Clipper Blade Numbers Explained: What Length Does Each Blade Cut? (#10, #30, #40 Chart)
What does a #10 blade cut? Complete clipper blade numbers chart — every blade number from #50 (shortest) to #3.75 (longest) with exact cutting lengths in mm. Covers A5 detachable blades for grooming.
What Do Clipper Blade Numbers Mean?
Clipper blade numbers indicate how closely the blade cuts. Higher numbers = shorter cuts (closer to the skin). A #40 blade cuts to 0.25mm (surgical prep). A #10 blade cuts to 1.6mm (standard body clip). A #3.75 blade cuts to 13mm (long finishing work).
This is the opposite of guard numbers (where higher = longer). Many beginners confuse the two.
Complete Clipper Blade Number Chart
This chart applies to A5 detachable blades — the universal system used by Wahl, Andis, Oster, and 25+ other brands.
| Blade # | Cut Length | Inches | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| #50 | 0.2mm | 1/125" | Surgical prep (closest cut) |
| #40 | 0.25mm | 1/100" | Surgical prep, show paws/face |
| #30 | 0.5mm | 1/50" | Very close clip, cat grooming |
| #15 | 1.2mm | 3/64" | Close body clip, poodle feet |
| #10 | 1.6mm | 1/16" | Standard body clip — most used blade |
| #9 | 2.0mm | 5/64" | Medium body clip, summer cut |
| #8.5 | 2.8mm | 7/64" | Medium length, all-around grooming |
| #7F | 3.2mm | 1/8" | Full-tooth finish cut (smooth) |
| #7 | 3.2mm | 1/8" | Skip-tooth (faster, for thick coats) |
| #5F | 6.3mm | 1/4" | Puppy cut / teddy bear trim |
| #5 | 6.3mm | 1/4" | Skip-tooth version |
| #4F | 9.5mm | 3/8" | Long finish, teddy bear cuts |
| #4 | 9.5mm | 3/8" | Skip-tooth version |
| #3.75 | 13mm | 1/2" | Longest blade — breed trims |
Full-Tooth (F) vs Skip-Tooth Blades
Blades #4, #5, and #7 come in both versions. Both cut the same length, but with different tooth patterns. Full-tooth (F) has uniform teeth for a smooth, polished finish on clean coats. Skip-tooth has alternating teeth for faster cutting through thick, matted, or dirty coats. Use F for finishing, skip-tooth for rough passes.
The 3 Most Popular Blades
#10 (1.6mm) — The universal workhorse. Standard body clip for almost every grooming scenario. If you buy one blade, make it a #10.
#7F (3.2mm) — The versatile finisher. Leaves a slightly longer, natural-looking coat. The most forgiving blade for beginners because extra length hides minor imperfections.
#5F (6.3mm) — The puppy cut blade. Leaves enough coat for a fluffy look while removing bulk. Very popular for Doodle breeds.