15+ Undercut Hairstyles for Men of All Ages

The undercut has earned its place as a modern classic. Clean on the sides, longer on top. It’s sharp, adaptable, and works whether you’re wearing a blazer or a hoodie.

I’ve seen guys pull it off at weddings and dive bars alike. That contrast between short and long hair just hits right.

What keeps it so popular is how easy it is to make your own. You can slick it back when you need to look polished, leave it messy on purpose, or style it high with a bit of attitude.

It’s one cut, but it tells a hundred stories depending on how you wear it.

Here are some of the best ways to do it. Fresh updates, classic versions, and everything in between—so you can find the one that fits your style and mood.

What Is an Undercut?

An undercut features short or shaved hair on the sides and back with significantly longer hair on top.

The defining feature is the sharp disconnect – a clear, visible line where short sides meet the longer top. There’s little to no blending between the two lengths.

Undercut vs. Fade: What’s the Difference?

Fade haircuts feature a gradual blend that smoothly transitions from short to long. An undercut maintains a dramatic contrast with an intentional “hard line” of separation. This creates a bolder, more striking look than the subtle gradient of a fade.

Key Characteristics:

The disconnect is intentional and creates maximum visual impact

Top length varies from 2-3 inches to 6+ inches, giving you room to experiment

Sides are cut with clippers to a uniform length – from skin-short to a longer buzz

15+ Undercut Hairstyles for Men

1. Modern Classic Textured Undercut

The contemporary take on the classic undercut. This features a clean disconnect between short sides and 3-4 inches of textured length on top. The hair is styled with piece-y separation and movement, swept to one side for an effortlessly cool, lived-in look.

Styling tip: Work a matte clay or fiber through towel-dried hair. Use your fingers to create texture and separation as you style it to the side. The key is keeping it looking natural and slightly undone rather than overly polished.

Best for: Everyday wear, thick hair that holds texture well, guys who want a modern, relaxed vibe, oval and square face shapes

2. Slicked Back Undercut

Take your undercut and comb everything straight back for a sleek, sophisticated look. This style has serious vintage appeal and works perfectly for formal occasions or business environments.

Styling tip: Apply a high-shine pomade to damp hair and use a fine-tooth comb to slick everything back. The key is making sure there are no bumps or uneven sections.

Best for: Formal events, professional settings, men with receding hairlines (the swept-back style can actually be quite flattering)

3. Textured Crop Undercut

Instead of smooth and polished, this version embraces texture and movement. The top is cut with lots of layers and styled to look intentionally messy and lived-in.

Styling tip: Work a matte clay or fiber through towel-dried hair, then use your fingers to create separation and texture. Don’t overthink it – this style looks best when it’s a bit undone.

Best for: Casual everyday wear, thick hair that can hold texture, guys who want a more relaxed vibe

4. Messy Undercut

Similar to the textured version but even more deliberately disheveled. Think “just rolled out of bed but somehow look great” energy. The hair on top is styled forward and to the side with lots of movement.

Styling tip: Use a sea salt spray on damp hair for natural texture, then rough-dry with your fingers. Finish with a light matte paste for hold without stiffness.

Best for: Casual settings, wavy or slightly curly hair, younger guys or those with a more relaxed personal style

5. Undercut with Long Fringe

This combines the classic undercut with a longer fringe that falls forward onto the forehead. The fringe can be blunt and heavy or textured and piecey depending on your preference.

Styling tip: Blow-dry your fringe forward while the rest of the top goes back or to the side. Use a light styling cream to keep the fringe in place without making it look crunchy.

Best for: Guys who want to hide a larger forehead, straight to wavy hair, adding a youthful element to your look

6. Undercut Pompadour

The pompadour takes your undercut to new heights – literally. The hair on top is styled up and back with significant volume at the front, creating a dramatic and eye-catching silhouette.

Styling tip: Blow-dry your hair up and back using a round brush for maximum volume. Lock it in place with a strong-hold pomade or gel. This style requires some length on top (at least 4-5 inches).

Best for: Making a statement, guys with thick hair, round faces that benefit from added height

7. Undercut Quiff

The quiff is like a more casual, less dramatic version of the pompadour. The hair is still brushed up and back, but with a looser, more natural shape that’s easier to maintain throughout the day.

