Does anyone know what the numbers for haircuts actually mean?

[Dangermouse33]

When I go get a haircut, they ask if I want a #1, #2 for the sides. What does that mean? What length does that translate to? Also, I was wondering if anyone knew what a right / left taper and Blending is?

 

[Platypus]

That is the guard refernce number. The guard being a plastic piece that goes over the blade giving you certain length options.

 

[NetworkDad]

<-------- Uses #3, Layered sides, sideburns off.

 

[bigrash]

Yup it's that number for that plastic thing. I believe the lower the number the more your hair will be cut

 

[Basilisk6]

Originally posted by: bigrash9
Yup it's that number for that plastic thing. I believe the lower the number the more your hair will be cut

Those numbers are the length of hair in eighths of an inch, so a 3 is 3/8th's, a 5 is 5/8th's, etc.