13 Man Bun & Top Knot Styles

A man bun is the simplest way to keep long hair under control, and it is far more varied than one knot tied the same way every day. These 13 man bun and top knot styles cover every version worth trying — high, low, sleek, messy, braided and faded — with the length each one needs, who it suits best, and the exact words to ask your barber.

Every style below starts from the same rule: the longer and thicker your hair, the bigger and softer the bun; shorter hair needs a smaller knot or a fade to give it shape. If you are still growing your hair out, start with our collection of men’s hairstyles.

Quick picks — the shortlist

• The classic man bun — the neat all-rounder for work and everyday wear.
• The messy bun — the fastest option, and the most forgiving.
• The samurai top knot — the sharpest small knot, best with a beard.
• The man bun with a fade — the cleanest finish, with barbered sides.

13 man bun & top knot styles to try

1. Best all-rounder: the classic man bun

All of the hair is brushed back and coiled into one neat bun at the crown, with no loose sections left hanging. It suits oval and square faces and straight to slightly wavy hair, and it flatters a strong jaw because nothing covers the face. Length: 10–14 inches, so the coil has enough hair to wrap fully. Maintenance: low to medium — the shape holds all day, but a smooth finish needs a quick brush-through and a light product. Ask for: a classic man bun at the crown, brushed smooth with no loose pieces.

2. The low man bun

The bun sits at the nape of the neck instead of the crown, giving a softer, more relaxed outline that works well for formal days and for men who dislike height on top. It suits long and oval faces and wavy or thick hair, since the lower placement balances a longer face. Length: 12–16 inches, so the low coil still has body. Maintenance: low — the relaxed placement forgives a few loose strands. Ask for: a low man bun at the nape, loosely coiled with a soft finish.

3. The everyday messy bun

Hair is gathered loosely and twisted without smoothing, so soft pieces and flyaways escape around the bun and the hairline. It suits wavy and textured hair best, and it is kind to round and square faces because the loose pieces soften the jaw. Length: 8–12 inches is enough for a small, soft knot. Maintenance: low — this is the one bun that looks better slightly undone, so missed pins and stray hairs do not matter. Ask for: a loose, textured messy bun with pieces left out around the face.

4. The samurai top knot

A small, tight knot sits high on the crown while the rest of the hair is slicked firmly back, a clean shape with a disciplined, sharp outline. It suits oval and heart faces and straight to slightly wavy hair, and it shows off cheekbones and a beard well. Length: 6–10 inches on top is enough for a compact knot. Maintenance: medium — the slicked-back base needs product and a firm elastic so the knot does not slide. Ask for: a small, tight top knot on the crown with the sides slicked back.

5. The braided man bun

Cornrows are braided back from the hairline and gathered into a knot on top, so the bun itself carries a woven, patterned texture. It suits coily and thick hair best and holds up better than a plain bun on humid days, because the braids grip themselves. Length: 8–12 inches of braided hair to feed into the knot. Maintenance: medium to high to set — braiding takes time — but low once it is in, since the bun barely moves. Ask for: cornrows braided back into a top knot, kept neat at the hairline.

6. The man bun with an undercut

The top stays long and is tied into a bun while the sides and back are cut short in a sharp, disconnected undercut, so the contrast does the talking. It suits straight to wavy hair and oval or square faces, and it keeps the neck cool while the top keeps its length. Length: 8–12 inches on top; the sides are clipped short. Maintenance: medium — the bun itself is easy, but the undercut needs regular trims to keep its edge. Ask for: a man bun on top with a disconnected undercut on the sides and back.

7. The long-hair man bun

Very long hair is gathered into a full, soft bun at the back, with face-framing strands left loose so the style never looks scraped back. It suits thick, wavy or straight hair and most face shapes, and it is the best way to keep serious length under control. Length: 14–18 inches for a full coil with loose pieces to spare. Maintenance: low to medium — tying it up takes seconds, but long hair still needs conditioning to stay healthy. Ask for: a full, soft bun from long hair, with loose pieces left around the face.

8. The half-up man bun

Only the top section of the hair is knotted, while the rest hangs loose past the shoulders, giving the control of a bun with the movement of long hair. It suits wavy and thick hair and round or oval faces, since the loose length softens the outline. Length: 10–14 inches, so the top section reaches the knot and the rest still falls freely. Maintenance: low — it is quicker than a full bun and the loose hair hides uneven growth. Ask for: a half-up bun, with only the top section knotted and the rest left down.

9. The sleek man bun

Hair is combed smoothly back with product into a tight, polished bun with no flyaways, the most refined version on this list. It suits straight hair and oval or long faces, and it pairs well with a suit or a clean-shaven look. Length: 10–14 inches for a coil with no stragglers. Maintenance: medium — the shine needs gel or cream and a final smoothing pass, but the hold is excellent. Ask for: a sleek, glossy man bun with a clean, combed-back finish.

