The 6mm Haircut: Grade Number, Length, Clipper [With Pics]

It’s short, sleek, and simple. This length has a lot going for it, but there’s more to it than that which initially meets the eye. We’re about to go through everything you need to know about the 6mm haircut. 

It’s easy-to-maintain in one sense, but not so easy-to-maintain in another. Yes, you can do away with gels, pomades, brushes, and combs; you really won’t need them to keep this length tidy. There’s just not enough hair there to make them useful.  

But at the same time, you’ll need to trim down to a 6mm length pretty regularly if you want to keep it “permanently”. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

What to use to trim it, what it looks like, and how to trim it in the best way possible. 

When it comes to lengths this short, you don’t want to get ahead of yourself. Yes, it’s great to take risks when it comes to style. But it definitely helps to know what you’re getting yourself into before you do it. 

So, let’s get to it. 

Which Clipper Guard Number For A 6mm Haircut?  

To trim a 6mm haircut you’ll need to use the #2 clipper guard to trim down to a ¼ inch. 

Simple, right? 

Most common, affordable DIY hair clippers will come with a #2 clipper guard, so whichever one you’ve got should be absolutely fine. 

What Does The 6mm Haircut Length Look Like? 

Here’s what a 6mm haircut “all over” looks like: 

The word “clean-cut” comes to mind. It just looks effortlessly neat, tidy, and sharp. 

It’s so short that if it’s your first time buzzing down, it could come as a pretty big shock to your loved ones. 

If you wanted a more graded transition into that buzzed life, maybe go for a more subtle number 3 before easing your way down to a 6mm length if you wanted to. 

But let’s assume you’ve already done that or you just don’t think it’s necessary; that’s fine. 

The 6mm haircut looks like a heavy shadow on the scalp. It’s very visible, particularly if there’s a contrast between your hair color and skin color. 

What can you do with it? 

Well, not a huge amount. That’s part of its appeal. A lot of men like the fact that you just can’t do a whole lot with it. No quiffs, side-slicks, or fringes. There simply isn’t anywhere near enough hair there to pull that off. 

What you can do, however, is contrast the length at the top, sides, and back. Trim the back and sides shorter than the top. 

For instance, leave the top at 6mm and trim the back/sides down to 3mm (#1).  This is pretty easy to DIY as you don’t need any fancy clipping chops. 

But if you had some professional assistance or if you just happened to be a maestro with the clippers, you’ve got other ways of making a 6mm haircut a little more interesting. 

You could fade the sides, trim an undercut, or even just a high-and-tight to spice things up. 

My point is, a 6mm haircut doesn’t just have to be an “all over” induction style buzz cut, although these can be great. 

Even when working with super short lengths, there are still things you can do with it. 

A Fantastic 6mm Hair Clipper 

The Wahl Color Pro comes with a #2 clipper guard capable of trimming down to 6mm. 

Here’s an Amazon link if you wanted to check them out.

But it isn’t exactly breaking news. The vast majority of hair clippers on this planet would be capable of trimming down to 6mm because they come with a #2 guard. 

So don’t feel as though you’re stuck for choice. 

The Color Pros are good because they’re affordable while still giving you the quality you’d expect from Wahl. 

Plus, they just look fun. Perfect for DIY home trimmers.  

How To Trim A 6mm Haircut All Over In 6 Steps

You don’t need much. Grab yourself a pair of clippers that comes with a #2 (¼ inch) clipper guard, a bathroom mirror, and your sturdy pair of hands.

You’re all set. 

Oh, if you did have a handheld mirror, use it. It’ll come in handy for when you’re buzzing down the back. 

Having said that, if you had someone you trusted enough with your hair, ask them if they’d stick around. They’d come in handy for – well, the back. 

Basically, the back is annoying. We’ll get to that. 

Here’s the routine you should follow. It won’t be for anything fancy – just a simple, straightforward 6mm cut all over. 

It isn’t rocket science but it’ll give you great results each time. 

