Black men have a rich choice of haircuts, ranging through traditional lengths: short, medium and long. Most men stick to short and medium-length haircuts though, because they offer a stylish and low-maintenance look.
If you are an African American, your naturally thick kinky hair provides you with a bunch of options as to how you can have your hair cut and styled. Your haircut can tell much about you. Active, sporty men, for instance, opt for attractive short hairstyles or imaginative Mohawks. More creative personalities often choose a natural curly look or braided hairstyles. Younger guys love somewhat messy hairstyles with a cool mean look that drives girls crazy.
The Most Popular Haircuts for Black Men
Look through our selection of the best haircuts for African American men popular in 2023 and learn to describe your preferences to your barber. Pinning some stylish images and showing them to your stylist will also help you get the haircut you want to try.
1. Bleached High Top

Instagram / @miami_barber
Do you have thick hair that you can’t seem to manage? Try embracing your robust, textured curls. Grow them out on top and throw in some bleached tips. The highlighted short dreads brighten up that hair and make it look more interesting and unique.
2. Jet Black Flat Top with Shaved Designs
Prove that hairstyles for black men are anything but predictable by etching a cool design around your head. You can make it as simple or intricate as you want, just make sure it reflects your specific style and flair.

Instagram / @modernsalon
3. African-American Textured Hairstyle
Show off your natural hair in a fresh, new way by letting it roam free … on the top of the head, anyway. The combo of faded temples and textured curls will add some structure and shape to your look that is containable and manageable. Yes, please.

Instagram / @eazyfadez
4. Twisted High Top
If you thought long, textured locks on top were cool, try adding a cool design or two into the mix and watch the hair sparks really fly. Etch a long line around the entire half of the head to complement the full head of wild curls up top.

Instagram / @modernsalon
5. Black Closely Shaved Fade
Dynamic black male hairstyles don’t always suggest keeping the hair long (or even medium) on the head. A super-short, barely-there buzz cut leaves little hair up top, but you can make up for it by growing out your beard. This way you can still have some hair on your head, without needing to style or maintain it all day, every day.

Instagram / @fabo_esco
6. Male African-American Temple Fade
Fades are among classic male styles, and it’s easy to see why. The cut delivers a clean, sophisticated look that is far from boring. It’s perfect for those with jam-packed schedules that leave them with little time for grooming.

Instagram / @starlinerz
7. Designed Mohawk for Black Men
Take your faux hawk fade to new heights by throwing in a cool shape or line on the side. Let your hair be your wearable art and an avenue where you express your creativity. So pick up that razor and start shaving.

Instagram / @barber_wheelz
8. Black High Fade with Textured Top
Hairstyles for black men are at their best when they show off the natural texture of the hair. Expose your curls with a cool curly hairstyle and opt for a high skin fade if you love stark contrasts.

Instagram / @don_rommel
9. Retro ‘90s Cut
Remember that flat top haircut made popular in the ‘90s? Well, it’s back and better than ever! Give it a test drive by flattening out your grown-out hair on the top of the head and channeling your inner Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Instagram / @famos
10. African-American Super-Short Line Up
Short haircuts are ideal for men on-the-go, as they require little-to-no maintenance. So, if you’re a busy guy with places to go and people to see, try a close cut with line up, and you’ll have a stylish, stress-free grooming routine.

Instagram / @fabo_esco
11. Black Boxy High Top Cut
Some black male hairstyles don’t need to be groomed or touched too often. For instance, the retro high-top with a full, robust beard is quite a statement-maker, but is far from high-maintenance.

Instagram / @smashthalegend
12. African-American Curly Low Fade
The best part about rocking curls is, well, rocking curls. Don’t hide your natural ringlets! Let them grow out and apply some styling gel to keep them looking great throughout the day. Don’t settle for a curl-free life! With a low fade and line up, you’ll have a neat style with natural texture.

