Decoding Hair Clipper Guard Sizes: Exploring the Longest Clipper Guard Options

Mo Parker

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If you are tired of spending money on barber visits every once in a while, to get your hair cut or trimmed then do a one-time investment and purchase an electric hair clipper. This will make your life easy as clippers allow you to cut your hair yourself without a hitch.

Hair clipper guard sizes can range from 1 to 12 and they cut hair at different lengths such as 1/8 inch, 5/8 inch, 1 inch, and 1.25 inches long. The longest clipper guard is the number 12 which cuts hair at 1.5 inches long.  

In this article, we will be talking about different hair clipper guard sizes and which is the longest size!  

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Hair Clipper Guards

A hair clipper guard is a metal accessory that fits over the top of a hair clipper, also known as a barber clipper blade guard, and stops the blades from cutting anything other than hair. The blades of the clipper are covered by these guards, which act as a guide to limit the amount of hair removal.

The hair clipper usually comes with a full set of guards and each of them has a number on it to indicate the different lengths. These numbers typically range from 1 to 8, with some brands even going up to 12.

If you are thinking about buying a hair clipper guard then you need to first become aware of the different sizes it comes in so you know exactly which one to buy.

Different Sizes of Hair Clipper Guards

The general guideline for clipper guard numbers is that the larger the number, the more space is allowed between the blades and your scalp. In other words, the longer the hair is left behind by hair clippers for fades, the higher the number of guards.

Here are the usual eight different lengths of clipper guards to help you understand more about them:

  • #1 Guard – 1/8 inch
  • #2 Guard – ¼ inch
  • #3 Guard– 3/8 inch
  • #4 Guard – ½ inch
  • #5 Guard – 5/8 inch
  • #6 Guard – ¾ inch
  • #7 Guard – 7/8 inch
  • #8 Guard – 1 inch

Now that we know the options you have for different hair clipper guard lengths, let’s go into detail about which haircut you can get with each clipper guard.

Number 0

The Number 0 haircut, as its name implies, uses hair clippers without a guard. You get a concise buzz cut when you ask for this hairstyle. If the barber makes a blade adjustment, then it is sometimes referred to as a bald fade.

In general, it will be similar to shaving your head but leaving some facial hair, like stubble, behind. If that is the haircut you desire then you do not need to use any clipper guards.

Number 1

The top and, depending on your preference, the sides will remain 1/8-inch thick because the Number 1 haircut uses the #1 guard. However, when obtaining a Number 1 haircut, the majority of guys prefer a razor fade.

This way, the top is lightly blended with the back and sides to give a uniform look all around. 

Number 2

Your top hair will be roughly ¼ inch thick after a Number 2 haircut. Typically, crew cuts have this level of thickness so if that is what you want then use the number 2 length of clipper guards.

Although crew cuts are typically worn by military personnel, they are still popular among civilians. It’s time to embrace your thinning hair if you’re feeling insecure about it and get a Number 2 haircut as this will do a good job of hiding other insecurities as well such as a receding hairline.

With the number 2 haircut, the hair is short but thick enough to cover the scalp. This hairstyle looks fantastic with the sides fading or tapered as well.

Number 3

The number 3 haircut will leave the top hair around 3/8 inches thick. The majority of barbers use this as their longest guard when cutting fades. It is easier to fade even if the #2 and #3 guards are nearly equivalent in thickness (you cannot tell a 1/8″ difference).

This is fantastic for those who want buzz cuts but still prefer their hair a little long so they can either grow out more quickly or have the option of styling it.

Number 4

Your hair will be ½ inch long after getting this haircut. If you want a neat and conservative haircut, this length is perfect. It might not be quite as short as a crew cut, but it might be short enough to appear decent and respectable.

Number 5

You get 5/8-inch-long hair after using the Number 5 hair clipper guard. This is long enough to allow for many combing and styling options.

You can pair it with tapered sides because the hair is long and the sides would look good together. Most men favor this hairstyle because it offers a variety of styling possibilities.

