For example, you might hear someone at the barbershop request a #2 on the sides and a #7 on the top. In this case, #1 corresponds to ⅛” in size, which means that the clipper won’t cut any hair shorter than ⅛”.Īdditionally, these numbers may refer to the haircut sizes.

When you see a guard labeled as one (#1), that’s not equivalent to 1”.Įach number has its assigned measurement conversion. Keep in mind that these numbers aren’t straightforward measurements. To be specific, you need to be wary about your clipper guard’s size.Ĭlipper guards are typically labeled with a number ranging from zero to twelve, with each number corresponding to how far they would cut. Whether you want to start learning how to use clippers or you tend to get into specifics with your barber when describing your next haircut, you need to be aware of how clipper guards work if you want to achieve a particular style. So, why should we care about clipper guards? It’s a plastic attachment that sticks right into the clipper blades.Īs the name suggests, it acts as a “guard” that prevents the clippers from cutting your hair shorter than a particular length. An Overview Of Clipper GuardsĪ clipper guard is one of the accessories that determine your hair clipper settings. So if you’re wondering how clipper guards work, read further to find out. Of course, this isn’t just a guide for barbers you’d be surprised that customers can use this as well! Now, we understand this can be confusing because of the different guard sizes, so we prepared a comprehensive guide to help you differentiate them. If you think that you can solely rely on a good clipper and your skills to cut hair, you couldn’t be more mistaken.Įspecially 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.

Andis clipper blade size guide