Middle Part Haircut: 30 Trendy Styles for Men

A middle part haircut splits your hair down the center and pushes it out to both sides. It’s the haircut you see all over TikTok right now, but barbers have been cutting it for decades. This guide covers 30+ ways to wear it, plus the guard numbers, prices, and face-shape tips most articles skip.

Stylish Classic Middle Part

The classic middle part keeps the top medium length, parted clean down the middle, with the sides trimmed but not shaved close. It works with a scissor cut or a light fade, depending on how sharp you want the sides to look. Most barbers use a size 3 or 4 guard on the sides and leave 3 to 4 inches on top. Ask for a “soft part, no hard line” if you want it low maintenance.

What haircut is good for a middle part?

A middle part haircut works best with straight to wavy hair that’s at least 3 inches long on top. Curly hair can work too, but it needs more product to hold the part in place. If your hair is very thin, a middle part can make it look flatter, so ask your barber about adding texture on top.

Why does Gen Z like middle parts?

Gen Z likes the middle part because it looks less “done” than a comb-over and pairs easily with curtain bangs. It photographs well for social media since it frames the face evenly on both sides. It also grew out of skater and K-pop styles that got huge online around 2020.

Also Read This Style: Low Taper Fade Long Hair: Stylish Modern Haircut

Is middle part hair attractive?

Yes, a middle part haircut is considered attractive because it balances the face and works with most bone structures. It suits oval, square, and heart-shaped faces especially well. Round faces can wear it too, just with more height added on top to avoid width.

What is that gen z haircut?

The “Gen Z haircut” usually means a middle part with curtain fringe and a fade or taper on the sides. It’s often styled messy instead of slicked down. You’ll see it called a “wolf cut middle part” when it’s layered and shaggy on top.

Short Middle Part

This version keeps the top at 1.5 to 2 inches, short enough that the part stays put without much gel. It suits guys with fine or thin hair since shorter length looks fuller and doesn’t go flat as fast. Ask for a size 2 guard on the sides and scissors over comb on top. Comb it while damp each morning and it’ll hold most of the day with just a dime-size bit of matte paste.

Long Middle Part

The long middle part lets the top grow past 4 inches so it can fall naturally on both sides of the face. It suits guys with straight or slightly wavy hair who want a shaggy, effortless look. Sides usually get a light trim only, not a fade, to keep the whole style soft. It needs a leave-in conditioner and a wide-tooth comb to stay smooth and avoid split ends.

Middle Part with Taper Fade

This pairs a medium-length middle part on top with a taper fade that gradually shortens down to the neckline. It suits guys who want a groomed, professional look without a stark contrast on the sides. Barbers typically taper from a 4 on top blending down to skin or a 1 at the neck. Get it touched up every 3 to 4 weeks to keep the taper looking sharp.

Sleek Middle Part with Short Sides

Here the top stays smooth and combed flat, while the sides are cut short with clippers, usually a size 2 or 3. It suits guys with straight hair who want a clean, corporate-friendly version of the trend. A light pomade or gel gives it the wet, polished finish. This style holds well through a full workday with almost no touch-ups needed.

Flowing Center Part

The flowing center part keeps length on top, around 4 to 5 inches, styled to move naturally instead of sitting stiff. It suits guys with wavy or slightly curly hair who want movement instead of a flat part. Sides are usually left longer too, around a 5 or 6 guard, so nothing looks choppy. A sea salt spray adds texture without weighing the hair down.

Short Textured Middle Part with Low Fade

This combines short, choppy texture on top with a low fade that starts just above the ears. It suits guys who want a modern, low-maintenance look that still reads as styled. Barbers usually point-cut the top for texture, then fade the sides from a 2 down to skin. A matte clay works best here since it holds texture without shine.

Middle Parted Brush Back

This style parts the hair down the middle, then brushes both sides slightly back and away from the face. It suits guys with medium-length hair who want something between a slick-back and a natural part. It’s usually cut with a 4 or 5 on top and blended into short sides. Use a round brush while blow-drying to train the direction, then set it with a light-hold spray.

Parted Curtains

Parted curtains are the classic center-part fringe that frames the face on both sides, like a stage curtain. It suits guys with straight to wavy hair and works especially well on longer faces. Length usually runs 4 to 6 inches on top with soft layers cut around the face. Rub in a pea-size amount of cream and let it air-dry for the most natural fall.

Textured Middle Part Flow

This version adds heavy texturizing with scissors or a razor to break up the top, so it moves instead of sitting flat. It suits thick hair that needs weight removed to stop looking bulky. Barbers usually point-cut throughout the top while keeping length around 3 to 4 inches. A texturizing spray brings out separation without making it greasy.

