---
title: "Seitenscheitel"
date: 2026-11-15
published: 2026-11-13
author: ""
---

# Seitenscheitel

[Home](/) / [Men’s hairstyles](/mens-hairstyles/) / Side Part# Side Part

Hair combed to one side from a clear parting, over neatly tapered sides.

ClassicSide partingTapered sidesEvery 3 to 4 weeks

A side part is a men’s hairstyle where the hair on top is divided by a parting on one side of the head and combed across, with shorter, tapered back and sides. The parting usually sits above the outer corner of one eye, and the top is left about 4 to 7cm long so it lies flat when combed. It is the smart default of men’s hair, and of [every cut in the directory](/mens-hairstyles/) it is probably the one most often worn without anyone asking for it by name.

![Bearded man with a side part, a shaved parting line and short faded sides, front view](/wp-content/uploads/mens-hairstyles/photos/realistic/side-part-haircut-front-photo.jpg)Front ![Profile of a side part with a shaved parting line, the top combed across and the sides faded short](/wp-content/uploads/mens-hairstyles/photos/realistic/side-part-haircut-profile-photo.jpg)Profile

The same cut from the front and in profile. ## At a glance

Also calledSide parting

SidesTapered, a grade 2 to 3 or scissor cut

Top4 to 7cm, long enough to comb over

PartingAbove the outer corner of one eye, natural or shaved in

UpkeepEvery 3 to 4 weeks

Best onMost faces. A smart default for work

Avoid ifYour hair has a strong crown whorl that fights the parting

Popularised byJon Hamm (as Don Draper in Mad Men), David Tennant (subtly swept back)

Upkeep**2 / 5**

Every 3 to 4 weeks

Styling effort**2 / 5**

A comb and a little product

Length needed**2 / 5**

4cm or so on top

## £5 off your first delivery

A fresh cut looks sharpest with a clean neckline. A sharp blade keeps it that way between visits, without the razor burn a blunt one leaves.

*This page has a form, which is not reproduced here. Use the page itself to fill it in.* £5 off your first subscription or VIP order – one per customer, unsubscribe with 1 click

## How to ask your barber

1. **Find your parting**Ask where your hair parts naturally. That is usually the best place for it.
2. **Choose the sides**Tapered with scissors, a grade 2 to 3, or a fade.
3. **Natural or hard part**Say whether you want the parting shaved in.
4. **Say how you wear it**Combed flat and neat, or looser with texture.

## The variations

The same cut, worn differently. What changes is the length, where the short part starts and how the top is styled.

**Classic side part** Natural parting, scissor sides The office standard.

**Hard part** Parting shaved in Sharper, needs touching up.

**Faded side part** Faded sides More contrast.

**Textured side part** Matte, looser finish Less formal.

**Deep side part** Parting set low Sweeps more across.

## Will it work with your hair?

Hair type decides how a cut sits and how fast it loses its shape. The table below is the short version.

Straight Ideal Holds a clean parting.   Wavy Ideal Waves give the sweep some body.   Curly Works Leave enough length for the curls to fall to one side.   Coily Works Best as a short top with a hard part.   Thick Ideal Thin the top so it lies across.   Fine or thinning Works A soft parting is kinder than a hard one on thin hair.

## Will it suit your face?

Where a cut adds height and where it takes width away decides how it sits with your face shape. Hair type matters more, but this is the short version.

Oval Ideal Balanced proportions, so the cut itself decides.   Round Works Add a little lift at the front so it does not sit flat and wide.   Square Ideal A neat parting suits a defined jaw.   Oblong Works Keep the top fairly flat rather than lifted.   Heart Ideal A side parting breaks up a broad forehead.   Diamond Works A parting with some fullness on top works.

## Beard styles that go with it

Hair and beard are one outline. These keep the proportions right with this cut.

