Haircut Rates: What's Normal to Pay in the UK in 2026
A plain, honest price guide for anyone booking a cut - men's and women's, by region and salon type.
Men's haircut rates by area
Traditional barber, small town
£10 - £18
Barber, regional city centre
£18 - £30
Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh
Greater London suburbs
£20 - £35
Central London premium
£30 - £55+
Most barbers include a wash and style in the price. Traditional barbers sit at the lower end; modern barbershops offering beard trims and hot towel finishes sit at the higher end of their local range.
A modern barbershop setup - the kind of space today's higher-end pricing reflects.
Women's haircut rates
Budget chain cut
£15 - £30
Independent salon cut & blow-dry
£35 - £80
Premium London salon
£85 - £120
Colour and highlights
See hairsalonrates.com
A full breakdown of colour pricing lives on our sister site
What actually changes the price
Location - the single biggest factor. The same cut can cost double in central London versus a small town.
Stylist level - junior stylists charge less than senior stylists or creative directors at the same salon.
Extras - a wash, a hot towel finish, or a beard trim alongside a haircut will add to a bare "cut only" price.
Chain vs. independent - budget chains are consistently cheaper than independent barbers and salons, though quality and experience vary either way.
How to budget
For a standard men's haircut outside London, budget £15-£25. In central London, expect £30 and up. For women's cuts, £25-£65 covers most independent salons outside the capital, with premium London salons running £85-£120 for a full cut and finish.
How to avoid overpaying
Ask what's actually included before booking - "cut" sometimes means dry cut only, while "cut and finish" includes a wash and blow-dry. Walk-in barbers are usually cheaper than appointment-only salons for a simple men's cut, but book ahead for anything more involved.