In this article, we will continue our buzz cut lengths series and talk about the number 5 buzz cut.
When choosing a buzzcut, you will have to make a difficult decision about its length. If you go for a very short length, you risk showing too much skin, and if you go for a very long length, it will be more difficult to maintain and might not suit the shape of your face.
But don’t worry, this is why the team behind themensatitude is here – relax, sit back, and let us find a solution for you.
And this is a complex solution that consists of several stages – first, we will see what the number 5 buzz cut is, its advantages, how it can be styled – and a few more.
Keep reading, and everything will become crystal clear by the end of this piece!
What Is a Number 5 Buzz Cut?
A number 5 buzz cut is a hairstyle that consists of hair ⅝ of an inch (or 16mm) long. This length is obtained by using a clipper with a number 5 guard.
When you think of a buzzcut, your mind probably goes to the classic buzz cut – the hair of the entire head gets equally cut to the same length with a clipper of the chosen length. But, this is far from the truth because when it comes to the number 5 buzzcut, there are a lot of different styles you can choose from (more on that later).
Related Article: The Number 1 Buzz Cut: Complete Tutorial With Photos
What Length Is a Number 5 Buzz Cut?
As I mentioned earlier, the length of the number 5 buzz cut is 16mm or 5/8 of an inch.
This length allows for many different hairstyles, so wearing it won’t be monotonous. On the other hand, it is not too demanding to maintain, which is the main reason many not-so-crazy-about-standing-in-front-of-a-mirror guys decide to go for it.
Anyway, before deciding if you should go for it, you’ll have to know a couple more things. This brings us to the next section.
Related Article: 1-inch (Number 8) Buzzcut: Complete Tutorial With Photos
What Are the Benefits of a Number 5 Buzz Cut?
Generally speaking, buzz cuts are not very demanding hairstyles and are more on the side of “regular” hairstyles. Like other buzz cuts, the number 5 has many advantages. So, let’s take a look at some of them.
1. A Flawless Look Without A Lot Of Effort
Time is money! If you are the type of guy who does not want to deal with styling your hair in the morning in addition to other duties before going to work – this is the right hairstyle for you.
It leaves you with more time to enjoy drinking your first-morning coffee or whatever else you do in the sleepy mornings before work.
Also, you won’t have to stress if a strand is sticking out and things like that during the day.
2. Low Maintenance
Some hairstyles are big drama queens. They need 10 products for care, maintenance, styling, and a full wallet of money just for the hairdresser. They also take away a lot of your precious time (starting with the haircutting itself), and so on.
Well, the number 5 buzz cut is not one of those (demanding) hairstyles. All you need to do is to go to the barbershop to get your hair buzzed and then maintain it with a regular wash. You don’t even have to use a conditioner or hair dryer.
This brings us to the next benefit.
3. Money Saver
It doesn’t mean you’re stingy if money is one of the factors you consider when deciding which hairstyle to wear.
The number 5 buzz cut is for everyone’s pocket. It’s a hairstyle that doesn’t cost much because it’s easy to do and can save you even more money if you’re a DIY guy. We will explain later how to do it at home.
4. Cooling Effect
Depending on your climate, this can be a major advantage.
Hair’s main mission is to protect us from the cold and the elements. This is the right hairstyle for you if you live in a climate where things get hot in summer (or all year round).
With the number 5 buzzcut, your hair will be long enough to protect your scalp from getting burnt by the sun and short enough not to make you extra hot.
5. An Easy Hairstyle If You Are Looking For A Change
Have you gotten bored of your reflection in the mirror and want to change something?
The number 5 buzz cut will bring freshness without being a “risky” hairstyle. It is not too short and not too long and grows evenly, which is great if you decide to change your hairstyle again or return to your old style.
6. It Can Define Your Face Shape
More on this one later, but it’s worth mentioning this great benefit.
The number 5 buzz cut can emphasize parts of your face and make you look even more attractive. Of course, the reverse can also happen, but as mentioned, more on how to prevent that later.
Related Article: Number 4 Buzz Cut: Complete Tutorial With Photos
Top 3 Number 5 Buzz Cut Styles
1. High and Tight
This hairstyle requires the top to be buzzed with a number 5 clipper guard and the sides to be shorter. Really shorter – it should be buzzed with 0 or number 1 guard.
The fade must be very high or almost nonexistent, and the transition between the number 5 and the sides should be very sharp.
2. Number 5 Buzz Cut With a Fade
In this hairstyle, the hair on top is also cut with a number 5 guard, and on the sides and back, you can use any guard you like (numbers 4, 3, 2, or even 1).
The thing is that it is necessary to do a fade, and the transition should be gradual, not as sharp, as with the aforementioned style.
