How to Get a 16 Guard Buzz Cut (Plus Styles + Variations)

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Rock the TikTok-trending buzz cut with our easy instructions

Co-authored by Kelsey Morey and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: April 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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• What is a 16 guard buzz cut?
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• How much hair do 16 guards cut?
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• Getting a 16 Guard Buzz Cut
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• Styling
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• Variations on the Cut
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• Other Buzz Cut Styles
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• Video
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• Tips

|Show more |Show less

Are you hearing all the guys on TikTok asking for the “forbidden 16 guard buzz cut” and want to try the style for yourself? You’re in luck because this haircut looks great on anyone with any hair type, and it’s so easy to get done at a barber or do it yourself at home. With the help of pro hair stylists Kelsey Morey and Martin Nepton, we’ll walk you through what a 16 guard buzz cut is and how to get one, plus some styling tips to keep you looking fresh. Even if you change your mind, we have other buzz cuts you can try out too!

16 Guard Buzz Cuts: The Trend Explained

A 16 guard buzz cut is a medium-length style that leaves your hair 2 in (5.1 cm) long and works for all hair textures. To get the cut, use a 16 guard on a pair of clippers over your entire head. Put sea salt spray or texture clay in your hair to finish your style.

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

What is a 16 guard buzz cut?

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1. 
   A 16 guard buzz cut is a medium-length haircut done with clippers. The 16 guard buzz cut is one of the trendiest men’s styles blowing up on TikTok, and it looks similar to a textured fringe. While it’s longer than most other buzz cuts, a 16 guard buzz cut is a super versatile style that’s low maintenance and looks great with straight, wavy, or curly hair.

   • 16 guard buzz cuts work well for most face shapes, but avoid this style if you have a tall forehead because it may look more prominent.
   • Some people on TikTok call a 16 guard buzz cut a “forbidden” haircut because the guard is really large and you can get the same style by cutting your hair with scissors.
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Section 2 of 6:

How much hair does a 16 guard cut?

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1. 
   A 16 guard cuts anything longer than 2 inches (5.1 cm). Clipper guard numbers start at 0 and increase by ¹⁄₁₆ in (1.6 mm) in length with each higher number. Some barbers on TikTok argue that a 16 guard doesn’t give you a “true” buzz cut because it leaves behind more hair, but they’re perfect if you want some extra length to play around with and style.

   • Many clippers only come with guards going up to number 8, or 1 in (2.5 cm), but there are many universal longer guards you can get separately.

Section 3 of 6:

How to Get a 16 Guard Buzz Cut

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1. 
   1
   Ask your barber to use a 16 guard on their clippers. When you make an appointment with a barber or stylist, tell them that you want to get the 16 guard buzz cut. Save pictures or videos of the hairstyle you want so you can show your barber examples of the style you’re looking for.

   • If your barber doesn’t have a 16 guard, ask them to give you a textured scissor-cut that’s about 2 in (5.1 cm) long.
   • Your barber may ask how you want the sides of your hair cut. If you want your hair to have a smooth transition to skin, say that you want tapered or faded sides.
2. 
   2
   Use a 16 guard on a pair of clippers to cut your own hair. If you want to save money and still look stylish, giving yourself a buzzcut is a good alternative. Just be sure to take your time and don’t rush when you cut your own hair so you don’t cut off more than you wanted.

   • Attach the 16 guard to your clippers and set the lever closed.
   • Run the clippers through your hair against the grain. Go over your hair multiple times so you make sure it’s cut evenly.
   • Define the edges of your hair with a 0 or 1 guard. Use a mirror or have a friend help out with the back of your head.
   • Give yourself a fade if you want to blend the edges into your hair.
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Section 4 of 6:

How to Style a 16 Guard Buzz Cut

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1. 
   1
   Apply sea salt spray to give fine hair more texture. Morey says that “sea salt spray can help add a little bit of texture, and it helps keep your hair in place.” She adds that sea salt spray is also great at creating beach waves in your hair. To use it, Morey walks through the process:

