Buzz cut lengths, #0 to #8

Guard numbers are a length in eighths of an inch. Here is what each one leaves on your head, and how to choose yours.

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Buzz cut with a #0 guard, about 1.5 mm — #0 1.5 mm

Buzz cut with a #1 guard, about 3 mm — #1 3 mm

Buzz cut with a #2 guard, about 6 mm — #2 6 mm

Buzz cut with a #4 guard, about 13 mm — #4 13 mm

Buzz cut with a #8 guard, about 25 mm — #8 25 mm

Guard lengths

Bars are drawn to scale. Highlighted bars are the five guards you can preview on your own photo.

#0
1.5 mm / 1/16"Preview
No guard. Skin-close, scalp visible everywhere. Head shape is fully on show.
#1
3 mm / 1/8"Preview
Scalp still shows through. Reads as almost shaved from across a room.
#2
6 mm / 1/4"Preview
The classic buzz. Scalp shows faintly, the length most people ask for.
#3
10 mm / 3/8"
Even and short, scalp hidden in most light.
#4
13 mm / 1/2"Preview
Soft and dense. A forgiving first buzz for thick hair.
#5
16 mm / 5/8"
Still uniform, with visible texture on top.
#6
19 mm / 3/4"
Hair starts to lie down instead of standing up.
#7
22 mm / 7/8"
Close to a crop. Curls begin to form on coily hair.
#8
25 mm / 1"Preview
One inch. The longest all-over length that still reads as a buzz.

How guard numbers work

Each clipper guard number is the hair length it leaves, in eighths of an inch. A #1 leaves 1/8 inch, about 3 mm. A #4 leaves 1/2 inch, about 13 mm. A #8 leaves a full inch.

No guard at all is usually called a #0. Most clippers on a closed blade leave around 1/16 inch, about 1.5 mm. Brands vary a little, so treat the numbers as close, not exact.

How to pick your length

#0 and #1 show your scalp and your head shape. Go here if you like the shape of your head.
#2 is the classic buzz. It shows a hint of scalp and works on most people.
#3 and #4 hide the scalp. They are the safest first buzz, especially with thick or dark hair.
#6 to #8 still look uniform but soft. Good if you want shorter without the buzzed look.

If you are unsure, start longer. You can take it shorter the same day; going back up takes weeks.

How fast it grows back

Scalp hair grows about half an inch a month on average, so roughly one guard number every week or so. A #2 looks like a #4 after about two weeks, which is why many people re-buzz every two to three weeks.

Uniform buzz or fade

A uniform buzz uses one guard all over. A fade blends a shorter guard on the sides into a longer one on top, such as a #1 on the sides and a #3 on top.

The tool renders uniform buzz cuts. For a fade, render the two lengths you would combine and compare them side by side.

Try the buzz cut filter

Works like a buzz cut simulator on your real photo. Front-facing, hair visible, decent light. We keep your face, beard and glasses as they are and change only the hair.

Your photo is deleted within 24 hours and never used to train models.

Or try a sample face

Guards to render

#1 and #2 differ by 3 mm, so they look close. That is true on a real head too.

Your first guard is free. Unlock the rest from $2.99.

Example on a sample face, #4. Drag to compare.

Face the camera, chin level.
Pull long hair back if you can.
Hats and hoods hide your head shape.
Daylight beats bathroom light.

Questions

What is a #2 buzz cut?

A #2 guard leaves about 1/4 inch, roughly 6 mm, of hair all over. The scalp shows faintly in bright light. It is the length most people ask for.

What number is a short buzz cut?

Most people mean a #1 or #2, which leave 3 to 6 mm. Below that is a #0, close to the skin.

Is a #4 too long for a buzz cut?

No. A #4 leaves about 13 mm and still reads as a buzz, just softer and with no scalp showing.

Which guard is the same as bald?

None of them. Even a #0 leaves stubble. For smooth skin you need a razor or foil shaver after the clippers.

More guides

Decide before the clippers doTry your photo