Quick answer: The Peaky Blinders haircut is a disconnected undercut: the sides and back are clipped very short, often to a #1 or #2, high up the head, and the top is left four to six inches long and swept back or to the side. It comes from the TV series and loosely follows the era's short back and sides.
Peaky Blinders Haircut Styles at a Glance
Every style on this page with its clipper guard, top length and trim interval. Tap a name to jump to that card.
The Peaky Blinders haircut is the clipped, high undercut worn by the Shelby family in the TV series set in Birmingham after the First World War. It is a screen take on the period, built on the short back and sides that most working men wore at the time. Below are 12 versions, from the screen look to historical and modern takes, with guard numbers and barber wording.
What Is the Peaky Blinders Haircut?
On screen, the look is a high, disconnected undercut. The sides and back are clipped very short from the neckline up to around the temples or higher, with no gradual blend, and the top is left long, roughly four to six inches. The top is swept back or to one side, often with a little product, and usually sits under a flat cap. The step between the short sides and the long top is the detail that makes it read as the series look.
The images on this page show generic models in similar cuts, not the cast of the series. Character names are used only because they are how people search for the look, and each card gives the guard numbers and top length in plain barber terms. For other famous film and TV cuts, see our celebrity haircuts hub, and for the base cut itself, read our undercut guide.
Is It a Real 1920s Haircut or a TV Version?
It is best understood as a TV interpretation built on a real period style. In the years after the First World War, many British men wore a short back and sides: the hair at the back and around the ears cut short with clippers or scissors, and the top left longer and combed with oil or tonic. Photos from the period show plenty of variation, and not every man cut the sides as high or as short as the series does.
The street gangs that gave the show its name were active in Birmingham decades before the 1920s setting, and there is little reliable evidence about exactly how their members cut their hair. Treat the screen cut as a stylized version of the era rather than a historical record, and ask for the historical cut if you want something closer to period photos. The table compares the two.
Is It a Real 1920s Haircut or a TV Version?
Feature
TV series look
Historical short back and sides
Sides
Clipped very short, high up the head
Short, usually scissor or hand-clipper cut, often lower
Blend
Disconnected, a visible step
Usually tapered or graduated
Top length
4 to 6 in
2 to 4 in, varied by man
Styling
Swept back or to the side, some product
Combed with oil or tonic, often parted
Modern name
Disconnected or high undercut
Short back and sides, classic taper
Who Suits the Peaky Blinders Haircut?
The high, clipped sides slim the head and draw attention to the cheekbones and jaw, so oval, square and round faces suit it well. Long faces can wear it too, but should keep the top swept to the side or forward rather than straight back, which adds height. Men with very prominent ears may prefer a lower, softer version, since the short sides leave the ears fully exposed.
Straight and wavy hair with medium to thick density works best, because the long top needs enough weight to lie over the short sides. Fine hair can wear it with a slightly shorter top and a matte product. Curly hair gives a softer, more textured version, and the cut also works for men who wear a cap often, since the top is flattened easily and the sides stay neat.
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Showing all 12 styles
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Hair
Length
Peaky Blinders Haircuts as Seen on TV
These four are the screen versions people search for most: high, clipped sides with a longer top. The slick back undercut guide covers the combed-back finish in more detail.
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. The step softens as the sides regrow.
Best For:Oval, square, round faces + thick straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
The core screen look clips the sides and back to a #1 or #2 from the neckline up to the temples, then stops. The top is left at four to six inches with no blend, so it hangs over the short sides with a visible step. Swept back with a little pomade, it reads as the series look. The higher the clipped line, the stronger the effect.
How to Style at Home
Comb a small amount of pomade through the top from front to back.
Sweep it back and slightly to one side with your fingers.
Let the top sit over the clipped sides so the step shows.
Ask Your Barber
"High disconnected undercut, sides and back clipped to a #1 up to the temples, no blend. Leave four to six inches on top to sweep back."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Very short sides lose their contrast quickly.
