What guard number is a buzz cut?

Buzz cuts range from a #1 (very short) to a #4 or longer. A #2 is a popular choice. Ask your barber to start with a longer guard if you are unsure; it is easy to go shorter.

How long does a fade last?

Most fades look sharpest for two to three weeks, then start to grow out. Many people book a touch-up on a regular schedule.

Clipper Guard Numbers and Fades, Explained

For clients · Updated October 7, 2026

Barber vocabulary sounds like code until someone explains it. Once you know the numbers and the names, ordering a haircut gets much easier.

Clipper guard numbers

Clipper guards (also called combs or attachments) set how long the hair is left. The numbers are fairly standard across popular clipper brands, although small differences exist, so ask your barber to confirm.

No guard (the bare blade): the shortest, about a skin-close shave
#1: about 1/8 inch (3 mm)
#2: about 1/4 inch (6 mm)
#3: about 3/8 inch (10 mm)
#4: about 1/2 inch (13 mm)
#5: about 5/8 inch (16 mm)
#6: about 3/4 inch (19 mm)
#7: about 7/8 inch (22 mm)
#8: about 1 inch (25 mm)

What a fade is

A fade blends from very short hair at the bottom to longer hair above, with no visible line between the lengths. Barbers create the gradient by moving through guard lengths and using the clippers without a guard at the bottom.

Low, mid and high fades

The name describes where the fade starts. A low fade begins just above the ears and the nape. A mid fade starts about halfway up the sides of the head. A high fade starts near the temples and leaves a short, dramatic contrast with the top. A skin or bald fade goes down to the skin at the bottom, while a taper fade leaves a little length.

Fade versus taper

A taper is a gentler version: the hair gets gradually shorter around the sideburns and neckline but usually stays longer at the shortest point than a fade does. Tapers are a popular, lower-maintenance choice that still looks neat.

Ordering with confidence

Describe where you want the fade to start (low, mid or high), how short at the bottom (skin or a number), and how long on top. Showing a photo along with the words is the best combination.

Frequently asked questions

What guard number is a buzz cut?: Buzz cuts range from a #1 (very short) to a #4 or longer. A #2 is a popular choice. Ask your barber to start with a longer guard if you are unsure; it is easy to go shorter.
How long does a fade last?: Most fades look sharpest for two to three weeks, then start to grow out. Many people book a touch-up on a regular schedule.

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