Taper vs. Fade — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 17, 2024
Taper haircuts involve gradual shortening of hair from the top to the nape, while fades are more dramatic, blending hair almost seamlessly into the skin.
Difference Between Taper and Fade
Table of Contents
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Comparison Chart
Length Transition
Gradual, subtle
Abrupt, pronounced
Scalp Exposure
Minimal to none
Often significant
Maintenance
Lower frequency
Higher frequency
Style Versatility
More traditional and versatile
More modern and striking
Popularity Context
Classic, timeless appeal
Trendy, fashion-forward appeal
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Compare with Definitions
Taper
Gradual decrease in hair length from the top towards the neck.
He prefers a taper haircut because it's subtle yet stylish.
Fade
Commonly features significant scalp exposure.
The high fade accentuates the shape of his head.
Taper
Can be combined with various hair lengths on top.
His taper haircut works well with his long, curly hair.
Fade
Offers a stark, high contrast look.
The contrast of his fade haircut highlights his facial features.
Taper
Often leaves more hair at the nape.
The barber ensured the taper left a natural look at the nape.
Fade
Associated with modern, trendy styles.
His fade is perfect for his contemporary fashion sense.
Taper
Less scalp exposure compared to fades.
He chose a taper to avoid too much scalp visibility.
Fade
Hair transitions from long to very short or skin level abruptly.
His new fade haircut is very sharp and clean.
Taper
Generally considered more conservative and classic.
His job interview attire matched well with his classic taper haircut.
Fade
Requires frequent maintenance for crisp lines.
He visits the barber weekly to maintain his fade.
Taper
A small or very slender candle.
Fade
To lose brightness, loudness, or brilliance gradually
The lights and music faded as we set sail from the harbor.
Taper
A long wax-coated wick used to light candles or gas lamps.
Fade
To lose freshness; wither
Summer flowers that had faded.
Taper
A source of feeble light.
Fade
To lose strength or vitality; wane
Youthful energy that had faded over the years.
Taper
A gradual decrease in thickness or width of an elongated object.
Fade
To disappear gradually; vanish
A hope that faded.
Taper
A gradual decrease, as in action or force.
Fade
(Sports) To swerve from a straight course, especially in the direction of a slice.
Taper
(Sports) A period before a competition or race in which the intensity and frequency of exercise and training is decreased.
Fade
(Football) To move back from the line of scrimmage. Used of a quarterback.
Taper
To become gradually narrower or thinner toward one end.
Fade
To cause to lose brightness, freshness, or strength
Exposure to sunlight has faded the carpet.
Taper
To diminish or lessen gradually. Often used with off
The storm finally tapered off.
Fade
(Sports) To hit (a golf ball, for instance) with a moderate, usually controlled slice.
Taper
(Sports) To decrease one's exercise levels before a competition or race
Tapered for a week before the marathon.
Fade
(Games) To meet the bet of (an opposing player) in dice.
Taper
To make thinner or narrower at one end.
Fade
The act of fading.
Taper
To make smaller gradually.
Fade
A gradual dimming or increase in the brightness or loudness of a light source or audio signal.
Taper
Gradually decreasing in size toward a point.
Fade
A transition in a cinematic work or slide presentation in which the image gradually appears on or disappears from a blank screen.
Taper
A slender wax candle.
Fade
(Sports) A moderate, usually controlled slice, as in golf.
Taper
(by extension) A small light.
Fade
A control mechanism on a stereo that adjusts the distribution of power between the front and rear channels.
Taper
A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness and/or cross section in an elongated object.
The taper of a spire
The legs of the table had a slight taper to them.
Fade
A style of haircut in which the hair is cut close to the sides and back of the head and trimmed to result in gradually longer lengths toward the top of the head.
Taper
A thin stick used for lighting candles, either a wax-coated wick or a slow-burning wooden rod.
Fade
(archaic) Weak; insipid; tasteless.
Taper
A cone-shaped item for stretching the hole for an ear gauge piercing.
Fade
(archaic) Strong; bold; doughty.
Taper
(weaving) One who operates a tape machine.
Fade
(golf) A golf shot that curves intentionally to the player's right (if they are right-handed) or to the left (if left-handed).
Taper
Someone who works with tape or tapes.
Fade
A haircut where the hair is short or shaved on the sides of the head and longer on top. See also high-top fade and low fade.
Taper
(transitive) To make thinner or narrower at one end.
Fade
(slang) A fight.
Taper
(intransitive) To become thinner or narrower at one end.
Fade
A gradual decrease in the brightness of a shot or the volume of sound or music (as a means of cutting to a new scene or starting a new song).
