24 Short Hair Cuts with French Bob & Short Layered Haircuts

24 Short Hair Cuts with French Bob & Short Layered Haircuts

There's a reason short hair cuts never go out of style: they're bold, liberating, and endlessly versatile. This collection of 24 short hair styles is made for Black women and natural textures — from the timeless French bob to modern short layered haircuts that move beautifully. I'd start by saving your top three, then booking a stylist who truly understands textured hair.

The secret to a great short cut is all in the layers. Short layers create movement, remove bulk, and let your natural texture shine — whether you wear your hair cuts sleek, curly, or somewhere in between. Below you'll find short hairstyles for women in every form — short bob haircuts, pixies, and textured crops for every mood and feeling, each with honest upkeep notes so you can choose with confidence.

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Quick Picks

Best for beginners: Wash-and-Go Tapered Crop

Best layered look: Short Layered Bob with Face-Framing Highlights

Best statement: Bantu Knot Crown on Tapered Cut

Best low-effort: Layered TWA with Defined Coils

Best grow-out friendly: Feathered Short Shag

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How to Choose

Layers are the engine of every great short cut — they create shape, remove weight, and make styling easier, not harder. Start by deciding how much texture you want to show: coils love layered cuts that let them spring, while silk-pressed finishes show off precision cutting. Then be honest about maintenance, because even the best bobs haircuts need regular trims to keep their shape.

Face shape: Layers around the cheekbones soften; height on top slims round faces.

Texture: Dense coils need layers for lightness; fine hair needs them for volume.

Lifestyle: Wash-and-go cuts suit busy weeks; sleek bobs suit polished occasions.

Upkeep: Layered bobs need trims every 6–8 weeks; tapers every 3–4.

Color: Highlights placed on the layers show off the cut's dimension best.

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1. Short Layered Bob with Face-Framing Highlights

Layers through a chin-length bob plus lighter pieces around the face — this is the haircut that does the most with the least. The short layers create swing and movement, while the face-framing highlights draw light exactly where you want it. It's flattering on nearly everyone and grows out beautifully. I'd call it the smartest of all short layered haircuts. The face-framing pieces brighten your whole look, acting like a permanent soft-focus filter.

Best for: Almost every face shape

Face shapes: Oval, round, heart, square

Tools & products: Round brush, blow dryer, color-safe shampoo

Skill level: Easy

Time: 15–20 minutes

Tip: Ask for the highlights painted on the top layer only — dimension without damage.

Make it your own: Go warmer (caramel) or cooler (ash) with the highlight tone.

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2. Choppy Bob with Full Fringe

A chin-length bob with choppy, textured ends and a full fringe is playful with an edge. The choppiness keeps it modern — never helmet-like — while the fringe frames your eyes beautifully. It works worn sleek or with natural texture peeking through. This is one of those short bob haircuts that looks intentional even on day-three hair. It's the rare fringe that works as hard as the cut itself, framing your eyes beautifully.

Best for: Thick textures

Face shapes: Oval, long, heart

Tools & products: Texturizing shears (stylist), flat iron for fringe, dry shampoo

Skill level: Medium

Time: 15 minutes

Tip: The fringe needs trims every 3–4 weeks; everything else can wait longer.

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3. Tapered Bob

A bob silhouette with a tapered nape — shorter and closer at the back, fuller toward the front. It gives you the polish of a bob with the cool comfort of a taper, and the shape looks sculpted from every angle. The tapered back also means less bulk at the neckline, which is a blessing in warm weather. It's structure and softness in perfect balance. The shape practically styles itself — the architecture does all the talking.

Best for: Women wanting bob polish with edge

Face shapes: Oval, heart, diamond

Tools & products: Clippers or shears for nape (stylist), smoothing cream

Skill level: Easy

Time: 10–15 minutes

Tip: Keep the nape clean between appointments with careful at-home touch-ups — or just book the barber.

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4. Textured Pixie with Long Crown Layers

Keep the pixie short at the sides but leave the crown layers long and textured — the result is soft, touchable, and full of movement. The longer top gives you styling options: sweep it forward, to the side, or up for volume. It's a feminine take on the pixie that never reads severe. A little texture cream is all it needs. It's the pixie for women who want options, not limitations.