Best For:Oval, square faces + straight medium to thick hair.
About This Style
Named after the lead character, this version takes the clipped sides even higher, close to the parietal ridge, and keeps them very short, often a #0 or #1. The long top is swept back and to one side, and when it is not styled, a piece falls across the forehead. It is usually worn under a flat cap. Because the sides are so short, it needs a trim every two weeks.
How to Style at Home
Towel-dry the top and work in a light styling cream.
Sweep the hair back and to the side with your hand.
Let a front piece fall forward for the unstyled screen look.
Ask Your Barber
"Sides and back clipped to a #0 or #1 right up to the parietal ridge, disconnected. Five to six inches on top, swept back and to the side."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Sides and mustache both need regular tidying.
Best For:Oval, long, square faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Combed straight back with a thick mustache, the eldest brother's look is less dramatic than the main undercut. The sides are short but sit a little lower, and the top is around three to four inches, slicked back with shine. The mustache carries much of the character, so keep it full across the upper lip. It suits men who want the period feel without the very high clipped line.
How to Style at Home
Comb pomade through damp hair and slick it straight back.
Trim the mustache along the lip line every few days.
Brush a drop of beard balm into the mustache to keep it shaped.
Ask Your Barber
"Short back and sides with a #2, taken to just above the ears. Leave three to four inches on top to slick straight back with shine."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. The part line and short sides need upkeep.
Best For:Oval, round faces + straight thick hair.
About This Style
For formal scenes, the same high, clipped sides are paired with a deep side part and a slicked top. The part sits high on the head, close to where the clipped line starts, and the top is combed across with a shiny pomade. It looks smarter than the swept-back version and works well at weddings or black-tie events. Straight hair holds the part most cleanly.
How to Style at Home
Set a deep side part with the tail of a comb.
Comb pomade through, sweeping the top across and slightly back.
Smooth any loose hairs along the part with a fine-tooth comb.
Ask Your Barber
"High undercut with the sides clipped to a #1 or #2, disconnected. Four to five inches on top with a deep side part, combed across and slicked."
Recommended Products
Pomade
Historical Short Back and Sides and Period Cuts
These four are closer to how many men wore their hair in the early twentieth century: softer sides, shorter tops and plenty of combing. They suit offices better than the high undercut.
Trim:Every 3–4 weeks. The taper grows out evenly and softly.
Best For:Oval, square, long faces + any straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Short back and sides is the plain, everyday cut that the TV look is built on. The back and the area around the ears are tapered short, around a #2 to #3, and graduate upward rather than stopping at a hard line. The top is two to four inches, combed back or parted. It is the version most likely to pass at a conservative office, and it grows out gracefully.
How to Style at Home
Comb a light pomade through the top while the hair is damp.
Part it on the side or comb it straight back.
Press the sides flat so the taper stays neat.
Ask Your Barber
"Classic short back and sides, tapered from a #2 at the neck to a #3 above the ears, blended. Two to four inches on top, combed back."
Trim:Every 3–4 weeks. Tapered sides keep the shine looking tidy.
Best For:Oval, square faces + straight medium hair.
About This Style
Brilliantine, a shiny hair oil, was a common grooming product in the early twentieth century, and this look recreates its glossy, combed-back finish. The sides are tapered short, the top keeps three inches, and everything is combed straight back with a high shine. A modern oil-based pomade gives a similar result and washes out more easily than old-fashioned versions. Straight hair shows the shine best.
How to Style at Home
Apply a high-shine pomade to damp hair, from front to back.
Comb everything straight back with a fine-tooth comb.
Smooth the surface with your palm for an even gloss.
Ask Your Barber
"Tapered short back and sides with a #2, about three inches on top. I comb it straight back with a high-shine product, so leave the top with weight."
Trim:Every 3–4 weeks. The fringe edge needs keeping off the brow.
