Norwood Scale Explained: Grafts Needed at Each Stage

If you have looked into hair transplants, you have probably seen men describe themselves as "a Norwood 3" or "a Norwood 5". The Norwood scale, sometimes called the Hamilton–Norwood scale, is the standard way doctors and surgeons describe male pattern hair loss. It is not a medical test; it is a visual guide that puts the typical progression of loss into stages. Knowing your stage helps you understand where you are, what is likely to happen next and roughly how much donor hair a restoration would need.

Graft numbers are typical ranges. Your own number depends on your donor density, hair characteristics and goals. Our hair graft calculator gives a personalised estimate by area.

Norwood 1 and 2: early or mature hairline

Norwood 1 is a full, often low, adolescent hairline. Norwood 2 shows slight recession at the temples, usually with the front of the hairline rising by a centimetre or so. Many men stay at Norwood 2 for life; it is a mature hairline rather than balding.

Treatment at this stage is often unnecessary. Some men choose a small temple refinement, and those with a family history of significant loss may start medication early. We are cautious about transplanting young men at Norwood 2 because future loss is hard to predict. See the best age for a hair transplant.

Norwood 3 and 3 vertex: the classic receding hairline

Norwood 3 is the first stage considered true balding. The temples recede deeply, producing an M, U or V-shaped hairline. Norwood 3 vertex adds thinning at the crown.

This is the most common stage for hair transplant enquiries. A typical plan rebuilds the hairline and front third with 1,500 to 2,500 grafts. Our guide to hairline transplants in London explains design and cost at this stage.

Norwood 4 and 5: front and crown loss

At Norwood 4, frontal recession is deeper and the crown area is larger, with a band of hair still separating the two. At Norwood 5, the band is narrower and thinner.

Transplants at these stages typically need 2,500 to 4,500 grafts. Because donor supply is finite, the surgeon will usually prioritise the front and mid-scalp, which frame the face, and treat the crown with fewer grafts or later. See crown hair transplants for what crown work involves.

Norwood 6 and 7: advanced hair loss

At Norwood 6 the bridge has gone and the front and crown form one large area. At Norwood 7 only a horseshoe of hair remains at the sides and back, and that band may itself be thinner.

A transplant can still make a meaningful difference, but expectations must be realistic. Plans often involve two sessions and focus on the front and top. Body hair can sometimes supplement a limited scalp donor; see body hair transplants. Some men choose scalp micropigmentation instead of, or as well as, a transplant.

Variants of the Norwood scale

Class A patterns are often good transplant candidates because the hairline moves back as one front, and the crown may stay relatively strong.

How fast do you move through the Norwood stages?

Progression varies widely. Some men move from stage 2 to stage 5 in a decade; others stay at stage 3 for life. Family history, the age loss started and whether you use medication all affect the rate. That is why a transplant plan should allow for possible future loss.

How does the Norwood stage affect cost?

Because graft numbers rise with each stage, so does cost. In London, typical prices are about £4,900 for 1,200 grafts, £5,900 to £6,900 for 1,800 to 2,500 grafts, about £7,900 for 3,500 grafts and £8,900 to £11,900 for 4,500 to 6,000. See hair transplant costs in the UK for full tables.

If you are still weighing up your options, start with our guide to how a hair transplant works.

Does your Norwood stage decide whether you are a candidate?

Not on its own. Donor density, hair calibre, hair colour relative to skin, your age and how stable your loss is all matter as much as the stage. A Norwood 6 with excellent donor hair can be a better candidate than a Norwood 3 with poor donor density. Read who is not a candidate for a hair transplant.

Can you slow progression through the Norwood scale?

Medication prescribed by a doctor can slow or stop progression for many men, and sometimes regrow some hair. Non-surgical options such as PRP hair treatment are used by some patients alongside a transplant. A transplant moves hair; it does not stop future loss of native hair around the grafts.

What about women?

Female pattern hair loss rarely follows the Norwood pattern. It usually causes diffuse thinning across the top with a preserved hairline. See female hair transplants in London.

How to tell your Norwood stage

Take photos in good light from the front, the top and the crown, with hair dry and pushed back. Compare the front hairline, the temple points and the crown with the stage descriptions above. A surgeon can confirm your stage at an assessment, also checking your donor area under magnification.

Common mistakes when self-assessing

• Judging the hairline with wet hair or under harsh overhead light, which exaggerates thinning
• Mistaking a mature Norwood 2 hairline for the start of balding
• Missing early crown thinning, which is hard to see without photos from above
• Assuming graft needs from forum posts rather than measuring the area and checking donor density

How often to re-check your Norwood stage

Hair loss moves slowly, so checking every six to twelve months is enough for most men. Use the same room, lighting and angles each time so the photos are comparable. If you start medication, keep a record of the start date so you can see whether progression slows. A surgeon will use your photo history at an assessment, because the speed of change matters as much as your current stage when planning grafts.

Get an assessment

The quickest way to know your stage, graft needs and options is an in-person assessment. Request an assessment and, if you like, send photos when we reply.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Hair Transplant Cost UK: Prices per Graft and Package (2026)
• 2,000 Grafts: Coverage, Cost and Results
• Crown Hair Transplant: Grafts and Cost
• Shock Loss and Hair Grafts Falling Out: What's Normal
• Hair Transplant Cost per Graft in the UK: 1,000 to 5,000 Grafts
• Hair Graft Calculator: How Many Grafts Do I Need?
• Hair transplants in London: FUE, DHI and FUT
• Areas of London we cover