Quick answer: Sideburn styles range from short sideburns that stop at the top of the ear to long ones that reach the earlobe or join a beard. Medium sideburns ending around the middle of the ear suit most faces. Trim them with a comb attachment, cut the bottom straight using the ear as a guide, and check both sides match.
Sideburn 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.
Sideburn styles get less attention than haircuts or beards, yet they decide how the two connect. Length, width, the angle of the bottom edge and whether they fade into skin all change the shape of the face. Below are 15 sideburn styles grouped by length, shape and pairing, plus a step-by-step method for trimming them evenly at home.
What Are Sideburns?
Sideburns are the strips of hair that grow down the sides of the face in front of the ears, from the hairline toward the jaw. On a clean-shaven man they are the last part of the haircut. On a bearded man they are the bridge between the hair on the head and the beard. Their length, width and finish are usually decided by the barber at the end of a cut, which is why many men never think about them until one side ends up shorter.
Styles fall into three broad groups. Some are defined by length, from short sideburns at the top of the ear to long ones below the lobe. Some are defined by shape, such as squared, angled or flared bottoms. The rest are defined by what they connect to: a fade, stubble, a beard or long hair. The gallery below follows the same three groups, so you can start with whichever question matters most to you.
How Long Should Your Sideburns Be?
Use your ear as the ruler. Short sideburns stop around the top of the ear, where it joins the head. Medium sideburns end near the middle of the ear, roughly level with the ear opening. Long sideburns reach the earlobe or below. Medium is the default most barbers cut and suits nearly every face, which makes it the safest choice if you are unsure.
Face shape shifts the choice. Long faces look shorter with medium or long sideburns, because the vertical line on the side adds width. Round faces suit shorter, slimmer sideburns or an angled bottom that draws a diagonal line. Military and some uniformed jobs set their own limits on sideburn length, so check the current rule for your service or employer before you grow them out.
How Long Should Your Sideburns Be?
Length
Where it ends
Suits
Upkeep
Short
Top of the ear
Round faces, high fades
Weekly with a fade
Medium
Middle of the ear
Most faces, office cuts
Every two to three weeks
Long
Earlobe or just below
Long faces, longer hair
Every two to three weeks
Extended
Along the jaw toward the mouth
Oval, long faces
Weekly edge clean-up
Which Sideburn Style Suits Your Face?
Round faces look slimmer with short to medium sideburns kept narrow, or with an angled bottom that points toward the chin. Wide, bushy sideburns add width at the cheeks and should be avoided. Square faces can wear most lengths; a squared bottom echoes the jaw, while a slight taper softens it. Our beard shapes by jawline guide uses the same logic for full beards.
Long and oblong faces gain balance from longer or fuller sideburns, which add width on the sides. Oval faces can wear any length on this page. Hair type matters too: thick, coarse hair makes sideburns look heavier, so trim them a little shorter than you would fine hair, while fine or fair hair can look faint unless it is left slightly longer.
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Showing all 15 styles
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Hair
Length
Sideburn Styles by Length
Length is the first choice and the easiest to change. These five run from a short sideburn that stops at the top of the ear to a long one past the lobe, plus tapered and pointed finishes.
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Regrowth below the line shows quickly.
Best For:Round, square faces + straight or thick hair.
About This Style
Ending at the top of the ear where it joins the head, short sideburns keep the side of the face clean and pull attention toward the eyes. They pair with crew cuts, fades and other short haircuts and slim a round face by removing width beside the cheeks. The bottom is usually cut straight across with a trimmer edge. Because so little hair is left, uneven sides are easy to spot, so check both in a mirror after every trim.
How to Style at Home
Comb each sideburn down and trim with a 3 mm comb.
Cut a straight bottom line level with the top of the ear.
Remove any hair below the line with the bare trimmer blade.
Ask Your Barber
"Short sideburns ending at the top of my ear, cut straight across, trimmed with the same guard as the sides. Check that both sides match."
