Haircut: Names and... Numbers?

[Noah James]

Went and got my hair cut the other day - a bit more military than I expected, but it's cool and I still pass a good 90% of the time. The lady gave me a hard time about my name, though, and questioned me a couple times about my "real" one. That was rather annoying, but it's not like she went out of her way to make me look more feminine (like some people do) and she charged me for a men's cut, so whatever.

Anyway, later, a guy friend (who knew me before transition) noticed the new cut and commented, "Lemme guess, 3 on the sides and back, 5 on the top?" I just kinda nodded, and responded, "Yeah... Something like that..." But in my head, I was all "Whaa...? 3 and 5? What is that? Inches??" I mean, whenever I get a haircut, I usually ask for a trim or something of the sort; never heard anything about any numbers. Anyone wanna help a guy out? Seems like something that would be common sense, but... 

[Nygeel]

With clipper cuts, the numbers are about the guides.

These are clipper guides.
#8 is the longest, usually about 1 inch.
#6 is 3/4 inch
#4 is 1/2 inch
#2 is 1/4 inch
#3 is 3/8 inch

[Berserk]

Went and got my hair cut the other day - a bit more military than I expected, but it's cool and I still pass a good 90% of the time. The lady gave me a hard time about my name, though, and questioned me a couple times about my "real" one. That was rather annoying, but it's not like she went out of her way to make me look more feminine (like some people do) and she charged me for a men's cut, so whatever.

Anyway, later, a guy friend (who knew me before transition) noticed the new cut and commented, "Lemme guess, 3 on the sides and back, 5 on the top?" I just kinda nodded, and responded, "Yeah... Something like that..." But in my head, I was all "Whaa...? 3 and 5? What is that? Inches??" I mean, whenever I get a haircut, I usually ask for a trim or something of the sort; never heard anything about any numbers. Anyone wanna help a guy out? Seems like something that would be common sense, but... 

He was referring to the clipper guard number. Shorter guard (or no guard) for shorter hair, number increases the longer you go.

Edit: ah, Nygeel beat me to it

[adt2010]

Ah yes, numbers and haircuts didn't go together well for me at first either.

The number correlates with the guard (black plastic comb thing) on the clippers. Generally the standard set is #1-#8. #1= 1/8th of an inch. #8= 8/8ths of an inch or 1 inch. There are also halves. so 1 and a half is 1/8th plus 1/16th which is.... 3/16ths? Yeah

For example, when I get a haircut I say "1 on the sides, fade it down, texture the top" basically right above my ears is at 1/8th of an inch, then fade it down so it blends down to nothing on my neck, and then the top is longer and textured (around 1 inch or so?)

Am I making any sense?

Edit: Yeah I was beat out too, but ohwell... and 8 is an inch, not about an inch.

[Noah James]

Ahhh, alright, clippers. That makes more sense. Thanks guys! 

[Cindy]

Next time you go for a cut, when they say what do you want just tell #3 and a clean up. It's what guys do. Guys generally, unless you are into metro stuff, do a walk in walk out haircut. No wash, you can wash your own hair, just cut and clear the ears is also common jargon. If I'm having a guy hair cut (which I do because I wear wigs at the moment) I don't expect to stay any more than 15 mins. I pay about $25 max.  Usually ask for #3 all over and tidy with a square neck. Which for me allows me to wear wigs comfortably, but looks clean and tidy.