How to Buzz Cut Your Own Hair: The Complete Step by Step Guide (and Which Length Suits You)
⏰ Short on time? Here's the summary
A buzz cut is cut to one length all over your head, usually 3 mm. Work on dry hair, in three zones (top, sides, back of the head), always against the direction of hair growth, and finish with a crisscross pass. Plan on 15 minutes the first time, five minutes after that. One clipper, one guide comb, done.
All you need is a cordless REVAHS clipper and the right guide comb.
What exactly is a buzz cut?
A buzz cut is a hairstyle where your whole head is cut to the same short length, using a clipper and no scissors. No blending, no styling, no product. That's exactly the appeal: it's straightforward, it's fast, and it's perfectly doable at home. Unlike a fade, where you have to blend several lengths into each other.
Added bonus: a buzz cut doesn't require skill, just a system. As long as you keep your passes consistent, you really can't get it wrong.
Does a buzz cut suit your head?
A buzz cut shows the shape of your skull completely. For most guys that turns out better than expected, but there are a few things worth knowing beforehand.
Oval or round head shape: almost always works well. A protruding back of the head or a noticeable flat spot: go for 4.5 to 6 mm instead of 1.5 to 3 mm. A bit more length softens the shape. Scars or bumps: from about 3 mm they barely stand out anymore, at 1.5 mm they still do. Receding hairline: a buzz cut actually works in your favour here, because removing the length difference gets rid of the contrast between thin and full. Beard: a buzz cut with a short beard balances your face; many guys find this the most flattering version.
Which length should you choose?
| Guide comb | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| No comb | Induction cut | Almost bald, scalp fully visible |
| 1.5 mm | Burr cut | Tight and sharp; touch up every week |
| 3 mm | Classic buzz cut | The safest choice: short, but with clearly visible hair |
| 4.5 mm | In between length | A bit softer; comfortable for an uneven head shape |
| 6 mm | Butch cut | Camouflages the head shape; touch up every 3 to 4 weeks |
First time? Go with 6 mm. If you like it, go shorter to 3 mm next time. You can always go shorter, never longer.
What you need
- A cordless clipper with a full cutting head. You're working above your head, and a cable just gets in the way.
- The guide comb for your chosen length.
- A hand mirror next to your bathroom mirror.
- A barber cape or an old towel. Clipped hair will itch on your neck for hours otherwise.
- Fifteen quiet minutes. Don't do this right before you have to head out the door.
Step by step plan in 8 steps
- Start dry and clean. Wet hair lies flatter and springs back afterwards. That means you end up cutting it shorter than you think.
- Click the guide comb into place and give it a tug to make sure it's really secure. A comb that pops loose halfway through can ruin your whole haircut.
- Test one spot behind your ear. If you like the length, continue. If not, you still have plenty of room to switch to a longer comb.
- Zone 1: the top. Place the clipper flat on your scalp at your forehead and pull it straight back. Let each pass overlap the previous one by about a third.
- Zone 2: the sides. Work from bottom to top, against the direction of growth. Keep the clipper flat against your head; tilting it causes stripes.
- Zone 3: the back of the head. Grab the hand mirror. Work straight up from your neck, in passes the width of your cutting head.
- Finish with a crisscross pass. Go over everything one more time, but at a right angle to your first direction. This is the step that makes the difference between cut it myself and looking sharp.
- Outline. Take off the guide comb and use the bare cutting head to clean up your neckline, ears and sideburns. Keep the neckline straight and low. The higher you go, the sooner it grows out crooked.
When you're done, run your flat hand against the growth over your whole head. Rough or prickly spots are patches you missed.
REVAHS Clipper Two Pro
Cordless, with a 7200 RPM motor, ceramic blades and eight guide combs from 1.5 to 25 mm. Exactly what you need when you're doing your whole head at one setting.
Shop the Clipper Two ProVariations: induction, burr and taper
Induction cut: everything off, no guide comb. Military and uncompromising. Burr cut (1.5 to 3 mm): the classic buzz cut in a single length. Buzz cut with a taper: 3 mm on top, 1.5 mm on the sides and neck, with a soft transition. A bit more work, a noticeably more polished result. And it's a stepping stone towards a real fade.
Want to go even shorter, truly smooth? Then a clipper isn't the right tool. In that case, read clipper for a bald head.
3 mm guide comb
The length for a classic buzz cut. Magnetic attachment, so it won't shift a millimetre while you're cutting.
Shop the 3 mm guide comb5 mistakes everyone makes the first time
- Starting too short. Going from 6 to 3 mm takes one move. The other way around takes three weeks.
- Tilting the clipper. The moment you angle the head, it cuts deeper. Keep it flat, always.
- Working with the growth direction. That makes the hair lie flat, and the clipper just skims over it. Working against the growth gives an even result.
- Skipping the crisscross check pass. The most skipped step, and the most decisive one.
- Setting the neckline too high. It looks sharp on day one and sloppy after ten days.
How often do you need to touch it up?
Hair grows about 1 cm per month, so roughly 2.5 mm per week. At 1.5 mm you'll touch up every week, at 3 mm every two weeks, at 6 mm every three to four weeks.
Your neckline and outline grow out faster than the rest. Touch those up in between with the bare cutting head; it's a two minute job and keeps everything looking sharp. Clean your cutting head after every use and add a drop of oil every few times. That adds years to its lifespan.
Notice your clipper starting to pull at your hair?
That's almost never the motor: why your clipper feels less powerful and how to get it back in top condition.
Frequently asked questions
What length is a buzz cut?
Usually 3 mm all over the head. Shorter (1.5 mm) is called a burr cut, longer (6 mm) a butch cut. All three fall under the buzz cut umbrella.
Can I cut a buzz cut myself without help?
Yes. Unlike a fade, you're working in a single length, so there's no blend that can go wrong. For the back of your head, you will need a hand mirror though.
How long does it take to cut your own buzz cut?
About fifteen minutes the first time. After that, once you know your passes, five to ten minutes.
Should I wet my hair for a buzz cut?
No. Always cut on dry hair. Wet hair lies flatter and springs back once it dries, which makes the result shorter and more uneven than intended. The Clipper One and Clipper Two are not waterproof either, so keep them dry.
Does my hair grow back thicker after a buzz cut?
No. That's a persistent myth. Short hair feels coarser because you're feeling the thicker base of the hair shaft instead of the thin tip, but the actual thickness and growth rate don't change at all.
What clipper do I need for a buzz cut?
A cordless clipper with a full cutting head and guide combs that click into place. For everything else to look out for, take a look at professional clippers: what is barber quality?.
