BuzzCutLife printable

Guard Size Cheat Sheet

Use this before the first pass. Guard lengths are approximate because blade levers, clipper brands, pressure, and hair texture can change the result.

Guard Approx. length What it feels like First-cut note
#0 / no guard Very close Scalp-forward, unforgiving. Avoid for a first self-cut unless you already know you want it.
#1 About 1/8 inch / 3 mm Sharp and very short. High scalp exposure for many people.
#2 About 1/4 inch / 6 mm Classic short buzz. Still bold; test your comfort first.
#3 About 3/8 inch / 10 mm Short but less severe. Good conservative option if you are nervous.
#4 About 1/2 inch / 13 mm Noticeably short, still soft. Often the safest first full-head test.
#5-#8 About 5/8-1 inch / 16-25 mm Short haircut, not a dramatic buzz. Use when you want a cautious reset.

Conservative first-pass rule

  1. Choose the longest guard you would still be willing to keep.
  2. Cut a hidden test strip first.
  3. Finish the full head with the same guard before stepping down.
  4. Wait 10 minutes in bright light before deciding it needs to be shorter.

Quick checks

  • Confirm the guard clicks firmly onto your clipper.
  • Check whether the blade lever is open or closed.
  • Use light, even pressure; do not dig into uneven spots.
  • Do not switch guards to fix one missed patch.

Source page: buzzcutlife.com/buzz-cut-guard-sizes. This is grooming education, not medical advice.