Andis Clipper Blades & Guards
Which blade fits your clipper, what the blade numbers actually cut, and how to tell a dull blade from one that just needs oil. An independent reference - not affiliated with Andis Company.
Blade numbers: what each one leaves
Blade numbers run opposite to guard numbers. A higher blade number cuts shorter - a #40 is surgical, a #10 leaves about a millimetre and a half. Guard numbers work the other way, and confusing the two is how people order a blade expecting a trim.
| Blade | Leaves | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| #10 | ~1.5 mm | The common all-rounder, close work |
| #15 | ~1.2 mm | Slightly closer than a #10 |
| #30 | ~0.5 mm | Very close, usually run under a guard |
| #40 | ~0.25 mm | Surgical, skin-close |
An F or FC suffix means finish cut - finer tooth spacing at the same length. Guard sizes are on the clipper guards page, full mapping on the blade size chart.
Guards, Blades & Fit
Guard and blade sizes, what fits which clipper, and what to check before replacing a blade.
Guards
Fit & Troubleshooting
Common Questions
The questions that come up most often about Andis blades and guards.
Are Andis and Andis blades interchangeable?
Not as a rule. Some detachable blades follow the same mounting standard and will physically fit both, and many third-party blades are sold as compatible with several brands - but mounting is not the same as fitting correctly. Blade drive length and hinge geometry differ, and a blade that clips on can still cut badly or run hot. Check the listing for your exact clipper model rather than assuming.
What do the numbers on clipper guards mean?
The number is the cut length the guard leaves behind, not the amount it removes. On most Andis guard sets #1 leaves about 3 mm, #2 about 6 mm, #4 about 13 mm, and so on in roughly 3 mm steps. The mapping is not identical across brands, so a #3 from another manufacturer will not always cut the same length.
How do I know if a blade is dull or just needs oil?
A dry blade pulls hair, runs hot and gets noisier - and a few drops of blade oil fixes it within seconds. A genuinely dull blade still pulls after oiling, and typically leaves an uneven line rather than failing everywhere at once. Oil first: it is the cheapest test there is, and it resolves most cases.
How often should clipper blades be oiled?
Before or after every use for anything more than a quick touch-up - a few drops across the teeth with the clipper running. Blades wear far more from friction while dry than they do from cutting hair, so oiling is what actually extends blade life.
Can Andis clipper blades be sharpened?
Detachable blades can be professionally resharpened, and for expensive blades that is worth doing. It is a job for a service that grinds them flat on proper equipment - hand sharpening usually ruins the cutting angle. For inexpensive blades, replacement often costs less than the sharpening service.
Why does my clipper cut unevenly on one side?
That is almost always blade alignment rather than a worn blade. The cutter should sit slightly back from the tips of the still blade and be even side to side. Misalignment leaves lines, catches hair on one side, and in bad cases nicks the skin - it is adjustable with the mounting screws.
Parts people actually reorder
Ranked by how often they come up, not by what pays best. Check the listing for fit before ordering - Andis blades come in several mounting systems that do not interchange.
Andis Clipper Oil
A clipper that pulls hair is usually dry, not dull. Blade oil is the cheapest thing in the drawer and it decides how long every blade you own lasts.
Andis UltraEdge Detachable Blade
The detachable system used across Andis grooming clippers. Blades snap on and off by hand, each a fixed size - confirm your clipper takes UltraEdge before ordering.
Andis T-Outliner Replacement Blade
The T-shaped trimmer blade for outlining and edge work. Wider than a standard blade and squared off at the corners, which is what lets it cut right up to a line.
About This Guide
This is an independent reference for Andis clipper blades and guards. It is not run by Andis Company and is not endorsed by them - we do not sell parts, service clippers, or handle warranty claims. For any of that, go to Andis directly.
What this site does is answer the questions that come up when a clipper stops cutting the way it used to, or when a replacement blade has to be ordered and the listing does not make the fit obvious. Which blade goes with which machine, what a number means in millimetres, and whether the problem is the blade or the alignment.
Where we link to Amazon, those are affiliate links and we may earn a commission. That does not change what goes on these pages: parts are grouped by what fits, and the most common answer here - that a dry blade is not a dead blade - is the one that avoids a purchase entirely.