Can I just say 'give me the broccoli haircut'?

Yes, most barbers in 2025 know what this means. But specifying fade height, top length, and showing reference photos ensures you get exactly what you want rather than your barber's default interpretation.

What if my barber doesn't know what a broccoli cut is?

Describe it: 'textured, curly top with a fade on the sides—it looks kind of like a broccoli floret.' Then show reference photos. Any skilled barber can execute the cut even if they don't know the nickname.

How much does a broccoli haircut cost?

Standard men's haircut rates apply: $20-50 depending on your location and the barbershop tier. It's not a specialty cut that should cost extra, though styling or additional services might add to the price.

Should I get my hair cut wet or dry for a broccoli cut?

For curly hair, dry cutting is often better because the barber can see how the curls will actually fall. Some barbers cut wet and account for shrinkage. Ask your barber's preference and make sure they understand how much your hair shrinks.

How often should I get my broccoli cut maintained?

Fade touch-ups every 2-3 weeks keep the sides sharp. Full cuts (including the top) every 4-6 weeks maintain the overall shape. Some people combine these into one appointment every 3-4 weeks.

What if I don't like my broccoli cut after it's done?

Tell your barber immediately—they may be able to make adjustments. If it's fundamentally wrong, stay calm, explain the issue, and discuss what can be fixed. Worst case, hair grows back and you know what to ask for differently next time.

How to Ask Your Barber for a Broccoli Haircut: A Complete Guide

Walking into a barbershop and asking for "the broccoli" is one option. It'll probably work—the style is popular enough that most barbers know exactly what you mean.

But if you want precision, if you want to make sure you get exactly the look you're after, you need to speak barber. This guide gives you the vocabulary, the specifications, and the strategy to get your ideal broccoli cut every time.

The Quick Version: What to Say

If you just want the answer, here it is:

"I'd like a textured, curly top with a [low/mid/high] fade on the sides. About [X] inches on top. I want volume and movement, kind of like that broccoli cut look but [any modifications you want]."

Then show reference photos.

That's the baseline. The rest of this article explains why each element matters and how to customize.

Understanding the Key Components

Educational diagram showing three fade types for broccoli haircut: low fade, mid fade, and high

The broccoli haircut isn't one thing—it's a combination of elements. Understanding each lets you dial in exactly what you want.

Top Length

The curly top of a broccoli cut typically ranges from 2-5 inches. This determines how much volume and "floret" effect you get.

2-3 inches: Tighter look, less dramatic volume. Lower maintenance. 3-4 inches: Classic broccoli territory. Good balance of volume and manageability. 4-5+ inches: Maximum floret energy. More movement but requires more styling.

Curly hair shrinks when dry. If you have natural curls or a perm, the length will appear shorter than it measures when wet. Tell your barber how much shrinkage to expect, or better yet, have them cut your hair dry.

What to say: "I want about [X] inches on top, but keep in mind my curls shrink about [Y] inches when dry."

Fade Type

The faded sides are essential to the broccoli silhouette. The contrast between curly top and short sides creates the distinctive shape.

Low fade: Starts near the ear. More subtle, less contrast. Mid fade: Starts around the temples. Balanced look, most common choice. High fade: Starts well above the temples. Maximum contrast, most dramatic. Skin fade: Goes all the way down to skin. Cleanest, sharpest look. Taper: Gradual length transition without going super short. Softer than a true fade.

What to say: "I want a [low/mid/high] [skin] fade on the sides."

Blend Zone

Where the curly top meets the faded sides matters. A harsh line looks unnatural. A gradual blend looks intentional.

Tight blend: Minimal transition area. More dramatic contrast. Gradual blend: Longer transition zone. Softer, more natural look.

What to say: "Blend the top into the fade gradually. I don't want a hard line."

Texture Method

If you have naturally curly hair, the texture is built in. If you have straight hair, you're either getting a perm or relying on styling products for temporary texture.

For permed or natural curls: What to say: "I have [natural curls/a perm], so just work with the existing texture."

For straight hair styled curly: What to say: "I'm going to style it textured/wavy, so cut with that in mind."

Neckline

The back of your neck has options too.

Tapered: Gradually fades out at the neckline. Clean, natural look. Blocked: Cut straight across at the hairline. Bolder but grows out faster. Rounded: Follows the natural hairline shape. Organic appearance.

For the broccoli cut, tapered is most common.

What to say: "Taper the neckline."

Reference Photos: Your Secret Weapon

Professional barbershop consultation scene: young Black man showing reference photo on phone to

Words are good. Pictures are better.

