Dog Grooming Blade Size Chart: All Sizes in mm with Breed Recommendations [2026]
Complete dog grooming blade size chart with A5 blade numbers (#3F to #40), cutting lengths in mm, recommended uses by breed, and skip-tooth vs finish-cut comparison.
Choosing the right clipper blade size is the foundation of professional dog grooming. Whether you are a grooming shop owner, a mobile groomer, or a veterinary technician, understanding blade numbers, cutting lengths, and which sizes work best for different breeds saves time, prevents injuries, and delivers better results.
This guide covers every standard A5 detachable blade size — the universal system used by Andis, Oster, Wahl KM, and most professional pet clippers worldwide. For human hair clipper blade sizes, see our general clipper blade size chart.
A5 Dog Grooming Blade Size Chart
A5 blades use an industry-standard snap-on mount. The blade number indicates cutting length — higher numbers mean shorter cuts. All measurements are from the skin surface.
| Blade # | Cut Length (mm) | Cut Length (inches) | Best For | Common Breeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3F / #3FC | 13mm | 1/2" | Longest A5 cut. Full body clips, horse body clipping | Retrievers (trim only), Spaniels, Doodles (winter) |
| #4F / #4FC | 9.5mm | 3/8" | Medium-length body work, teddy bear cuts | Labradoodles, Maltese, Shih Tzu (winter) |
| #5F / #5FC | 6.3mm | 1/4" | Most popular all-purpose size. Puppy cuts, lamb clips | Poodles, Cockapoos, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Bichon |
| #7F / #7FC | 3.2mm | 1/8" | Short trims, summer clips, Cocker Spaniel body | Cocker Spaniels, Terriers, short summer clips |
| #10 | 1.5mm | 1/16" | Most-used blade. Poodle face/feet, sanitary, paw pads | All breeds (sanitary), Poodles (face/feet) |
| #15 | 1.2mm | 3/64" | Surgical prep, very close trimming | Veterinary use, surgical prep |
| #30 | 0.5mm | 1/50" | Under guard combs, setting lines, show prep | Poodles (show face/feet), under snap-on combs |
| #40 | 0.25mm | 1/100" | Closest cut. Surgical prep only | Veterinary surgical prep only |
Skip-Tooth vs Finish-Cut Blades
A5 blades come in two tooth configurations that serve different purposes:
| Feature | Finish-Cut (F/FC) | Skip-Tooth |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth spacing | Closely spaced — every tooth present | Alternating teeth removed (wider gaps) |
| Finish quality | Smooth, even, line-free | Rougher, visible lines |
| Cutting speed | Moderate | Faster through thick coats |
| Safety | Safer — less risk of catching skin | Higher risk of nicking loose skin |
| Best for | Pet grooming (final cut), show prep | Pre-clipping matted coats, livestock |
For pet grooming, always use finish-cut (F/FC) blades for the final clip. Skip-tooth blades are a specialty tool for rough pre-clipping severely matted coats or livestock shearing — they are not meant for a finished pet groom.
Blade Size by Dog Breed
Different breeds require different blade sizes based on their coat type, skin sensitivity, and the desired style. Here is a quick reference for the most commonly groomed breeds:
| Breed | Body | Face | Sanitary | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle | #5F or #4F | #10 or #30 | #10 | Full guide → |
| Labradoodle | #5F or #4F | Scissor | #10 | Full guide → |
| Cockapoo | #5F | Scissor | #10 | Full guide → |
| Cocker Spaniel | #7F | #10 | #10 | Full guide → |
| Shih Tzu | #5F or #4F | Scissor | #10 | Full guide → |
| Maltese | #5F | Scissor | #10 | Full guide → |
| Golden Retriever | Do not clip* | — | #10 | Full guide → |
| German Shepherd | Do not clip* | — | #10 | Full guide → |
*Double-coated breeds (Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Husky, etc.) should not be body-clipped. Shaving damages the double coat and can cause permanent coat texture changes. See our breed-specific guides for proper double-coat grooming techniques.
How to Choose the Right Blade Size
Follow this decision tree to pick the correct blade for any grooming job:
Step 1: What area are you clipping?
→ Sanitary, paw pads, or under ears → #10 (always)
→ Poodle face and feet → #10 (pet) or #30 (show)
→ Body → Continue to Step 2
Step 2: What coat length does the owner want?
→ Short summer clip → #7F (3.2mm)
→ Standard pet clip → #5F (6.3mm) — most popular
→ Longer teddy bear → #4F (9.5mm)
→ Maximum length → #3F (13mm) or guard comb over #30
Step 3: Is the coat matted?
→ Yes, severely → Start with a #7F or #5F to safely remove mats. Never force a blade through matted hair.
→ No → Use the size from Step 2 for a smooth finish.
Blade Care: Keeping Your Blades Sharp and Cool
Even the best blades need proper maintenance. Here are the essentials:
Between dogs: Brush hair from between the teeth with a blade brush. Spray with blade coolant/disinfectant. This takes 10 seconds and extends blade life dramatically.
During grooming: If the blade feels hot to the touch, switch to a cool blade. Hot blades cause clipper burn — red, irritated skin that is painful for the dog and embarrassing for the groomer. Having 2-3 blades in rotation solves this. Ceramic blades stay 75% cooler than steel, reducing the need to swap blades.
After each day: Remove blade from clipper, brush clean, apply 2-3 drops of blade oil to the cutting rail, and run the clipper briefly to distribute oil between the blades. Store in a dry case.
For the complete maintenance guide, see our blade cleaning and maintenance article. For sharpening techniques, see how to sharpen clipper blades.
Why Blade Material Matters
Not all blades are created equal. The manufacturing process determines hardness, edge retention, and longevity:
Stamped steel blades (most budget brands) are cut from sheet steel — fast to produce but lower hardness (HRC 54-58) and shorter edge life.
MIM powder metallurgy blades (SUMTHIN) are made by injecting metal powder into precision molds and sintering at high temperature. This produces blades with HRC 60-62 hardness — significantly harder and longer-lasting than stamped blades. SUMTHIN is one of very few blade manufacturers worldwide with in-house MIM capability. Learn how MIM blades are made →
Ceramic moving blades use zirconia ceramic cutters paired with a steel stationary blade. Ceramic stays 75% cooler, lasts 5× longer, and never rusts — ideal for sensitive skin and high-volume grooming. Ceramic vs steel comparison →