The Mustache Gap Explained: What Causes It & How to Fill It In

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Find the perfect mustache style to fix or flatter your gap
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A mustache gap is a natural split in the center of your mustache, just under your nose. Lots of people have one, and it can lend itself to a variety of unique mustache looks. In this article, we’ll explore what causes the gap, how to hide or fill it in if you prefer a fuller look, and which mustache styles flatter the gap if you want to keep it. Keep scrolling for all of your mustache needs, with helpful insight from professional barbers Juan Sabino and Timmy Yanchun.

What is a mustache gap?

A mustache gap is a natural split in your mustache at the philtrum (the dip in the skin above your lip and below your nose). Hair doesn’t grow thickly there, and genetics, hair type, diet, and age determine how big it is. To fix the gap, let your stache grow, fill it in, or brush the hair towards the philtrum.

Section 1 of 6:

What is a mustache gap?

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  1. A mustache gap is the split in the hair at the philtrum (the groove above your lip). Also known as a split mustache, the mustache gap is a natural occurrence where the hair on your mustache is divided in the middle at the philtrum, which is the skin that dips in the middle area above your top lip and below your nose. Since this is where the different parts of your face meet, it’s normal for less hair to grow there than in other places.[1]
    • Different people have different-sized philtrums, and the size of your mustache gap primarily depends on how big the philtrum is.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Juan Sabino is a Professional Barber with over 20 years of male grooming experience.

    Timmy Yanchun is a Professional Barber who’s been cutting men’s hair since age 13 and has multiple barbershops in the Los Angeles area.

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Section 2 of 6:

Mustache Gap Causes

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  1. 1
    Philtrum size The size of your philtrum (the vertical groove in the center above your mouth and below your nose) is the biggest factor when it comes to how pronounced your mustache gap is.[2] Since hair is less likely to grow on your philtrum, a small one can mean your gap is less pronounced, while a large one can mean it’s very pronounced.
  2. 2
    Genetics The structure of your face is genetic, so if your parents and grandparents have large philtrums, chances are you do too. Since the philtrum mainly determines the mustache gap, getting a large philtrum from your family often means a large mustache gap comes with it. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, either. If anything, it’s a sign of your heritage![3]
  3. 3
    Age While everyone has different rates of hair growth, your facial hair typically grows thicker and becomes coarser as you age. So, if you’re in your teens or 20s, your mustache gap is likely more pronounced than someone in their 30s. While your hair does start to get weaker as you age, this is typically as you approach your late 30s and early 40s.[4]
  4. 4
    Ethnicity Different ethnicities have different hair types, growth patterns, and rates of facial hair growth, which all play a factor in the strength of a mustache gap.[5] For example, ethnicities that tend to have thinner hair, like those from Asian and European regions, also tend to have more pronounced mustache gaps.
    • Ethnicities from African and Arab regions tend to have thicker facial hair, which often means thinner mustache gaps.
  5. 5
    Diet Not getting enough of the proper nutrients in your daily diet can cause your hair to become weak and brittle. Your hair needs protein, iron, vitamins, and nutrients to stay healthy, and if you don’t get them, that can result in a thin, weak mustache with a pronounced gap. If you notice you aren’t getting enough of those in your diet, try incorporating these foods:[6]
    • Milk
    • Eggs
    • Leafy green vegetables
    • Fish
    • Pork
    • Whole grains
    • Beets
    • Berries
    • Broccoli
    • Nuts
    • Legumes
    • Meat & seafood
  6. 6
    Hair Color While it isn’t as big a factor as the other causes, your hair color still determines how prominent your mustache gap is. Lighter colored hair typically makes your mustache gap seem more prominent, as it’s easier to see through than dark hair, which contrasts more with the color of your face.
  7. 7
    Growth Direction The direction your hair grows in also strongly determines how prominent your mustache gap is. For example, if your hair tends to grow inward, it can cover your mustache gap and make it seem less prominent. But if it grows outward and away from the philtrum, that can make your mustache gap look wider.
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Fill Your Mustache Gap

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  1. 1
    Grow out your mustache. Letting your mustache grow for a few months is a great way to hide your mustache gap, as you can brush the longer hairs on the edges of the philtrum towards the gap to cover it (if they haven’t already naturally grown over it). While this takes some time, it’s the best way to cover your mustache gap without dyeing it, filling it in, or shaving your stache completely.
  2. 2
    Dye your mustache. This works best if you have a lighter-colored mustache that makes your gap seem more pronounced. Use a dark dye and test it on a small patch of your mustache or beard. Then, mix the dye with equal parts 6% hydrogen peroxide and evenly apply it to your mustache with a brush from roots to tips.[7]
    • The hydrogen peroxide works to develop the color in the dye and lighten the base of your hair, making it easier for the dye to penetrate.
  3. 3
    Fill in the gap with a filler pencil. Filler pencil isn’t just for eyebrows; you can use it for your mustache gap, too! Just grab a beard filler pencil, apply the filler to your philtrum with light strokes to cover the gap, then use the brush-end of your filler pencil to blend it with the rest of your mustache.
  4. 4
    Brush your mustache hairs towards the gap. Use a beard brush to brush the hairs on your mustache towards the philtrum daily. While this won’t create new follicles, it’ll give the illusion of thickness, as the hair works to cover the philtrum and hide the gap. Brushing your mustache will also help bring out the follicles underneath the skin, making it look thicker and more pronounced.[8]
    • If you really want the look to stick, use mustache wax to hold the hairs in place.
    • Mustache wax can also help make your mustache seem darker, which can make the gap look smaller.
  5. 5
    Try out a beard with no mustache. Sometimes, you may not be satisfied with a simple mustache with a gap. Whether you’re looking for a more masculine look or something a little thicker, a beard with no mustache works well. Just grow out your facial hair, shave away the mustache entirely, and keep the hair on your sideburns, jawline, and chin.
    • This look has been worn by many celebrities and historical figures, like Abraham Lincoln, Seth Rogen, and Hugh Jackman.
  6. 6
    Shave your mustache. If the gap is too much for you, you can always get rid of it and go with the clean-shaven look. By going hairless, you won’t have to maintain the stache as much, only shaving stragglers every few days. Plus, you can always grow your mustache back if you don’t like the clean-shaven look.
  7. 7
    Improve your diet. Your diet plays a huge part in your hair health, so make sure you’re getting the proper vitamins and nutrients so your hair is strong and thick. The most important ones to get into your diet are vitamins A, E, and D, iron, healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates, which help your hair stay shiny, strong, and moisturized.[9]
    • You can also use hair growth supplements like Nutrafol and Viviscal, which provide you with nutrients like biotin and zinc.[10]
    • Remember to always consult your doctor before starting a new supplement regimen.
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Section 4 of 6:

