Men's Hair Length Chart: From Buzz to Long, Explained

Men's hair length is measured in two ways: clipper guard numbers for short cuts and approximate inches for medium to long lengths. Here is the full range explained so you can communicate precisely about length at the barbershop.

Clipper Guard Numbers (Short Hair)

Clipper guards are numbered 0 through 8. Each number equals 1/8 of an inch of hair left after cutting. Guard 0 (or bald/skin): near-zero, the closest the clipper can cut without being bare skin. Guard 1: 1/8 inch (3mm). Guard 2: 1/4 inch (6mm), the most common buzz cut length. Guard 3: 3/8 inch (10mm), slightly longer, still very short. Guard 4: 1/2 inch (13mm), transitional length. Guard 5: 5/8 inch (16mm). Guard 6: 3/4 inch (19mm). Guard 7: 7/8 inch (22mm). Guard 8: 1 inch (25mm). Most short haircuts use guards 1 through 4 on the sides. The top section of a short haircut may use guards 3 through 6 or scissors depending on the style.

Short to Medium Lengths in Inches

1 inch: still quite short; allows minor styling. 1.5 to 2 inches: the range of most short textured crops and buzz-adjacent styles with defined tops. 2 to 3 inches: comfortable range for most quiffs, crops, Ivy Leagues, and combed styles. 3 to 4 inches: medium short; pompadour, slick back, and comb over at their most common lengths. 4 to 6 inches: medium length; most undercut and two-block styles. Can be styled up, back, or worn loosely.

Medium to Long Lengths

6 to 8 inches: medium-long; hair reaches or passes the ears and can be tucked behind them. 8 to 10 inches: shoulder approach; hair falls to or near the top of the shoulders. 10 to 12 inches: at or approaching shoulder length. Beyond 12 inches: long hair; lies below the shoulders. Hair growth is approximately 1/2 inch per month; growing from a short cut (2 inches) to shoulder length (10 to 12 inches) takes approximately 16 to 20 months at average growth rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure my current hair length?

Take a strand from the top of the head, stretch it to its full length without pulling, and measure from the root to the tip. This gives the maximum current length. For curly or coily hair, the stretched length (measured straight) is longer than the natural curl length; when discussing your hair with a barber, the natural resting length (how long the hair appears when not pulled) is more relevant to how the haircut will look than the maximum stretched length.

How long does it take to grow a specific length?

Hair grows at approximately 6 inches per year, or 1/2 inch per month. Individual variation exists: some men grow hair faster (up to 8 to 9 inches per year) and some slower (4 to 5 inches per year). Age, nutrition, genetics, and overall health all affect growth rate. To estimate time to a target length: subtract current length from target length in inches, then divide by your approximate monthly growth rate. Starting from a guard 2 buzz (1/4 inch) and targeting 3 inches of top length requires growing approximately 2.75 inches, or roughly 5 to 6 months at average growth.