Haircuts and Hair Clipper Sizes – The Ultimate Guide for 2025

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Haircut numbers are important to form the core language of the barber world and achieve the exact haircut you want. The art of hairstyles, as intricately complex as other design crafts, employs unique tools and terminology. Of these, the hair clipper will take you to the central stage of the barber's toolkit.

This comprehensive guide sheds light on the mystery behind haircut lengths and explores the range of hair clipper sizes that shape the appearance and length of the haircut.

Discover everything you need to know about haircut counts and hair clipper sizes before your next trip to Barber.

What is a haircut number?

Haircut count refers to hair clippers of different sizes used when determining the length of a man's haircut. Each number corresponds to a certain length of hair remaining on the scalp after a haircut.

Typically, numbers range from 0 to 8, with 0 being the shortest length (ald) and 8 being the longest length (1 inch). This system allows barbers to achieve uniform and consistent haircuts. It also helps clients communicate their preferred length of haircuts more effectively.

Man straightens his bangs
dje_barber / instagram

MM Hair Clipper Size: Quick Guide

This is a quick hair length chart for men to get used to haircut clipper sizes in inches and millimeters. Remember, the higher the number, the longer the haircut.

Haircuts with a few millimeters length length 0 0 mm haircut 0 mm number 1 haircut 1/8 in 3 mm 3 mm haircut 1/4 in 6 mm 3/8 in 10 mm number 4 haircut 1/2 mm

Haircut length overview

Now that you understand the basics, let's break down individual haircut numbers in photos and really understand what it looks like.

Number 0 Haircut

A haircut of several tens is the shortest haircut number and does not use a guard with a clipper. It basically shaves your hair onto the skin. Therefore, it is often referred to as a “bald” or “skin” haircut. This haircut count is commonly used for buzz cuts and military style cuts, and also serves as a starting point for fade haircuts.

Man covering his face from the sun
Moriccimichele / Instagram

Number 1 haircut

Next is the best haircut. This clipper size remains one-eighth of the length of the hair and provides a slightly longer trim compared to the number 0. It is still very short, the scalp leaves a little more hair and gives a soft shadow look. The number one haircut is perfect for people who are very short but not completely eroded.

Man with flash cut hairstyle
SliderCutsStudios / Instagram

Number 2 haircut

The second haircut leaves the length of a man's haircut to a quarter inch length. It is a short style that doesn't expose the scalp as much as lower numbers, making it an ideal choice for tapered fades and shorter buzz cuts. The number two haircuts offer a clean, professional look while maintaining a little length.

Number 2 for grain with skin tapered haircut
Cutsbyerick / Instagram

Number 3 haircut

With a number three haircut, we enter the area of ​​longer hair. It's an ideal choice for those who prefer a little more hair while leaving behind three-eighth of the length of the hair to maintain a neat and well-maintained look. It doesn't reveal scalp and is a popular option for standard crew reductions.

Man with third man against grain with skin fade haircut
SliderCutsStudios / Instagram

Number 4 Haircut

The Number 4 haircut leaves a hair length of 0.5 inches, making it a versatile and popular medium short style. It allows for more styling options and is less serious than lower numbers. The number 4 haircut is perfect for those who want to keep their hair short and stylish.

Number 4 haircuts for grain
SliderCutsStudios / Instagram

Number 5 haircut

The fifth haircut leaves an eighth inch of the hair. This haircut size is long enough to brush and care for your hair in a variety of ways, allowing for more texture and styling options. Great for those who want a short, textured look.

Get the 5th haircut with skin fade
bilfades / instagram

Number 6 haircut

The number six haircut leaves three-quarters of the hair, providing a longer and richer look compared to the lower numbers. This haircut number is perfect for men who prefer long shortcuts that can be styled in a variety of ways, such as short pompadours or smooth backs.

Man with skin fade haircut number 6 and trimmed beard
bilfades / instagram

Number 7 Haircut

A number 7 haircut leaves 8/7 of the hair. It is a good option for men who want to keep their hair in a manageable and neat state while still maintaining its length. It is usually used for tapering and not frequently for overall cuts.

Menshairs / Instagram

Number 8 Haircut

Finally, the haircut number 8 is the longest clipper size. It leaves full inch hair and is usually used to trim longer hair and taperely at the bottom edge. Perfect for those who want to maintain a clean, well-maintained look while still maintaining its length.

Man with fresh haircut and trimmed beard
on_point_barber_shop / instagram

Final Thoughts

Understanding the number of haircuts, haircut sizes, and hair clipper guard sizes can greatly improve your Barber Shop visit. This will allow you to convey the desired appearance more effectively, and you will feel satisfied with your haircut and feel the chair.

FAQ

Hair clipper size works using different clipper guards to determine the length of hair left after cutting. Security guards are numbered from 0 to 8, with 0 leaving the shortest cut and 8 leaving the longest hair.

Each hair clipper size is about an eighth inch. So the number one guard leaves an eighth inch of hair, while the second guard leaves an eighth inch or so.

Haircut numbers refer to the different lengths of hair that arise from using a specific clipper guard. They provide a standardized way to communicate your desired hair length to your barber.

There are usually nine standard haircut counts ranging from 0 to 8. Each number represents a specific length of hair.

Fade Haircuts use a combination of low haircut counts such as 0, 1, 2, and 2 to create a gradient effect. However, the exact numbers will vary based on your personal preference and the style in which a particular style fades are desirable.

Remember that the ideal number of haircuts may vary depending on your hair type, face shape, and personal style. Try out different hair clipper sizes and refer to your barber to find the perfect look for you.

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