A hair transplant at Norwood 3 Vertex costs between $8,000 and $16,800 in the US for 2,000 to 2,800 grafts, with Turkey packages ranging from $2,000 to $5,600 all-inclusive. Norwood 3V is distinct from standard Norwood 3 because it adds crown thinning to the frontal recession, requiring more grafts and careful distribution between two separate treatment zones.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or medical advice.
Cost Breakdown by Country
The 2,000 to 2,800 graft range for Norwood 3 Vertex sits between the lighter Norwood 3 and the heavier Norwood 4 procedures. Here is the pricing across major markets in 2026:
| Country | Cost Per Graft | Total Cost (2,000 to 2,800 Grafts) | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $4 to $6 | $8,000 to $16,800 | Procedure only |
| United Kingdom | $3 to $5 | $6,000 to $14,000 | Procedure only |
| Turkey | $1 to $2 | $2,000 to $5,600 | Hotel, transfers, aftercare |
| India | $0.50 to $1.50 | $1,000 to $4,200 | Varies by clinic |
At 2,400 grafts (the midpoint), a US patient pays roughly $9,600 to $14,400 while a Turkey patient pays $2,400 to $4,800 all-inclusive. The $7,200 to $9,600 gap covers flights and travel expenses several times over.
FUE Session Details
At 2,000 to 2,800 grafts, FUE handles the full procedure in a single session:
| Method | US Cost (2,000 to 2,800 Grafts) | Sessions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUE | $8,000 to $16,800 | 1 | 5 to 8 hours |
| FUT | $5,600 to $11,760 | 1 | 4 to 6 hours |
FUE is preferred by most Norwood 3V patients. The slightly longer session time compared to standard Norwood 3 reflects the additional graft extraction and the need to create recipient sites in two distinct zones (frontal and crown).
Understanding Norwood 3 Vertex
Norwood 3 Vertex combines the temple recession of standard Norwood 3 with a thinning or bald patch at the crown. The Norwood scale guide classifies this as a separate pattern because the crown involvement changes the surgical plan. Instead of treating only the frontal zone, the surgeon must allocate grafts across two areas separated by a bridge of existing hair.
Graft Distribution Strategy
How grafts are split between the frontal hairline and crown is one of the most important decisions at Norwood 3V:
| Zone | Grafts (Frontal Priority) | Grafts (Balanced) |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal hairline | 1,200 to 1,600 | 1,000 to 1,200 |
| Temporal points | 300 to 500 | 200 to 400 |
| Crown (vertex) | 400 to 700 | 800 to 1,200 |
| Total | 1,900 to 2,800 | 2,000 to 2,800 |
The frontal-priority approach concentrates density where it matters most visually and relies on medication (finasteride and minoxidil) to manage the crown. The balanced approach treats both zones equally but achieves lower density in each. Your surgeon will recommend a distribution based on your age, donor supply, and progression risk.
The Crown Dilemma
Crown transplantation at Norwood 3V carries a strategic trade-off that does not exist with frontal-only work:
- Crown hair loss is often still progressing at this stage
- Transplanted crown grafts may look isolated if surrounding native hair continues to thin
- Crown coverage consumes 400 to 1,200 grafts that could be reserved for future frontal work
- Medication (finasteride) is often more effective at maintaining crown hair than frontal hair
Many experienced surgeons recommend a staged approach: transplant the frontal zone first, treat the crown with medication for 12 to 24 months, then reassess. If the crown stabilizes on medication, you save those grafts. If it progresses, a second targeted procedure addresses the crown with a clear picture of the final pattern.
Cost Comparison: Norwood 3 vs 3V vs 4
| Stage | Grafts Needed | US Cost | Turkey Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood 3 | 1,500 to 2,200 | $6,000 to $13,200 | $1,500 to $4,400 |
| Norwood 3V | 2,000 to 2,800 | $8,000 to $16,800 | $2,000 to $5,600 |
| Norwood 4 | 2,500 to 3,500 | $10,000 to $21,000 | $2,500 to $7,000 |
The vertex component adds roughly $2,000 to $3,600 to the US cost compared to standard Norwood 3. Use our graft cost calculator to estimate your specific cost based on how much crown coverage you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hair transplant cost at Norwood 3 Vertex?
A hair transplant at Norwood 3 Vertex costs between $8,000 and $16,800 in the US for 2,000 to 2,800 grafts. UK pricing ranges from $6,000 to $14,000. Turkey offers all-inclusive packages for $2,000 to $5,600, and India ranges from $1,000 to $4,200. The higher graft count compared to standard Norwood 3 reflects the additional crown coverage needed.
What is the difference between Norwood 3 and Norwood 3 Vertex?
Standard Norwood 3 involves recession at the temples and frontal hairline only, requiring 1,500 to 2,200 grafts. Norwood 3 Vertex adds thinning or a bald spot at the crown (vertex) while keeping similar frontal recession. This crown involvement increases the graft requirement to 2,000 to 2,800 because two separate zones need coverage.
Should I transplant the crown at Norwood 3 Vertex?
Crown transplantation at Norwood 3 Vertex is a strategic decision. Some surgeons recommend treating the frontal hairline first and managing the crown with medication, preserving grafts for future use. Others advocate treating both zones simultaneously if donor supply is strong. The choice depends on your age, rate of progression, and donor density assessment.
Not sure if your crown thinning qualifies as Norwood 3V? Get a free AI hairline analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze to assess both your frontal recession and crown thinning in under 60 seconds.