Oster A5 Clipper Blades: Complete Compatibility & Size Chart [2026]
Every Oster A5 clipper blade size, cut length, and compatible model listed. Includes cross-brand compatibility with Andis, Wahl KM, and aftermarket blades. Printable size chart inside.
The Oster A5 clipper is the machine that started it all. Oster invented the A5 detachable blade system in the early 1960s, creating the universal standard that every major clipper brand adopted. Today, "A5 blades" are used across Andis, Wahl KM, Heiniger, Aesculap, and dozens more — but the Oster A5 remains the reference point for blade sizing and compatibility.
This guide provides the complete Oster A5 clipper blades chart covering every blade size, cut length, compatible Oster models, cross-brand compatibility, aftermarket blade options, and practical selection advice for groomers and barbers.
Complete Oster A5 Blade Size Chart
All Oster A5 blades follow the industry-standard numbering system where higher numbers = shorter cuts. The "F" or "FC" designation means finish cut (closely-spaced teeth for a smooth finish). Skip-tooth versions have wider-spaced teeth for faster cutting through thick coats.
| Blade # | Cut Length (mm) | Cut Length (inches) | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3F / #3FC | 13.0mm | 1/2" | Finish | Longest A5 cut. Horse body clips, long pet trims, Teddy Bear cuts |
| #3 Skip | 13.0mm | 1/2" | Skip-tooth | Same length, faster through thick/matted coats |
| #4F / #4FC | 9.5mm | 3/8" | Finish | Medium-length body work, Bichon and Shih Tzu trims |
| #4 Skip | 9.5mm | 3/8" | Skip-tooth | Rough pre-clipping through heavy coats |
| #5F / #5FC | 6.3mm | 1/4" | Finish | Most popular all-purpose grooming blade. Short Retriever, Spaniel trims |
| #5 Skip | 6.3mm | 1/4" | Skip-tooth | Heavy-duty grooming, matted double coats, livestock |
| #7F / #7FC | 3.2mm | 1/8" | Finish | Short pet trims, show grooming, Poodle body, Schnauzer body |
| #7 Skip | 3.2mm | 1/8" | Skip-tooth | Quick stripping of heavy undercoat before finish pass |
| #8-1/2 | 2.8mm | 7/64" | Finish | Short body work, terrier stripping, between #7F and #9 |
| #9 | 2.0mm | 5/64" | Finish | Short close trim, face cleanup on some breeds |
| #10 | 1.5mm | 1/16" | Finish | Industry workhorse. Poodle faces/feet, sanitary areas, under combs |
| #15 | 1.2mm | 3/64" | Finish | Surgical prep, very close veterinary work |
| #30 | 0.5mm | 1/50" | Finish | Surgical close. Under guide combs, setting lines |
| #40 | 0.25mm | 1/100" | Finish | Closest cut available. Surgical prep only — never use directly on skin |
| #50 | 0.2mm | — | Finish | Veterinary surgical, extremely close, professional only |
Which Oster Clippers Use A5 Blades?
Not every Oster clipper uses A5 blades. Here is the complete compatibility list:
| Oster Model | A5 Compatible? | Speed | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oster A5 (original) | Yes | Single/Two-speed | The original — professional grooming and veterinary |
| Oster Golden A5 | Yes | Two-speed | Premium version with quieter motor |
| Oster Turbo A5 | Yes | Two-speed | Higher RPM for dense coats |
| Oster A6 Comfort | Yes | Three-speed | Lightweight, ergonomic design |
| Oster PowerMax | Yes | Two-speed | Equine and large animal |
| Oster Power Pro Ultra | Yes | Two-speed | Heavy-duty professional |
| Oster Volt | Yes | Cordless | Cordless A5-compatible |
| Oster Classic 76 | No | Single-speed | Uses Oster 76 blades (different system) |
| Oster Fast Feed | No | Single-speed | Uses proprietary adjustable blade |
| Oster Model 10 | No | Single-speed | Uses Oster 76 blades |
Important: The Oster Classic 76, Fast Feed, and Model 10 are popular barber clippers but they do not use A5 blades. They use the Oster 76 blade system (a two-screw mount, sometimes called "detachable"). Do not confuse the two systems — they are not interchangeable.