Trim:Every 3 weeks. The line softens but rarely looks untidy.
Best For:Oval, square, long faces + most hair types.
About This Style
The middle of the ear, roughly level with the ear opening, is where most barbers stop a sideburn by default. That length suits almost every face and haircut, from a side part to a textured crop, and it grows out without looking neglected for about three weeks. Keep the width about the same as the sideburn naturally grows. It is the length to choose if you are unsure, since it can be shortened later in seconds.
How to Style at Home
Trim the sideburn with a comb that matches the sides of your haircut.
Square off the bottom level with the ear opening on both sides.
Brush loose hair away and check symmetry from the front.
Ask Your Barber
"Medium sideburns to the middle of the ear, squared at the bottom, same guard as the sides of the haircut. Not too thin at the front."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Edges blur and bulk grows outward.
Best For:Long, oval faces + thick or wavy hair.
About This Style
Reaching the earlobe or just past it, long sideburns add a vertical line that also widens the face slightly, which balances long and oblong shapes. They suit longer haircuts, shags and mullets better than tight fades. Keep the bulk trimmed to 6 mm or so, otherwise they spread across the cheek. Dense, dark growth makes them read clearly; fine hair can look wispy at this length unless it is kept tidy along the front edge.
How to Style at Home
Comb the sideburn down and trim the bulk with a 6 mm comb.
Cut the bottom level with the earlobe using the trimmer edge.
Tidy the front edge so it runs parallel to the ear.
Ask Your Barber
"Long sideburns down to the earlobe, bulk trimmed to about 6 mm, straight bottom and a clean front edge. Leave the sides of my hair long to match."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. The blend at the bottom grows in first.
Best For:Oval, round faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Rather than a hard bottom line, tapered sideburns get shorter toward the end until they meet bare skin. Barbers use a trimmer with a short comb at the top and finish the last centimetre with the bare blade, flicking outward. The softer finish grows out more gradually than a squared line. It is the natural partner of a taper fade, where the sideburn and nape are the only parts cut close.
How to Style at Home
Trim the top of the sideburn with a 6 mm comb.
Switch to 3 mm for the lower half and flick outward.
Fade the last centimetre with the bare blade, no hard line.
Ask Your Barber
"Tapered sideburns to the middle of the ear, going from 6 mm down to skin at the bottom with no hard line. Match it to a low taper at the nape."
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. The tip loses its point within days.
Best For:Round, square faces + dark, coarse hair.
About This Style
Cut so the bottom narrows to a point aimed down toward the jaw, pointed sideburns add a diagonal line to the side of the face. The angle slims round and square faces. They suit short, sharp haircuts with a line-up, where the point repeats the angles at the temple. Coarse, dark sideburns hold the point most clearly. Use the corner of the trimmer blade to cut the tip, and recut it every week or two.
How to Style at Home
Trim the sideburn short with a 3 mm comb.
Use the trimmer corner to cut both edges in toward a point.
Line the tip and clean the skin around it with the bare blade.
Ask Your Barber
"Pointed sideburns ending just below the middle of the ear, both edges angled in to a sharp point. Short at 3 mm, lined up with the rest of my edges."
Recommended Products
Edge Brush
Sideburn Shapes and Retro Styles
The bottom edge and width give sideburns their character. These five cover squared, angled and thin shapes plus flared and mutton chop sideburns for longer, retro looks.
Trim:Every 2 weeks. Corners round off as hair grows.
Best For:Oval, long faces + straight or thick hair.
About This Style
A flat, horizontal bottom with sharp corners gives squared sideburns a tailored outline. They echo a squared nape and suit side parts, comb overs and other classic cuts. The flat line works well on oval and long faces, where it adds a horizontal break. Barbers cut the bottom with the trimmer edge held level, then square the front corner. Keep them medium length, since a squared line far below the ear can look heavy.
How to Style at Home
Hold the trimmer blade level and cut a flat bottom line.
