Clipper Guard Sizes:
mm to Guard Number Chart

Full Conversion Chart

Practical Notes

• Half sizes (#0.5, #1.5, #2.5, #3.5) aren't included with every clipper set but are sold separately — they're what barbers use for smooth fades.
• Metric clippers are usually labelled directly in mm, so use the right-hand column.
• The taper lever on most clippers adjusts the bare blade between roughly 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm — useful for blending below a #1.
• Brands vary slightly but these lengths are near-universal. See our guard numbers guide for which to use per cut.

Quick Reference by Cut

Common Guard Mistakes

• Buying a single guard set and assuming every brand's numbering matches. A #2 on one clipper is not always the same length as a #2 on another, so check the printed millimeter figure rather than trusting the number alone.
• Using the same guard size on wet and dry hair. Clipping wet hair cuts it shorter than the guard suggests once it dries and shrinks back, which is why most guides for at-home cuts assume dry hair.
• Pressing the clipper hard against the scalp to "make sure it cuts." This flexes the guard's teeth and can take hair shorter than the size printed on it, especially on curved areas like the back of the head.
• Going straight to a skin-level guard for a fade without a longer guard first. Skipping steps leaves visible lines instead of a gradual blend between lengths.

Guard Length and Hair Type

The same guard number looks different depending on how your hair grows. Straight hair lies close to the scalp, so a given millimeter length shows almost exactly as cut. Curly or coily hair shrinks upward as it dries, so a guard that reads short on straight hair can look noticeably longer on tightly curled hair once it springs back. If you have curly hair and want a true buzz-short look, consider going one guard size shorter than you would choose for straight hair to account for that shrinkage.

Explaining Guard Sizes to Your Barber

Barbers commonly work by guard number rather than millimeters, so it helps to translate what you want at home into that language before your appointment. If you have been maintaining the sides yourself with a #2 guard, say that number along with the brand if you know it, and mention whether that was on wet or dry hair. For a fade, describe where you want the shortest guard to start (above the ear, at the temple, or lower at the nape) rather than only naming the number, since the starting point matters as much as the length for how the finished fade reads.

Frequently Asked Questions