The Definite Guide To Hair Clipper Sizes (2024)

by Salvatore Jamison | Last updated May 6, 2022 | 35 comments

35 Comments

  1. GerhardRiviaon January 20, 2017 at 6:09 am

    Didn’t even know that those metal wahl combs existed…thanks for the heads up. Went ahead and grabbed the 1/2 + 1 1/2 set for my seniors clippers 🙂

    Reply

    • Mikeon August 30, 2020 at 6:11 am

      Any idea why Wahl do not produce a #9 guard?
      I find #8 too short and #10 too long.
      Ideally I would like a 28mm cut.
      Does anyone do a guard of that length?
      Thanks

      Reply

  2. Roger Hidalgoon February 5, 2017 at 4:23 am

    Looking for comb guide #10,#12 & #14 with metal clips. Where to find them? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Alexon February 5, 2017 at 5:52 am

      Hi Roger!

      Unfortunately, we haven’t seen any metal guards longer than the #8 included in Wahl’s set. Seems like they have limited the premium feature to shorter, more ‘standard’ sizes.

      Reply

      • Ty Houstonon December 23, 2017 at 6:35 am

        I did not see that he listed a #0 guard for the walhs brand. Dude Yhu should reread it before you comment

        Reply

        • Jayon April 22, 2020 at 6:34 pm

          I use a 0,1/2, 1, 1 1/2, 2 to fade my own hair. Do they make a 2 1/2? I try to blend into a 3 & 4 but leaves a line. I’m not good enough to get rid of lines with no guard and a comb Or scissors like you professionals! Thanks!

          Reply

    • Anonymouson November 28, 2019 at 9:35 pm

      Use the Oster they come with the metal blades go From 000-3. So you can put plastic guard #8 with the 3 metal blade. Equals #11. I found 8-12 guards for the Oster

      Reply

  3. Louon Axhijajaon April 23, 2017 at 8:43 am

    U have the wahl clip/comb sizes listed incorrectly, there is no zero comb for wahl there is the half clip and where is the 1 and 1/2 clip? Also a number 2 detschable blade is well known througHouten the industry to be longer then the detachable 2 blade, you have it listed that the detachable 2 leaves the hair longer. Why?

    Reply

  4. Samon June 23, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    I have the wahl clippers and blades #40,10,7,5,4 and 3 1/4. I just purchased the wahl guides but I don’t have a clue to which blades I am supposed to use with them. Do I just use the #40 or #10 or do I use all the other blades depending on the extra length I want?

    Reply

    • Alexon June 25, 2017 at 5:32 pm

      Hi Sam!

      This is a set of dog clippers you’re talking about, right? Human clippers don’t have sizes like #40, #10 etc. It’s a matter of personal preference – some people groom only by switching blades, others by further attaching guides.

      Which guides did you buy, btw? Human clippers and dog clippers differ a bit.

      #10 is the most standard dog clipper blade you’ll see on most clippers. Beginners tend to use it, as it leaves hair long enough to be comfortable for most breeds.

      Scroll to the very bottom of our article here to learn about all the dog blade sizes: https://www.hairclippersclub.com/best-dog-clippers-dog-grooming-scissors-guide/

      As I said, most beginners go with the #10, but additionally check this guide on breeds (not sure what yours is): https://clipperworld.com.au/which-clipper-blade-breed-guide-i6.html

      Just keep in mind that some clippers can get hot. Make sure you have a cooling spray/make pauses from time to time!

      Let me know if you have any further questions,
      Alex

      Reply

  5. Jack O'Neillon August 12, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    Hey man, nice post. One question remains though. What size is it when I have my Oster Fast Feed closed with Andi’s magnetic combs?

    Is it Andi’s magnetic combs + 0.5 mm?

    Reply

  6. Fiddleon August 15, 2017 at 12:08 am

    On a wahl senior, when the blade is closed with no guard it is 0.5mm. How many milliliters is it when the wahl seniors are all the way open with no guard? Is it 1.4mm?

    Reply

    • Alexon August 15, 2017 at 2:27 am

      Hey Fiddle,

      You mean the regular Seniors, not the 5 stars, right?

      It should be the length of ~#1/2 Wahl guard, or roughly 1.5mm when it’s open without a guard.

      Cheers!
      Alex

      Reply

  7. Chelseaon October 9, 2017 at 1:40 am

    I have oyster classic 76. Can you use Andis blades with them? If so have you noticed a difference in those blades vs oster.

    Reply

  8. Troyon January 26, 2018 at 5:39 am

    So my question is , like what # guard 0a 5/16 speed-o-guide, is equivalent to what Wahl or Andis purple guard?

    Reply

  9. Donnaon February 11, 2018 at 6:19 am

    I purchased a Wahl 5 in 1 blade cannot figure out how compares to the comb sizes like a size 10 would be which 5 in 1 setting

    Reply

    • Alexon February 11, 2018 at 9:45 pm

      Hey Donna!

      If you’re talking about the 5-in-1 fine blade, it’s usually used for pets and not humans. Can you confirm which one is it?