Messy Middle Part

The messy middle part is meant to look undone, with the part visible but the strands left loose and uneven. It suits guys who don’t want to style every day and prefer a lived-in look. It works at almost any length over 3 inches and needs minimal cutting precision. Scrunch in a bit of sea salt spray and let it dry naturally for the best texture.

Middle Part Flow with Long Curtains

This pairs a deep center part with extra-long curtain pieces that reach past the eyebrows. It suits guys growing their hair out who still want face-framing pieces. Top length usually reaches 5 inches or more before the curtains get their shape cut in. Trim just the curtain ends every few weeks so they don’t get shapeless.

Loose Curtains

Loose curtains are a softer, less structured version of parted curtains, with fewer defined layers. It suits guys with fine hair since it doesn’t need heavy layering to move. Length sits around 3 to 4 inches with the ends barely textured. A light mousse gives hold without stiffness, so the curtains stay loose all day.

Cool Middle Part with Temp Fade

This uses a temple fade, which only fades the hair right around the temples instead of the whole side. It suits guys who want a subtle edge without a full fade commitment. The rest of the sides stay at a natural length, blending into a 3 or 4 guard. It needs fresh temple touch-ups every 2 to 3 weeks since new growth shows fast there.

Textured Wavy Middle Part

This style works with natural waves, adding light texture on top so the waves show through the part. It suits guys with type 2 wavy hair who don’t want to fight their natural texture. Barbers keep the top around 3 inches and point-cut to let the wave pattern show. A curl cream applied to damp hair brings out the wave without frizz.

Two Block Middle Part

The two block cut keeps the top long and full while the sides and back are buzzed very short, almost like two separate haircuts. It suits guys who want a bold contrast and originally comes from Korean barbershop trends. Sides are usually a 1 or skin, with 4-plus inches left on top. Style the top forward and part it in the middle with a strong-hold cream for the sharpest look.

Middle Part with Fade

This is the broad, all-purpose version: a middle part on top that fades into shorter sides, without specifying taper or skin. It suits nearly every hair type and face shape, which is why it’s the most requested version in shops. Fades typically run from a 3 on top down to a 1 or skin at the bottom. Get it refreshed every 3 weeks to keep the fade line crisp.

Pulled Back Center Part with Short Sides

Here the top is parted in the middle, then pulled back and away from the face rather than falling forward. It suits guys with slightly longer top length, around 4 inches, who want their face fully visible. Sides stay short, usually a 2, to keep the focus on the pulled-back top. A strong pomade with a comb-through gives the cleanest pulled-back finish.

Short Textured Center Part

This keeps everything short, top and sides, with just enough texture on top to hold a visible part. It suits guys who want low maintenance and don’t want to style much in the morning. Top length runs about 1.5 to 2 inches with a light 3 guard on the sides. A small amount of matte paste worked in while damp is all it needs.

Messy Curly Middle Part

This works with natural curls parted down the middle and left loose instead of combed smooth. It suits type 3 curly hair, since forcing curls flat can cause frizz and breakage. Barbers usually cut curl-by-curl rather than with a straight comb guide. A curl-defining cream on soaking wet hair gives the best natural curl pattern.

Textured Middle Part with Undercut

This pairs textured length on top with a hard undercut, where the sides are shaved much shorter than a regular fade. It suits guys who want maximum contrast between top and sides. Sides usually go to a 0 or skin, with 3 to 4 inches left on top. Because the line is sharp, get edges cleaned up every 2 weeks to stop it from looking grown out.

Short Parted Curtains

This is a shorter take on curtain bangs, with the face-framing pieces kept around 2 to 3 inches instead of longer. It suits guys who like the curtain look but don’t want much length to manage. Sides are typically a 3, blending softly into the shorter curtain pieces. A light cream and a comb are enough to reset it daily.

Voluminous Parted Curtains

This version focuses on lift at the root, giving the curtains extra height before they fall to the sides. It suits guys with thick, straight hair that holds volume well. A blow-dry with a round brush, lifting at the roots, sets up this look before the part is combed in. Volumizing powder at the root helps it last through humidity.

Medium Parted Flow

This sits between short and long, usually 3 to 3.5 inches, letting the hair flow naturally off the part without heavy styling. It suits guys who want low effort but still want visible length and movement. Sides are typically a 4, kept close to the top length for an even blend. Air-drying with a light cream is usually enough.