Styling tip: Apply mousse to damp hair, then blow-dry forward and up. Use your fingers to shape the front into a quiff, then finish with a medium-hold product for lasting power.

Best for: Daily wear, versatility (you can dress it up or down), most face shapes

8. Curly Undercut

If you’ve got curly hair, embrace it! The undercut gives your curls room to shine on top while keeping the sides neat and manageable. The contrast between tight curls and clean sides is striking.

Styling tip: Keep your curls hydrated with a curl cream or leave-in conditioner. Let them air-dry or use a diffuser to maintain their natural pattern. The less you touch them, the better they’ll look.

Best for: Men with naturally curly or coily hair, adding definition to your curl pattern

9. Wavy Undercut

Wavy hair and undercuts are a match made in heaven. The waves add natural texture and movement that makes the style look effortlessly cool without much styling effort.

Styling tip: Enhance your natural wave pattern with a sea salt spray or wave cream. You can either let it air-dry for a relaxed look or blow-dry with a diffuser for more definition.

Best for: Men with natural wave patterns, beach/surfer vibes, low-maintenance styling

10. Long Hair Undercut

This version features significantly longer hair on top – think 6+ inches – that can be styled in various ways or even pulled into a man bun or ponytail. The undercut sides keep it from looking too heavy or unkempt.

Styling tip: For a sleek look, use a smoothing cream and brush everything back. For more texture, scrunch in some mousse and let it air-dry. When you want it out of your face, pull it into a low bun or ponytail.

Best for: Guys growing their hair out, creative professionals, achieving a more bohemian or artistic look

11. Side Swept Undercut

Classic and versatile, this features all the hair on top swept dramatically to one side. The length on top allows for plenty of movement and volume while the sides stay sharp and clean.

Styling tip: Blow-dry your hair to the side using a brush for volume, then finish with a medium-hold pomade. The key is creating natural-looking movement rather than a stiff, helmet-like appearance.

Best for: Everyday versatility, most face shapes, guys who want a modern look that’s easy to maintain

12. Undercut with Disconnected Angular Fringe

This bold variation features a dramatic fringe cut at an angle, longer on one side and shorter on the other, creating a striking diagonal line across the forehead. The angular cut adds asymmetry and edge while the heavy, defined fringe creates a fashion-forward aesthetic with sharp, modern lines.

Styling tip: Blow-dry the fringe forward, following its natural angle. Use a matte paste or clay to define the diagonal line and add slight separation while maintaining the fringe’s weight and shape.

Best for: Fashion-forward individuals, making a bold statement, straight to slightly wavy hair, adding edge and asymmetry to your look

13. Side Parted Classic Undercut

A refined take on the classic undercut with shorter length on top (2-3 inches) and a clean side part. This offers the edginess of an undercut with the polish of a traditional businessman’s cut.

Styling tip: Apply a medium-hold pomade to damp hair and create a defined part with a comb. Style the top to the side for a neat, professional finish.

Best for: Professional environments, men who want a modern look that’s still office-appropriate, fine to medium hair

14. Hard Part Combover Undercut

This features a sharp, razor-edged line carved into the side of your head with longer hair combed smoothly across the top. It’s a bold yet professional look that works for the office or special occasions.

Styling tip: Apply pomade to damp hair and comb everything over to the opposite side to emphasize the dramatic parting line. Blow-dry to lock in the style and add volume. The hard part will need maintenance every 2-3 weeks.

Best for: Professional settings with an edge, adding structure to thick or unruly hair, classic style lovers who want modern definition, men of all ages

15. Brushed Back Undercut

All the hair on top is brushed straight back away from the face for a clean, streamlined look. This versatile style strikes a balance between polished and relaxed, working well for both casual and semi-formal settings.

Styling tip: Apply a medium-hold pomade to damp hair, then use a brush or comb to direct everything back while blow-drying. The key is creating volume and flow rather than a flat, slicked-down look.

Best for: Versatile everyday wear, guys with receding hairlines (brushing back can be flattering), most face shapes, achieving a put-together look without being overly formal

How to Style Your Undercut

The beauty of the undercut is that it genuinely works for most face shapes and hair types. The key is choosing the right variation and styling approach:

• Oval faces: You’ve won the genetic lottery – pretty much any undercut style will work for you
  
• Round faces: Go for height and volume on top to elongate your face shape
  
• Square faces: Softer, textured styles help balance strong jawlines
  
• Long faces: Keep the sides a bit longer and avoid too much height on top
  
• Triangular faces: Add volume on top to balance a narrower forehead

As for hair type, the undercut works beautifully on straight, wavy, and curly hair. Each texture brings its own character to the style.