[![Clean-shaven man with short fair hair in a light blue shirt, smooth cheeks, chin and top lip, three-quarter view](/wp-content/uploads/beard-styles/photos/clean-shaven-beard-style-three-quarter-photo.jpg) **Clean shaven**Neat and formal.](/beard-styles/clean-shaven/) [![Man in a navy suit and white shirt with a corporate beard, short, neatly trimmed and kept full on the cheeks and jaw, three-quarter view](/wp-content/uploads/beard-styles/photos/corporate-beard-beard-style-three-quarter-photo.jpg) **Corporate beard**A short, tidy beard suits a parted cut.](/beard-styles/corporate-beard/) [![Man in a dark suit and tie with a pencil moustache, a very thin, neat line just above the top lip, three-quarter view](/wp-content/uploads/beard-styles/photos/pencil-moustache-beard-style-three-quarter-photo.jpg) **Pencil moustache**A thin moustache with a sharp parting.](/beard-styles/pencil-moustache/)

## What a side part is

Most classic cuts can be worn with a side parting, so the side part is less a single haircut than a way of wearing one. What makes it a style of its own is the combination. Short, neat sides, usually a grade 2 or 3 (6mm or 9mm) or scissor cut, tapered at the neck. A top long enough to comb over without springing back. And a clear parting line, with the larger section of hair combed across and slightly back.

![Man in a white shirt with a neat side part, the top combed across and the sides kept short](/wp-content/uploads/mens-hairstyles/photos/side-part-classic-short-sides.jpg)

The finish is up to you. Combed and slightly shiny looks formal. Pushed into place with the fingers and a matte product looks relaxed. Both are the same cut.

The side parting has been the standard smart men’s haircut for a very long time, which is why it looks at home in an office, at a wedding or in a school photo.

## Finding your natural parting

Almost everyone has a side the hair wants to part on. Working with it makes the style sit better and take less effort. Fighting it means a cowlick that pops up by lunchtime.

![Man in a grey jacket with a natural side parting, the top combed across, three-quarter view](/wp-content/uploads/mens-hairstyles/photos/realistic/side-part-natural-parting-three-quarter.jpg)

To find yours:

1. Wet your hair and towel dry it until it is damp.
2. Comb it straight back off the forehead.
3. Push the whole top forward with the palm of your hand.
4. Look where it splits. That is your natural parting.

If nothing obvious happens, look at the whorl at your crown. The hair usually parts more easily on the side the whorl turns towards. As a starting point, line the parting up with the outer corner of one eye, or the highest point of the eyebrow.

If you are still unsure, wear it on each side for a few days. The side that needs less product and stays put longer is the right one.

## Natural parting vs hard part

A **natural parting** is made with a comb each morning. It is softer, grows out without anyone noticing and lets you change sides or styles later.

A **hard part** is a thin line shaved into the scalp along the parting, usually with clippers or a trimmer. It gives a sharp, graphic edge and does the job of the comb for you. The catch is upkeep. Within a week or two the line softens as the hair grows back, so it needs redoing at most cuts. It also exposes scalp, which is unkind if the hair along the parting is thin.

![Side part with a shaved hard part, the top combed across and the sides faded close](/wp-content/uploads/mens-hairstyles/photos/side-part-hard-part-fade.jpg)

A hard part pairs naturally with faded sides. A natural parting suits a classic taper. If you want a hard part with a long top and a fade, you are getting close to a [comb over](/mens-hairstyles/comb-over/).

## Who a side part suits

**Straight hair** is the easiest. It lies flat, shows a clean line and holds the shape with very little product.

![Bearded man in a white shirt with a hard side part and short faded sides, in a barbershop](/wp-content/uploads/mens-hairstyles/photos/realistic/side-part-hard-part-beard-barbershop.jpg)

**Wavy hair** gives a softer side part with natural movement. Use a cream rather than a heavy pomade so the wave stays.

**Thick hair** holds a parting well but can puff out above the ears. Ask the barber to take weight out and keep the sides tight.

**Curly hair** can carry a side part, but the line will be softer. A shallow hard part helps it show through the curl. Separate along it with your fingers rather than a fine comb.

**Fine or thinning hair** is fine with a side part, as long as it is a natural one. Combing the hair across rather than straight back hides more scalp. Avoid a hard part directly over a thin area, and see [haircuts for balding men](/mens-hairstyles/haircuts-for-balding-men/) if thinning is more than slight.

**Face shape** matters less here than with most cuts. A side parting adds a little asymmetry and height, which suits round and square faces well, and it is unlikely to look wrong on anyone. The [hairstyles by hair type](/mens-hairstyles/hairstyles-by-hair-type/) page has more on matching cut to hair.

## How to ask a UK barber for a side part

Barbers cut this every day, so be specific about the parts that vary.

