Clipper Guard Numbers Explained
(Chart + Guide)
The single most useful thing you can learn for the barbershop: what each clipper guard number actually leaves on your head.
By Jessica Hamilton — Master Stylist & Creative Director
Clipper guards are the plastic combs that attach to clippers and control how much hair is left behind. Each has a number, and each number equals a length — knowing them turns "short" into an exact spec you and any barber will agree on. Here's the full chart and how to use it.
The Guard Number Chart
Standard clipper guards run in these lengths (they're near-universal across major brands):
| Guard # | Length (inch) | Length (mm) | Looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| #0.5 | 1/16" | 1.5 mm | Very close stubble shadow |
| #1 | 1/8" | 3 mm | Classic short buzz |
| #2 | 1/4" | 6 mm | Buzz with a little more coverage |
| #3 | 3/8" | 10 mm | Longer buzz / crew base |
| #4 | 1/2" | 13 mm | Short brush cut |
| #5 | 5/8" | 16 mm | Medium-short, some style possible |
| #6 | 3/4" | 19 mm | Longer top length by clipper |
| #7 | 7/8" | 22 mm | Long clipper length |
| #8 | 1" | 25 mm | Longest standard guard |
Which Guard for Which Cut
- Induction/military buzz: #1 or #2 all over.
- Buzz cut with definition: #2–#3 on top, #1 on the sides.
- Crew cut: scissors or #4–#6 on top, tapering down the sides.
- Fade base: the fade blends between guards — e.g. #1 up to #4 — plus skin at the bottom for a skin fade.
- Sides of a longer style: #2–#3 keeps them neat without going too short.
Using Them at the Barber
Just state the number: "#2 on the sides, faded up to a #4, scissors on top." If you're unsure, ask the barber to start one guard longer than you think — you can always go shorter, never longer. Remember guards give the same length everywhere, so any real shape (fades, tapers) comes from blending between them, which is a barber skill, not a single guard.