighing it down. This combination offers a clean and put-together appearance with minimal effort.
27. Grown-Out Fade
When you let your short buzzed hair grow out, the top length increases while the sides stay tapered, creating a natural fade effect. This version of the cut offers a relaxed, yet neat look, blending sophistication with a bit of softness, and works well for both formal and casual occasions.
28. Ultra-Low Top Crew Cut
This style blends a short cut with a faded finish and a lengthy top, creating a sharp, low-maintenance look. It’s inspired by the buzz cut and is a popular choice for those seeking a bold, versatile style, often seen on stars like Michael B. Jordan.
29. Pointy Top Crew Cut
A crew cut with a pointy top is a bold style, often seen with Zac Efron in 2011. It features a spiky crown, styled with gel to keep the points intact, while the short sides create a clean contrast. This style has come a long way, offering an easy-to-maintain yet edgy look.
30. Side-Parted Crew Cut
The side-parted style adds a sophisticated touch to the classic crew cut. The buzzed sides and slightly longer top create a clean contrast, and adding a quiff enhances the neatness. It balances sharpness with personality, giving a polished yet effortless look.
31. Modern Crew Cut
This hairstyle combines sharp fades with textured layers for a fresh look. The contrast between the thicker top and low, mid, or high fades creates a cool style. Popular for its styling variability, it can be customized with skin fade, burst, or drop combinations to suit personal preferences.
32. Crew Cut Fade
This cut combines a sharp fade on the sides and back with longer hair on top, creating a sleek and handsome look. The skin faded areas add an edgy feel, while the contrast highlights the profile. This modern style offers dimension and is perfect for those seeking a clean-cut yet dynamic appearance.
33. Short Crew Cut
This haircut is a popular choice for men, offering a stylish, low-maintenance look that suits both athletic and professional lifestyles. With a high taper fade and textured top, it creates a striking contrast that accentuates the natural contours of the face. Regular trims ensure the look stays fresh, highlighting masculine lines while being easy to maintain.
34. Long Crew Cut
The long crew cut combines style and simplicity, offering men a neat yet playful look with natural volume on top and a taper on the sides. The faded sides create a defined, professional finish, allowing for variability in length and volume without losing its appeal.
35. High Fade Crew Cut
The high fade takes the crew cut to the next level with aggressively faded sides and a longer top, creating a bold high-contrast look. The sharp finish at the temples highlights facial features like the jawline and cheekbones, giving the style a defined, rebellious vibe that’s both trendy and eye-catching.
36. Messy Crew Cut
A crew cut can be styled in a relaxed, messy way by using a matte paste or clay to add texture and volume to the longer hair on top. This creates a casual yet put-together look with some attitude, offering a balance of natural style and easy grooming time. The result is a spiked or mussed finish that holds well throughout the day.
37. Mid Fade Crew Cut
This cut combines short sides and a slightly longer top, creating a sharp contrast that is both modern and timeless. It’s easy to maintain, offering a versatile and adaptable style suitable for both work and play, with room for variation and a dramatic yet refined look.
38. Crew Cut Taper Fade
A crew cut with a taper fade blends shorter sides and a textured top, offering a structured style with a clean transition. The cut can range from low, mid, to high tapered, allowing for a seamless blend. Adding matte pomade or clay can enhance the look, giving it flair whether you prefer to brush forward, spike up, or tousle the hair for a perfect result. This style maintains an enduring elegance while being easy to maintain.
39. Ivy League Crew Cut
This hairstyle combines a refined, athletic look with a taper fade and skin faded sides. Popular among young men and teenage boys, it’s versatile and sophisticated, featuring a slightly longer top with the fringe swept to the side. This style is trendy, offering a modern yet traditional vibe, perfect for those wanting a preppy and confident appearance.
40. Spiky Crew Cut
The spiky crew cut mixes the sharpness of a classic style with bold spikes for a modern look. Popular since the late ’90s and early 2000s, it features short sides and structured spikes on top. Using firm holding gel or wax keeps the style locked in place all day, offering a smart yet rebellious hairstyle that expresses personal style.
41. Low Fade Crew Cut
This haircut blends short sides with a longer top, creating a balanced, clean look that works well for both professional and casual settings. The gradual fade above the ear provides a sharp yet natural appearance, requiring minimal maintenance as hair grows out. It’s a polished, smart choice that offers a modern edge while maintaining a dignified feel.
42. Hard Part Crew Cut
A crew cut with a hard part features a shaved line that creates sharp lines and clean edges, giving a distinct and defined look. It uses a razor line to deliver a radical style, while products like wax or gel can help maintain a coiffed finish. This bold haircut is all about maximum impact with a neat, angular shape.
43. Crew Cut with Tapered Sides
This cut combines a traditional style with tapered sides, offering a neat and seamless look. The tapering enhances the hair’s natural volume and fullness, especially with the use of a texturizing hair product and a blow-dry, creating a well-maintained and stylish appearance.
44. Traditional Crew Cut with No Fade
The traditional crew cut is a simple, low-maintenance style with a clean, refined look. Without a fade, it offers a smart, recognizable appearance that works in both casual and business settings, providing an ideal balance of practicality and cultured style.
45. Messy, Short Crew Cut
The short crew cut combines a classic style with minimal upkeep, offering a messy yet neat look. With a scissor-cut top and the right amount of wax or gel, it provides a natural flow while still retaining sharpness. It’s the perfect balance between style and function, keeping a messy vibe without compromising on appearance.
People also ask
What do I tell my barber for a crew cut?
To get the perfect crew cut, tell your barber to keep the sides and back short with a #4 or #3 clipper guard. For the top, request 1 to 2 inches of longer hair. If you prefer a fade or taper, specify this as well for a clean blend.
What is a crew cut vs buzz cut?
The buzz cut is a very short, uniform hairstyle with sides and back cut to 1/2 to 3/4 inch, while the crew cut has a longer top and a more blended look, offering more shape and style. Both are neat, but the crew cut is slightly more polished than the minimal buzz cut.
Is a crew cut a fade or taper?
A crew cut typically features shorter hair on the top and a contrast with the sides. The sides can be either faded or tapered. A fade offers a smooth transition, while a taper keeps the hair slightly longer. Both styles create a neat and polished finish, making the cut clean and structured.