Middle Part with Mid Fade

The mid fade starts higher than a low fade, usually around temple height, giving a bit more contrast. It suits guys who want their fade more visible without going full high fade. Top length is flexible, from 2 to 5 inches, since the fade does most of the visual work. Book touch-ups every 2 to 3 weeks since mid fades grow out faster than low fades.

Long Curly Middle Part

This lets curly hair grow past 4 inches, parted in the middle and left to fall in its natural curl pattern. It suits type 3 and 4 curls that have enough length to hang rather than shrink up. Barbers usually dry-cut curly hair to see the true shape before trimming. A deep conditioner weekly keeps long curls from drying out and frizzing.

Attractive Long Flowing Middle Part

This is the longest version on this list, often 6 inches or more, styled to flow past the shoulders on both sides. It suits guys committed to growing hair out long-term, since it takes over a year to reach this length. Regular dusting trims, not full cuts, keep the ends healthy during the growing phase. A silk pillowcase helps prevent breakage overnight at this length.

Curtain Bangs with an Undercut

This combines classic curtain fringe on top with a shaved undercut underneath, hidden until the top is pushed back or up. It suits guys who want an edgy option they can hide for formal settings. Undercut sides go to skin, while the curtain top stays around 4 inches. Style the fringe down for the soft look, or push it back to reveal the undercut.

Wet Look Middle Part

This uses gel or a strong pomade to give the middle part a shiny, just-out-of-the-shower finish. It suits guys with straight hair, since wet-look products show every strand clearly. Apply product to damp hair, comb the part in immediately, then let it air-dry to lock the shine. Touch up with a wet comb midday if the shine starts to fade.

The Buzzed Sides Middle Part

This pairs longer top length with sides buzzed down to a 0 or 1, no fade blend at all. It suits guys who want a low-maintenance, no-blend option that’s easy to keep clean between cuts. Top length stays around 3 to 4 inches for the part to stay visible. Since there’s no fade to grow out unevenly, this style can go 4 to 5 weeks between trims.

What Is A Middle Part?

A middle part haircut is a hairstyle where the hair is divided into two even sections down the center of the scalp. It’s created either with a comb while the hair is wet or trained over time with consistent parting. Unlike a side part, it splits the face symmetrically instead of favoring one side. Most barbers can add a middle part to almost any cut with enough length on top, usually 3 inches or more.

The Evolution of the Middle Part Hairstyles

The middle part isn’t new — it was common in the early 1900s and again in the 1990s boy-band era. It faded out in the 2000s when side parts and spiky gelled styles took over. Around 2018 to 2020, K-pop idols and skateboard culture brought it back into mainstream barbershops. Today it’s one of the most requested cuts among teens and men in their 20s, often paired with a fade for a modern update.

Middle Part Styles at a Glance

Style	Top Length	Side Guard	Best For
Short Middle Part	1.5–2 in	#2	Fine/thin hair
Middle Part with Taper Fade	3–4 in	#4 to skin	Professional settings
Long Curly Middle Part	4+ in	Trim only	Type 3-4 curls
Two Block Middle Part	4+ in	#1 or skin	Bold contrast look
Textured Middle Part with Undercut	3–4 in	#0/skin	Sharp, edgy styles

A typical middle part haircut costs $25 to $45 at a standard barbershop, or $50 to $80 at a higher-end salon that includes a wash and style. Fades and undercuts usually cost a few dollars more than a basic trim because of the extra blending time.

What to tell your barber: “I want a middle part haircut, [length] on top, with a [taper/fade/no fade] on the sides, blended down to a [guard number].” Bringing a reference photo helps more than a style name alone.

Also Read This Style: Taper vs Fade vs Blend: Key Differences Explained 

FAQ’s

What is a middle part haircut?

A middle part haircut splits the hair down the center of the head into two even sides.

Is a middle part haircut in style?

Yes, the middle part is one of the most popular men’s haircuts right now, especially with Gen Z.

How do you ask for a middle part haircut?

Tell your barber you want a middle part on top with your choice of fade, taper, or no fade on the sides.

Do I need long hair for a middle part?

You need at least 3 inches of length on top for a middle part to hold and look right.

Can I do a middle part with short hair?

Yes, a short middle part works with 1.5 to 2 inches of length, styled with a light matte paste.

Final Thought

A middle part haircut is flexible enough to fit almost any hair type, face shape, and lifestyle. Bring a photo, ask about guard numbers, and tell your barber how much upkeep you actually want to do. That’s the easiest way to walk out with a cut you’ll still like in three weeks.