Number 6

This style of haircut is pretty similar to the number 5. The only difference is that it is a bit longer with the hair stand at ¾ inches long.

Just like the previous haircut, you can style this one in several ways due to the long length so it is very diverse and versatile.

Number 7

The Number 7 haircut measures 7/8 of an inch in length or almost an inch. You will therefore have even more style possibilities if that is what you are looking for.

You can get an undercut haircut with a high fade if you want short sides as this will pair beautifully with the number 7 haircut.

Number 8

The longest cut you can obtain with the standard guards that come with your hair clippers is the Number 8. One inch of hair will be provided for you, offering you a wide range of alternatives.

The top can be trimmed using the guard with the number 8. The smaller guards, on the other hand, should taper the sides. The majority of short-sides and long-top hairstyles start with this style as its foundation.

The Longest Clipper Guard

All brands have different lengths for clipper guards and some go as high as number 12. Before you buy a certain brand’s clipper guards you should do your research.

What you should keep in mind is that the sizes of different hair clipper brands vary. For instance, the blade guard on Wahl’s 0.5-grade hair clippers and Oster’s #0 blade guard are identical. Additionally, Oster only offers guard sizes up to #8, while Wahl offers sizes up to #12.

Also, blade and guard sizes for hair clippers are different. Yes, depending on the position of the blade/taper lever, clipper blades do cut different lengths.

But generally speaking, the longest hair clipper guards are the number 10 and 12 guard combs. The number 10 is 1.25 inches or 32 millimeters long, while the number 12 is 1.5 inches or 38 millimeters long.

Despite being little used, these numbers are useful for unusual requests from a small number of customers.

How do I find the right size of clipper guard?

The length of the top hair must be decided before selecting the guard size. Choose the size of the guards to use for the sides after deciding on the length of the top.

Use a guard two sizes smaller than the one you placed on top, if possible. This will give you a simple-to-style hairstyle that is rather conservative.

What is the meaning of numbers for haircuts?

When you go in and ask your barber for a number 3 haircut then he will use a #3 guard on the hair clippers which means the hair will be about 3/8 inches long hausarbeit schreiben lassen. This will be good for you if you want a buzz cut.

What is the largest size of a clipper guard?

The largest guard size in most common hair clipper sets is a #8, which often leaves hair that is an inch long bachelorarbeit schreiben lassen. For individuals with lengthy hair, there are additional clipper protectors available. They can go up to #12, leaving 1-1/2 inches.

Which brands have the longest hair clipper guards?

The Oster provides clippers that go up to a number 10. If you want an even longer clipper at number 12 then hausarbeit schreiben lassen erfahrung Wahl hair clipper guards are the best choice for you.

Which guard size is ideal for fades?

A #2 clipper guard is typically used to begin a fade haircut. Eventually, it would drop to #0 or a shave.

Can I cut my hair with clippers alone?

Use the thickest clipper guard you wish to start with as this is how long the hair will be on top of your head ghostwriter masterarbeit. Trim all of the hair on your head to this length and after that, trim the sides of your head using a guard that is two sizes smaller.

Not trimming the sides, unless, of course, you desire an afro, is one of the grooming errors to avoid.

Conclusion

Using scissors to cut all the hair the same length requires an awful lot of time and precision so now the barbers use hair clipper guards to make the process quick seminararbeit schreiben lassen. This also makes cutting hair easy enough for someone to do it themselves. We hope that this guide gave you all knowledge about different hair clipper guard sizes and which one of them is the longest.

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Meet Mo Parker, the visionary founder of The Beard Brotherz. Mo's passion for redefining modern masculinity led him to create a platform that celebrates the diverse interests and journeys of men today. With a commitment to authenticity and inclusivity, Mo's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication shine through every facet of The Beard Brotherz. From grooming and fashion to tech and wellness, Mo's multifaceted approach mirrors the platform's essence, offering a welcoming community for all to embrace their unique paths in the modern world of manhood.