buzz cut guard chart calculator
Want a printable guard overview while you test combos?
View guard cheat sheet
Scalp visibility
Soft shadow — scalp shows slightly under strong light.
Finish expectation
Compact crop that preserves coverage while still air-drying quickly and keeping shape.
Versatile choice for round faces, first-time buzzers, and pairing with short beards.
Styling insight
Keep the fiber brushed forward before you clip so the buzz cut guard chart setting cuts evenly and avoids chatter lines. Lean into balanced fades that preserve even weight front-to-back so the buzz cut guard chart length frames symmetrically. Focus on smooth gradients so the buzz cut guard chart keeps the silhouette crisp without exposing unnecessary scalp.
Top
#3 · Guard Three
Guard Three keeps Oval faces balanced while following the buzz cut guard chart baseline you chose.
Sides
#2 · Guard Two
Guard Two erases weight through the parietal ridge and primes the Low shadow fade.
Detail
#1 · Guard One
Guard One polishes edges around ears and nape without risking clipper burn.
Beard Blend
#4 · Guard Four
Guard Four bridges into goatees or full beards so the jawline stays sharp.
Maintenance window
Rebuzz every 7–10 days to keep the texture intentional.
Save this buzz cut guard chart combo for your barber or keep it handy for the next DIY refresh.
The video reinforces buzz cut guard chart fundamentals—clockwise sectioning, lever use, and touch-up passes that prevent shadow banding. Replay the blend whenever you switch between home buzzing and barbershop upkeep.
The buzz cut guard chart exists for anyone who wants precision instead of guesswork. A #0 guard leaves roughly 1.5 mm of hair, while a #8 guard preserves 25 mm, but the real power comes from understanding how each stop on the buzz cut guard chart affects scalp coverage, texture, and confidence.
Because brands label guards differently, the buzz cut guard chart normalises measurements so a Wahl #3, an Andis #3, and a Babyliss #3 all convert to 10 mm when you plan your blend, sparing you the trial-and-error that happens when charts disagree.
Lever play also matters: opening a clipper adds up to 0.7 mm between guards, so the buzz cut guard chart combines your chosen guard with lever guidance to nail fade seams without leaving dark bands behind.
- Use the buzz cut guard chart to compare popular lengths like #2 (6 mm) and #3 (10 mm) and immediately see how scalp visibility shifts before you commit.
- Turn the buzz cut guard chart into a scheduling tool by matching each guard to its upkeep window—shorter guards usually need a cleanup every 10–14 days to stay crisp.
- Pair the buzz cut guard chart with scalp-care checklists so exposed skin stays healthy with anti-dandruff actives, SPF, and lightweight hydration.
Bundle your buzz tools
Combine the buzz cut guard chart with the rest of our toolkit to plan, preview, and personalise every cut.
Why this buzz cut guard chart hits every decision point
A buzz cut guard chart gives you millimeter-level control when you are planning fades, crops, or uniform buzzes. Lengths between #1 (3 mm) and #4 (13 mm) dramatically change how much scalp glows under bright light, so mapping them in one dashboard stops you from overshooting the look you want.
The buzz cut guard chart also explains how to stack guards so your cut flows: using a #3 on top, stepping down to a #2 on the sides, and detailing with a #1 mirrors the barber playbooks at Royal & Anders and the London School of Barbering, which emphasise measured transitions over eyeballing gradients.
Beyond shape, the buzz cut guard chart keeps your scalp healthy. Dermatologists suggest exfoliating and moisturising exposed skin after clipping close, especially when you are using shorter guards that reveal more scalp, so the page links care routines right next to the numbers.
Confidence for first-time buzzers
Men’s Hairstyles Today notes that newbies gravitate toward #2 and #3 because they balance coverage with edge, and the buzz cut guard chart spells out why those stops behave the way they do.
Faster barbershop consults
Complex recommends showing up with exact guard numbers when you want a buzz with surgical fades, and a saved buzz cut guard chart combo lets your barber start clipping immediately.
DIY projects that stay sharp
All About Beard’s self-cut guides show that sequencing guards top-to-bottom keeps home buzzes clean; the buzz cut guard chart mirrors that logic so you can repeat clean passes every session.
Quick reference buzz cut guard chart table
Keep this buzz cut guard chart table handy when you switch guards mid-cut. Each row ties the clipper number to millimeters, inches, scalp visibility, and real-world finishing notes so you never have to cross-check multiple charts while the clipper is humming.