Best for: Soft, versatile pixies

Face shapes: Oval, heart, round

Tools & products: Texture cream, fingers, light-hold spray

Skill level: Easy

Time: 10 minutes

Tip: Ask for point-cutting on the crown layers — blunt ends kill the texture.

Make it your own: Add a deep side part to change the whole mood.

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5. Short Cut with Swoop Bangs

A classic short cut gets instant glamour from long swoop bangs sweeping across the forehead. The diagonal line is universally flattering — it softens, slims, and adds drama all at once. The bangs can be worn sleek or with a slight bend for softness. It's the kind of short hair styles detail that elevates the entire cut. Few details transform a cut this dramatically with so little effort — the swoop is pure magic.

Best for: Instant glamour

Face shapes: Round, square, heart

Tools & products: Round brush or flat iron, smoothing serum

Skill level: Medium

Time: 10–15 minutes

Tip: Train the swoop by blow-drying the bangs in the sweep direction while damp.

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6. Bob with Hidden Undercut

A sleek bob on top, a discreet undercut beneath — all the polish, half the bulk. The undercut removes weight where nobody sees it, so the bob looks fuller and swings better. It's also wonderfully cool in summer. Grow it out or keep it shaved; the bob on top hides everything either way. Your secret, your rules. It's proof that the best hair tricks are the ones nobody can see.

Best for: Thick hair, hot weather

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Clippers (stylist for undercut), smoothing serum

Skill level: Easy to wear

Time: 10 minutes

Tip: Keep the undercut just at the nape — too high and it peeks out unintentionally.

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7. Layered TWA with Defined Coils

Take the classic TWA and add deliberate layering — slightly longer on top, closer at the sides — so the coils form a shaped, intentional silhouette. The layers give the tiny afro dimension instead of a uniform cap, and defined coils catch the light beautifully. It's the lowest-maintenance cut on this list that still looks styled. Moisture and a curl cream are the whole routine. It's the definition of low-effort, high-reward hair.

Best for: Ultimate low maintenance

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Leave-in conditioner, curl cream, soft brush

Skill level: Beginner

Time: 5 minutes

Tip: Define coils with a small brush on damp hair — the definition lasts for days.

Make it your own: Add a temporary color rinse for a weekend transformation.

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8. Short Cut with Two-Strand Twists

Wear the twists in instead of taking them out: neat two-strand twists all over a short cut create gorgeous rope-like texture with incredible dimension. It's protective, stylish, and lasts one to two weeks with minimal upkeep. The twisted texture also makes the cut look thicker and more deliberate. Pineapple at night and refresh the hairline in the morning. The rope-like texture catches light beautifully, adding depth to the shortest lengths.

Best for: Protective texture

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Twisting butter, satin bonnet, edge control

Skill level: Beginner

Time: 1–2 hours to install; 5 minutes daily

Tip: Keep twists small and uniform — chunky twists on short hair can look unfinished.

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9. Pixie with Curly Fringe

A short pixie gets a romantic twist with a curly fringe falling softly over the forehead. The curls keep the fringe from ever looking harsh, and the contrast between the neat sides and the playful front is irresistible. It's youthful, feminine, and full of personality. Twist the fringe coils with your fingers for extra definition. It's impossible not to smile when your fringe bounces as you move through your day.

Best for: Curly textures

Face shapes: Oval, heart, long

Tools & products: Curl cream, diffuser, fingers

Skill level: Easy

Time: 10–15 minutes

Tip: Cut the fringe with the curls dry so the true length is visible — wet curls lie.

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10. Short Bob with Side-Swept Bangs

Side-swept bangs soften a structured bob instantly, turning sharp into approachable. The diagonal sweep flatters every face shape and adds movement to the front, while the bob keeps its clean lines at the back. It's the perfect middle ground between edgy and classic — professional enough for work, pretty enough for weekends and evenings out with friends. It's the haircut equivalent of a perfect white shirt — goes with absolutely everything.

Best for: Versatile everyday wear

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Round brush, blow dryer, light serum

Skill level: Easy

Time: 10–15 minutes

Tip: Sweep the bangs away from your dominant facial asymmetry — it balances the face.

Make it your own: Tuck the swept side behind your ear for an asymmetric look.

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11. Cropped Cut with Caramel Highlights

A short all-over crop gets warmth and dimension from caramel highlights woven through the top. The color makes every layer visible and adds a sun-kissed glow that flatters deep skin tones. It's a low-commitment way to try color — the short length means it grows out in weeks, not months. The highlights also make the cut look thicker. The warmth makes the whole cut glow, like sunlight caught in your hair.

