Number 5 Haircut: Length And How To Get It (2024)

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I know that many of you are confused with all the new hair terms and haircut numbers. But don’t worry, we are here to give you a quick guide on the number 5 haircut, and we are pretty sure that when you finish reading this guide, you will know exactly what a number 5 haircut is.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

What is a Number 5 haircut?

A number 5 haircut is a simple short haircut where the hair is cut with the number 5 hair clipper guards (5/8 of an inch, 16mm).

In the classic number 5 haircut, all hair is cut to the same length. This makes this haircut technically a buzzcut, but because the hair is longer than the typical buzz cut, most people don’t categorize it as such.

But in our opinion, the number 5 is the perfect haircut to enter the world of buzzcuts. This is because it is short enough so that it is easy to maintain and long enough so that the scalp is not visible.

The number 5 haircut shines through its simplicity; it is a very straightforward haircut that doesn’t require much styling or effort to look good. Actually, you won’t be able to style this haircut any way because the hair length simply doesn’t allow it.

This is why the number 5 haircut is perfect for those who want a no-fuss haircut that is not extreme or too short. And because it is not an extreme haircut, it fits most face shapes and hair types. Whether you have thick hair, thin hair, curly hair, or straight hair, the number 5 haircut will look good on you.

The same goes for face shapes; whether you have an oval face, square face, or any other face shape, the number 5 haircut will complement your facial features. The only face shape that doesn’t really work with the number 5 haircut is a round face.

This is because a round face already has delicate features, and the number 5 haircut will make it look even rounder. If you have a round face, I recommend going for a haircut that will add length to your face, such as a three on top 2 to the sides haircut.

Related Article: Buzz Cut Lengths: Complete Guide from 0 to 8

Number 5 Haircut Length

The number 5 haircut length is 5/8 of an inch or 16 mm. This is a short length but not as short as a classic buzz cut.

The tricky part if you are trying to get a number 5 haircut at home is that some hair clippers don’t have a guard of this size. So before you buy a pair of hair clippers, ensure they have a number 5 guard.

If you are getting your haircut at a barbershop, then this won’t be an issue as barbershops have all the guards available.

If you don’t have the number 5 guard available, you can always go for a number 4 haircut that is slightly shortest (1/2 inch).

Related Article: The Number 8 Haircut Ultimate Guide

What does a number 5 haircut look like?

Now that you know what a number 5 haircut is and what its length is, it’s time to take a look at some pictures to get an idea of what this haircut looks like. As you can see, the number 5 haircut is a very short haircut that doesn’t leave much room for styling.

The key to making this haircut look good is to ensure that your hair is well-groomed and that your barber or stylist knows what they are doing.

Number 5 Haircut with a Fade

As I told you, there are several variations of the number 5 haircut, but by far, the most popular one is the number 5 haircut with a fade.

It is so popular because the fade adds a sparkle of style to an otherwise effortless, straightforward haircut.

To get the number 5 haircut with a fade, you need to trim the top of your hair with a number 5 clipper and fade the sides and back with a shorter number. The most common fade numbers are 2, 3, or 4.

As with any faded haircut, I recommend going to the barbershop to get it done cause fading is not an easy task to do at home, especially if you are a beginner.

You can choose from several types of fades, but the most popular ones are the low fade, medium fade, and high fade.

The low fade is the most discreet fade as the transition happens half an inch above the ear. The medium fade is a bit more noticeable as it starts fading one inch above the ear, and the high fade is the most dramatic as it starts fading around the temples.

Choosing the right fade for you will depend on your personal preference, face shape, and hair type.

For example, if you have a round face, I recommend going for a high fade as it will make your face look more oval-shaped.

The final decision you will have to make is about the fade length. The fade length is how short or long the hair will be when it starts fading.

If you want a discreet look that will blend naturally with the top hair, I recommend going for a longer fade like the number 3. However, if you want a more dramatic look, I recommend going for a shorter fade like the number 1 or even the skin fade.

As you can understand, the choices are endless regarding the number 5 haircut with a fade, but I am confident you will find the suitable variation for you.

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Number 5 haircut with a beard

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a mensattitude article if we didn’t talk about beards. So, can you rock a beard with a number 5 haircut?

The answer is yes, you definitely can! In fact, the number 5 haircut is often paired with a beard to create a more rugged look.

This way, you should be able to get a more relaxed look without having to worry about your hair getting in the way.

There are several beard styles that you can pair with a number 5 haircut, and you should choose one that suits for face shape and style.

For example, if you have a round face, I recommend going for a beard style that will make your face look more oval-shaped, like the ducktail beard or the goatee. If you have a square face, I recommend wearing a beard style that will soften your features, like the Verdi or Balbo. And if you want to keep it simple, you can always go for a classic full beard.

You can read our complete guide to learn more about the beard styles that suit specific face shapes.

Number 5 Haircut on the Sides

Another variation of the number 5 haircut you should know about is the number 5 haircut on the sides.

This variation is different than the usual number 5 haircut because, as the name suggests, only the sides are trimmed with a number 5 clipper. The top is left longer and can be styled in several ways.

This haircut is for those who don’t like short hair but still want a stylish and relatively easy-to-maintain haircut.

With the number 5 on the sides haircut, you can choose to style the top however you want. For example, you can go for a quiff or a pompadour or leave it messy.

As you can understand, the options are endless, and it all comes down to your personal preference.

But the most significant difference of this variation is that it won’t be a maintenance-free haircut like the classic number 5.

That’s because the hair on top will be long enough to require regular styling.

So, if you are looking for a low-maintenance haircut, I recommend sticking to the classic number 5 haircut.

How to get a number 5 haircut

This is it! These are the simple steps on how to get a number 5 haircut at home. Just remember to take your time, be extra careful, and use good quality hair clippers, and you will get a great result.

Conclusion

The number 5 haircut is a timeless classic that will never go out of style. It’s a low-maintenance haircut that is perfect for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time on their hair.

There are several variations of the number 5 haircut, but the most common is the classic version, where you trim all the hair with a number 5 guard.

If you want to get this haircut at home, I recommend following the simple steps I mentioned above. Just remember to be extra careful and take your time, and you will get a great result.

I hope this article was helpful, and you now know everything there is to know about the number 5 haircut. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.