Taper
(intransitive) To diminish gradually.
Fade
(slang) The act of disappearing from a place so as not to be found; covert departure.
Taper
(intransitive) (of a central bank) To tighten monetary policy.
Fade
To hit the ball with the shot called a fade.
Taper
Tapered; narrowing to a point.
Fade
(intransitive) To grow weak; to lose strength; to decay; to perish gradually; to wither, as a plant.
Taper
A small wax candle; a small lighted wax candle; hence, a small light.
Get me a taper in my study, Lucius.
Fade
(intransitive) To lose freshness, color, or brightness; to become faint in hue or tint; hence, to be wanting in color.
Taper
A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness in an elongated object; as, the taper of a spire.
Fade
(intransitive) To sink away; to disappear gradually; to grow dim; to vanish.
The milkman's whistling faded into the distance.
Taper
Regularly narrowed toward the point; becoming small toward one end; conical; pyramidical; as, taper fingers.
Fade
(transitive) To cause to fade.
Taper
To become gradually smaller toward one end; as, a sugar loaf tapers toward one end.
Fade
To bet against (someone).
Taper
To make or cause to taper.
Fade
Weak; insipid; tasteless; commonplace.
His masculine taste gave him a sense of something fade and ludicrous.
Taper
A convex shape that narrows toward a point
Fade
To become fade; to grow weak; to lose strength; to decay; to perish gradually; to wither, as a plant.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away.
Taper
The property possessed by a shape that narrows toward a point (as a wedge or cone)
Fade
To lose freshness, color, or brightness; to become faint in hue or tint; hence, to be wanting in color.
Taper
A loosely woven cord (in a candle or oil lamp) that draws fuel by capillary action up into the flame
Fade
To sink away; to disappear gradually; to grow dim; to vanish.
The stars shall fade away.
He makes a swanlike end,Fading in music.
Taper
Stick of wax with a wick in the middle
Fade
To cause to wither; to deprive of freshness or vigor; to wear away.
No winter could his laurels fade.
Taper
Diminish gradually;
Interested tapered off
Fade
A golf shot that curves to the right for a right-handed golfer;
He took lessons to cure his slicing
Taper
Give a point to;
The candles are tapered
Fade
Gradually ceasing to be visible
Fade
Become less clearly visible or distinguishable; disappear gradually or seemingly;
The scene begins to fade
The tree trunks are melting into the forest at dusk
Fade
Lose freshness, vigor, or vitality;
Her bloom was fading
Fade
Disappear gradually;
The pain eventually passed off
Fade
Become feeble;
The prisoner has be languishing for years in the dungeon
Common Curiosities
Is a taper suitable for all hair types?
Yes, tapers can be adapted to suit all hair types and lengths, making them a versatile choice.
How often should I get a fade touched up?
Fades typically need to be touched up every 2 to 3 weeks to maintain the sharp, clean lines.
What is a taper haircut?
A taper haircut involves gradually decreasing the hair length from the top of the head down to the nape, maintaining more hair at the sides and back.
What is a fade haircut?
A fade haircut involves cutting the hair from long on top to very short or skin level at the sides and back, creating a high-contrast look.
What type of look does a taper provide?
A taper provides a more subtle and classic look, suitable for both professional and casual settings.
Can I switch from a taper to a fade easily?
Yes, switching from a taper to a fade typically involves shortening the sides more dramatically, which is easily done by a skilled barber.
Can a fade be combined with any top hair length?
Yes, fades are compatible with any length on top, from very short to quite long, offering flexibility in styling.
Is a taper haircut good for thin hair?
Yes, a taper can give a fuller appearance to thin hair by maintaining more length and volume on the sides.
What are the advantages of a taper over a fade?
Tapers are low maintenance, versatile, and less likely to expose scalp issues, making them suitable for more conservative environments.
What type of look does a fade provide?
A fade offers a sharp, modern look that is often considered more stylish and edgy.
What are the advantages of a fade over a taper?
Fades are very clean and sharp, making a bold fashion statement and accentuating facial features.
What should I tell my barber if I want a taper?
Specify that you want a gradual decrease in length with more hair left at the sides and back.
Which haircut is easier to maintain, taper or fade?
Tapers generally require less frequent maintenance compared to fades, which need regular upkeep.
Is a fade haircut good for thick hair?
Yes, fades can help manage and style thick hair by reducing bulk and emphasizing shape.
What should I tell my barber if I want a fade?
Specify how short you want the fade to start and how drastic the transition should be for the desired contrast.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