Best for: First-time color

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Highlights (stylist), color-safe shampoo, curl cream

Skill level: Easy to wear

Time: 10 minutes

Tip: Ask for the highlights concentrated where the light hits — crown and front.

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12. Bantu Knot Crown on Tapered Cut

Bantu knots arranged across the crown of a tapered cut — sculptural, regal, and utterly striking. The knots create beautiful height and geometry while the tapered sides keep it neat. Wear the knots as the style, or take them down the next day for a gorgeous knot-out. It's two styles in one cut, and both turn heads everywhere you go — true versatility. It's wearable art — bold, beautiful, and unapologetically regal.

Best for: Statement natural styling

Face shapes: Oval, round, heart

Tools & products: Styling gel, small elastics (optional), satin scarf to set

Skill level: Medium

Time: 30–45 minutes to set

Tip: Make the knots uniform in size — symmetry is what makes this look regal.

Make it your own: Take the knots down for a defined knot-out on day two.

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13. Shaggy Textured Pixie

The shag and the pixie had a baby: choppy layers everywhere, piece-y ends, and a perfectly undone finish. It's rock-and-roll soft — edgy without being harsh — and the texture means it never looks flat. Wash, scrunch with a little cream, and go. The messier it looks, the better it works, which makes it the most forgiving pixie here. It's the cool-girl cut that never tries too hard — because it doesn't have to.

Best for: Effortless edge

Face shapes: Oval, heart, square

Tools & products: Texture spray, light cream, fingers

Skill level: Beginner

Time: 5–10 minutes

Tip: Don't over-style it — the shaggy pixie's whole point is controlled chaos.

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14. Bob with Choppy Razored Ends

A classic bob shape finished with razored, choppy ends instead of a blunt line — the result is lighter, more modern, and full of movement. The razored ends remove weight so the bob swings instead of sitting heavy. It's the update the classic bob needed, and it works beautifully on straight, wavy, and curly textures alike. The movement keeps the classic shape feeling current, fresh, and modern — never dated.

Best for: Modernizing a classic

Face shapes: Oval, round, heart

Tools & products: Razor cut (stylist), smoothing serum, flat iron (optional)

Skill level: Easy

Time: 10–15 minutes

Tip: Razored ends need trims every 6–8 weeks — they frizz faster than blunt ends when overgrown.

Make it your own: Add an off-center part for asymmetry.

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15. Short Cut with Elegant Pinned Sides

Pin back both sides of a short cut with decorative pins and you have instant evening glamour. The pinned sides create a faux-hawk-like lift without any cutting, while the top stays full and textured. It's the perfect way to dress up a short cut for events — five minutes, two pins, total transformation. Gold or pearl pins photograph beautifully. It's red-carpet polish in the time it takes to find your keys.

Best for: Evening events

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Decorative bobby pins, light-hold spray, edge control

Skill level: Beginner

Time: 5 minutes

Tip: Cross two pins in an X for hold that actually lasts through the night.

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16. Layered Crop with Side Fringe

A short crop with layers throughout and a soft side fringe — neat, pretty, and quietly sophisticated. The layers keep it from looking boxy, and the side fringe adds the perfect face-framing finish. It's a wonderful short hair styles choice for fine to medium textures that need the illusion of fullness. Blow-dry with a round brush for polish. It's understated in the best way — polished without ever looking overdone.

Best for: Fine to medium textures

Face shapes: Oval, heart, long

Tools & products: Round brush, blow dryer, volumizing mousse

Skill level: Easy

Time: 10–15 minutes

Tip: Direct the fringe across the forehead while blow-drying — it trains the sweep.

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17. Voluminous Curly Crop

Let the curls reach for the sky: a short crop cut to maximize volume, with layers that encourage lift at the crown and sides. It's joyful, bold, and celebrates texture in its fullest form. The shape is everything here — a good cut means the volume sits where it's flattering, not where it's overwhelming. Pick the roots for extra lift. It's a celebration of texture at full volume — literally.

Best for: Maximum volume lovers

Face shapes: Oval, heart, diamond

Tools & products: Pick, diffuser, curl-defining cream

Skill level: Easy

Time: 15 minutes

Tip: Cut it in its natural dry state so the stylist sees the true volume — wet cuts deceive.

