The buzz cut delivers minimalism and style in one easy men’s haircut. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, simple and cool buzzed hairstyle for men that requires short hair all around, then buzz cut haircuts may be the look you need.
Rugged and manly, the men’s buzz cut features short hair all around the head. The buzz cut may be perfect for athletes and soldiers who need a military style haircut, but the buzz cut fade and undercut are also modern and trendy. Barbers have been choosing the short and long buzz cut as a fashion runway look for years, and more recently, a number of celebrities are getting the zero or skin fade buzz cut as well.
For inspiration, here are the best buzz cut styles to choose from. From faded sides to short all around, these buzzed hairstyles for men are cool choices to consider at home or the barbershop.
What Is The Buzz Cut?
The buzz cut is a popular classic men’s haircut that requires a short length of hair all over the head. Although buzz cut lengths may vary depending on your personal preference, the cut can work for any type of hair type or face shape. Like the crew cut, the buzz cut haircut can be styled with short hair on the sides and back with longer hair on top.
Generally known for its use in the military, the buzz cut is a no frills style that is practical and functional. Nevertheless, for guys who want to save money with a basic but fashionable haircut, the buzz cut hairstyle is the right choice.
The cut has a ton of benefits, ranging from keeping your hair off your face to cooling you down faster. Plus, the cut is so easy that it can be done at home with a pair of good clippers and a steady hand.
Though buzz cut styles work for most face shapes, those with uneven heads or large ears may want to think about opting for a longer style. Very short buzz cuts will bring out any lumps or odd shapes such as scars on the head.
The short length of the buzz cut can also mean that facial features such as the nose or ears are emphasized more than usual. If you’re self-conscious about any part of your face or head, consider longer buzz cut or even a crew cut.
Buzz Cut Styles
If you want a cool and stylish look, these buzz cut styles offer several variations to choose from. While the haircut style itself is simple, there are a number of different ways to wear it, and most of the variations involve different buzz cut lengths.
Depending on your job, lifestyle and fashion sense, some of the following cuts may be the right twist on a buzz cut for you.
Buzz Cut Fade
While most buzz cut styles require the same length of hair all around the head, the buzz cut fade requires faded sides and back with a very short trimmed cut on top. Similar to the high and tight, the buzz cut fade is stylish and trendy due to the difference in lengths of hair.
Men can choose between a high, mid, or low fade buzz cut. Moreover, you can ask your barber for a skin fade haircut to taper the hair to create shaved sides. Edgy and masculine, the buzz fade haircut is the most popular version of the cut trending today.
Buzz Cut Undercut
The buzz cut undercut can be a handsome and modern take on the classic hairstyle. The style starts with short hair on the sides and back, cut to all one length. The buzz cut haircut on top is longer, providing a start contrast. The undercut buzz cut is the simplest one to do at home with clippers.
Buzz Cut Taper
The buzz cut taper is a more conservative type of style. While the taper fade blends hair short, a taper haircut leaves some length. Most consistent with a #2 or #3 all around haircut, the buzz cut taper is well-suited for guys who want a short hairstyle without exposing too much skin.
Short Buzz Cut
The short buzz cut is stylish, modern, and easy to get. If you have thick, coarse hair you don’t want to style, the men’s short buzz cut fade could be perfect for you. With trimmed up sides and short hair on top, the look is masculine and sleek.
Long Buzz Cut
The long buzz cut is a good haircut for guys who need an effortless business professional style. With a fade or undercut on the sides, a long buzz cut hairstyle is the length right before a crew cut.
Military Buzz Cut
The military buzz cut is a very short haircut for men with sharp edges and a hyper-masculine look. Perfect for men with strong cheek bones and jawlines, the military-inspired buzz cut hairstyle is the shortest your barber can go before shaving your head.
Induction Cut
The induction cut is the most distinctive and shortest buzz cut of all. Buzzed with clippers without a guard on, the cut is the closest you can get to a shaved haircut without actually shaving all your hair off. As this is quite the radical option, you may want to get a second opinion from your barber or opt for a slightly longer buzz cut before choosing this hairstyle.
Burr Cut
Longer than the induction, the burr cut is still a very short haircut. To get a burr cut, use any clipper number from #1 to #3 and you will produce this unique style that requires an inch or less of hair all over the head. The burr cut hairstyle is a good choice for guys with thick hair and scars or uneven head shapes, as the longer hair will cover these imperfections.
High and Tight
A slight variation of the all-over buzz cut, the high and tight features short sides with a slightly longer top. In general, the sides and back are two clipper settings shorter than the top. The high and tight haircut adds a little more style to the plain buzz cut by offering some contrast and enough hair to maybe spike up.
