The buzz cut is trendy right now and you have decided to go for it. Congratulations, but are you confused about the different buzz cut lengths? Are you familiar with number 1, number 2, number 3 and number 4 buzz cut lengths? If not, you should know, because length matters most in a buzz cut!
Why Most Men Love The Buzz Cut
Buzz Cut hairstyle is becoming wildly popular amongst men, as it’s considered one of the easiest to maintain styles with very little grooming.
The reason why it is so popular is due to its “light feather-like” feel on the head, which is good for men living in hot climate countries and of course, its ways of styling that suit all hair types.
Although many of us must have heard about it recently, this hairstyle is around 100 years old and has come in many forms with unique variations every time it tops the trends.
The buzz cut is widely associated with the military, where soldiers kept their hair short and low-maintenance to stay cool and avoid distraction in the field.
Apart from this, many Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Jake Gyllenhaal, Brad Pitt, Zayn Malik, and many more celebrities got this haircut. They have made it even more popular, giving us ways of wearing it in different lengths according to the clipper sizes that determine the length that should be kept for a buzz cut.
Different Buzz Cut Lengths
The length of a buzz cut can vary, but it generally ranges from 1/8 inch (about 3 mm) to about 1/2 inch (about 13 mm).
Hair clippers use standardized numbers to indicate the length the hair will be cut to, usually ranging from 0 to 8. For buzz cuts, clipper numbers from 1 to 4 are particularly relevant.
Some individuals might choose a cut that is even shorter than a Number 1, essentially shaving their head, while others may opt for a slightly longer buzz cut for a distinct appearance.
However, the main feature of a buzz cut is that it is shorter than a regular haircut but not fully shaved either. So, clipper number 1 (3.175 millimeters), number 2 (6.35 millimeters), number 3 (9.525 millimeters), and number 4 (12.7 millimeters) are perfect lengths for buzz cut.
To find out what types of buzz haircuts are available according to clipper sizes, read ahead to get an idea of various buzz cut lengths, such as number 1, 2, 3, and 4 buzz cut styles with some examples.
Buzz Cut Lengths at a Glance
| Guard | Length | Scalp visible? | Best for | Upkeep |
| #1 | 1/8 in (3.175 mm) | Yes, clearly | Even scalps; a sharp, military look | ~1–2 weeks |
| #2 | 1/4 in (6.35 mm) | Slightly | A versatile everyday buzz | ~2–3 weeks |
| #3 | 3/8 in (9.525 mm) | Barely | More texture; hides the scalp better | ~2–4 weeks |
| #4 | 1/2 in (12.7 mm) | No | A grown-in, lower-contrast look | ~3–4 weeks |
Want to go even shorter or a bit longer? Below a #1 you are into #0, induction, and skin-bald territory, which shows the most scalp and needs the most frequent touch-ups. Above a #4, a #5 or higher leaves enough length to comb or style, so it starts to feel more like a short haircut than a true buzz.
One quick lifestyle tip for the shortest buzzes: with so little hair on top, your scalp catches a lot more sun, so a cap or a little SPF on bright days keeps it comfortable.
Number 1 Buzz Cut
This hairstyle is the most popular among the top trends in men’s hairstyles. A #1 works with most hair types (straight, thick or thin, curly, wavy, or afro), but because it is so short it exposes the scalp, so it looks its best when your density is fairly even and your scalp is free of obvious scars or bumps. Longer guards like a #3 or #4 are more forgiving.
For number 1 buzz cut lengths like the ones shown in the pictures above, you can wear it nicely, keeping the length 1/8 of an inch (3.175 millimeters) that leads towards the back of the head, creating a nice finish to the look.
The front side of the hair can be trimmed into a wavy line to even out the entire look of the haircut. To maintain this style, get their hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks to make it look as neat and fresh as possible.
Number 2 Buzz Cut
The number 2 buzz cut is a versatile, popular length that works for most guys. The hair is cut into ¼ inch (6.35 millimeters), which hides the visibility of the scalp through the hair.
Men with big foreheads and straight eyebrows can wear this look and keep the hair above the forehead trimmed into either an “M” shape or a wide “U” to accentuate the buzz cut on the face.
Get your hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks, depending on the speed of the hair growth.
Number 3 Buzz Cut
Men who want a slightly longer hair length in their buzz cuts can go for the number 3 buzz cut. Celebrities like Brad Pitt and Chris Evans have been seen wearing this look.
You can keep a clean shave with this look, as it has a buzz cut with a 3/8 length in inches and 9.525 millimeters. The front part of the haircut can be trimmed into an “M” shape if the face is long or a wide “U” if the face is square shape to even out the look.
Men with any hair color can go for this haircut, but it would look the most prominent in dark hair colors, like Black or chocolate brown hair, as shown in the pictures above.
For this look, ask the barber to trim the hair nicely. This will grow out with a soft and smooth texture, giving a nice feel to the buzz cut. Read our article if you are confused between crew cut and buzz cut.
Number 4 Buzz Cut
Number 4 buzz cut has a length of ½ of an inch (12.7 millimeters). It is almost the mature version of the buzz cut lengths that partially looks like a buzz and partially like normally full grown hair. This can also be considered as: after the transition of a freshly cut buzz cut that was number 1 and has now grown into the number 4 category.
Men can also wear it with a short beard to get a more mature or wise look and vice versa. The best part about this length buzz cut is that you can style your hair like the ones shown in the pictures, which have the front styled into a mini faux hawk, bringing a nice change to the buzz cut.
To get this look on your hair, ask the barber for a nice buzz cut. Once you have it, style the hair on top into mini spikes that align well with the jawline of the face.
There are many numbers of buzz cut lengths that look different, but the ones we talked about are the first 4 of the clipper sizes that everyone is going for and loves it. These hair lengths make the head feel super-light as the hair is less, especially for those men who don’t have time to style their hair before they leave for work or an outing and prefer having hair set on the go.
Try one of these buzz cut lengths to find the one that suits you best.