Norwood Hamilton Scale Is A Scale Used By Professionals To Measure The Extent Of Male Pattern Baldness

The Norwood Scale

One of the most common forms of hair loss is male pattern baldness, it's also common for some to find it confusing. Hair loss can be so unpredictable it's good to know what stage along the process you are at. Fortunately we have whats called the Norwood scale, a scale that shows the different stages of male pattern hair loss.

Used by many professionals in the industry the Norwood Scale or Norwood Hamilton scale measures the extent of male pattern boldness. This scale is known as the accepted standard when describing hair loss in general. The scale ranges from no balding to completely bald, using a 7 step guide to calculate how far along you are.

The higher a person is on the Norwood scale, the fewer options they have to retain what is left of the hair. For example there is hair loss medication available called Minoxidil or Finasteride and they help in slowing the speed in which people loose hair this method is used at the early stages of the Norwood Scale. From around stage five however, your options decrease and you will need to look into hair restoration treatments such as hair transplants.

There are patterns you can watch out for in male hair loss for example, the most common are; receding at the temples, thinning on the top back part of the head, a general thinning over the entire scalp with a less noticeable change to the hairline, or, a combination of the above.

Here Is How It's  Broken Down

We have estimated the number of grafts needed per stage, this will vary slightly for each patient due to individual head size and hair characteristics.

The Norwood scale: Stage 1


This stage is the ideal stage. You have the genes that are envied by all and for many if this stage lasts throughout the older years in life then you’re very lucky indeed. This stage consists of absolutely no hair loss at all or or if anything then only a very minor recession to the hairline. If you can not notice it then you’re on stage 1 of the Norwood scale.


The Norwood scale: Stage 1


This stage is the ideal stage. You have the genes that are envied by all and for many if this stage lasts throughout the older years in life then you’re very lucky indeed. This stage consists of absolutely no hair loss at all or or if anything then only a very minor recession to the hairline. If you can not notice it then you’re on stage 1 of the Norwood scale.


The Norwood scale: Stage 2 = 480 grafts


This is the second stage of the hair loss scale, where your hairline begins to recced gradually. Hair loss at this stage is minor and hardly noticeable and remember all humans shed hair naturally. 

The Norwood scale: Stage 2 = 480 grafts


This is the second stage of the hair loss scale, when your hairline begins to recced gradually. Hair loss at this stage is minor and hardly noticeable and remember all humans shed hair naturally. 

The Norwood scale: Stage 3 = 1600 grafts


This is the part where things start to change. Now you're seeming to think about it a little more and you can tell especially on your self that your hairline is receding. This may still be covered with a thin layer of hair however, some men will also start to see slight thinning or balding around the crown as well at this point.

The Norwood scale: Stage 3 = 1600 grafts


This is the part where things start to change. Now you're seeming to think about it a little more and you can tell especially on your self that your hairline is receding. This may still be covered with a thin layer of hair however, some men will also start to see slight thinning or balding around the crown as well at this point.

The Norwood scale: Stage 3 Vertex = 2320 grafts


At this stage the receding of the hair line resembles the same as stage 3, however now you will begin to notice significant balding on the crown as well as the hairline this will cause a bald spot.

The Norwood scale: Stage 3 Vertex = 2320 grafts


At this stage the receding of the hair line resembles the same as stage 3, however now you will begin to notice significant balding on the crown as well as the hairline this will cause a bald spot.

The Norwood scale: Stage 4 = 3200 grafts


Now at stage 4 this is where you will really start to see the difference in the recession at the temples. The baldness is connecting to form a bridge between the front and the back where the crown is. A strip of hair extending across the top separates the hair loss between the front temporal area and the crown. This stage on the Norwood scale is usually the first stage where hair loss is really noticeable. 

The Norwood scale: Stage 4 = 3200 grafts


Now at stage 4 this is where you will really start to see the difference in the recession at the temples. The baldness is connecting to form a bridge between the front and the back where the crown is. A strip of hair extending across the top separates the hair loss between the front temporal area and the crown. This stage on the Norwood scale is usually the first stage where hair loss is really noticeable. 

The Norwood scale: Stage 5 = 3880 grafts


This is the stage where you will begin to lose hair at the sides of your head as well as the hairline and crown. You can now see in the mirror the overall effects of the balding. Usually hair loss is considered severe at stage 5, the hair remaining on the scalp is thin and continues to recede on all sides. This is the stage in the Norwood scale that requires transplantation. 

The Norwood scale: Stage 5 = 3880 grafts


This is the stage where you will begin to lose hair at the sides of your head as well as the hairline and crown. You can now see in the mirror the overall effects of the balding. Usually hair loss is considered severe at stage 5, the hair remaining on the scalp is thin and continues to recede on all sides. This is the stage in the Norwood scale that requires transplantation. 

The Norwood scale: Stage 6 = 4600 grafts


Now we're at the stage in the scale where you appear to notice more skin than you do hair. Whatever hair is left on the scalp is very thin and wispy. Styling the hair at this stage becomes quite impossible and there is not much that can be done with it in general.

The Norwood scale: Stage 6 = 4600 grafts


Now we're at the stage in the scale where you appear to notice more skin than you do hair. Whatever hair is left on the scalp is very thin and wispy. Styling the hair at this stage becomes quite impossible and there is not much that can be done with it in general.

The Norwood scale: Stage 7 = 5480 grafts


Of course on the final end of the scale you can rarely see much hair when looking in the mirror. The hair that can we found will be right at the back of the hair if any. Right at the end of the Norwood scale you would be quite lucky to find even the smallest hairs in the back.

The Norwood scale: Stage 7 = 5480 grafts


Of course on the final end of the scale you can rarely see much hair when looking in the mirror. The hair that can we found will be right at the back of the hair if any. Right at the end of the Norwood scale you would be quite lucky to find even the smallest hairs in the back.

When Should I See A Hair Loss Specialist?

If you have noticed your hair is starting to thin and potentially follow the pattern of the Norwood scale it is best to see a hair loss specialist as early as possible. When you have more hair on the scalp there are more options for you. 

At the Hair Loss Clinic, we offer hair transplants that in most cases can be used to restore a natural looking full head of hair for people who are at around stage 4 of the Norwood scale. 

We also offer advanced Micro-pigmentation, which uses pigment to add the appearance of fullness to thinning areas of the scalp and can even be used to mimic the appearance of a full head of shaven hair for those at stage the later stages of the Norwood scale. If you would like more information on our hair restoration treatments please contact us today for a no obligation consultation.

During our consultation process, one of our hair loss experts can discuss the best treatment for your type of hair loss.

Book Your Free Consultation Today

If you would like to discuss the best treatment for you then call us today for a free consultation. Many of our team have experienced hair loss themselves and have had an FUE Hair Transplant. Our customer centric approach will ensure that you will get the very best results. 

All consultations take place at our Derby  branch where our team of clinicians also offer Low Level Laser Treatment and Scalp Micropigmentation.