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Clipper Guard Sizes & Fade Types Chart

GuardInchesmmLooks likeTypical uses
#0 (no guard)1/16" lever open; ~1/50" closed1.5 mm open; ~0.5 mm closedScalp clearly shows; heavy stubbleBottom of fades, outlines, neckline
#0.51/16"1.5 mmShadow, scalp visibleFirst blend above skin or #0
#11/8"3 mmVery short, scalp shows throughLow/mid fade base, buzz cuts
#1.53/16"4.5 mmShort shadow with a bit more coverBlending #1 into #2
#21/4"6 mmShort, even, scalp shows in lightSides of classic short cuts, fade mid-zone
#33/8"10 mmShort but covers the scalpSides of tapers, short buzz all over
#41/2"13 mmShort crew length, soft textureTaper sides, crew cut tops
#55/8"16 mmNoticeable length, still neatLonger sides, blending into scissor work
#63/4"19 mmMedium-short, hair starts to lie downGrown-out sides, short tops
#77/8"22 mmMedium-short with movementBlending sides into longer top
#81"25 mmLongest standard guard, full coverageShort-all-over trims, tops of crew cuts

Numbers are the common Wahl-style standard (each step adds 1/8 inch). Wahl, Andis and Oster guards can differ by about a millimeter, some brands number half sizes differently, and a #0 depends on the blade and lever position. Always check the length printed on the guard itself.

Seven fade types ยท guard progressions from bottom to top

Low fade diagram: a narrow transition above the ear follows the hairline toward the nape

Low fade

Starts ~1/2" above the ear, follows the hairline to the nape.

  1. #0 open
  2. #1
  3. #2
  4. #3 (blend into top)
Mid fade diagram: the transition begins at the temple, halfway up the side of the head

Mid fade

Starts at the temple, halfway up the side.

  1. #0 open
  2. #1
  3. #2
  4. #3
High fade diagram: the transition sits at the parietal ridge below a longer top

High fade

Starts at the parietal ridge (where side meets top).

  1. #0 open
  2. #1
  3. #2, top left longer
Skin fade diagram: a bare lower band blends through short stubble into longer hair above

Skin / bald fade

Bottom band shaved to skin.

  1. Foil shaver or zero-gapped trimmer
  2. #0 closed
  3. #0.5
  4. #1
  5. #1.5
  6. #2
Taper diagram: only the sideburns and neckline graduate while the sides remain longer

Taper

Only sideburns and neckline graduate; sides stay longer.

  1. #1 at the edges
  2. #2
  3. #3
  4. #4 on the sides (or scissor-over-comb)
Drop fade diagram: the transition curves down from the temple behind the ear to the nape

Drop fade

Starts at temple height, curves down behind the ear to the nape.

  1. #0 open
  2. #1
  3. #2
  4. #3, following the arc
Burst fade diagram: a semicircular transition surrounds the ear with length left at the nape

Burst fade

Semicircle around the ear only; nape stays long (mohawk/mullet).

  1. Skin or #0
  2. #1
  3. #2 around the ear