10. The curly man bun

Natural curls are gathered loosely into a textured knot, so the bun keeps its spring and volume instead of being pulled flat. It suits curly and coily hair and round, heart or oval faces, and the texture means the knot never looks stiff. Length: 8–12 inches, remembering that curls spring up as they dry, so grow it longer than the finished knot. Maintenance: low to medium — a little curl cream keeps the knot defined without frizz. Ask for: a curly bun, gathered loosely so the curls keep their texture.

11. The man bun with a beard

A high, full bun is paired with a full beard, so the hair on top and the facial hair balance each other and the whole outline feels intentional. It suits thick hair and oval, square or round faces, and it works best when the beard is shaped rather than left wild. Length: 10–14 inches for the bun; the beard should be at least a few inches to balance it. Maintenance: medium — both the bun and the beard need regular shaping to stay tidy. Ask for: a high man bun paired with a shaped, full beard.

12. The mini top knot (for shorter hair)

A small knot perched on the crown, made from hair too short for a full bun — the entry point into bun styles while you are still growing your hair out. It suits fine hair and shorter lengths, and it keeps the front off your face without needing extensions. Length: 6–8 inches is enough to twist a knot that holds. Maintenance: low — a small elastic and a couple of pins are usually enough. Ask for: a small top knot, kept compact at the crown.

13. The man bun with a fade

The sides fade gradually from short to shorter while the top stays long enough to tie into a bun, giving a clean, graduated outline instead of a harsh line. It suits straight to wavy hair and most face shapes, and it looks sharpest on men who like a barbered finish. Length: 8–12 inches on top; the fade itself is kept short. Maintenance: medium to high — the bun is easy, but a fade loses its shape fast without frequent trims. Ask for: a man bun on top with a graduated fade on the sides and back.

How to choose the right man bun

Start with placement. High buns and top knots — the classic bun, the samurai knot and the mini knot — add height and open up the face, which flatters round faces and shorter necks. Low buns — the low bun and the long-hair bun — sit at the nape and feel softer and more relaxed, which suits long faces and formal wear. Unsure of your shape? Our face shape guide shows a quick way to check using a mirror and a soft tape measure.

Next, match the bun to your hair and your routine. Fine hair needs a smaller knot or some texture so the bun does not look thin; thick or curly hair needs control, which is where braided and sleek buns earn their place. And be honest about barber visits: a fade or an undercut looks sharp only while it is fresh, so if you stretch appointments, a classic or messy bun will age better between cuts. For sharper sides, compare the taper haircut and the beard fade.

What to ask your barber

Use one sentence that covers placement, texture and finish. For example: “I would like a man bun at the crown with a disconnected undercut, kept neat rather than messy, and the sides trimmed so the contrast stays sharp.” Add how long you can spend styling it on a normal morning. Always show a back view as well as a front photo: with buns, the back view is what shows the knot most clearly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does my hair need to be for a man bun?

About 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) is enough for a mini top knot, while a full bun needs around 10 to 14 inches (25 to 35 cm). Long-hair buns need the most length, since a low, full coil with loose pieces asks for 14 inches or more.

What is the difference between a man bun and a top knot?

A man bun usually gathers all of the hair into one bun, while a top knot is a smaller knot that often uses only the top section. In practice the names overlap: high and small reads as a top knot, lower and fuller reads as a bun.

Can wearing a man bun every day damage my hair?

A very tight bun worn in the same spot daily can strain the hairline and cause breakage over time. Vary the placement, keep the tension comfortable rather than pulling, and use soft elastics instead of tight bands. Looser buns are much kinder to hair, and giving your hair a day down helps too.

How do I keep a man bun from slipping?

Start with hair that has some grip — second-day hair or a little texturizing product works better than freshly washed, slippery hair. Wrap the elastic twice, pin into the base of the bun rather than just the surface, and finish with a light hairspray if the style needs to last all day.

A man bun is really a family of styles, not a single look — the version that works is the one matched to your hair’s length, your face shape, and the time you actually have. Shortlist two or three styles from this list, save a front and a back photo of each, and let your barber adjust the final placement on the day.

Keep exploring

• Men’s Hairstyles — the full collection for men, from short cuts to long hair.
• Professional Haircuts for Men — polished cuts that pair with a sleek bun for work.
• Wolf Cut for Men — layered long hair to wear down when the bun comes out.
• Wavy Perm for Men — added texture that makes a curly bun easier to fill out.
• Pompadour Hairstyles for Men — a high-volume style for days you want your hair down.