Viking Hairstyles for Men: Braids and Undercuts
Picture a Viking and you probably picture shaved sides with a long braided top — that is Hollywood, not history, and it helps to know that going in. What the written record actually describes is closer to a reverse mullet: hair grown long on top, cropped short at the neck. This guide covers both sides of viking hairstyles men actually search for — the real medieval reference point and the modern looks people wear today, plus how to get there.
Viking hairstyles for men at a glance
- The historical record points to a “reverse mullet” — long on top, cropped at the neck — not a shaved-side undercut.
- Hair grows roughly half an inch a month, so shoulder length from a short cut takes six to eight months.
- The Ragnar-style shaved-side braid is a costume-department invention, not a documented Viking Age haircut.
- An undercut with a top knot needs the least daily upkeep of the popular modern styles.
What the Historical Sources Actually Say About Viking Hair
An English commentator writing in the 11th century, during the period of Danish rule under Cnut the Great, grumbled that young Englishmen were shaving the backs of their necks and combing their hair forward over their eyes to copy Danish fashion — a look that lines up neatly with what we would now call a reverse mullet: short and clean at the neck, long and heavy on top. It is a small detail, but it tells you two things: Norse-influenced hairstyles were distinctive enough for outsiders to complain about, and “long on top” has been part of the look for close to a thousand years before any television show got involved. If you want the wardrobe to match, our guide on how to dress like a Viking covers that same understated, functional principle.
3 Modern Viking Hairstyles for Men
Most of what circulates online as “Viking hair” is really costume design from a handful of shows and games. That is not a knock — those looks are good-looking and wearable, they are just modern inventions layered on top of a real historical seed. A few versions come up again and again:
- Undercut with a top knot — shaved or faded sides, long hair on top gathered into a knot at the crown. The most office-friendly option, and it pairs easily with the everyday looks in 10 Ways to Bring Viking Style Into Everyday Life.
- Braided crown — the top and side sections braided back and around the head like a crown, left loose or tied off at the back.
- Ragnar-style shaved sides with a single long braid — the look popularized by History Channel’s Vikings: close-shaved sides, one long braid running back from the crown.
- Loose long hair — no cutting at all, just length, regular trims, and a leather tie for practical days.
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How Long Does It Take to Grow Viking-Length Hair?
Hair grows at roughly half an inch a month for most people, so the timeline is mostly a patience problem, not a technique problem.
Months 1–2: the growing-out phase. If you are starting from short hair, this stretch is mostly awkward — too long for a crop, too short to tie back. Get a shape cut now so it grows out with a plan instead of just getting bushy.
Months 3–4: ear-to-chin length. Enough to try a half-up style or a small ponytail. This is also a good point to add the undercut if you are going that route, since there is enough length on top to contrast against the shaved sides.
Months 6–8: shoulder length. Full braided crowns and single long braids both become realistic here, and the overall silhouette starts matching the layered, textured looks in Viking Style in 2026.
Month 10 and beyond: past-shoulder length, the point where most “loose long hair” Viking looks read as intentional rather than just unkempt.
How to Get the Look: Step-by-Step
Undercut + top knot: gather the long top section into a ponytail at the crown, twist it around its own base into a knot, and secure with a small elastic or bobby pins. The shaved or faded sides do the visual work — the knot itself can be loose and imperfect.
Braided crown: part down the middle, then start a French or Dutch braid at one temple, working back and around the head. Pin the tail flat against the back of the head, or let a few inches hang loose below it.
Ragnar-style shaved side braid: keep the sides short — a fade or close clipper cut — leave the top and crown long, and work a single three-strand or fishtail braid from crown to end. Secure with a leather tie or small elastic for a period-appropriate finish.
Caring for Long Hair Without a Cabinet Full of Product
Long hair does not need much — it needs consistency. Wash less often than you think (two to three times a week is plenty for most hair types), comb from the ends upward before washing to avoid ripping through knots, and let it air-dry when you can instead of heat-styling daily. A small amount of natural oil — coconut, argan, or even a beard oil you already own — worked through the ends after washing does most of the job an expensive product lineup would otherwise do.
Quick Answers
Are undercuts historically accurate for Vikings? Not in the specific “shaved sides, long messy top” form popularized by TV — that is a modern styling choice. The historical record points to long hair on top with a cropped neckline, closer to a reverse mullet than a true undercut.
How long does hair need to be for a braided crown? Shoulder length is the realistic minimum — roughly six to eight months of growth from a short cut.
Is the Ragnar hairstyle real Viking history? It is inspired by written descriptions of Norse-influenced fashion, but the specific look — shaved sides, one long braid — is a costume-department invention. That does not make it a bad look, just not a strict recreation.
What is the easiest style to maintain daily? The undercut with a top knot needs the least daily effort, since the sides are already short and the knot can be quick and loose.