Finally, the fade can be low, medium, or high. It’s up to you.
3. Classic Number 5 Buzz Cut
Say what you want, but here at themensattitude, we like classics. They never go out of style.
The simplest hairstyle in every sense and the only one you will certainly not mess up if you decide to do it at home yourself. That is enough of a reason to be in our top 3.
Simply put guard number 5 on the hair clippers, cross the entire surface of your head, and you are done (Ok, it is not that simple, and in a later section, we will walk you through the exact steps).
Related Article: Number 3 Buzz Cut: Top 5 Styles [With Photos], Length, and More
What Face Shapes Work Best With a Number 5 Buzz Cut
Neither the most beautiful nor expensive hairstyle in the world makes sense if it does not suit the person wearing it.
We can say with certainty that the number 5 buzz cut suits all face shapes except one – the round one.
If your face shape is round, buzz cut number 5 is not your best choice, as it will make your face look even rounder. But if you have decided to go for it, you can combine it with a beard, in which case you will be fine.
All other face shapes will go well with this hairstyle.
For example, the oval face shape goes well with buzz cut number 5 because the hair is long enough and won’t create a visually rounder face.
But the best face shape for this type of hairstyle is the square shape. Buzz cuts of any length are generally reminiscent of military haircuts, and we always imagine soldiers with pronounced jawbones that give them that square head shape. The same thing applies to the diamond face shape.
Related Article: Number 2 Buzz Cut: Everything You Should Know [With Photos]
Is a Number 5 Buzz Cut Good for Receding Hairlines?
Buzz cuts, in general, are great hairstyles when it comes to receding hairlines.
This is because the less hair remains on the head after cutting, i.e., the smaller the number of clipper guards used, the less visible the receding hairline is because of the lower contrast between the hair and the scalp.
How does the number 5 buzz cut fit into this? It is somewhere in the middle between a completely satisfactory and unsatisfactory visual effect (Buzzcuts range from number 0 to number 8, so number 5 is about in the middle).
Keep in mind ⅝ of an inch (or 16mm) is not a very noticeable hair length, so it will still reveal a receding hairline to some extent.
Our advice is to choose a slightly smaller clipper size number if you have a very prominent hairline. Take a look at this article that can serve as your guide when it comes to buzz cuts and receding hairlines.
How to Do a Number 5 Buzz Cut at Home
Why even bother, you may wonder?
There are a couple of reasons – saving money, easier organization (you don’t have to wait for a hairdresser’s appointment), it’s fun, and a great skill to know.
Let’s see how to do it the best and easiest way possible.
First, you have to get the supplies.
A hair clipper and guard are the most necessary things; you can’t do anything without them. If you are not sure if this will work for you, borrow this device from someone, then buy it later and consider it a good investment.
In addition to the bathroom mirror, you will need another smaller one (to have an overview of what is happening behind).
You’ll also need a broom and a dustpan (or a vacuum cleaner, as an even better option) to clean the mess you will make.
And perhaps most importantly – a steady hand, patience, and desire are also things you must have. Without these, don’t even think about starting anything.
Now what?
- Wash and dry your hair.
It will be easiest if you wash and dry your hair first. That way, you will remove grease or products that make your hair sticky.
- Trim the sides and back of the head.
Start by cutting the hair on one side. Go from one side of your head to the other and use the help of a second, smaller mirror for visibility. Keep the clipper guard flat to cut everything equally.
- Trim the top
After you use a mirror and pass your hand over your head to make sure that you have cut everything equally, you can start working on the top of your head. Start cutting the rest of the hair from the forehead to the back. You can use imaginary stripes to make sure you haven’t missed any part.
- Fix the neckline
In the end, you will still have to fix the neckline. Turn your back to the main mirror and look at the back of your head on the small mirror. Holding the clipper flat against the head, trim off any remaining hair.
- Check for missed spots.
Examine and feel your head well with your hands to make sure that there are no skipped places or places where you may have “played around” and shortened it too much. If everything is satisfactory, clean up the mess after yourself and run to the shower.
When you’ve done all of the above, your head will be adorned with a classic number 5 buzz cut.
For more demanding hairstyles, it is best to visit a hairdresser and maybe pick up some techniques by watching him.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve read everything you need to know about the number 5 buzz cut hairstyle, I hope you’re closer to deciding whether to go for it.
You may have concluded that this is an evergreen hairstyle that suits almost all face shapes, which is easy to maintain and can even be done very easily at home.
It doesn’t require a lot of money, and it’s not time-consuming, which are two very important benefits nowadays.
Of course, you may also have more questions and doubts, so feel free to write us below in the comments if anything remains unclear. We will be happy to answer you as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading!
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
