Understanding Different Hair Clipper Guard Sizes And Their Use (2024)

You can probably get a good buzz cut with a simple clipper. But if you want to experiment with your hairstyle, you need a better understanding of hair clipper guard sizes and how their numbers work.

And, of course, you need the best clipper guards for your hair. Guards that come with the regular hair clippers won’t cut the chase.

What Are Hair Clipper Guard Sizes?

Hair clippers come with guards. You can attach these guards with the clippers to change the length of the haircut – unless you want to go bald.

Moreover, each guard has a number that shows the size of the cut it can produce. Understanding these sizes allows you to avoid unpleasant surprises and get the desired haircut.

Most people use clipper sizes from ½ to 10. The bigger numbers leave longer hair on your head, while the smaller ones take more length off your hair. Likewise, many brands use the number 10 as the equivalent of one-quarter inches in length.

Now, depending on your brand, you may also see two other measurements on the clipper guards. First, the metric unit shows you the hair cut size in millimeters. The second is its equivalent in inches.

So, for instance, if you have a Wahl clipper, the number 1 size of the clipper guard will show 0.125 inches on one side and 3mm on the other.

However, keep in mind there’s no standard universal unit of measure. Therefore, different clipper manufacturers may have slightly different measurements for their clipper guards.

Understanding Hair Clipper Guards And Their Sizes In Detail

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into different clipper numbers and guard sizes.

Lengths

First of all, take all the clipper guards you have at your home. Notice how each one of the guards has a number. Start with the zero and move up to a bigger guard. You will notice that the lower number of guards features shorter teeth.

This means the haircut will be a lot tighter. So, when you use a lower guard numbered clipper, it will lease very little hair on your head.

Below is a quick guide that shows the clipper sizes haircut number system for your understanding.

General Clipper Guard Sizes Chart

As we already mentioned, each brand will have its own hair length chart. It will show all the different clipper sizes and hair lengths equivalent to the guard numbers.

You should familiarize yourself with all the guard numbers to get different hair length cuts. If you use the clippers without any guard, it will give you a close shave with hair length cut to almost zero.

Some best hair clippers feature a tiny level that extends the cutting blades. This means when using these clippers without guards, you can choose different lengths – albeit all variations of haircuts are very short. It can be convenient when you are experimenting with different fades.

What’s more, you can use this lever along with the clipper guards. While moving the lever to a larger size will add another half a length to the measurements. To give you some idea, if you are using the lever with a number two clipper, it will turn the clipper into two and a half.

Color-Coded Hair Clipper Guards

Some clipper guards also come in different colors. They are known as Color-coded hair clipper guards.

Each color represents a different cutting length. You must have seen these guards in barbershops. Because of the colors, it’s easier for the barbers to change the guard and get the desired cut quickly. It speeds up their process.

As an example, take a look at Wahl Color Pro. It has different colors for different hair cuts you can get with them.

How To Get The Right Hair Clipper Size?

In case you already own a decent hair clipper, you can easily find some comb attachments online. Most brands send these attachments separately. You can get clipper guards directly from the same brand of hair clippers you are using on Amazon.

Some brands sell a variety of their accessories separately. For instance, Wah and Andis clipper guards are available for purchase individually. You can get their different clipper guards as per your budget and requirements.

Then there are situations when the hair clipper you are using does not cater to the length you need for a haircut. In such cases, you can check their website to see whether a suitable size is available.

Universal Clipper Guards

When unsure about what clipper guard to go for, choose a universal clipper guard. The universal clipper guard is also a popular accessory among home users and professional barbers alike. It’s compatible with nearly every major clipper brand out there. However, there may be some exceptions.

It’s also famous as the “original red comb” as it’s one of the best clipper guards due to its adaptability and suitability for a range of haircuts.

Like other clipper guards, the Universal Clipper guard also comes in various sizes. However, all are made with the highest quality ABS plastic, which makes them highly durable and excellent for long-term use.

Because of different sizes, the complete range of universal clipper guards is suitable for almost any hair type. It provides the proper cut for whatever hairstyle you may need.

Final Thoughts

Hair clippers offer an effortless way to style your hair. You can easily get a simple buzz cut or cut your children’s hair. But, if you want to get a bit adventurous with your hairstyle at home, then the chances are you will mess it up in the beginning.

Don’t give up, though. Everyone gets the hang of it sooner or later. Getting a pair of clipper guards is one strategy you will never regret. They come in really handy for styling different haircuts. Good luck!