Cross-Brand Compatibility: A5 Blades That Fit Oster A5 Clippers
Because the A5 system is an open standard, blades from any manufacturer will fit any Oster A5 clipper. This gives you enormous flexibility in blade selection and pricing.
| Brand | Compatible Blade Lines | Fits Oster A5? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oster (original) | CryogenX, Elite CryogenX | Yes | OEM blades, widest availability |
| Andis | UltraEdge, CeramicEdge, ShowEdge | Yes | Full A5 compatibility, premium quality |
| Wahl | Competition Series, Ultimate Competition | Yes | Only KM-series blades (not barber blades) |
| Heiniger | OPAL, Saphir blades | Yes | Swiss-made, premium pricing |
| Aesculap | SnapOn series | Yes | German-made, excellent edge retention |
| SUMTHIN | A5 Detachable Blades | Yes | MIM powder metallurgy, HRC 60-62, factory-direct pricing |
Oster A5 Blade Sizes by Application
Instead of just looking at blade numbers, here is which Oster A5 blades to use for specific grooming tasks:
Dog Grooming
- Full body clip (pet trim): #5F (most popular) or #7F (shorter). Start with #5F if unsure.
- Teddy Bear cut: #3F or #4F for the body, #10 for face cleanup.
- Poodle (continental/English saddle): #10 for face, feet, tail base. #4F or #5F for body. #15 or #30 for pattern lines.
- Sanitary clip: #10 (standard) or #30 (very close).
- Matted dog (de-matting first pass): #7 skip or #5 skip, then follow with a finish-cut blade.
- Under guide combs: #30 (most common base blade for comb attachments).
For breed-specific blade recommendations, see our dog grooming blade size chart.
Equine / Livestock
- Horse body clip (full/hunter clip): #10 for body, #40 for surgical areas.
- Horse trace clip: #10 on the clipped areas.
- Sheep shearing: Requires Oster shearing-specific blades (not standard A5). See our sheep shearing guide.
Veterinary
- Pre-surgical prep: #40 (standard) or #50 (closest possible). Always use a new or freshly sharpened blade for surgery prep.
- Wound area clearing: #10 or #15, depending on proximity to the wound.
Oster A5 Blades: Steel vs Ceramic
Oster sells both steel and ceramic versions of their A5 blades. Here is how they compare — and why aftermarket ceramic blades may offer better value:
| Feature | Oster Steel (CryogenX) | Oster Ceramic | SUMTHIN Ceramic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness | HRC 55-58 | Ceramic cutter + steel comb | Ceramic cutter + MIM steel comb (HRC 60-62) |
| Heat reduction | Standard | ~50% cooler | ~75% cooler (zirconia ceramic) |
| Edge life | 150-300 grooms | 400-600 grooms | 600-1,500 grooms |
| Typical retail price | $25-40 | $35-55 | $28-45 (factory-direct) |
| Oster A5 compatible? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The key difference: Oster CryogenX blades use traditional cryogenic-treated steel (HRC 55-58). SUMTHIN blades use MIM powder metallurgy (HRC 60-62) — a harder steel that holds its edge significantly longer. Both fit the same Oster A5 clippers with identical snap-on installation. For a full material comparison, see our ceramic vs steel clipper blade guide.
Guide Combs for Oster A5 Clippers
Guide combs (also called comb attachments or snap-on combs) attach over a #30 or #40 blade to create longer cutting lengths than any A5 blade alone can achieve:
| Comb Size | Cut Length | Use With Blade |
|---|---|---|
| #0 (1/16") | 1.5mm | #30 or #40 |
| #1 (1/8") | 3mm | #30 or #40 |
| #2 (1/4") | 6mm | #30 or #40 |
| #3 (3/8") | 10mm | #30 or #40 |
| #4 (1/2") | 13mm | #30 or #40 |
| #E (3/4") | 19mm | #30 or #40 |
| #F (1") | 25mm | #30 or #40 |
Guide combs extend the range of your Oster A5 beyond what detachable blades offer. With a #30 blade and a full set of guide combs, you can cut at any length from 0.5mm to 25mm — covering virtually every grooming need. For a complete guide to guards and combs, see our guard size chart.
