Hair transplant costs range from $1,250 for a basic procedure in India to over $45,000 for a mega session with a premium US surgeon. The price you pay depends on four variables: your graft count, the procedure type, the geographic location, and the clinic's pricing model.
Cost Per Graft by Region (2026)
The following table shows current per-graft pricing for FUE procedures. FUT procedures are typically 20-30% less expensive.
| Region | Cost Per Graft | 1,500 Grafts | 3,000 Grafts | 5,000 Grafts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | $4-$6 | $6,000-$9,000 | $12,000-$18,000 | $20,000-$30,000 |
| UK | $3-$5 | $4,500-$7,500 | $9,000-$15,000 | $15,000-$25,000 |
| Europe (avg) | $2.50-$4.50 | $3,750-$6,750 | $7,500-$13,500 | $12,500-$22,500 |
| South Korea | $3-$5 | $4,500-$7,500 | $9,000-$15,000 | $15,000-$25,000 |
| Turkey | $1-$2 | $1,500-$3,000 | $3,000-$6,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Thailand | $1.50-$3 | $2,250-$4,500 | $4,500-$9,000 | $7,500-$15,000 |
| Mexico | $2-$4 | $3,000-$6,000 | $6,000-$12,000 | $10,000-$20,000 |
| India | $0.50-$1.50 | $750-$2,250 | $1,500-$4,500 | $2,500-$7,500 |
These prices reflect the procedure itself. For international patients, add travel costs, accommodation, and potential follow-up visit expenses.
Cost by Procedure Type
Different techniques carry different price points, even within the same clinic.
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
FUE is the most commonly performed technique in 2026. Individual follicular units are extracted from the donor area, leaving small dot scars (0.7-1.0mm). Recovery takes 7-10 days.
| Cost Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Per-graft cost | Varies by region (see table above) |
| Max grafts per session | Up to 5,000 |
| Session duration | 4-8 hours |
| Graft survival rate | 90-95% |
| Donor shaving required | Yes (typically) |
FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation)
FUT, also called the strip method, removes a strip of scalp from the donor area. Individual grafts are dissected under microscopes. Recovery takes 10-14 days. FUT generally costs 20-30% less than FUE at the same clinic.
| Cost Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Per-graft cost | 20-30% below FUE pricing |
| Max grafts per session | Up to 4,000 |
| Session duration | 4-6 hours |
| Graft survival rate | 90-95% |
| Donor shaving required | No |
Cost example: A 3,000-graft FUT in the USA might cost $8,400-$12,600 compared to $12,000-$18,000 for FUE.
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)
DHI uses the Choi implanter pen for direct graft placement without creating recipient channels first. This technique typically costs 10-20% more than standard FUE due to the additional precision required and longer procedure times.
| Cost Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Per-graft cost | 10-20% above FUE pricing |
| Max grafts per session | Up to 3,500 |
| Session duration | 6-10 hours |
| Graft survival rate | 90-95% |
| Advantage | No recipient channels; denser packing possible |
Cost example: A 3,000-graft DHI in Turkey might cost $3,300-$7,200 compared to $3,000-$6,000 for FUE.
Cost by Norwood Stage
Your Norwood stage determines how many grafts you need, which is the primary driver of total cost.
| Norwood Stage | Grafts Needed | USA Cost Range | Turkey Cost Range | India Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood 2 | 800-1,500 | $3,200-$9,000 | $800-$3,000 | $400-$2,250 |
| Norwood 3 | 1,500-2,200 | $6,000-$13,200 | $1,500-$4,400 | $750-$3,300 |
| Norwood 3V | 2,000-2,800 | $8,000-$16,800 | $2,000-$5,600 | $1,000-$4,200 |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500-3,500 | $10,000-$21,000 | $2,500-$7,000 | $1,250-$5,250 |
| Norwood 5 | 3,000-4,500 | $12,000-$27,000 | $3,000-$9,000 | $1,500-$6,750 |
| Norwood 6 | 4,000-6,000 | $16,000-$36,000 | $4,000-$12,000 | $2,000-$9,000 |
| Norwood 7 | 5,500-7,500 | $22,000-$45,000 | $5,500-$15,000 | $2,750-$11,250 |
Use the free AI tool at myhairline.ai/analyze to determine your Norwood stage and get a personalized graft estimate before comparing clinic prices.
Clinic Pricing Models
Not all clinics price the same way. Understanding the model helps you compare quotes accurately.
Per-Graft Pricing
The most transparent model. You pay a set rate per graft extracted and implanted. Total cost = grafts x per-graft rate. This makes it easy to compare across clinics.
Advantage: Clear, predictable pricing. Easy to compare. Watch for: Some clinics charge per graft extracted rather than per graft implanted. If graft survival during extraction is lower, you may pay for grafts that were damaged and never transplanted.
