Hi everyone, hope your holidays are going well! Today I thought I would explain what it means when someone gets a “number 2 haircut” or higher number. Most people don’t understand what the numbers stand for.
I know when I use to have my haircut at other places where I never knew who was going to cut my hair they kept a note with my name on it and a number 4 next to it.
That way whoever cut my hair knew the length to cut my hair on the sides. So if you want to know what it means to get a number 6 haircut, number 7 haircut and so on, let me explain.
The electric haircut razors or haircut clippers that barbers use have hair guard attachments. I’m sure you have noticed your barber picking out one or several to use on you.
Most haircut clippers come with 8 different hair guards. They are numbered from 1-8. The lowest number cuts the hair the shortest, while the highest number cuts it the longest.
A number 1 clipper guard will cut your hair 1/8th of an inch long. That is pretty short, almost down to the skin. Each number higher will cut your hair 1/8 of an inch longer. So a number 2 haircut, or clipper guard, will cut the hair 2/8 long, or 1/4.
A number 8 clipper guard will cut your hair exactly 1 inch long. A zero number is the base clipper with no hair guard attached. That will shave your head bald.
Below is a chart that shows the haircut guard numbers and how long, or short it will cut the hair. Some clippers come in half clipper guard sizes too. But the standard is 1 through 8 sizes.
Most of the time that is the number used to shave or clip the sides, top and back of your head. Often they will use several different sizes to blend in, fade or taper the hair length going up the sides.
However for a buzz cut or a very short haircut all over your barber may use the clipper with the correct guard number for all over your hair. They may use a number 1 for the lower sides and then a number 4 for the top of the head.
It all depends on the haircut style you are getting. With me I have the lower sides and back cut with a number 4 clipper. Then the top and front is cut with scissors to the correct length and blended in. I have a boring hairstyle!
So that is what it means to get a number 4 haircut and so on. It tells the barber how short you want your hair overall and then they can figure out how long the rest of your hair should be on the sides, back and so on.
It depends on if you want a fade on the sides and back. Most men’s hairstyles taper down shorter on the sides and back. Your barber will ask what you prefer.
The next time you have a haircut ask what number your barber uses on you. That way if you ever have to use someone else or new they know where to start. Hope you learned something new today!