   • Shower or wet your hair.
   • Blot your hair with a towel to squeeze some of the water out.
   • Apply the spray to your hair and leave it alone. She warns against rubbing the sea salt in your hair to prevent frizz.
   • Morey recommends sea salt spray for smooth or fine hair because it helps keep your hair stay in place.
2. 
   2
   Accentuate curly hair with curling cream and a blow-dryer with a diffuser. “Curling cream helps the curl to kick in,” says Nepton. He recommends applying the cream when your hair is wet and twist the curls with your fingers. Then, bring the curls up to your scalp and blow-dry them on low speed and heat with the diffuser attachment.

   • Avoid using high heat settings even if you’re in a rush to dry your hair. Too much heat can actually dry out your hair and damage it.
3. 
   3
   Work in a texture clay to maintain an easy all-day style. If you want a low maintenance style, gently dry your hair with a blow dryer on low heat and speed. Then, rub a pea-sized amount of the clay in your hands until it’s clear. Scrunch the clay into your hair to give it some natural shape and texture.

   • Texture clay also holds your hair in place so you stay looking fresh all day long.
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Section 5 of 6:

Types of 16 Guard Buzz Cuts

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1. 
   1
   16 guard buzz cut with straight hair A 16 guard buzz cut is perfect for straight and fine hair, but it does need a little styling help so it doesn’t look flat. A little sea salt spray or texture clay works well for giving your hair some extra volume.

   • Straight hair tends to fall flat onto your forehead, so be sure to take a little extra time pushing the hair up and out of your face.
2. 
   2
   16 guard buzz cut with curly hair If you have naturally curly or wavy hair, a 16 guard buzz cut will help keep them at a manageable length. Let your curls hang loose or use some product to keep them closely styled to your scalp.
3. 
   3
   16 guard buzz cut with high taper High tapers start transitioning into shorter hair near your temples so long hair is only near the top of your head. This style looks great with a blowout texture to make your hair big and voluminous.

   • High tapers are a good choice if you have thick hair because they remove a lot of the bulk from the sides of your head.
   • High tapers are a more modern style, so try it if you want to make a bold statement with your hair.
4. 
   4
   16 guard buzz cut with low taper Low tapers transition to shorter hair starting just above your ears, so you’ll have some longer hair to play with and style on the sides of your head as well.

   • Low tapers are a bit more subtle, so they’re a better choice if you want to look more sleek and professional.
5. 
   5
   16 guard buzz cut with mid taper A mid taper is the perfect balance between a low and high taper, and the transition to longer hair starts between your ear and temple.

   • Because it creates a really smooth transition and has the most versatility, a 16 guard buzz cut with mid taper is one of the most common styles.
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Section 6 of 6:

Other Types of Buzz Cuts

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1. 1
   Induction buzz cut Induction buzz cuts are the shortest styles using your clippers without the guard. Induction cuts are common military cuts and are the easiest to cut since the top and sides of your head are cut to the same length.
2. 2
   Burr cut A burr cut is when you have really short hair on the top and sides using a 1 or 2 guard on your clippers. While your hair is still a little longer than an induction buzz cut, you don’t have to worry about styling it.
3. 3
   Crew cut Crew cuts have shorter hair on the sides (usually cut with a 2 guard) and longer hair on the top (typically a 6 guard). Crew cuts are super versatile and give you a little hair on top that you can style or texture.
4. 4
   High and tight A high and tight is similar to a crew cut, but the sides and back of your head are shaved to the skin.
5. 5
   Ivy League Ivy League haircuts use the 7 or 8 guard on top of your head so you have about 1 in (2.5 cm) of hair to style. With an Ivy League, you still have enough hair to form a part and add some styling product.
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Tips

• If you’re not sure what style will look best on you, just ask your barber what they think! They want you to be happy after your haircut, and they’ll know what works best with your hair texture and face shape.
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