Flat-Rate Pricing
Common in Turkey and Southeast Asia. The clinic charges a single price regardless of graft count, often bundled with hotel, transfers, and post-operative care.
Advantage: No surprise costs. Everything included. Watch for: Flat-rate clinics may have a financial incentive to perform fewer grafts than needed. If the price is the same for 2,000 or 4,000 grafts, performing fewer is more profitable. Always confirm your graft count target in writing.
Tiered Pricing
Some clinics offer different price tiers based on the surgeon performing the procedure, the technique used, or the level of aftercare included.
Example tiers at a US clinic:
| Tier | Surgeon | Technique | Per Graft | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Associate surgeon | Motorized FUE | $4-$5 | Procedure + basic aftercare |
| Premium | Lead surgeon | Manual FUE | $6-$8 | Procedure + PRP + extended aftercare |
| Elite | Named specialist | DHI | $8-$12 | Full concierge experience |
Watch for: Make sure you understand who is actually performing your procedure at each tier. "Associate surgeon" might mean a less experienced doctor or even a technician-led procedure.
Hidden Costs to Factor In
The procedure quote rarely represents the full cost. Budget for these additional expenses:
Medical Add-Ons
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-operative blood tests | $100-$300 |
| Post-operative medications | $50-$200 |
| PRP sessions (if recommended) | $500-$2,000 per session |
| Finasteride prescription (ongoing) | $20-$60/month |
| Minoxidil (ongoing) | $15-$40/month |
| Revision or touch-up procedure | 30-50% of original cost |
Travel Costs (for medical tourism)
| Item | Turkey Estimate | India Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip flights | $400-$1,200 | $600-$1,500 |
| Hotel (5-7 nights) | $200-$700 | $150-$500 |
| Local transportation | $50-$150 | $30-$100 |
| Meals | $100-$250 | $50-$150 |
| Travel insurance | $50-$150 | $50-$150 |
Total travel add-on: $800-$2,450 (Turkey), $880-$2,400 (India)
Even with travel costs, international options can save significant money for high graft count procedures. A Norwood 5 patient needing 4,000 grafts might pay $16,000-$24,000 in the USA or $4,800-$10,450 in Turkey including travel.
Learn more about how location affects your decision in our guide on geographic and travel factors for clinic selection.
Cost vs. Value: What Actually Matters
The cheapest procedure is not the best value. Calculate cost per surviving graft to make meaningful comparisons.
Cost Per Surviving Graft Formula
Total cost / (grafts x survival rate) = cost per surviving graft
| Scenario | Total Cost | Grafts | Survival Rate | Surviving Grafts | Cost/Surviving Graft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium US clinic | $18,000 | 3,000 | 95% | 2,850 | $6.32 |
| Mid-range UK clinic | $12,000 | 3,000 | 92% | 2,760 | $4.35 |
| Quality Turkey clinic | $5,500 | 3,000 | 93% | 2,790 | $1.97 |
| Budget Turkey mill | $3,000 | 3,000 | 75% | 2,250 | $1.33 |
| Budget India clinic | $2,500 | 3,000 | 80% | 2,400 | $1.04 |
The budget Turkey mill looks cheapest per surviving graft, but those 750 lost grafts may require a $3,000+ revision procedure. The quality Turkey clinic delivers nearly the same survival rate as the US clinic at one-third the price.
How to Get Accurate Quotes
Follow these steps to ensure you are comparing equivalent services:
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Establish your graft count first. Get your AI assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze to know your Norwood stage and estimated graft range.
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Request itemized quotes. Ask each clinic to break down the price by: procedure fee, anesthesia, medications, follow-up visits, and any recommended add-ons (PRP, laser therapy).
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Confirm what "per graft" means. Is it per graft extracted, per graft implanted, or per follicular unit? These distinctions affect the actual price.
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Ask about revision policies. What happens if results are below expectations? Some clinics offer discounted or complimentary touch-up procedures. Others do not.
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Get everything in writing. Verbal quotes are not binding. Request a written treatment plan with pricing before committing.
Review the complete clinic selection checklist to evaluate clinics on criteria beyond cost.
Key Takeaways
- Hair transplant costs depend on graft count, procedure type, location, and pricing model
- FUT costs 20-30% less than FUE; DHI costs 10-20% more than FUE
- Turkey and India offer the lowest per-graft rates ($0.50-$2), while the USA ($4-$6) and UK ($3-$5) are the most expensive
- Calculate cost per surviving graft, not just total price, to compare value accurately
- Budget for hidden costs including medications, PRP sessions ($500-$2,000 each), and travel expenses
- Know your Norwood stage before requesting quotes so you can evaluate whether graft count estimates are reasonable
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration surgeon for personalized recommendations.