Clipper Guard Sizes — Complete Chart

Every clipper guard number cuts to a specific length. Get this wrong and you give a client a #1 when they wanted a #3. Here is the complete reference — every guard size, the exact length it cuts, and which haircut it produces.

Guard SizesClipper NumbersReference

By BarberSupplyHub · Updated January 2026

In this guide

1Clipper Guard Size Chart
2How to Read a Clipper Number
3Do Wahl, Andis, and BaByliss Guards Match?
4FAQ

Clipper Guard Size Chart

Guard #	Length	Cut Length in mm	Common Use
0 (no guard)	0"	0.8 mm	Skin-close, bald fade finish
0.5	1/16"	1.6 mm	Very short, near-skin summer cut
1	1/8"	3.2 mm	Very short sides, bottom of fade
1.5	3/16"	4.8 mm	Short sides transition, tight taper
2	1/4"	6.4 mm	Short sides, most common fade starting point
3	3/8"	9.5 mm	Short-medium, crew cut sides
4	1/2"	12.7 mm	Medium length, versatile length for top
5	5/8"	15.9 mm	Medium-long sides, textured cuts
6	3/4"	19.1 mm	Longer sides, uniform length cuts
7	7/8"	22.2 mm	Long on sides, minimal removal
8	1"	25.4 mm	Maximum guard length, light trim only

Every Guard, In Proportion

Each guard drawn in exact proportion to the others. Drag to compare.

1/4" · 6.4 mmleft on the head

Clipper guard number

Short sides, most common fade starting point

Proportions are exact. On-screen size varies by display. Half guards are Wahl-specific.

How to Read a Clipper Number

→Lower number = shorter cut. A #1 cuts shorter than a #3.
→The number equals eighths of an inch — a #3 leaves 3/8".
→Guard 0 leaves almost nothing — about 0.8mm of stubble.
→Guards above #4 are mostly used on the top, not sides.
→Half guards (0.5, 1.5) are Wahl-specific — other brands may not include them.

Do Wahl, Andis, and BaByliss Guards Match?

Not always. Wahl guards are the most standardized. Andis and BaByliss use slightly different attachment systems — always check compatibility before mixing brands. Wahl half-guards (0.5, 1.5, 2.5) are not available for Andis without adapters. BaByliss FX guards tend to run slightly longer than Wahl equivalents at the same number.

PRO TIP

Pro tip: When a client says "short on the sides," ask which number they had last time. Most clients mean a #2 or #3 — never assume.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What guard should I use for a fade?

Start with a #2 or #3 at the bottom of the fade depending on how tight the client wants it. Blend up through #1.5 and #1 before going to skin with a zero-gap or balding clipper.

What is a number 2 haircut?

A number 2 clipper guard cuts hair to 1/4 inch (6.4mm). It produces short sides with a clean, tight look — one of the most requested lengths in barbershops.

What number clipper do barbers use for skin fades?

For skin fades, barbers typically use a #1 or #0.5 in the transition zone, then go to bare skin using a zero-gapped clipper or a dedicated balding clipper like the Wahl 5-Star Balding.

Are clipper guard numbers universal?

No. While the numbering system is similar across brands, the actual cut lengths can vary slightly. Wahl guards are the most widely standardized. Always verify lengths if switching brands mid-fade.