Instagram / @criztofferson
13. Natural High Top for Black Men
Some of the cutest high top fades with long hair on top come out for natural hair type 4C. Combine with a high fade that works in pair with a line up. This look is great for those who like to have a little fun with their hair and get funky once in a while.

Instagram / @zeke_the_barber
14. Clean Black Fade with 360 Waves
The most stylish black men’s hairstyles are classic styles with small individual touches like a temple and nape fade, line up, shaved design, etc. Train your hair into 360 waves if you additionally want a textured yet smooth look.

Instagram / @criztofferson
15. African-American Burst Fade
Natural afros have been in since 1960. Embraced and popularized by music and movie legends, the afro has deservedly become one of most loved black classic style. Upgrade your rounded afro with the popular today burst fade and line up for a modern look.

Instagram / @modernsalon
16. Curled Mohawk
Mohawks for black men are all great, but a textured, curled mohawk is the stuff of legends. This style is incredibly trendy and unexpected, and it gives your look an interesting edge. You’d be surprised how easy it is to style, too!

Instagram / @eazyfadez
17. High Black Fade with Lines
Black hairstyles for men take on sleek and chic forms when lines and 360 waves are involved. A faded cut with a thick, shaved part running from a forehead corner is incredibly cool and funky, without being too outlandish. In other words, it’s office-friendly.

Instagram / @modernsalon
18. Angular Line up
You’ve probably seen a lot of fades with designs carved around the sides or back of the head. Well, why don’t you break the mold and try throwing your creativity to the front of the house, er, hair. Etch a line at the top-front of the hair to give it a cool spin.

Instagram / @cool_cutz
19. African-American Undercut
Get a little crazy with your hair and let it grow out nice and long – like, really long. You’d be surprised what wild, free locks can do for your look and self-esteem. Just make sure you keep them frizz-free with moisturizing products, curl-defining serums and/or mousse.

Instagram / @mattjbarbers
20. Close and Clean African-American Haircut
Show the world how smooth and sleek African-American men hairstyles can be. Grow the hair out a bit and treat yourself to a flawless line up with a temple fade. This will give you some texture while keeping the hair close, manageable and oh-so nice.

Instagram / @famos
21. Cornrows
Cornrows are a popular theme for Afro-American hairstyles, both male and female, as they are perfect if you want to tame your naturally curly hair. Cornrows coupled with a neat buzz cut look stunning on younger guys.

Instagram / @herb_the_barber
22. Mohawk Dreadlocks
If you are in search of a more unusual alternative to a head full of dreads, consider pairing your look with a mohawk. Whatever length or quantity, this cool style will work for any guy that wants to draw attention with a nontrivial look.

Instagram / @lua_bandeiras
23. Fade with Shaved Lines
This is a great example of how natural black hair can be flawlessly cut for an impeccable smart look with geometric precision. One of the most popular classic haircuts for black men, it can be spiced up with hair design to create a totally new look. The temple fade and perfectly cut beard add a nice touch, too.

Instagram / @seuelias
24. Twistouts and Freestyle Design
The burst fade is among the cool haircuts for black men who strive to show off their hair texture. Without any doubt, tight curls and impressive hair design make up a mind-blowing combination. By the way, this style can be adapted to suit different hair textures and lengths. For instance, you can go for longer hair on top, creating even a more striking contrast between the faded sides and the twistouts.

Instagram / @agno_black_red
25. Short, Edgy and Wavy
Short hair doesn’t have to be plain and boring. This one is a very trendy haircut, based upon the contrast of lines and accentuated by the natural hair texture of black men – a very worthy option to try.

Instagram / @andyauthentic
26. Short Afro with Temple Fade
Check out this awesome low skin fade featuring a sculpted afro top with steep sides. Add an angled line of hair growth, and you’ll get one of the best haircuts for black men ever!

