The Norwood scale: understand your hair loss

From mild temple recession to extensive loss: the Norwood scale is the global clinical standard for male-pattern hair loss. See which stage matches your situation — and how many grafts full restoration may take.

Get a personalised graft estimate

The 7 stages of hair loss (with graft estimates)

Norwood stage 1 — schematic illustration

Stage 1: Fully normal

A youthful hairline with no visible recession. No treatment needed.

0 grafts (surgery not recommended)

Norwood stage 2 — schematic illustration

Stage 2: Early temple recession

Mild triangular recession at the temples. The hairline moves back slightly. Medication (e.g. minoxidil) may still be enough.

approx. 1,000 – 1,500 grafts (light density work)

Norwood stage 3 — schematic illustration

Stage 3: Visible temples

Loss is clearly visible; temples are deeply recessed. Thinning often begins at the crown (vertex) as well.

approx. 1,500 – 2,500 grafts

Norwood stage 4 — schematic illustration

Stage 4: Advancing loss

Strong temple recession plus visible crown loss. Only a moderate bridge of hair remains between front and vertex.

approx. 2,500 – 3,500 grafts

Norwood stage 5 — schematic illustration

Stage 5: The bridge thins

Bare areas at the front and crown grow; the mid bridge becomes progressively thinner.

approx. 3,500 – 4,500 grafts

Norwood stage 6 — schematic illustration

Stage 6: Front and crown merge

The bridge is gone. One large continuous bald area runs from the hairline to the back.

approx. 4,500 – 5,500+ grafts (often two sessions)

Norwood stage 7 — schematic illustration (advanced pattern)

Stage 7: The horseshoe

The most advanced pattern: only a narrow band of hair remains at the sides and back.

Classic transplantation is often difficult if donor hair cannot cover the full area. Options such as SMP may need to be considered.

Why Norwood stage is not the whole story (donor hair)

Your Norwood stage shows how large the bald area is. Whether a transplant can look natural, however, depends on another factor: your donor area.

Grafts are taken from the permanent ring at the back. A dense donor zone may yield 4,000+ grafts safely; a weak donor area limits extraction to avoid visible thinning at the back.

Clarity instead of guesswork: your personal hair analysis

Unsure if you are stage 3 or 4 — and what it would cost? Use our free service: upload four photos. Partner physicians review your donor area, calculate the grafts you need, and we send up to three fixed-price quotes (Switzerland & Turkey) for anonymous comparison.

Start free clinical analysis (about 2 minutes)