- **The sides.** “Grade 2 on the sides, tapered at the neck” is the classic version. Ask for a grade 3 (9mm) or scissor over comb if you want it softer. For more contrast, ask for a low fade or a [low taper fade](/mens-hairstyles/low-taper-fade/) instead, starting from a grade 0.5 or 1 around the ears.
- **The top.** Say how much to take off, or ask them to “leave enough to comb over, about 5cm”. Below about 4cm the parting will not show and the hair sticks up.
- **The parting.** Tell them which side. Ask them to find your natural one if you do not know. Say whether you want it shaved in.
- **The finish.** Ask for the top to be cut so it lies flat, rather than heavily texturised, if you want a smooth, combed look.

If you want a slightly shorter, more structured version with the top graded from front to crown, ask for an [Ivy League](/mens-hairstyles/ivy-league/) instead. It is a close cousin and has its own page.

## Styling a side part at home

A minute or two most mornings.

1. **Start with damp hair.** Towel dried, not dripping.
2. **Add a little product.** A pea-sized amount of cream for a natural finish, pomade for shine, or clay for matte texture. Rub it between your palms and work it in from the roots.
3. **Set the parting.** Run the end of a comb from the front hairline back along your parting line, then comb the hair either side of it away from the line.
4. **Comb the top across.** Sweep the larger side across and slightly back. Comb the smaller side down and back.
5. **Dry it in place.** Optional. A hair dryer on low heat, aimed in the direction the hair is combed, holds the shape for longer. Lift the roots on the larger side with your fingers if you want a little height.

On dry hair, a comb and a small dab of product will reset it in the afternoon.

## Upkeep and how often to cut

Every three to four weeks for a classic side part with tapered sides. Every two to three weeks if you have a fade or a hard part, because both lose their edge quickly.

At each cut the barber should tidy the sides and neckline, keep the top long enough to comb, and redo the hard part if you have one. Long sides are the most common problem. When they grow out the cut looks bulky and the parting gets lost.

Combing along the same line every day trains the hair to fall that way. Changing sides now and then is fine, but expect a day or two of the hair fighting back.

## Variations

- **Classic side part.** Natural parting, grade 2 or 3 or scissor sides. The office standard.
- **Hard part.** The parting shaved in. Sharper and more modern, with more upkeep.
- **Faded side part.** Faded sides for more contrast. Needs cutting more often.
- **Textured side part.** Matte product, looser finish, styled with the fingers. Less formal.
- **Deep side part.** The parting set lower, so more hair sweeps across. Closer to a comb over.

Grow the top longer and the side part can turn into a comb over, a side-swept [short back and sides](/mens-hairstyles/short-back-and-sides/) or, combed straight back, a slick back.

## Questions we get asked

Which side should I part my hair on?The side your hair naturally splits on. Comb damp hair back, push it forward and see where it parts. If there is no clear answer, wear it on each side for a few days and keep the one that stays in place with less effort.

How long does hair need to be for a side part?About 4 to 7cm on top. Below about 4cm the hair is too short to lie across and the parting disappears. The sides can be as short as you like.

What is a hard part?A thin line shaved into the scalp along the parting with clippers or a trimmer. It makes the parting sharp and permanent until it grows back, which takes a week or two, so it needs redoing at most cuts.

Is a side part good for a receding hairline?Usually, yes. Combing the hair across rather than back covers more of the temples and breaks up the line of the forehead. Keep the parting natural rather than shaved in, especially if it falls near a receding corner.

Can I have a side part with curly hair?Yes, though the line will be softer than on straight hair. Keep enough length on top for the curls to fall to one side, and ask for a shallow hard part if you want the parting to show clearly.

How often should I get a side part cut?Every three to four weeks with tapered sides. Every two to three weeks if the sides are faded or the parting is shaved in.

## Other classic cuts

Close relatives, and how they differ.

[UndercutLong top](/mens-hairstyles/undercut/)[QuiffGrade 3 to 4 sides](/mens-hairstyles/quiff/)[Slick BackLong top](/mens-hairstyles/slick-back/)[Short Back and SidesGrade 2 to 4 sides](/mens-hairstyles/short-back-and-sides/)

## Browse by what matters to you

The same directory, cut a different way.

[Classic Men’s HaircutsBarbershop standards that have outlasted every trend.](/mens-hairstyles/classic-haircuts/)

[All 29 hairstylesThe full directory](/mens-hairstyles/) [The Bearded Colonel razorFor a clean neckline between cuts. Five-blade refills from £10](/)