1. Prime Your Clippers 

Clippers need looking after if they’re to perform at the highest level. 

Slow, unclean, and un-oiled clippers will do more harm than good. The beauty of it is that it really doesn’t take much work to look after a pair of clippers. 

Before you trim, charge it. It’s really that simple and it’s by far the quickest, easiest win you could make when trimming a buzz cut. 

A slow, uncharged clipper will tug and pull as it tries to buzz down the hair. The buzz will be uneven and unpleasant. 

You’ll also want to clean the blades by using the tiny little brush it came with (or a used/unwanted toothbrush) to sweep around them. 

Get rid of any hair that’s collected from previous trims. 

Finally, oil it. It should have come with a little bottle of oil. If it didn’t, there are alternatives to clipper oil that would still get the job done. 

Drip a couple of drops in between the blades to reduce friction and produce a more efficient trim. 

Once you’ve prepped the clippers, it’s worth just making sure your environment is prepped too. 

If you didn’t want to clog the sink, lay down some old newspaper on the bathroom floor and let the hair fall gracefully onto it for easy cleaning afterward. 

2. Rinse Then Dry

When trimming a 6mm haircut (or any clipper-dependent cut for that matter), you’ll find that it’s much easier to get the job done properly when the hair is clean and dry. 

So, rinse the hair with some shampoo and blow-dry it. You’ll want to make sure the hair is completely dry before allowing the clippers to come into contact with it. 

Always use electric clippers on dry hair. 

3. Start Trimming To 6mm 

Clip on your #2 clipper guard and turn it on. 

Start with the top and sides. You don’t have to, but it’s generally a better idea. The back is harder, so leave it until last. 

Trim against the grain (against the direction in which the hair grows). Shake the hair off the device now and again so it doesn’t obstruct the trim. 

On the top, this will be backward, and on the sides/back this will be upward. Trimming against the grain will give you the most effective and even cut. 

If you wanted to take the sides and back shorter, try trimming them a grade shorter. Use the #1 (or even #1.5 if you had this) to trim them down. 

You’ll find that the slight contrast between the long top and the slightly shorter sides and back produces a nice slimming effect on the face. 

4. Clip The Back Down 

The back of the head is harder to DIY because it’s just more difficult to see. Also, it’s quite an uneven surface to trim in general. 

So, if you had a buddy that could help you out with this part, go for it. If not, follow these DIY instructions. 

Turn around and hold the handheld mirror in front of your face, you should be able to see the back of your head in the mirror. 

Do your best to trim against the grain and cover the whole area. Run your fingers over it to see if you can feel any areas that feel a little rougher. These are uneven patches you need to buzz down that may not be that visible, particularly if the light’s not very good. 

5. Line Up The Neckline

The neckline is the border at the bottom of the back of your head. It’s where the hair meets the neck. 

A barber would line this up for you with no problem. An alternative option that comes in a close second would be asking someone you know to trim it for you. 

Doing it yourself can be tricky. You don’t want to leave the neckline long and untrimmed because this can look untidy when the hair’s as long as 6mm. 

Using a neckline template does make things a bit easier. Here’s one on Amazon you could check out.  

Take the clipper guard off and use the lone blade of the clipper to define the neckline. 

6. Rinse Once More

Rinse any excess hair off of the scalp by running some water through it yet again. Once you’ve done this, towel dry and assess your work. 

Feel over the scalp once more so you can buzz down any uneven patches if you find them. 

3mm Vs 6mm Haircut

The 3mm haircut produces a light shadowing effect over the scalp, while the 6mm haircut would produce a heavier shadow. 

You could say the 3mm haircut was the equivalent of medium facial stubble, while a 6mm haircut would be closer to heavy stubble in appearance.  

Conclusion

It’s a hair length that’s worthy of discussion. 

That’s because it’s such a common length for buzz cuts that understanding what it is and what it looks like is important. 

Hopefully, after reading this you’ve got a much better idea. 

Experiment with it and enjoy.