Mustache Gap Styles

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  1. 1
    Fu Manchu The Fu Manchu is a distinct mustache that’s known for its long hair that hangs off the sides of the lip. It’s also a great choice if you’re looking for a style to draw attention away from your mustache gap, as it has a natural gap in the middle that splits the stache into two halves.
    • To achieve this look, grow your stache, trim it into two distinct strips that hang off your mouth’s corners, and apply a dollop of beard wax to style it downward.
  2. 2
    Pencil Mustache A pencil mustache is a mustache that’s shaved pencil-thin. It’s also one that works extremely well with the mustache gap, as it’s split nicely down the middle for a clean, polished look. So if you’re looking for a sophisticated, classy look that’s low-maintenance and complements your mustache gap, go with the pencil mustache.
    • You can also try the Dali, which is a type of pencil mustache that has outgrown, twirling tips.
  3. 3
    Soul Patch If you prefer a stache-less style that still lets you show off your facial hair, the soul patch is a great choice. Rather than opting for a mustache, goatee, or full beard, the soul patch takes its place as a small patch of hair that sits just below the bottom lip. It doesn’t reach the chin, either, making it a subtle yet noticeable look that still gives you that masculine edge.
  4. 4
    Goatee The goatee is a classic choice when it comes to facial hair, as it’s versatile and works with all different types of hair, even the mustache gap. Since the goatee is a mustache and beard without sideburns, your mustache style doesn’t matter as much as the overall look, so a gap isn’t gonna turn heads.
  5. 5
    Handlebar Mustache A handlebar mustache is a thick mustache with long ends that are twirled to resemble a handlebar. They’re a great choice if you’re looking for a style that takes attention away from your mustache gap, as onlookers are going to be too busy looking at your handlebars to worry about the gap.
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Section 5 of 6:

How to Take Care of Your Facial Hair

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  1. 1
    Wash and condition your facial hair. When it comes to taking care of your facial hair, Yanchun says to “Wash it, condition it, and moisturize it.” Washing it makes sure it’s clean, conditioning it makes sure the hair is soft, and moisturizing it makes sure it isn’t dry.[11]
  2. 2
    Keep your facial hair moisturized with beard oil. Sabino suggests using beard oil on your facial hair. Sabino compares it to conditioner and says that “if you put a little conditioner and a little oil on there, it'll look ten times better.”[13] So, keep your facial hair smooth and moisturized by applying beard oil daily.
  3. 3
    Regularly trim and groom your facial hair. Every 2-3 days, make sure to look in the mirror to see how much your facial hair has grown out. If you notice a few stragglers that look out of place, grab a razor and trim them down to keep your facial hair looking fresh and clean. Aside from regular trims, make sure you brush your facial hair daily to keep the hair from getting tangled and unkempt.
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Section 6 of 6:

Final Thoughts

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  1. Remember, your facial hair is unique, and there’s no need to hide the gap. Everyone’s facial hair grows differently, and just because you have a mustache gap doesn’t mean yours isn’t as attractive or sophisticated as others. While you can hide your mustache gap by filling it in or growing your hair out to cover it, you can also embrace it by wearing styles that don’t need to connect in the middle to look clean.
    • There’s nothing wrong with having a mustache gap, as long as you look at it as a badge of honor and heritage rather than something that needs to be fixed.
    • Let the gap be free, and you’ll quickly realize how little it matters. Facial hair or no facial hair, the only person who can determine what looks good on you is you!

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References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/BMrW6-6XMYA?si=jrPBBK8DBy1UxDvY&t=27
  2. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/9012.htm
  3. ↑ https://www.stylist.co.uk/beauty/why-inherited-face-facial-features-characteristics-parents-mother-father-genetics-study-research-science/139017
  4. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004005.htm
  5. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24847405/
  6. ↑ https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/nutrition-for-hair-regrowth-1051061040
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/8-otYem1YSc?si=WpztJwolSxs0uC4B&t=96
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/BMrW6-6XMYA?si=RiFBsj9SkpjfOzek&t=118
  9. ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/get-radiant-hair-skin-and-nails-naturally
  1. ↑ https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-student-contributors-health-and-nutrition/nutrafol-holy-grail-hair-loss-or-overpriced-supplement
  2. ↑ Timmy Yanchun. Professional Barber. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ Timmy Yanchun. Professional Barber. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ Juan Sabino. Professional Barber. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ Timmy Yanchun. Professional Barber. Expert Interview

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Updated: December 18, 2025
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Categories: Mustaches
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