Haircut numbers and clipper guards refer to the clips that attach to electric hair trimmers. You can find the number of each guard etched into the plastic. Most hair clippers come with a set of 8 guard sizes and represent the length of hair that will be left when trimmed.

Most clippers come with eight different guards with numbers ranging from 1-8. When a person asks for a number 1 haircut, the barber will use the number 1 attachment on the clipper. Different clipper guards will cut hair to different lengths. Those specific lengths corresponding to the number on the attachment. Haircut Number vs. Clipper Guard Size

Whether you are visiting a barbershop for the first time or learning to cut your own hair with a clipper set, it’s important to know what lengths correspond to different clipper guard sizes. In this guide, we will demystify buzz cut and fade haircut numbers and sizes by detailing the length of hair each clipper number represents.

Especially if you’re a beginner, you need to be wary of the different accessories that can impact a haircut – one of which is the clipper guard. Now, we understand this can be confusing because of the different guard sizes, so we prepared a comprehensive guide to help you differentiate them.