Types of Men's Swim Briefs: The Plain-English Glossary
Updated October 2026
The short version
A swim brief is a fitted swimsuit with no leg. Every other style here is a variation on how low, how wide and how much.
Three measurements decide the look: rise, side width and leg cut.
The Mandate Swim Brief is a low-rise brief with a contoured front, in red or black.
There are more types of men's swim briefs than most guys realize, and the names don't help. A sunga isn't a square-cut, and "Speedos" is a brand, not a style. Here's every term in one sentence, so the next time a product page says "low-rise, contoured pouch", you know exactly what's coming in the mail.
What is a swim brief?
A swim brief is a close-fitting swimsuit with a triangular front, a full back and leg openings at the top of the thigh, with no leg at all. It's the original men's swimsuit shape, and every style below is a variation on its rise, side width and coverage.
What are the main types of men's swim briefs?
The main types are the classic brief, the low-rise brief, the racing brief, the sunga, the bikini brief, the lifeguard brief and the swim thong. The square-cut sits just outside the brief family, because it adds a short leg.
Classic brief (mid-rise brief): a brief whose waistband sits around the hip bone, with medium-width sides and full coverage.
Low-rise brief: a brief whose waistband sits below the hip bone, showing more hip and making your legs look longer.
Racing brief: a snug, streamlined brief made for lap swimming, usually with a drawcord and a lined front.
Sunga: the Brazilian take on the swim brief, with wider, squarer sides and fuller coverage than a racing brief.
Bikini brief (micro brief): a very low-rise brief with narrow sides and a high-cut leg, built for tanning rather than laps.
Lifeguard brief: a name brands use for a classic, sporty brief, usually with a visible drawstring; it isn't a standard cut, so check the rise and sides on each product.
Swim thong: a brief with little or no fabric at the back, for the man who has made peace with every tan line.
Square-cut: a fitted swimsuit with a short leg, usually around 1 to 2 inches of inseam, cut straight across the thigh.
| Style | Rise | Sides | Coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic brief | Mid | Medium | Full | Laps and all-round wear |
| Low-rise brief | Low | Narrow to medium | Moderate | Pools, beach clubs, tanning |
| Racing brief | Low to mid | Narrow to medium | Moderate | Lap swimming |
| Sunga | Low to mid | Wide | Fuller | Beach days |
| Bikini brief | Very low | Very narrow | Minimal | Serious sunbathing |
| Lifeguard brief | Mid | Medium | Full | A sporty, retro look |
| Square-cut | Low to mid | Short leg | Full, plus upper thigh | A first step up from trunks |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Sizing for the Mandate Swim Brief: swim brief size guide.
What do rise, inseam and side width mean?
They're the measurements that decide how a swimsuit actually looks on you. Rise sets how low it sits, side width sets how much hip it covers, and inseam tells you how much leg there is (on a brief, none).
Rise: the distance from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband; the lower the rise, the lower it sits on your hips.
Front rise and back rise: the same measurement taken at the front and the back. On the Mandate Swim Brief, the front rise is 25 to 27 cm and the back rise 27 to 29 cm, depending on size.
Side width: the depth of fabric at the hip; narrow sides look sexier, wide sides look sportier.
Inseam: the inside leg seam from crotch to hem; briefs have essentially none, board shorts have a long one.
Leg cut: the angle of the leg opening; a high-cut leg climbs toward the hip and shows more thigh.
Half-waist: the width of the waistband measured flat, side to side, and the fastest way to compare sizes between brands. Ours is 33 cm (S), 36 cm (M) or 39 cm (L); the full chart is on our swim brief size guide.
What are the parts of a swim brief called?
A swim brief is built from a front panel, a back panel, a waistband and two leg openings. The details on those parts separate a brief that looks deliberate from one that looks like an accident.
Contoured pouch: a front panel shaped with seams so it holds and supports instead of flattening.
Lining: an inner layer of fabric, usually only across the front, that adds opacity and support.
Waistband: the top band, which can be a covered elastic, an exposed logo elastic or a flat band that lies smooth against the skin.
Drawcord: a cord threaded through the waistband so you can tighten the fit.
Gusset: an extra panel sewn into the crotch for shape and durability.
For reference, the low-rise Mandate Swim Brief pairs a contoured front with a flat logo waistband, in sizes S, M and L, for $39.99.
What do swimwear fabric terms mean?
Fabric terms describe what a swimsuit is designed to withstand, not how it looks. Treat them as the maker's claim and read the care label, because the same word can mean different things at different brands.
Chlorine-resistant: fabric designed to keep its color and stretch in pool chlorine for longer than standard swim fabric.
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor): a rating of how much UV gets through a fabric; UPF 50 lets through roughly 2 percent.
Elastane (spandex): the stretch fiber in most swim fabrics; Lycra is a brand name for it.
Whatever the label says, chlorine, salt and sunscreen still wear swimwear down. Here's how to wash swim briefs in two minutes.
What's the slang for swim briefs?
Most countries have a nickname for the swim brief, and most are affectionate. Here's how to decode them abroad.
Speedos: a US and UK catch-all for any swim brief, borrowed from the brand that made the style famous.
Budgie smugglers: Australian slang for a snug swim brief; we'll let you work out why.
Togs and cozzie: everyday words for any swimsuit in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.
Banana hammock: US slang for a very small brief, usually said by someone who secretly wants one.
Which type of swim brief should you start with?
If you've only ever worn trunks, start with a classic or low-rise brief in black, or a square-cut if you want a halfway step. Fit matters more than cut, so get the size right before you worry about style.
A snug brief looks intentional on almost any body. Read how men's swim briefs should fit before you order, and if you're packing for a trip, see swim briefs vs board shorts for vacation.
When you're ready, the Mandate Swim Brief comes in statement red or classic black for $39.99, or take both with the Swim Brief Duo, 2 for $69.98. Orders ship from California, and unworn items can be returned or exchanged within 30 days.
FAQ
What is a low-rise swim brief? A low-rise swim brief is a brief whose waistband sits below the hip bone. It shows more hip than a classic mid-rise brief.
What is a sunga? A sunga is the Brazilian style of men's swim brief. It has wider, squarer sides and fuller coverage than a racing brief.
What is the difference between a swim brief and a square-cut? A swim brief has no leg, while a square-cut has a short leg, usually around 1 to 2 inches of inseam, cut straight across the thigh.
What does rise mean in swimwear? Rise is the distance from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband. A lower rise means the swimsuit sits lower on your hips.
What is a contoured pouch on a swim brief? A contoured pouch is a front panel shaped with seams so it supports instead of flattening. The Mandate Swim Brief has a contoured front.