High and Tight Recon
As a more extreme version, the high and tight recon is essentially a very short Mohawk that looks like a landing strip. With the high and tight recon, the sides of the head are buzzed with a #0 or #1 clipper setting, leaving a strip down the middle of the head. This strip is often clipped to with a #2 or #3 guard size. The result is a short men’s haircut that is buzzed with two different lengths of hair.
Butch Cut
The butch cut is another military-inspired hairstyle for men. The butch haircut is similar to the burr cut, but slightly longer. Short and even, this clean short haircut is ideal for guys who like to style the Ivy League or crew cut when their hair grows out.
Brush Cut
The brush cut is effectively the longest buzz cut. Also called a butch cut, the brush haircut is clipped with a #4 guard setting. Short but dense, the brush cut is the longest you can go before your haircut becomes a crew cut or Ivy League.
Buzz Cut with Beard
The buzz cut with a beard is the ultimate hairstyle/facial hair combo. Sexy and edgy, women love men with buzzed hair and beards because it epitomizes the alpha male. There are a number of beard styles that can complement a man’s buzz cut.
You can grow a short beard with a buzz cut fade and get your facial hair faded into the sides. If you want a unique look, a long thick beard can be flattering. With the right buzzed haircut and beard, you can pull off a fresh yet rugged style few others can match.
Skin Fade Buzz Cut
The skin fade buzz cut is a natural choice for men and boys. Also known as a bald fade, the skin fade haircut blends the sides and back into the skin to provide short contrast. Paired with a buzzed haircut, the buzz cut skin fade is super short all around yet still highlights the hairstyle on top.
If you want to tailor the fade with a hair design, get a buzz cut with a line. Add the shaved part into your fade or go with a more elaborate design that really stands out.
Buzz Cut Mohawk
The buzz cut mohawk combines two masculine haircuts to create a badass look. With shaved or faded sides and a short strip of hair running down the middle of the head, the mohawk buzz cut hairstyle is one way to cement yourself as a bad boy.
Buzz Cut + Hair Designs
Temple Fade Buzz Cut + Beard
High Bald Fade + Buzz Cut
Buzz Cut All Around + Full Beard
Buzz Cut Lengths
When getting a buzzed haircut at the barber shop, it’s very important to know about the different buzz cut lengths. Also known as the different haircut numbers, comb sizes, or clipper guards, the haircut length you request will determine how short your barber cuts your buzz cut.
Here is a quick rundown of buzz cut lengths.
- Number 0 – no guard, shaved head
- Number 1 Guard – one-eighth of an inch
- Number 2 Guard – one-quarter of an inch
- Number 3 Guard – three-eighths of an inch
- Number 4 Guard – one-half of an inch
- Number 5 Guard – five-eighths of an inch
- Number 6 Guard – three-quarters of an inch
- Number 7 Guard – seven-eighths of an inch
- Number 8 Guard – one inch
How To Give Yourself A Buzz Cut
Giving yourself a buzz cut at home is easy and cheap. While cutting your own hair can seem daunting, the buzz cut haircut is pretty straightforward. To buzz your head, all you need are good hair clippers, a mirror, and good lighting.
Get Clippers
To do a buzz cut with clippers, we highly recommend guys use a quality tools to ensure a smooth trim. You’ll want cheap hair clippers for home with sharp blades and maximum control. If you plan to buzz your own hair at home regularly, we suggest you invest in professional hair clippers that will last you forever.
Choose A Length
Before you actually start cutting, you’ll want to decide on the length of your buzz cut. The guard you use will determine how short or long your haircut will be. Barbers use haircut numbers to indicate different lengths.
Start with a #3 or #4 on top to gauge the length of your cut. If you want to go shorter, try a #1 or #2 for a short buzz cut. If you want a shaved head, then you can always get a no guard buzz cut.
Cut The Hair on Top
Start with clean dry hair. Take your clippers and run them front to back. Make sure to buzz all over the head to ensure an even cut. Some barbers even like to go side to side at the end to cover all angles.
Cut The Sides and Back
When giving yourself a buzz cut at home, you’ll want to go shorter on the sides and back by one guard length. To create some contrast, if you cut a #3 on top, then choose a #2 on the sides. If you are skilled, you can even do a buzz cut fade.
This is where a hand mirror or multi-sided mirror comes in handy. Trim up the sides by starting at the bottom and moving upward. Make sure the haircut is uniform all around the head.
Clean Up The Neckline
You’ll want to clean up the back of your neck, the sideburns, and around your ears. You can use hair clippers with no comb attachment, a beard trimmer or a high-quality detailer.
