Although we’ve been visiting the salon for a long time now, it still confuses us when our stylist asks for the haircut number we want. We’ve hence decided to decode the mystery once and for all by listing our haircut numbers according to the clipper size in detail for you. Here you go.
What is a haircut number?
When your barber or hairstylist asks you for a number, what does it really mean? By now, it must be known that these are in a way related to the length of the hair. What they actually are is the fraction of hair that is to be left on the scalp.
For instance, if you’ve chosen say, number 2 it also means that 2/8 of your hair (if 8 were the maximum length of the hair that is allowed by the clipper used) will be left on the scalp. Generally, 8 is the highest haircut number while there can also be bigger clippers based on the length of the hair.
Understanding haircut numbers/Do you know your haircut number?
What is a clipper guard number?
A clipper guard number is in fact nothing but the haircut number which is etched on the blades of the clipper. If you ask for a haircut number two, your stylist will use the guard number 2 among all the sizes that the clipper has. It is from the clipper guard number that the haircut numbers arose.
So if we consider the highest numbered clipper, i.e., the 8th size clipper to be of 1 inch in size, these sizes from one to 8 are in the ascending order of the length of the hair left out. This list of numbers and their corresponding sizes, inch-wise, will give you an idea of the concept of haircut numbers.
Hair Clipper Numbers:Delving a little deeper into each number of the hairstyle, here is a slight elaboration of each of the hairstyle numbers according to the length of the hair left on the scalp. Go on and check them out so that you can choose better the next time you go to your salon, thereby getting the perfect length.
#1: Number 0 Haircut:
Number 0 as you can guess is complete shaving of the head, sometimes with a barely there layer of hair. This is because there is no guard left out on the clippers when you get this haircut. There are gradations like the 0.5 as well which are between the number 0 and number 1.
#2: Number 1 Haircut:
One eighth of an inch, the number 1 haircut leaves a very thin layer of hairs on your scalp. The layer is so thin that the scalp will definitely show. We could perhaps say that this style is almost bald but just not bald enough! So if you don’t want to go completely bald but want to shave your head, this is the number to choose.
#3: Number 2 Haircut:
Slightly longer than Number 1 haircut, the Number 2 haircut has got enough hair left on your scalp such that there is no scalp seen. With a considerable bit of hair left on your scalp you can even style it into some really popular haircuts like the buzz cut and crew cut. This is definitely one of the most go-to haircuts for the summer just because it keeps your scalp cool. Also, it is very easy on maintenance which is why it is great if you have a busy lifestyle where in you can’t spend too much time on your hair.
#4: Number 3 Haircut
Number 3 leaves longer hairs on your scalp. While it can be used to create fades or short haircuts like the buzz cut or the crew cut, you can’t really style it too much. Spiky hair style can also be got at this length of the hair. This hair cut is easy maintenance as well.
#5: Number 4 Haircut:
By now, we’re at half inch of hair strands and there for at Number 4, there is a good amount of hair left on the scalp. This hairstyle can be styled into short as well as longer hair styles and a parting is also possible at this length. It is good for people with a rounder face shape to start going up from number 4 as it leaves more hair on the scalp making their face look considerably thinner.
#6: Number 5 Haircut
The number 5 haircut, being above half an inch leaves a lot of hair at the top of the head. The number 5 haircut leaves us to be able to style it into many different styles like the side parted hairstyles and many fades. Sometimes even quiff and fringe hairstyles are possible with this haircut. It is generally the most preferred length of hair by men.
#7: Number 6 Haircut
The number 6 hairstyle leaving a little longer hair than 5 is a lot similar to number 5 haircut in the ways that it can be styled. Sometimes, the frontal part of the hair is left with a number 6 length of hair while the rest of the hair has lower number hair lengths.
#8: Number 7 Haircut
Number 7 haircut has just some of your hair being trimmed away with plenty of it left. This haircut is preferred by men who’d like to keep styling their hair into different hairstyles such that it shows the natural texture.
#9: Number 8 Haircut
The Number 8 haircut is a very light trim where most of your hair is left intact. This is used when you want to style your hair in fade haircuts on the upper part of the hair leaving it to be styled in complicated Mohawk or other punk-ish styles. It can also be got when you don’t want to lose much your hair but want to keep the edges trimmed.