Crew Cut Variations

A crew cut is short on the sides and back and a little longer on top, with the top cut shortest at the crown and slightly longer at the front hairline. It's a classic for good reasons: it's easy to wear, quick to keep sharp, and it works on most hair types. Here are the ten crew cut variations, what to ask your barber for, and what it costs at Rooted.

What makes a crew cut a crew cut

Three things. The sides and back are tapered short. The top is short enough to stand up. And the top is graduated: longest at the front hairline and shortest toward the crown, so from the side the top line looks almost flat. The name most likely comes from university rowing crews, who kept their hair short so it stayed out of their eyes while they rowed; the cut was popular with college students in the 1920s and 1930s.

Crew cut vs buzz cut vs Ivy League

• Buzz cut: one length all over, cut with a single clipper guard. There's no longer top.

• Crew cut: short tapered sides and a short top that's a little longer at the front, usually about half an inch to an inch.

• Ivy League: a longer crew cut, with enough length on top to part and comb to the side.

What to tell your barber for a crew cut

Give your barber three things:

• The sides: a guard number, for example a 2 or a 3, and whether you want them faded lower down.

• The neckline: tapered (natural) or blocked (squared off).

• The top: a length, for example "about an inch, a bit longer at the front".

Not sure about numbers? Our haircut numbers guide shows how much hair each guard leaves. Or pick one of the ten below and show your barber.

10 crew cut variations

1. Classic crew cut

Short tapered sides, about an inch on top, a little longer at the front. It suits almost every face shape and takes a minute to style.

Ask for: a 3 on the sides, tapered at the neck, an inch on top.

2. Ivy League cut

The long crew cut: enough length on top, around one and a half to two inches, to part on the side or push up. Polished for work, easy for the weekend.

Ask for: a 3 or 4 on the sides, the top cut with scissors, a side part.

3. Military crew cut

Very short sides and back with a short top and a touch more at the front. The lowest-maintenance version there is.

Ask for: a 1 or 2 on the sides, a 3 or 4 on top.

4. Crew cut with a fade

The sides fade down to the skin, or close to it, under a crew cut top. Choose a low, mid or high fade depending on how much contrast you want.

Ask for: a low (or mid, or high) skin fade, an inch on top.

5. Undercut crew cut

The sides are cut very short with no blend into the top, so the longer top sits on its own. Bold, and easy to style up or back.

Ask for: a disconnected undercut, a 1 on the sides.

6. Curly crew cut

The curls stay on top and the sides are tapered or faded. Leave a little extra length on top so the curl shows.

Ask for: a taper or low fade on the sides, keep the curl on top.

7. Spiky crew cut

The top is cut so it stands up into short spikes with a little paste. Youthful, and quick to do in the morning.

Ask for: a 2 or 3 on the sides, the top textured to stand up.

8. Crew cut with a hard part

A shaved line sits where your part falls, separating the top from the sides. Sharp and clean, good for the office.

Ask for: a crew cut with a hard part on your natural side.

9. Side-swept crew cut

The top is combed to one side with no defined part. Relaxed, with a little product to hold it.

Ask for: a slightly longer top, about an inch and a half, cut to sweep to one side.

10. Textured crew cut

The top is point-cut for texture and movement. It's the modern take, and it looks best with matte paste or clay.

Ask for: a textured top, about an inch, a 2 or 3 on the sides.

Will a crew cut suit me?

Most likely. It suits oval, square and long faces especially well. With a round face, keep the sides tight and add a little height on top. Thick hair that stands up on its own is the easiest to work with; fine hair works too, cut a little shorter on top so it looks fuller. With curly or coily hair, keep some length on top so the texture shows.

How often to get it touched up

Every 2 to 4 weeks. A crew cut with a skin fade looks freshest at about two weeks; a classic taper holds closer to four.

How to style a crew cut

Towel-dry, rub a pea-sized amount of matte paste or clay between your palms, and push the front up and back with your fingers. That's it. For the Ivy League, comb it to the side with a light pomade.

Crew cuts at Rooted

A crew cut is booked as a haircut, 45 to 60 minutes, priced by barber level:

• Student barber: $17

• Junior barber: $32

• Senior barber: $47 to $57

• J-Roots, master barber: $102

A haircut and beard together is $22 to $127. Every cut includes a consultation and a clean line-up. We're at 15 Simcoe St S in Downtown Oshawa, open Monday to Wednesday 12 to 10, Thursday to Saturday 10 to 10 and Sunday 12 to 8. Book your crew cut.

Crew cut questions

What do I tell my barber for a crew cut?

The guard number for the sides (a 2 or 3 is typical), whether you want them faded, and how long you want the top (about an inch for a classic crew cut, longer at the front).

What's the difference between a crew cut and a buzz cut?

A buzz cut is one length all over. A crew cut keeps the top longer than the sides, and longest at the front.

How short is a crew cut?

The top is usually half an inch to an inch, and the sides are shorter, commonly a 2 to 4 guard.

What face shape suits a crew cut?

Oval, square and long faces suit it best, but almost any face can wear one. A round face looks best with tight sides and a little height on top.

Can I just ask for a crew cut?

Yes, every barber knows it. Adding the number for the sides and the length on top gets you exactly the version you want.

Want to see how it's done? Read how a barber cuts a crew cut, step by step.