Make it your own: Add a headband to push the volume back on sporty days.

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18. Tapered Cut with Color-Melt Top

A sharp taper below, a seamless color melt on top — dark roots flowing into warm caramel or copper ends. The gradient makes the texture glow and the taper look even more precise by contrast. It's the kind of short hair cuts choice that looks expensive, because the color work is seamless. Refresh the tone every 6–8 weeks for lasting vibrancy. The gradient gives the cut depth that single-process color never could.

Best for: Seamless color lovers

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Color melt (stylist), color-safe products, curl cream

Skill level: Easy to wear

Time: 10 minutes

Tip: The melt should start mid-shaft — too high looks grown out, too low looks dip-dyed.

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19. Blunt Bob with Center Part

One clean line, one precise part — the blunt bob with a center part is minimalism perfected. The symmetry is striking and the blunt ends make hair look instantly thicker. It's a power cut: sharp, deliberate, unforgettable. Keep the part exact and the ends trimmed, because this cut's beauty is all in its precision. It's confidence you can wear daily — sharp, clean, completely assured, timeless, powerful, unforgettable, and chic.

Best for: Precision lovers

Face shapes: Oval, heart, diamond

Tools & products: Flat iron, center-part comb, shine serum

Skill level: Easy

Time: 15 minutes

Tip: This cut shows everything — keep ends healthy with regular trims and deep conditioning.

Make it your own: Tuck both sides behind the ears for a sleek reveal.

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20. Short Hair with Headwrap Glam

A short cut paired with a beautifully tied headwrap is regal, practical, and endlessly stylish. The wrap protects your hair, frames your face, and turns any outfit into a statement. It's also the ultimate bad-hair-day solution — though with a great cut underneath, every day is a good hair day. Learn three tying styles and rotate them weekly for endless variety. It's culture, style, and practicality wrapped into one beautiful package.

Best for: Protective glamour

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Silk or satin headwrap, edge control, pins

Skill level: Beginner

Time: 5–10 minutes

Tip: Tie with the knot at the front for drama, at the nape for elegance.

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21. Pixie with Gold Coil Cuffs

Adorn a pixie's coils with small gold cuffs and the cut becomes jewelry. The cuffs catch the light as you move, adding luxury to an already striking style. It's a tiny detail with massive impact — perfect for celebrations or whenever you want to feel adorned. Slide them onto a few coils near the front where they'll be seen. It's the smallest detail with the biggest payoff on this entire list.

Best for: Celebrations

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Gold hair cuffs, curl cream

Skill level: Beginner

Time: 5 minutes to accessorize

Tip: Use cuffs that open and close — slide-on tubes can snag delicate coils.

Make it your own: Mix gold and bronze cuffs for dimension.

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22. Wash-and-Go Tapered Crop

The honest wash-and-go: a tapered crop cut to work with your natural pattern, styled with just leave-in and gel. No tools, no heat, no fuss — the cut does the work. It's the truest expression of natural texture and the easiest morning routine imaginable. This is freedom in haircut form, and it looks fantastic every single day. It's the most honest haircut here — what you see is beautifully, completely you.

Best for: True minimalists

Face shapes: All face shapes

Tools & products: Leave-in conditioner, light gel, satin bonnet

Skill level: Beginner

Time: 5 minutes

Tip: Apply products to soaking-wet hair in sections — even distribution is the whole secret.

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23. Soft Roller-Set Crop

Rollers on short hair create the softest, bounciest curls imaginable — vintage volume without the vintage fuss. Set damp hair on medium rollers, dry, and release into touchable curls with incredible body. It's a heat-free way to get polished curls that last for days with proper nightly wrapping care. The roller set is old-school technique with timeless results. It's old Hollywood glamour without a single hot tool touching your hair.

Best for: Heat-free polished curls

Face shapes: Oval, round, heart

Tools & products: Medium rollers, setting foam, satin bonnet, light oil

Skill level: Medium

Time: 45 minutes to set; lasts days

Tip: Roll away from the face in front for a flattering frame — rolling toward it closes the face in.

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24. Feathered Short Shag

Feathered layers that flick and float — the short shag is pure movement. The feathering removes bulk and creates that airy, windswept finish that looks incredible in motion. It's playful, youthful, and works beautifully on wavy to curly textures. A little mousse scrunched in is all the styling it needs. The grow-out is graceful, which is a rare gift in short cuts. It's the haircut that moves when you do — alive, airy, and full of joy.

