What is the difference between clipper blades and guards?

Clipper blades are the metal cutting components that attach directly to the clipper body. They cut at a fixed length without a guard. Guards (combs) snap over the blade to add extra length. A #1 blade (2.4mm) is different from a #1 guard (3mm). Blades cut closer and give more precision than guards.

Which clipper blade gives the closest cut?

The #00000 (five-zero) blade gives the closest cut at 0.2mm — nearly skin level. The #000 (triple-zero) cuts to 0.5mm. For true skin-close results, use a foil shaver after the blade work. Professional barbers often use #00000 for skin fades before finishing with a foil shaver for the cleanest result.

How often should clipper blades be replaced?

Clipper blades should be sharpened every 3-6 months with regular use, or replaced annually. Signs of a dull blade: pulling hair, uneven cutting, increased heat during use. Oil blades before and after every client. Use blade wash spray between clients for hygiene. Higher quality blades last longer between sharpening.

What blade should I use for a standard haircut?

The #2 blade (6mm) is the standard full haircut blade for clipper-over-comb work. For fading, use #000 or #0 at the bottom, blending up through #1 and #2. For bulk removal on longer hair, use #3 or #3.75. Most barbers keep a set of #000, #1, #2 and #3 blades as their core kit.

Clipper Blade Calculator — Free Online Tool

How We Calculate This

This calculator provides instant reference for detachable clipper blade numbers and their corresponding cutting lengths. Clipper blades follow an industry-standard numbering system used by Andis, Oster, Wahl and other professional brands.

Blade numbering

Lower numbers = shorter cuts
#00000 = closest (0.2mm)
#000 = very close (0.5mm)
#2 = standard blade (6mm)
#3.75 = longest standard blade (13mm)
Use guards over blades for lengths beyond 13mm

Guard Tolerance & Blade Wear

Guard tolerance accounts for manufacturing variation and movement during cutting — the actual cut length may be slightly above or below the nominal value. Blade wear offset models a dull blade, which tends to cut slightly longer than nominal as the edge deflects hair before cutting.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always perform a strand test before chemical services.

Clipper Blade Calculator — Blade Numbers & Cutting Lengths