Square the front corner with the edge of the blade.
Compare the bottom lines against the corner of each eye.
Ask Your Barber
"Squared sideburns to the middle of the ear, flat bottom with sharp corners. Match the squared nape at the back and keep them the same guard as the sides."
Trim:Every 2 weeks. The diagonal fades as stubble grows in.
Best For:Round, wide faces + straight or wavy hair.
About This Style
Instead of cutting straight across, the bottom edge here runs at a slant, lower at the back near the ear and higher toward the cheek, or the reverse. The diagonal breaks up width on a round face and adds movement. Keep the angle gentle; a steep slope draws too much attention and can look uneven. This shape suits textured crops and quiffs, where the top already has some movement.
How to Style at Home
Trim the sideburn to length with a 3 or 6 mm comb.
Cut the bottom line at a gentle slant toward the cheek.
Check that both angles mirror each other from the front.
Ask Your Barber
"Angled sideburns ending at the middle of the ear, bottom cut at a gentle slant toward the cheek. Keep it subtle and make both sides mirror each other."
Trim:Every week. A narrow strip blurs fast at the edges.
Best For:Round, wide faces + dark, dense hair.
About This Style
Trimmed narrow from the front, thin sideburns leave a strip of hair about a finger wide in front of the ear. The slim line removes width from the cheeks and suits round or wide faces. It often appears with sharp line-ups and short fades. The front edge is cut with a trimmer and sometimes a razor, so it needs weekly attention. Dense, dark hair works best, because thin sideburns in fine hair can almost disappear.
How to Style at Home
Comb the sideburn down and trim the bulk at 3 mm.
Cut the front edge parallel to the ear, leaving a finger's width.
Line the bottom and clean the skin in front with the bare blade.
Ask Your Barber
"Thin sideburns about one finger wide, front edge cut parallel to the ear, ending at the middle of the ear. Keep them at 3 mm with a clean line-up."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. The flare grows wide and loses its shape.
Best For:Long, oval faces + thick, dense cheek growth.
About This Style
Flared sideburns widen as they run down past the earlobe, ending in a broader base on the upper cheek. The shape has a retro, 1970s feel and pairs with longer hair, shags and mullets. It adds width to the lower face, which balances long faces, but can make round faces look fuller. You need dense cheek growth for the flare to read. Trim the bulk short so the shape shows rather than a bushy patch.
How to Style at Home
Trim the bulk with a 6 mm comb to keep the flare flat.
Shape the lower edge in a gentle curve across the upper cheek.
Shave the skin below the flare and apply a light moisturizer.
Ask Your Barber
"Flared sideburns running past the earlobe and widening on the upper cheek, bulk at 6 mm, clean curved bottom edge. Keep my hair long on the sides."
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Chin and lip regrowth spoils the outline.
Best For:Long, oval faces + dense beard growth on the cheeks.
About This Style
The biggest sideburn style runs down the cheeks and spreads toward the corners of the mouth, while the chin is shaved. The friendly version connects the two sides through a mustache. It needs a few months of cheek growth and dense hair to fill the shape. Barbers set a clean line under the cheekbones and around the chin. It widens the face strongly, which suits long faces and less so round ones.
How to Style at Home
Trim the chops at 6 to 10 mm with a comb attachment.
Shave the chin and neck clean in a curve below the jaw.
Brush the chops downward with a little beard balm.
Ask Your Barber
"Mutton chop sideburns down to the corners of my mouth, about 8 mm long, chin and neck shaved clean, sharp upper edge under the cheekbone. No mustache."
Recommended Products
Beard Balm
Beard Brush
Sideburns with Fades, Beards and Long Hair
What the sideburn connects to often decides its shape. These five cover faded and shaved sideburns on short cuts, blends into stubble, sideburns on long hair, and curly hair that springs away from the face.
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Skin at the bottom shows stubble fast.