When you need more contrast, drop one buzz cut guard chart level on the sides and feather with lever play; when you want extra coverage, bump one level up and blend the perimeter. Those micro-adjustments mirror the way Andis, Wahl, and Oster technicians recommend moving between guards, so the table is your shortcut to pro consistency.
| Guard | Millimeters | Inches | Scalp visibility | Finish expectation | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #0 · Zero Guard | 1.5 mm | 1/16" | High contrast | Ultra-tight stubble that leaves the scalp fully visible with a crisp, military-ready finish. | Great for military inspections, high contrast fades, and dense beards. |
| #1 · Guard One | 3.0 mm | 1/8" | Noticeable | Shadow crop that leaves tone coverage but still shows scalp contrast under bright lighting. | Essential for temple fades, beard transitions, and first-time DIY buzzers. |
| #2 · Guard Two | 6.0 mm | 1/4" | Soft shadow | Soft shadow that keeps scalp coverage while allowing texture to bloom slightly. | Go-to length for conservative offices, coarse textures, and balanced fades. |
| #3 · Guard Three | 10.0 mm | 3/8" | Soft shadow | Compact crop that preserves coverage while still air-drying quickly and keeping shape. | Versatile choice for round faces, first-time buzzers, and pairing with short beards. |
| #4 · Guard Four | 13.0 mm | 1/2" | Hidden | Compact crew-length finish that still reads buzzed but gives enough fiber to brush forward. | Great for blending recession, softening round faces, and bridging into longer grow-outs. |
| #5 · Guard Five | 16.0 mm | 5/8" | Hidden | Low-maintenance medium buzz that supports directional styling or light pomade without bulk. | Useful for oblong faces, blending into tapers, and pairing with medium beards. |
| #6 · Guard Six | 19.0 mm | 3/4" | Hidden | Cropped length that reads athletic yet leaves plenty of fiber for cowlick control. | Ideal transition for growing out a buzz or balancing square jawlines. |
| #7 · Guard Seven | 22.0 mm | 7/8" | Hidden | Hybrid length between buzz and short crop that allows comb direction and product control. | Great for diffuse thinning, wave pattern preservation, and blending into sideburn tapers. |
| #8 · Guard Eight | 25.0 mm | 1" | Hidden | Classic long buzz that almost reads crew cut while staying easy to maintain at home. | Works for conservative workplaces, strong hairlines, and anyone testing longer lengths. |
| #9 · Guard Nine | 28.0 mm | 1-1/8" | Hidden | Low-profile crop that behaves like a scissor cut while still being clipper-maintained. | Excellent for growing out fades, disguising flat crowns, and blending with longer beards. |
| #10 · Guard Ten | 32.0 mm | 1-1/4" | Hidden | Longest standard clipper guard, providing a laid-back crop that still benefits from clipper precision. | Perfect for longer grow-out plans, softening sharp features, and maintaining uniform density. |
How to apply your buzz cut guard chart results
Following the calculator output is easier when you work in stages. Use this mini playbook to lock down the order, protect your scalp, and keep the buzz cut guard chart numbers consistent from cut to cut.
- 01
Prep with intention
Wash, dry, and brush hair in the direction you will cut so every pass lands uniformly. London School of Barbering stresses that clean, tensioned hair keeps the buzz cut guard chart aligned with your head shape instead of snagging on cowlicks.
- 02
Execute the top pass
Run the top guard from crown to forehead, overlapping passes slightly while the buzz cut guard chart displays your millimeter target. Guides like You Probably Need a Haircut show that #3 or #4 on top paired with a lighter pressure prevents grooves and keeps the buzz balanced.
- 03
Blend the perimeter
Switch to the recommended side and detail guards. Work around the parietal ridge with light flicks and use lever adjustments shown in the buzz cut guard chart to erase shadow bands, mimicking professional fade tutorials.
- 04
Finish and document
Detail the beard blend, clean the neckline, and snap quick photos. Saving your buzz cut guard chart combo plus progress shots keeps growth tracking consistent and reminds you when the next tidy-up is due within the 10–14 day maintenance window.
Gear that extends your buzz cut guard chart results
Pair the buzz cut guard chart with the right hardware and education to keep every buzz consistent. These resources expand on the numbers you just selected.
Equipment deep dive
Compare torque, blade materials, and guard systems with our equipment hub.
Explore buzz cut clippers →Full guard science
Dive deeper into the theory that powers the buzz cut guard chart. Our long-form guide explains lever play, brand variations, and troubleshooting for tricky hair patterns just like Royal & Anders’ fade breakdowns do.
Read the guard guide →Visual confirmation
Use the Buzz Cut Filter AI to preview how your buzz cut guard chart selection looks on a live photo so you can compare the face-flattering guard combos Complex spotlights before you start cutting.
Launch the AI filter →Frequently asked questions
Still thinking through the details? These answers cover how the buzz cut guard chart handles brand differences, guard mixing, and texture-specific adjustments.
Save your buzz cut guard chart combo and stay consistent
Screenshot your results, add them to your barber notes, and revisit the buzz cut guard chart before every trim. Pin the page, email it to yourself, or share the guard stack with a friend who wants the same disciplined buzz routine.