Instagram / @donjuliothe3rd
27. Awesome Waves
This eye-catching waves haircut is all about texture. Use a good quality conditioner, a pomade and a wave brush to maintain the hairstyle. The waves get only more defined over time, helping you get an effortlessly cool look.

Instagram / @modernsalon
28. Twisted Hi-Top Fade
We love this amazing afro style with hair twists on top and clean steeply tapered sides and back. This haircut requires frequent trimming to keep it in shape, but it’s worth it, undoubtedly.

Instagram / @smashthalegend
29. Male Box Braids Square Parts
It’s safe to say that a braided hairstyle is a great option for guys with long hair. First and foremost, a braided style is low maintenance and even more so with this medium fade. In addition, you might want to get this protective style to help grow longer hair.

Instagram / @lushbraidsbyb
30. Mohawk Hairstyle
Black hair boasts a unique texture that allows for a variety of mind-blowing haircut styles. Natural curls perfectly combine with the finely tapered sideburns, temple, and neckline to create a cool look.

Instagram / @zeke_the_barber
31. Flat Top
This is a hot and attractive afro hairstyle for guys, featuring contrasts in lines and hair length. You will love it because it’s quite original and easy to maintain.

Instagram / @max_dossantos
32. Two Strand Twists
If you’re looking to upgrade your short to medium-length curly hair, scroll no further. Two strand twists are really cool, aren’t they? By the way, you can pair it with a drop fade and add rings to make the style even more outstanding.

Instagram / @perfectbraidsbythessa
33. Pompadour with Temple Fade
This guy rocks his kinky curly hair cut into a rounded pompadour shape instead of the more common flat top. A skin fade at the sides contributes to the classic pompadour shape.

Instagram / @max_dossantos
34. Long Dreads
If you consider getting box dreadlocks but want them to look unique and smart, here’s an idea: you can combine dreads with an undercut. Afro fade enhances the dreadlocks guys can find boring to wear.

Instagram / @herb_the_barber
35. Skin Fade with Waves
Kinky coils begin to cause you styling troubles only when they are long. And keeping them short and well-trimmed, you are gaining enviable density and fabulous texture. This cool short haircut allows you to showcase your natural hair texture and looks incredibly stylish thanks to the stunning high skin fade.

Instagram / @v12barbering
36. Mid Fade Mohawk
The mohawk fade is a popular haircut for black men who aren’t into cutting their hair short and strive to achieve an edgy, daring look instead. The mohawk fade is a modern variation of the classic cut that offers a versatile and stylish take on black men haircuts.

Instagram / @yakuzabarber
37. Waves with Hair Design
If you don’t like fade haircuts, you might love these buzz-cut waves. Bold and stylish, this buzz cut flatters the gorgeous natural hair texture black men can boast. A unique hair design at the nape is everything you need for the perfect finish.

Instagram / @marquinhos_barbers
38. Short Haircut
We’re convinced that high fade is ideal for black men who have curly hair that they’d like to tame. Fair enough, a short high-fade haircut is too short to cause any problems. A full beard and original hair design such as this shaved line make this look really awesome.

Instagram / @andyauthentic
39. Colored Mohawk
This mohawk fade stands out due to the bleached twisted curls that help to bring out the texture of the dense kinky coils in a rather daring way. Without any doubt, this cut looks awesome on teenage African American guys.

Instagram / @jose.crespo_
40. Man Bun
Man bun is obviously all the rage today, so if you look for perfect long hairstyles for black men – steal this idea. High skin fade, sophisticated hair design, and a touch of blonde definitely make this hair stand out.

Instagram / @zeke_the_barber
All in all, you can create an absolutely amazing look to rock your black natural hair. No matter what you choose – waves buzz, taper fade, or Afro hairstyle with dreadlocks, it will definitely flatter your hair texture. We’re sure that with our ultimate compilation of black men’s hairstyles you have no doubts about the number of hairstyle options black hair offers. Just pick a couple of faves, give each of them a go-to, and come up with the one you’ll find the most flattering.







