Best For:Oval, round faces + any hair type with a fade.
About This Style
On a skin fade, the sideburn is faded from the guard on the sides down to bare skin at its bottom edge. The blend continues the fade's gradient onto the face, so there is no block of hair beside the ear. Barbers use the same guards as the fade, then the bare blade and a foil shaver. It is a common sideburn finish in barbershops that cut many fades, and it needs weekly or fortnightly upkeep to stay crisp.
How to Style at Home
Match the top of the sideburn to the shortest guard on the sides.
Blend down with a #0.5 and the bare blade, flicking outward.
Moisturize the faded skin to stop it looking dry.
Ask Your Barber
"Fade the sideburns from a #1 down to skin at the bottom, same as the mid fade on the sides, ending at the middle of my ear."
Trim:Every week. Any regrowth breaks up the clean skin.
Best For:Round, square faces + high fades or buzz cuts.
About This Style
Removing the sideburns entirely leaves bare skin from the temple to the jaw, which suits very short haircuts like high skin fades and buzz cuts. It narrows the face strongly and puts all the attention on the top. The look works best on clean-shaven men, since there is no link to a beard. Expect a shadow within two or three days, so a quick shave or foil pass during the week keeps it smooth.
How to Style at Home
Shave the sideburn area with the grain after a warm rinse.
Blend the temple into the fade with the bare trimmer blade.
Apply an alcohol-free balm to calm the skin.
Ask Your Barber
"Shave the sideburns off completely and blend them into a high skin fade. Keep the temple soft so there is no hard corner at the hairline."
Trim:Every 1–2 weeks. Stubble grows past the sideburn length.
Best For:Oval, square faces + medium or dense growth.
About This Style
When you wear stubble, the sideburn should step down smoothly from the haircut into the beard rather than stop at a line. Barbers trim the top at the length of the sides and blend the bottom into the stubble length, often 3 mm. The result looks like one continuous texture from temple to chin. It is the usual link between a short haircut and a stubble beard.
How to Style at Home
Trim the top of the sideburn with the haircut's side guard.
Blend the lower half down to your stubble length.
Run the stubble trimmer over the join to remove any step.
Ask Your Barber
"Blend the sideburns from the #2 on the sides down into my 3 mm stubble, no hard line at the ear. Keep the cheek line natural."
Trim:Every 4–6 weeks. Long hair covers most of the regrowth.
Best For:Long, oval faces + wavy or straight long hair.
About This Style
Long hair often falls over the sideburns, so they need less precision but still benefit from shape. Barbers usually leave them long, to the earlobe, and trim only the bulk and front edge so they sit flat under the hair. Without that tidy, they can look fluffy when the hair is tucked behind the ear. They suit long hairstyles, shags and flow cuts where the sides stay full.
How to Style at Home
Tuck the hair behind the ear to see the sideburn.
Trim the bulk with a 6 mm comb and tidy the front edge.
Let the hair fall back and check the sideburn sits flat.
Ask Your Barber
"Leave the sideburns long, to the earlobe, but trim the bulk to about 6 mm and tidy the front edge so they look neat when my hair is tucked back."
Trim:Every 2–3 weeks. Curls spring outward as they lengthen.
Best For:Oval, round faces + curly or coily hair.
About This Style
Curly and coily sideburns spring away from the face, so they look bulkier than straight ones at the same length. Barbers often keep them shorter, around 3 mm, and line the front and bottom edges so the curl pattern sits inside a clear outline. Trim dry, because curls shrink when wet hair dries. A small amount of curl cream or beard oil keeps them soft and stops them looking frizzy next to a defined haircut.
How to Style at Home
Brush the sideburn flat with a soft brush while dry.
Trim with a 3 mm comb and line the front edge.
Press in a small amount of curl cream to calm frizz.
Ask Your Barber
"Curly sideburns kept short at 3 mm, ending at the middle of the ear, with a light line on the front and bottom edges. Cut them dry."
