A guide to the Norwood scale
Seven stages, temple versus crown loss, and what the scale does — and does not — tell us when planning.
Reading about hair transplants, you often see terms like “Norwood 3” or “Norwood 5”. The Norwood scale is a long-established classification of male pattern loss in seven stages. It gives doctors a common language, but it does not tell the whole story.
The seven stages
- 1: No significant recession; the juvenile line.
- 2: Slight, symmetrical recession at the temples (the mature line).
- 3: Marked temple recession; an “M” shape. The first stage considered hair loss.
- 3 vertex: Hairline at stage 3, with the crown beginning to open.
- 4: Frontal recession deepens and the crown opening grows; a band of hair remains between them.
- 5: The band narrows; front and crown approach each other.
- 6: Front and crown join; hair remains at the sides and back.
- 7: Only a narrow horseshoe band remains above the ears and at the nape.
What the scale tells us
The stage roughly indicates the size of the area to restore and therefore the graft need. At stage 3 the hairline and temples take priority, while at stage 6 planning often involves prioritisation and sometimes two sessions. It also hints at the direction in which loss is progressing.
What it does not tell us
- Donor capacity: two people at the same stage can have very different donors.
- Hair calibre and colour: thick, dark hair looks fuller with fewer grafts.
- Age and speed: Norwood 3 at 25 and Norwood 3 at 55 do not need the same plan.
- Diffuse thinning: some men thin diffusely without clear recession.
Estimated stage in the simulator
The Folyara simulator suggests an estimated stage from the position of your hair boundary relative to facial proportions, temple recession and the size of the open area. Because the crown is not fully visible from the front, adding a top-view photo improves the estimate. The stage is a starting point; the definitive assessment is made at examination.
In women
For female pattern thinning, the Ludwig scale is usually used instead of Norwood. For female sample photos the simulator shows this scale.
The information on this page is general and does not replace a medical consultation. The method, graft number and timeline suitable for you can only be determined after an examination. Simulations are illustrative and are not a promise of results.