Best For:Long, oval faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
A short fringe brushed forward suits a flat cap better than a swept-back top, because the hair sits under the brim instead of fighting it. The sides are clipped short, and the top keeps two to three inches, cut forward to the upper forehead. It is close to a modern French crop with a period feel. It suits long faces and covers a high forehead.
How to Style at Home
Push the top forward with your fingers after towel-drying.
Pinch a little matte paste through the fringe for texture.
Leave the edge slightly uneven so it does not look blunt.
Ask Your Barber
"Short clipped sides with a #1 or #2, two to three inches on top cut forward into a short fringe on the upper forehead. Textured, not blunt."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Clipped sides and part both soften quickly.
Best For:Round, square faces + straight or wavy medium hair.
About This Style
Combed across from a natural part with clipped sides, this version is halfway between the TV undercut and a period gentleman's cut. The sides are a #2, taken up to the temples with a slight blend, and the top keeps three to four inches, combed to one side. It is softer than the full disconnection and works on fine hair because the comb over adds visual fullness.
How to Style at Home
Find your natural part and comb the top across from it.
Use a light pomade or styling cream for a soft hold.
Lift the front slightly with your fingers before it sets.
Ask Your Barber
"Sides clipped to a #2 up to the temples with a slight blend. Three to four inches on top, combed over from my natural part."
Recommended Products
Light Pomade
Styling Cream
Modern Peaky Blinders Haircuts
These four take the screen shape and adapt it for different hair types and tastes, from a skin fade to curls and a beard. Our French crop guide covers the textured version.
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Bare skin shows stubble within days.
Best For:Oval, round faces + thick straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Swapping the clipped sides for a high skin fade gives the screen shape a modern barbershop finish. The fade runs from bare skin at the bottom into a #1 and #2 near the parietal ridge, then stops under a four to five inch top. The contrast is sharper than the series look, and the fade replaces the hard step with a gradient. It needs frequent visits to stay crisp.
How to Style at Home
Comb a small amount of pomade through the top and sweep it back.
Moisturize the faded skin after showering to prevent dryness.
Use sunscreen on the faded sides when you spend long hours outdoors.
Ask Your Barber
"High skin fade from bare skin into a #1 and #2, stopping under a four to five inch top. Sweep the top back, slightly to the side."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Short tops lose texture as they lengthen.
Best For:Oval, long faces + fine or straight hair.
About This Style
Shorter on top and messier, this crop keeps the high clipped sides but cuts the top to about two inches with lots of texture. It reads as a modern take rather than a costume, and it suits fine hair, which can look thin when left long and slicked. Matte product and a rough finish replace the shine. It also sits comfortably under a cap without flattening badly.
How to Style at Home
Towel-dry and rub texture powder into the roots.
Push the hair forward and up with your fingertips.
Leave the finish uneven so the choppy texture shows from every angle.
Ask Your Barber
"Sides clipped high to a #1 or #2, about two inches on top, point cut and textured. I wear it messy with matte product."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. Short sides need trimming before curls puff out.
Best For:Oval, square faces + curly or coily hair.
About This Style
Curly hair softens the outline of the screen cut, because the top springs up instead of lying flat. The sides are clipped short and high, and the top is left at three to four inches, a little shorter than the straight-hair version, so the curls do not mushroom over the sides. Curl cream and finger styling replace pomade. It works for tight curls and loose waves alike.
How to Style at Home
Rake curl cream through soaking-wet hair to group the curls into clumps.
Push the curls back with your fingers and let them set.
Air-dry or diffuse on low heat without touching.
Ask Your Barber
"Sides clipped high to a #1 or #2, disconnected. Three to four inches of curls on top, shaped so they push back without puffing over the sides."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Sides and beard edges both need work.
Best For:Round, oval, long faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Adding a full, groomed beard to the high undercut balances the bare sides with weight at the jaw. The sides are clipped to a #1 or #2, and the beard is kept full but neat, with a clean cheek line and a defined neckline. The sideburns are faded from the clipped sides down into the beard, so the two connect softly. It suits round faces because the beard lengthens the chin.