Recommended Products
Curl Cream
Edge Brush
How Do You Trim Sideburns at Home?
You need a trimmer with a comb attachment, a fine-tooth comb and a mirror you can see both sides in, ideally with a hand mirror for the side view. Our clippers vs trimmers guide explains why a narrow trimmer head works better here than a wide clipper blade. Work with dry hair, and follow these steps in order so both sides end up the same.
Comb the hair down
Comb each sideburn straight down so you can see the true length and any long strays.
Set the bulk length
Run a trimmer with a 3 to 6 mm comb upward from the bottom of the sideburn toward the temple, matching it to the sides of your haircut.
Pick the bottom line
Choose a point on the ear, such as the top of the opening, and cut a straight horizontal line there with the bare trimmer edge.
Match the second side
Look straight ahead and compare both bottoms against the same point on each ear. Use a mirror rather than touch, since ears often sit at slightly different heights.
Clean the edges
Tidy the front edge of each sideburn and the skin below the line, then wipe away loose hair and apply a light moisturizer.
How Do You Ask Your Barber for Sideburns?
Name the length using a point on your ear and say how the bottom should be finished. A clear request sounds like this: medium sideburns ending at the middle of the ear, squared off at the bottom, trimmed to the same guard as the sides. If you have a fade, say if the sideburns should fade into skin or keep some length. The fade types guide shows how each fade height affects the sideburn.
If you wear a beard, ask for the sideburns to connect to it with a smooth blend, and tell the barber the beard length so the two match. Pointing at the exact spot on your ear removes guessing. If one side has been cut shorter in the past, mention it, so the barber can measure from the shorter side first.
Clipper Guards Used in Sideburn 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.
Uneven sideburns are the classic problem, and they usually come from using the ears as guides when the ears themselves sit at different heights. Measure with a mirror and a level line instead, such as the corner of the eye or the bridge of the nose. Cutting the second side to fix the first, then the first again, is how sideburns disappear altogether, so stop and let them grow if the gap is small.
Other mistakes include leaving sideburns much longer than the sides of the haircut, which makes them look like separate patches, and cutting the bottom at a steep angle on a long face, which stretches it further. Bushy sideburns with a short fade also clash. If your fade looks uneven near the ear, read how to fix an uneven fade before reaching for the trimmer.
Which Sideburn Style 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 men suit medium sideburns that end around the middle of the ear, level with the ear opening. Round faces often look better with shorter, slimmer sideburns, and long faces with sideburns reaching the earlobe. Workplaces and military services may set their own limits, so check the current rule if that applies.
Q2: How do you make sideburns even?+
Comb both sideburns straight down, then pick a facial landmark such as the corner of the eye or the top of the ear opening and cut each bottom line level with it. Check in a mirror while looking straight ahead. Ears often sit at different heights, so avoid using touch alone.
Q3: Should sideburns match the beard length?+
If you wear a beard, yes, or the sideburns should blend smoothly into it. A sideburn much shorter or longer than the beard creates a visible step in front of the ear. Many barbers trim the sideburn to the beard length, then fade it shorter toward the temple to meet the haircut.
Q4: Are long sideburns in style?+
Long sideburns come and go with retro looks such as mullets, shags and longer layered cuts, where they suit the overall shape. With short fades, medium or short sideburns are more common. The best guide is the haircut: longer hair on the sides can carry longer sideburns.
Q5: What are mutton chop sideburns?+
Mutton chop sideburns are long, wide sideburns that run down the cheeks and flare out toward the corners of the mouth, with the chin shaved. A friendly mutton chop version connects them through the mustache. They need dense cheek growth and regular edge trimming to keep a clear outline.
Q6: Should you shave or trim your sideburns?+
Trim them for length and shape with a comb attachment, then shave or edge only the skin below the bottom line and in front of them if you want sharp edges. Shaving the whole sideburn off removes the link between hair and face and suits only high fades and very short cuts.