      Animal clipper sizes and human clipper sizes differ a lot.

      Best,
      Alex

      Reply

  10. Ronon March 6, 2018 at 9:44 pm

    I have a Moser 1881 which has a 1 9/16 inch head. (Or 39.5mm).
    Can I use standard Wahl (or similar) guides on it?
    You description above does not mention the standard width of the head to fit the standard guides…

    Reply

    • Sorinon March 23, 2020 at 4:52 am

      Hi, is there a 2 inch clipper size for human use, and if so what is the clipper number and where can i purchase it?
      Thank you

      Reply

  11. Celia Ivoryon May 1, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    Hello, I’ve just purchased the wahl chromado lithium, Will these guards fit. Also I’m used to using guards #1 to #6, how do I convert the sizes.
    Many thanks.

    Reply

    • Naomion May 2, 2018 at 8:18 am

      Hi Celia. Thanks for your question.
      Unfortunately, you cannot interchange the guards for the Wahl Chromando Lithium. You have to use the 5-in-1 blade.
      Secondly, the Wahl Chromando Lithium comes with the following attachment guide combs: 6 Attachment Guide Combs: (#1 -1/8” (3mm) cut; #2 -1/4” (6mm) cut; #3 -1/3” (9mm) cut; #4 -1/2” (12mm) cut; #6 -3/4” (18mm) cut; #8 -1” (25mm)

      Reply

      • Celiaon May 2, 2018 at 4:39 pm

        Thank you for taking the time to answer.

        Reply

        • Naomion May 3, 2018 at 8:42 am

          My pleasure.

          Reply

  12. Morganon May 3, 2018 at 7:57 am

    Hi! Does all the wahl guards fit to all wahl clippers?
    / morgan

    Reply

    • Alexon May 3, 2018 at 8:58 am

      Hi Morgan. Thanks so much for your message. From what I can see, the color-coated plastic Wahl guards should fit Wahl full-size clippers, which excludes trimmers.
      The Wahl metal clipper guards are compatible with most full-size clippers with the exception of Wahl’s competition series and detachable blades.

      Reply

  13. Jasonon June 23, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    On the Wahl right and left ear taper guards, can anyone tell me what the equivalent guard size is for the two sides? It looks like it may taper from a 2 guard on the high side to the 1 guard on the short side but I am not sure. I wish they made different lengths on the tapered guards, I think they could really help with fading.

    Reply

    • Alexon June 23, 2018 at 3:30 pm

      Hi Jason. Good question. The Wahl left and right ear taper guards range from 1/8” to 1/2”, so the equivalent guard size would be a 4 on the high side and a 1 on the low side. That’s a good idea. I definitely agree with you there.

      Reply

  14. Terryon December 7, 2018 at 12:41 am

    The Wahl #12 or 1 + 1/2 inch guard is not the largest guard size designed for human hair. There are actually generic #16 guards made for Wahl Clippers made by a 3rd party company which allow the hair to be cut at roughly 2 inches long. I believe the company that makes them is called Clipquik and they are compatible with Wahl clippers and maybe Conair clippers also. If your clipper has a side-lever for adjustable length then you can even get it to cut the hair at almost 2 + 1/4 inches long. I wear a shorter classic style mullet hairstyle and either use the #12 or #16 guard with the long lever setting for one length on the front, top, and sides. There is no tapering. I use a vacuum electronic haircutter (not mentioned on this site) or have another person cut / trim the longer portion of hair in the back. I’ve been self-cutting my hair in this style since 2005 with little changes made since then.

    Reply

    • nazarudinon April 24, 2020 at 7:29 am

      hello, can i cut my own hair only using a 3mm,6mm and 9mm only because my clippers doesnt have lever to make a fade. help me please

      Reply

  15. Ken McAulayon May 5, 2020 at 10:14 am

    I have my father’s old “Renown Ace Clippers” from the 1950s purchased from Eaton’s Of Canada. The instructions recommend Wahl oil for lubrication and the bottom of the blades says “WAHL 000 SOLID”. It is in great condition and I would like to use it again. I am interested in buying new guards but I am not sure if the current Wahl guards will fit. Can you help me?

    Reply

    • Larryon February 4, 2022 at 5:22 pm

      I’m going to assume this was an item made by Wahl, under license/contract for a major retailer at the time (how sears did in the US). Wahl clippers really haven’t changed much in their basic design in years – nor have Andis and Oster, so I’d put money on modern guards working just fine. If not, look into speed-o-guide combs.

      Reply

  16. Rahul Narkhedeon September 27, 2020 at 12:51 am

    What would be the sizes of cut if say wahl guards are used in direction of hair growth, like on top of head?

    Reply

  17. Goranon November 5, 2022 at 10:36 am

    Is there any way to setup a clipper to cut at 1-3/8″…I looked everywhere and there doesn’t seem to be a #11 guard. I have been cutting my own hair for a while and it just seems the #10 is too short even when I use the lever on the clippper and the #12 is too long.

    Reply

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