Summary: In the fields of fluid dynamics and mechanical engineering, most nanofluids are generally not linear in character, and the fractional order model is the most suitable model for representing such phenomena rather than other traditional approaches. The forced convection fractional order boundary layer flow comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multiple-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with variable wall temperatures passing over a needle was examined. The numerical solutions for the similarity equations were obtained for the integer and fractional values by applying the Adams-type predictor corrector method. A comparison of the SWCNTs and MWCNTs for the classical and fractional schemes was investigated. The classical and fractional order impact of the physical parameters such as skin fraction and Nusselt number are presented physically and numerically. It was observed that the impact of the physical parameters over the momentum and thermal boundary layers in the classical model were limited; however, while utilizing the fractional model, the impact of the parameters varied at different intervals.