Maintaining Your Oster A5 Blades
Oster A5 blades are precision tools that require regular maintenance for optimal performance and longevity:
- Oil before and after every use: Apply 3-4 drops of clipper blade oil along the cutting rail and on both side guide rails. This reduces friction, heat buildup, and corrosion. See our complete oiling guide.
- Clean between clients/animals: Brush hair from teeth with a blade brush. Spray with blade coolant/disinfectant. This 10-second step prevents buildup that degrades cutting performance.
- Sharpen on schedule: Professional groomers using blades daily should sharpen every 4-8 weeks depending on volume. Read our sharpening guide or see our sharpening cost analysis to decide between DIY and professional service.
- Store properly: Dry, oiled, in a blade case or tray. Never leave blades on the clipper when stored — moisture trapped between blade and clipper body causes corrosion.
- Replace after 3-5 sharpenings: Each sharpening removes material. After 3-5 cycles, teeth are too short for effective cutting. At wholesale pricing, replacement is often more cost-effective. Browse our full blade maintenance guide.
Why Groomers Choose Aftermarket A5 Blades Over OEM Oster
Oster CryogenX blades are excellent products. But there are compelling reasons why professional groomers increasingly source aftermarket A5 blades:
- Price: OEM Oster blades retail for $25-40 each. Quality aftermarket A5 blades (same fit, same sizes) are available at $8-15 at wholesale pricing — a 50-70% savings.
- Material advancement: MIM powder metallurgy blades achieve HRC 60-62 hardness vs Oster's cryogenic-treated HRC 55-58. Harder steel means longer edge life and fewer sharpening cycles.
- Ceramic options: Aftermarket ceramic A5 blades run 75% cooler — a significant advantage for all-day grooming where heat is a constant concern.
- Buying flexibility: OEM Oster blades must go through Oster's distribution chain. Factory-direct aftermarket blades can be purchased at wholesale in any quantity with custom branding options.
- Same compatibility: All quality aftermarket A5 blades use the same 2.0mm hinge groove standard. They snap onto your Oster A5 clipper identically to Oster-branded blades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all A5 blades compatible with Oster clippers?
Yes. Any blade manufactured to the A5 standard will fit any Oster A5-series clipper (A5, Golden A5, Turbo A5, A6, PowerMax, Power Pro Ultra, Volt). The A5 hinge system is an open industry standard. However, Oster barber clippers like the Classic 76, Fast Feed, and Model 10 use a different blade system and are NOT compatible with A5 blades.
What is the most popular Oster A5 blade size?
The #10 blade is the most widely used A5 blade across all applications. It cuts to 1.5mm and is used for Poodle faces, feet, and tail bases, sanitary clips, and as the base blade under guide combs. The #5F (6.3mm) is the second most popular for general body clipping.
Can I use Andis blades on my Oster A5 clipper?
Yes. Andis UltraEdge, CeramicEdge, and ShowEdge blades all use the A5 standard and will snap directly onto any Oster A5-series clipper. The same applies to Wahl Competition Series, Heiniger, Aesculap, and SUMTHIN blades. Cross-brand compatibility is the defining feature of the A5 system.
How do Oster A5 blades compare to Oster 76 blades?
The Oster A5 and Oster 76 are completely different blade systems. A5 blades use a snap-on hinge mount designed for pet grooming and livestock clippers. Oster 76 blades use a two-screw detachable mount designed for barber clippers. They are not interchangeable. If you have an Oster Classic 76 or Model 10 barber clipper, you need Oster 76 blades, not A5 blades.
Do ceramic blades fit the Oster A5?
Yes. Ceramic A5 blades use the exact same hinge mount as steel blades. The only difference is the moving cutter is made from zirconia ceramic instead of steel, providing 75% less heat and 3-5x longer edge life. Both SUMTHIN ceramic blades and Andis CeramicEdge blades are direct drop-in replacements on any Oster A5 clipper.
Related Guides
- Complete Clipper Blade Size Chart — Every blade size in mm for all brands and systems.
- A5 Clipper Blade Guide — History, engineering, and complete selection guide for the A5 system.
- Blade Compatibility Guide — Which blades fit which clippers across all brands.
- Interactive Compatibility Tool — Look up your clipper model and see which blades fit.
- Dog Grooming Blade Size Chart — Breed-specific blade recommendations.
- Shop A5 Replacement Blades — Factory-direct MIM blades, full size range, wholesale pricing.