Dog grooming blades
Dog clipper blade sizes chart: what each number leaves
- 4 sources
Buy links on this page go through our /go/ redirects to the manufacturer or retailer. We earn nothing from them today; that may change. Disclosure.
Quick answer
On detachable clipper blades, a higher number means a shorter cut. On Andis's chart, a #40 leaves about 1/100 inch of hair, and a #3-3/4FC leaves about 1/2 inch. Letters after the number (skip tooth, FC, FT) change the tooth style, not the length: Andis lists a #7 skip tooth, #7FC and #7FT all at 1/8 inch.
Andis UltraEdge and CeramicEdge detachable blades, by size:
Andis UltraEdge #10 Blade Andis UltraEdge #15 Blade Andis UltraEdge #30 Blade Andis CeramicEdge #10 BladeBlade number to hair length
| Blade | Leaves about (with the grain) | Andis UltraEdge item # |
|---|---|---|
| #40 | 1/100" (0.25 mm) | 64076 |
| #30 | 1/50" (0.5 mm) | 64075 |
| #15 | 3/64" (1.2 mm) | 64072 |
| #10 | 1/16" (1.5 mm) | 64071 |
| #7 skip tooth / #7FC | 1/8" (3.2 mm) | 72610 / 72600 |
| #5 skip tooth / #5FC | 1/4" (6.3 mm) | 72640 / 72630 |
| #4 skip tooth / #4FC | 3/8" (9.5 mm) | 72625 / 72615 |
| #3-3/4 skip tooth / #3-3/4FC | 1/2" (13 mm) | 64133 / 64135 |
Lengths are from Andis's UltraEdge chart. Andis's CeramicEdge blades (#40, #30, #10, #7FC, #5FC, #4FC) are listed at the same lengths. Other brands use the same numbers, but check that brand's own chart for exact lengths.
Against the grain, a blade cuts about twice as short
Andis's Easy Clip Versa manual lists both directions. A #10 leaves 1/16" with the grain but 1/32" against it. A #7FC leaves 1/8" with the grain and 1/16" against it. A #4FC leaves 3/8" with the grain and 3/16" against it. If a trim came out shorter than you expected, clipping direction is the first thing to check.
Which blade for which job
PetEdge's A5 blade guide breaks it down by breed. A few patterns repeat across most breeds:
- Stomach: #10
- Pads: #15 (some breeds #5/8 or #15)
- Matted strip-down: #7F, or #5F / #5
- Head, neck and ears on many terriers: #10
For longer coats, Wahl says a #30 blade can be used under stainless steel attachment combs for lengths up to 1 inch. More on that in #10 vs #7F vs #30.
Guides in this section
Close blades (#30, #40) heat up fastest. Andis's manuals say to check blade heat often, especially on close-cutting blades. See clipper blade getting hot.
How we work: blade lengths and item numbers come from Andis's published blade chart and manuals. Breed picks come from PetEdge's A5 blade guide. All sources are listed below.
Questions people ask
Which dog clipper blade number cuts shortest?
Higher numbers cut shorter. On Andis's chart a #40 leaves about 1/100 inch, and a #3-3/4FC leaves about 1/2 inch.
How long does a #10 blade leave a dog's hair?
About 1/16 inch with the grain, per Andis's chart. Andis's Versa manual says about 1/32 inch against the grain.
Do skip tooth and FC blades of the same number cut the same length?
Yes, on Andis's chart. The #7 skip tooth and #7FC both leave about 1/8 inch.
Sources
Last checked Oct 23, 2026. Close blades heat up fast. Andis says to check blade heat often, and to replace broken or nicked blades to prevent injury.
Keep going
Related guides