How to Ask for a Mid Taper Fade: Terminology & What to Tell Your Barber

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing "Taper" with "Fade": If you just say "Mid Fade," many barbers will give you a "Mid Bald Fade" which takes the skin line much higher and all around the head. A Taper is specifically focused on the sideburns and neckline.
2. Not specifying the back: Do you want the back rounded, squared, or tapered? "Tapered neck" is usually the modern choice.

Show, Don't Just Tell

Barbers love reference photos. But showing a photo of a celebrity doesn't always help because you have different hair texture and head shape.

The best reference is YOU.

Use our tool to generate a preview of the mid taper fade on your own head. Show the barber: "I want my hair to look like this."