How to Style at Home
Comb the top back with a little pomade.
Brush beard oil through the beard every morning.
Trim the cheek and neck lines once a week.
Ask Your Barber
"High undercut with the sides at a #1 or #2, disconnected, four to five inches on top. Shape my full beard with a clean cheek line and neckline."
Recommended Products
Pomade
Beard Oil
Beard Brush
How Do You Ask Your Barber for a Peaky Blinders Haircut?
Use three details. First, the sides: clipped to a #1 or #2, taken up high to around the temples or the parietal ridge. Second, the blend: say you want it disconnected, so the top hangs over the short sides with a visible step, or ask for a slight blend if you want it softer. Third, the top: four to six inches, left with weight so it can be swept back or to the side. A photo of the TV look from front and side helps.
If the full disconnection feels too strong for work, ask for the historical short back and sides instead, which tapers the sides and keeps the top shorter. It grows out more softly and looks neat for much longer between visits. Our classic side part guide shows that softer route, and the how to talk to your barber guide covers wording.
Clipper Guards Used in Peaky Blinders Haircut Styles
A clipper guard is the plastic comb that clips onto the blade and sets how much hair is left: a #1 leaves 3 mm (1/8 inch), each step up adds about 3 mm. The right column lists the cards on this page that call for each guard. See the full clipper guard numbers guide for the complete chart.
Clipper guard sizes for peaky blinders haircut styles
Towel-dry the top, then comb a small amount of pomade or styling cream through from front to back. For the screen look, sweep it back and slightly to one side, and let a piece fall forward if you want it less neat. For a cleaner period finish, set a side part and comb it across with a light pomade. A flat cap flattens the top, so use a lighter product if you wear one most days.
The clipped sides show regrowth within two weeks, so book every two to three weeks to keep the step sharp. The top only needs trimming every six to eight weeks. Between visits, a neckline tidy with a trimmer keeps it looking fresh. Keep the skin on the clipped sides moisturized, and avoid heavy wax that leaves residue on the cap.
Which Peaky Blinders Haircut Is Right for You?
Pick your hair type and how much upkeep you will put in. The matches below come from the Best For and Maintenance notes on each card. Upkeep follows the Maintenance badge: low means a cut every 3 to 6 weeks and almost no daily styling, high means weekly line-ups or daily product.
Most barbers call it a disconnected undercut or a high undercut. The sides and back are clipped very short and high, and the long top is left unblended so it hangs over them. The historical version it draws from is usually called a short back and sides, which is softer and tapered.
Q2: What clipper guard is used for the Peaky Blinders haircut?+
Most versions use a #1 or #2 on the sides and back, leaving about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Some barbers go to a #0 for a sharper contrast. The top is cut with scissors and left four to six inches long. Ask for a #2 if this is your first time, since it grows back softer.
Q3: Did the real Peaky Blinders have this haircut?+
There is little reliable evidence for exactly how the real gang members cut their hair, and the gangs were active decades before the TV series setting. The screen look is a stylized take on the short back and sides that many working men wore in the early twentieth century, not a record of a specific historical cut.
Q4: How long does hair need to be for the Peaky Blinders haircut?+
The top needs about four to six inches to sweep back and hang over the clipped sides. Hair grows roughly half an inch a month, so from a short crop expect eight months to a year; ask the barber to keep the sides short while the top grows. A shorter top of two to three inches still works as a softer version.
Q5: Can you get a Peaky Blinders haircut with curly hair?+
Yes. Keep the sides clipped short and leave the top slightly shorter than the straight-hair version, around three to four inches, so the curls do not puff out over the sides. Use curl cream instead of pomade and push the curls back with your fingers. The result is softer but still reads as the same shape.
Q6: Are the photos on this page of the TV cast?+
No. The images show generic models wearing cuts similar to the looks described, so you can see the shape and length on an ordinary head. They are illustrations, not photos of any actor or character. For the screen look, bring a still from the series to your barber alongside the card.
