The best boys haircuts are easy to look after, keep hair out of the eyes, and still look cool at school. Popular choices right now include the textured crop with a low fade, the crew cut, the buzz cut, the side part, the faux hawk and, for teens, the modern mullet and curly top with a taper. The right cut depends mainly on your son’s age, hair type and how much styling he will actually do in the morning.
This parent’s guide lists 25 boy haircuts by age group, shows which work for each hair type, explains fades in plain words, and gives you the exact words to use at the barbershop.
Boys Haircuts at a Glance
| Haircut | Age | Best hair type | Upkeep |
| Buzz cut | 3+ | All | Very low; trim every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Crew cut | 4+ | Straight, wavy, thick | Very low; grows out evenly |
| Textured crop + low fade | 6+ | Straight, thick | Low; a little matte paste |
| Side part | 5+ | Fine, straight | Low |
| French crop | 5+ | Fine, straight | Low |
| Faux hawk | 5+ | Straight, wavy | Moderate |
| Curly top + taper | 4+ | Curly, coily | Low to moderate |
| Ivy League | 10+ | Straight, wavy | Low to moderate |
| Modern mullet | 12+ | Wavy, curly | Moderate |
| Pompadour | 10+ | Thick | Moderate to high |
Boys Haircuts for Toddlers (1 to 4 Years)
- Short scissor cut: soft, even length all over; gentle for a first haircut.
- Simple crop: short at the back, a little longer on top, kept out of the eyes.
- Hairline taper: keeps the neck and ears neat as hair grows, with no styling needed.
- Toddler curls: trim only the length and leave the curls; cut dry to avoid surprises.
- Bowl cut (modern): a softer, textured version of the classic bowl for straight hair.
Boy Haircuts for School Kids (5 to 11 Years)
- Buzz cut: one clipper length all over; zero morning effort.
- Crew cut: short sides, about 1 to 2.5 cm on top; neat without product.
- Textured crop with low fade: the most popular school cut; choppy top pushed forward.
- French crop: short sides and a straight fringe; great for fine hair.
- Side part: a smart, combed look for photos and special events.
- Faux hawk: longer strip in the centre, styled up; fun without breaking most dress codes.
- Spiky top: short sides and a little gel on top for a playful look.
- Curly top with taper: keeps curls on top and tidy sides.
- Short Afro with line-up: a rounded shape with a crisp front hairline.
- Caesar cut: short, even top with a straight, short fringe.
- Surfer cut (short): slightly longer, messy layers for wavy hair.
Haircuts for Teen Boys (12 to 17 Years)
- Modern mullet: short top and sides, longer textured back.
- Mid or high fade with crop: sharper contrast for teens who like a fresh look.
- Burst fade: a curved fade around the ear, often with curls or a mohawk.
- Ivy League: short back and sides, longer top brushed to one side.
- Pompadour: volume swept up and back; needs pomade.
- Hard part: a shaved line that defines a side part.
- Middle part (curtains): a 90s-style centre part for straight or wavy hair.
- Broccoli cut: curly top with tight tapered sides; very popular with teens.
- Mohawk: shaved sides and a long centre strip; check school rules first.
- Twists or short locs with taper: for coily hair, with clean edges.
Best Boys Haircuts by Hair Type
| Hair type | Best cuts | Tip |
| Fine, straight | French crop, side part, short crop | Avoid very long tops, which go flat |
| Thick | Textured crop, crew cut, pompadour | Ask for texturising to remove bulk |
| Wavy | Surfer cut, faux hawk, modern mullet | Let the waves show; skip heavy gel |
| Curly | Curly top + taper, broccoli cut | Cut curls dry; use a little curl cream |
| Coily | Short Afro, twists, buzz with line-up | Moisturise daily; choose a barber experienced with textured hair |
| Cowlicks | Crew cut, buzz, textured crop | Keep the cowlick area a little longer so it lies flatter |
Fades for Boys, Explained Simply
- Low taper fade: shortest just above the ears and neck. The easiest to maintain and the most school-friendly; fine from about age 4 or 5.
- Mid fade: starts halfway up the sides; more contrast.
- High fade: starts near the temples; needs a touch-up every 2 to 3 weeks.
- Skin fade: down to the skin; the sharpest look but the most upkeep, better for older boys.
How to Ask the Barber for a Boys Haircut
- Bring two or three photos of the style on a child with similar hair.
- Name the fade level (low, mid, high) and guard number, for example “low taper with a 2 on the sides.”
- Say how much length to keep on top, in centimetres or inches.
- Mention school rules, cowlicks or sensory issues so the barber can adapt.
- Ask how often to come back to keep it neat.
Tips for a Calm First Haircut
- Book the morning, after a nap and snack, when children are calmest.
- Let your child watch a sibling or parent get a cut first.
- Bring a favourite toy or a show on a phone.
- Ask for scissors instead of clippers if the buzzing sound is scary.
- Keep the first cut simple and short in time.
Boys Haircuts FAQs
What is the most popular haircut for boys right now?
The textured crop with a low fade, followed by the curly top with a taper (often called the broccoli cut) and the modern mullet for teens.
How often should boys get a haircut?
Every 3 to 6 weeks. Short fades need trims more often; longer cuts and crew cuts can go up to 6 weeks.
What is the easiest boys haircut to maintain?
The buzz cut and the crew cut. Both need no styling and grow out evenly.
What haircut is best for a boy with thick hair?
A textured crop or crew cut with the bulk thinned out, so the hair sits down instead of puffing up.
More hair guides are on our blog.
Sources: Manhattan Barbershop: Types of kids haircuts for boys; Rush: Cool haircuts for boys; Latest Hairstyles: Boys haircuts for school.