Before your appointment, save 3-5 photos that show exactly what you want. Look for:

Front view
Side view (to show fade height)
Back view (if you care about the neckline)
A photo showing similar hair texture to yours

Find photos of guys with similar:

Face shape
Hair texture
Hair color (lighter hair shows fade differently than darker hair)

Where to find reference photos:

Instagram (#broccolihaircut, #zoomerperm, #texturedcrop)
Pinterest (search "broccoli haircut")
TikTok (screenshot from videos)
This website (our style gallery)

At the barbershop: "Here are some reference photos. I like the fade height in this one, the curl length in this one, and the overall shape in this one."

Being specific about what you like in each photo helps your barber understand your vision.

Finding the Right Barber

Not every barber is equally skilled with every style. For the broccoli cut, you want someone who:

Has Experience with Textured Hair

Curly hair behaves differently than straight hair. A barber who primarily cuts straight hair might not understand shrinkage, how curls clump, or how to shape a curly silhouette.

Ask: "Do you have experience cutting curly or permed hair?"

Knows the Style

The broccoli cut is popular enough that most barbers have seen it. But "seen it" and "can execute it perfectly" are different things.

Ask: "Can you show me photos of broccoli cuts or textured crops you've done?"

Will Have a Conversation

A good barber asks questions before starting. They want to understand what you want, assess your hair type, and make sure you're aligned.

Red flags:

Starts cutting immediately without consultation
Dismisses your reference photos
Doesn't ask about your hair care routine or styling goals

Green flags:

Asks about your lifestyle and maintenance preferences
Offers suggestions based on your face shape
Explains what they're doing and why

Charges Fair Rates

Broccoli cuts are standard cuts in terms of complexity. If you're being charged dramatically more than a normal men's cut, find out why. Specialty styling or extra services might justify higher prices. "Trendy haircut surcharge" shouldn't be a thing.

What to Expect at the Appointment

Here's a typical flow for getting a broccoli cut:

Check-in (1-2 minutes): You arrive, maybe wait if they're running behind.

Consultation (5-10 minutes): Your barber asks what you want. This is where you use everything from this guide. Show photos, specify fade height, discuss length on top.

The cut (20-40 minutes):

Sides are clipped or faded first
Top is shaped and textured
Blend zone is refined
Details (neckline, around ears, sideburns)
Final check from multiple angles

Styling (5-10 minutes): Your barber may apply product and show you how the finished cut should look styled.

Payment and scheduling: Tip appropriately (15-20% is standard), and consider booking your next appointment if you want consistent timing.

Total time: 30-60 minutes depending on the barber's pace and how busy they are.

The Printable Cheat Sheet

Save this or screenshot it for your appointment:

BROCCOLI HAIRCUT SPECIFICATIONS

Top: [___] inches (accounting for curl shrinkage)
Fade: Low / Mid / High (circle one)
Skin fade: Yes / No
Blend: Gradual / Tight
Neckline: Tapered / Blocked / Rounded
Sideburns: Natural / Pointed / Faded

Notes:
_________________________________
_________________________________

Reference photo description:
_________________________________

Filling this out before your appointment helps you think through what you actually want.

After the Cut: Communication Matters

Even with perfect communication, sometimes the result isn't quite right. This is normal and fixable.

If it's close but not perfect:

Tell your barber immediately, while you're still in the chair. They want you to be happy and can make adjustments.

"Can we take the fade a little higher?" "Could you thin out the top a bit more?" "I'd like more volume at the crown."

If it's way off:

This is harder. If the cut is fundamentally different from what you asked for:

Stay calm and polite
Show your reference photos again
Explain specifically what's different
Ask what can be done to fix it

Sometimes the answer is "we can't fix it without waiting for it to grow." That's frustrating, but hair grows back. Learn for next time and maybe find a new barber.

For future visits:

If the cut was perfect, remember what worked:

Note the guard sizes used for the fade
Remember the length on top
Save a photo of the finished result

Next time you can say: "Same as last time. Here's how it looked."

Maintaining Between Cuts

The broccoli cut needs regular maintenance to look its best. For a complete care guide, see our maintenance article.

Fade maintenance: Every 2-3 weeks. The sides grow out quickly and lose their clean shape.

Full shape-up: Every 4-6 weeks. Trim the top, refresh the fade, maintain the silhouette.

Some guys go in every 2 weeks for just a fade cleanup, then get a full cut every month or two. This keeps the style sharp without cutting the top too often.

Products for daily styling:

Curl cream or mousse for definition
Leave-in conditioner for moisture
Light-hold gel if you want more structure
Diffuser attachment for your blow dryer

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Getting the perfect broccoli cut comes down to communication. Know what you want, use the right terminology, bring reference photos, and find a barber who listens.

The style is popular enough that you're unlikely to confuse anyone. But precision communication is the difference between "close enough" and "exactly what I wanted."

Prepare before your appointment. Speak clearly during the consultation. Give feedback while you're still in the chair. And remember: barbers want you to leave happy. They're on your side.

Now go get that broccoli.