The beauty of an undercut is that you can adapt your styling routine based on how you want to look that day. Here are some general tips:

For sleek, polished looks: Start with damp hair, apply a pomade or gel, and use a comb to smooth everything into place. Blow-dry for extra hold and shine.

For textured, casual looks: Work product through towel-dried hair using your fingers. Let it air-dry or use a blow dryer on low heat while scrunching with your hands.

For volume and height: Blow-dry your hair while brushing it in your desired direction. Use a round brush for pompadours and quiffs. Apply product after drying to lock in the shape.

Products to keep on hand:

• Pomade (for sleek styles)
• Matte clay or fiber (for texture)
• Sea salt spray (for natural, beachy texture)
• Strong-hold gel (for dramatic styles that need to last all day)
• Heat protectant (if you blow-dry regularly)

Maintaining Your Undercut

Undercuts require regular maintenance to keep them looking sharp. The short sides will start looking shaggy after 2-3 weeks, so plan on visiting your barber every 3-4 weeks at minimum. Some guys go every two weeks to keep the contrast extra crisp.

Between cuts, you can maintain the look by:

• Using dry shampoo to absorb oil and add texture to the top
• Keeping the neckline tidy (your barber can show you how to do light maintenance at home)
• Experimenting with different products and styling techniques
• Protecting your hair from heat damage if you style with tools daily

The top section can usually go 6-8 weeks between trims, depending on how fast your hair grows and how precise you want your style to look.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Going too short on top: If you don’t leave enough length, you’ll limit your styling options. Most undercut variations need at least 3-4 inches on top.

Neglecting the sides: Don’t let the short sides grow out too long or the disconnection effect disappears and it just looks like a bad haircut.

Using the wrong products: Heavy products on fine hair will weigh it down. Light products on thick hair won’t provide enough hold. Match your product to your hair type.

Over-washing: Washing your hair daily strips natural oils and can make styling harder. Most guys do best washing 2-3 times per week and rinsing with water on other days.

Trying to DIY it: The undercut requires precision, especially creating that clean disconnect. This isn’t a cut you should attempt at home – find a skilled barber who understands the style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an undercut professional enough for work?

Absolutely. Many variations like the classic undercut, side part, or slicked back versions are perfectly appropriate for professional settings. The key is keeping it well-groomed and styled intentionally rather than letting it look messy or unkempt.

Will an undercut work with my hair type?

Undercuts work with straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair textures. The key is choosing the right variation and styling approach for your specific hair type. Consult with your barber about what will work best for your texture.

How long does my hair need to be to get an undercut?

You’ll need at least 3-4 inches of length on top to create most undercut styles. If your hair is shorter, you’ll need to grow it out first. The sides can be any length since they’ll be cut short anyway.

Can I pull my hair back into a ponytail with an undercut?

If you have the long undercut variation with 6+ inches on top, absolutely. The undercut sides actually make ponytails and man buns look cleaner and more intentional.

What face shape works best with an undercut?

Undercuts are versatile enough to work with most face shapes. The key is adjusting the height and volume on top. Rounder faces benefit from added height, while longer faces look better with less volume on top to avoid elongating further.

How do I tell my barber I want an undercut?

Be specific about what you want. Bring reference photos showing the exact style you’re after. Mention details like how short you want the sides (what guard number), how much contrast you want, and whether you want a fade or disconnect. Also discuss the length and styling of the top section.

Final Style Notes

The key to pulling off any undercut is committing to regular maintenance and learning how to style it properly. Invest in quality products that work with your hair type, develop a styling routine that works for your lifestyle, and find a skilled barber who understands the nuances of the cut.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations as your hair grows or as your style evolves. That’s the beauty of the undercut – it’s a foundation you can build on and adapt to keep your look fresh and interesting. Start with something relatively conservative if you’re new to the style, then push the boundaries as you get more comfortable.

—Fernando Lahoz-García is a fashion journalist and art director with experience working at advertising and fashion brands between New York, Paris, Hamburg, and Madrid.