Barber Answers
How Long Does It Take to Grow Out Your Hair? Timelines by Length
Short answer: At an average of about 1 to 1.25 cm a month, growing from a short fade to a medium length you can push back or tuck behind your ears takes about four to six months. Reaching chin length takes around a year, and shoulder length roughly a year and a half to two years. Small trims along the way cost a little length but keep each stage looking intentional.
The maths behind any grow-out
Scalp hair grows at roughly 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) a year for most adults. Divide the length you want by that pace and you have a realistic estimate, then add a month or two for the small amounts taken off at trims.
Everyone's number is a little different, and the length you see is not the length you have. Curly and coily hair can grow at a similar rate yet look far shorter, because each curl pulls the strand up; a 20 cm curl might hang at 10 cm.
Timeline from short to long
Here is what a typical grow-out looks like starting from a mid fade with about 5 cm on top, assuming average growth and occasional light trims.
| Time | Sides | Top | What you can wear |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 months | Fade grows into a short taper | 6 to 7 cm | Textured crop, short quiff |
| 3 to 4 months | About 3 to 4 cm, covering ears' tops | 8 to 9 cm | Scissor cut, side part, slick back |
| 5 to 6 months | Over the ears | 10 to 11 cm | Medium length, curtains, flow |
| 9 to 12 months | Chin level at the front | Past the eyes | Bro flow, tuck behind ears |
| 18 to 24 months | Shoulder length | Can be tied back | Man bun, long layered cut |
The awkward stages and how to get through them
Almost everyone hits two rough patches. The first comes around months two to three, when the sides puff out and the hair is too short to push back. The second arrives near chin length, when the front falls in your face but is not yet long enough to tie.
Both are easier with a clear target style and a barber who knows it. For the early phase, see how to grow out a fade; for the later one, the bro flow is a common waypoint that works while the back catches up.
- Use a light cream or sea salt spray so the hair has direction instead of sitting flat.
- Tuck the sides behind your ears as soon as they reach.
- Keep a headband or a cap for the gym and hockey rather than fighting it.
- Leave the back slightly longer than the sides so the shape grows forward in balance.
Should you trim while growing it out?
Yes, but only lightly. Trims do not speed growth, but they remove split ends and keep the outline tidy, which stops the whole head looking neglected.
Every eight to twelve weeks is enough for most men. Ask for the ends to be dusted and the neckline cleaned, and be clear about which areas must keep their length. We explain the reasoning behind this in do haircuts make hair grow faster.
Habits that protect length on the way down
Longer hair has been on your head for months or years, so its ends are older and more fragile. Conditioning the lengths, detangling from the ends upward with a wide comb, and drying on lower heat all reduce breakage.
Chlorine, sun and winter dryness also wear hair down. Rinsing after a swim and using a leave-in conditioner through an Ontario winter will keep the ends from turning straw-like.
When growth seems slower than it should be
If a year has passed and your hair seems stuck at the same length, breakage is the usual suspect: the hair is growing but snapping off at the ends. Tight ponytails, rough towel-drying and hot tools are common causes.
If you notice patches of loss, much more shedding than usual, or an irritated scalp, see a family doctor or dermatologist. Those signs can point to a health issue that trims and products will not fix.
How long does it take to grow out your hair: common questions
How long to grow hair long enough for a man bun?
Most men need the hair at the crown and sides to reach roughly 15 to 20 cm, which usually takes 15 to 20 months from a short cut. Our man bun guide covers the shape along the way.
Is it faster to grow hair out from a buzz cut?
The growth rate is the same, but an even buzz cut avoids the mismatch between long top and short sides, so the early months often look tidier.
Can I speed up hair growth with supplements?
If you have a genuine deficiency, correcting it can help. Otherwise there is little evidence that supplements make healthy hair grow faster, so talk to a doctor before starting any.
Do barbers cut long hair?
Many do, including us. Book a Haircut Only and say you are growing it out so the time is spent on shape rather than length.