Best for: Movement lovers

Face shapes: Oval, heart, long

Tools & products: Mousse, diffuser, fingers

Skill level: Easy

Time: 10 minutes

Tip: Ask for the feathering cut dry so your stylist can see exactly how each piece falls.

Make it your own: Flip the crown layers up for extra height on bold days.

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Quick Comparison

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Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping layers on thick hair: Without them, short cuts turn into a triangle — layers are non-negotiable for density.

Cutting curly bangs wet: They spring up dramatically; always cut fringe dry and in its natural state.

Neglecting the nape: Tapered backs grow out fast — check the neckline every 3 weeks.

Over-layering fine hair: Too many layers on thin hair looks wispy, not full — ask for long layers instead.

Choosing a cut for the photo, not your routine: That sculpted style needs upkeep; pick the version you'll maintain.

Forgetting deep conditioning: Short hair still needs moisture — especially with color.

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FAQs

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What's the best short haircut for thick Black hair?

Layered cuts are essential — they remove bulk and prevent the dreaded triangle shape. The tapered bob, layered crop with side fringe, and voluminous curly crop all work beautifully. Ask your stylist to thin and layer strategically rather than just cutting shorter, which can actually increase bulk.

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How often should I get my short bob trimmed?

Every 6–8 weeks keeps a bob's shape crisp, since short cuts lose their silhouette quickly as they grow. Fringe and tapered napes need attention every 3–4 weeks. If your ends start flipping unpredictably or the shape feels heavy, you're overdue.

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Are short layered haircuts good for natural hair?

They're ideal. Layers let coils spring freely instead of weighing down, create shape in TWAs and crops, and make wash-and-go styling easier. The key is a stylist who cuts for your curl pattern — dry cutting or cutting on stretched hair shows the true result.

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Can I wear bangs with short natural hair?

Absolutely. Curly fringes, swoop bangs, and side fringes all work beautifully on textured hair. The secret is cutting them dry so shrinkage is accounted for, and keeping them slightly longer than you think — you can always take more off.

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What short cut needs the least maintenance?

The wash-and-go tapered crop: five minutes with leave-in and gel, no tools, no heat. The layered TWA is a close second. Both need shape-up trims every few weeks, but daily styling is essentially zero.

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Your Signature Cut Awaits

Twenty-four cuts, each ready to become yours. Whether you choose the timeless French bob or the regal Bantu knot crown, the right short cut has a way of making you feel more like yourself — confident, radiant, and free. Trust your feelings, save this list, and book that appointment.

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IMAGE ALT TEXT

1. Black woman with a short layered bob and face-framing highlights, textured hair cuts.

2. Black woman with a choppy bob and full fringe, textured short bob haircuts.

3. Black woman with a tapered bob, shorter nape and fuller front.

4. Black woman with a textured pixie with long crown layers, soft movement.

5. Black woman with a short cut and swoop bangs, glamorous diagonal fringe.

6. Black woman with a bob with hidden undercut, sleek top and shaved nape.

7. Black woman with a layered TWA with defined coils, shaped natural cut.

8. Black woman with a short cut with two-strand twists, rope-like texture.

9. Black woman with a pixie with curly fringe, soft coils over forehead.

10. Black woman with a short bob with side-swept bangs, classic versatile cut.

11. Black woman with a cropped cut with caramel highlights, warm dimension.

12. Black woman with a Bantu knot crown on a tapered cut, sculptural style.

13. Black woman with a shaggy textured pixie, choppy undone layers.

14. Black woman with a bob with choppy razored ends, modern swing.

15. Black woman with a short cut with elegant pinned sides, evening glamour.

16. Black woman with a layered crop with side fringe, neat sophisticated cut.

17. Black woman with a voluminous curly crop, bold lifted curls.

18. Black woman with a tapered cut with color-melt top, seamless gradient.

19. Black woman with a blunt bob with center part, precise minimalist cut.

20. Black woman with short hair and headwrap glam, regal tied wrap.

21. Black woman with a pixie with gold coil cuffs, adorned curls.

22. Black woman with a wash-and-go tapered crop, natural effortless texture.

23. Black woman with a soft roller-set crop, bouncy vintage curls.

24. Black woman with a feathered short shag, airy flicked layers.

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