A mid fade is a haircut where the back and sides are faded from very short, often skin, up to longer hair, with the fade line starting around the middle of the head, roughly level with the temples and the top of the ears. It is more visible than a low fade but less dramatic than a high fade, which makes it the most popular fade in most barbershops. It suits almost every hair type and can be paired with anything from a buzz cut to a pompadour.
Mid Fade at a Glance
| Fade line | Around the temples and above the ears, all the way around the head |
| Shortest point | Skin, or a 0 to 1 guard |
| Contrast | Medium: clear outline, not extreme |
| Suits | Straight, wavy, curly and coily hair; most face shapes |
| Touch-ups | Every 2 to 3 weeks |
Mid Fade vs Low Fade vs High Fade
| Fade | Starts | Look | Best for |
| Low fade | Just above the ears and neckline | Subtle, conservative | Thin hair, long faces, offices |
| Mid fade | Temples and top of the ears | Balanced, clean outline | Most people and most styles |
| High fade | Near the top of the head | Bold, very high contrast | Round faces, thick or curly hair |
Mid Fade vs Mid Taper
A mid fade shortens the whole band around the back and sides, so you see scalp all the way around at the bottom. A mid taper only shortens the sideburns and neckline and leaves more hair on the sides. Choose a mid fade if you want a sharper, more defined look; choose a mid taper if you want something softer that grows out more gracefully.
Mid Fade Guard Numbers
| Mid fade type | Bottom | Blends up to |
| Mid skin (bald) fade | Foil shaver or razor | #2 or #3 |
| Mid zero fade | No guard (about 1.5 mm) | #2 or #3 |
| Mid fade from a 1 | #1 (3 mm) | #3 or #4 |
| Soft mid fade | #2 (6 mm) | #4 |
Guard sizes vary a little between clipper brands, so it helps to describe the look too: “skin at the bottom, blended smooth, no harsh line.”
12 Best Mid Fade Haircuts
- Mid fade textured crop: short, choppy top with a slight fringe. Very low effort.
- Mid fade buzz cut: an even buzz on top with a faded outline.
- Mid fade with curly top: keeps curls full while controlling volume on the sides.
- Mid fade with waves: sharp edges around a 360 wave pattern.
- Mid fade Afro: a rounded Afro with clean faded sides.
- Mid fade with twists: neat sides with longer twists on top.
- Mid fade quiff: a longer front swept up and back.
- Mid fade pompadour: high, glossy volume on top.
- Mid fade comb-over: a side part for a sharp, professional look.
- Mid fade French crop: short top with a straight, blunt fringe.
- Mid fade with beard: the fade blends into the beard for one seamless line.
- Mid drop fade: the fade dips behind the ear for extra shape at the back.
Who Should Get a Mid Fade?
- Round face: pair with height on top to elongate the face.
- Long face: keep the top shorter and fuller at the sides; a low fade can also work.
- Square or oval face: almost any mid fade style suits you.
- Curly or thick hair: a mid fade controls side volume well.
- Thin hair: a low fade is often safer; very short sides can make thin tops look sparse.
How to Ask Your Barber for a Mid Fade
Tell your barber four things: that you want a mid fade, how short at the bottom (skin, 0 or 1), what it should blend up to, and how much length to leave on top. Example: “Mid skin fade blended up to a 3, about 5 cm on top with scissors for a textured quiff.” Bring front, side and back photos.
Styling and Maintenance
- Matte clay or paste for crops, quiffs and messy textures.
- Pomade for comb-overs and pompadours.
- Curl cream and a light oil for curls, coils and waves.
- Sunscreen or moisturiser on the exposed skin of a skin fade.
A mid fade looks crisp for around two weeks. Book a clean-up every two to three weeks; skin fades show growth fastest, so they need the most frequent visits.
Mid Fade FAQs
Is a mid fade professional?
Yes, especially with a neat comb-over or crop. A mid skin fade is bolder but still accepted in most workplaces.
Is a mid fade good for a round face?
Yes. Short sides and some height on top make a round face look longer and more defined.
How long does a mid fade take to grow out?
The sharp outline blurs in two to three weeks. To grow it out fully, skip fades for about six to eight weeks and ask for a scissor-blended cut.
See more hair and grooming guides on our blog.
Sources: Rusty Blade Barber: Low taper fade vs mid fade vs high fade; Wolfshead: Fades vs tapers vs blends; The Kinsman: Taper fade vs skin fade vs mid fade.
