The Norwood Scale classifies male pattern baldness into 7 stages, each with distinct visual markers you can identify in photos. Developed by Dr. O'Tar Norwood in 1975, this system remains the global standard used by hair transplant surgeons. Below is a detailed visual description of each stage to help you identify where you fall.
How to Take Assessment Photos
Before comparing yourself to the stages below, take standardized reference photos:
- Front view: Face the camera directly, pull hair back from the forehead
- Both temples: Turn 45 degrees left and right to expose each temporal point
- Top-down view: Tilt your head forward, photograph from above
- Crown view: Use a second mirror or phone to capture the vertex area
Use natural daylight or consistent overhead lighting. Avoid flash, which washes out thinning areas.
Stage 1: No Recession
The hairline sits across the forehead at or near its juvenile position. There is no recession at the temples, and density is uniform across all zones. The frontal hairline is relatively flat or gently rounded.
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Temple points | Fully intact, no recession |
| Forehead height | Approximately 6 to 7 cm from brow |
| Crown | Full density, no visible scalp |
| Graft needs | 0 grafts |
Stage 2: Slight Temple Recession
The temples begin to recede slightly, creating a subtle M-shape. Recession is typically 1 to 2 cm behind the juvenile hairline. Many men reach this stage by their late 20s, and dermatologists often classify it as a "mature hairline" rather than true hair loss.
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Temple recession | 1 to 2 cm from juvenile line |
| M-shape | Subtle, often symmetrical |
| Crown | No changes |
| Graft needs | 800 to 1,500 grafts |
Stage 3: Deep Temple Recession
Temple recession deepens to form a clear M-shape or U-shape. This is the first stage where hair loss is cosmetically noticeable to others and the minimum stage where most surgeons consider a transplant.
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Temple recession | More than 2 cm from frontal line |
| M-shape | Pronounced and visible |
| Crown | May begin thinning (3V variant) |
| Graft needs | 1,500 to 2,200 grafts (3V: 2,000 to 2,800) |
The 3V Variant
Stage 3 Vertex adds thinning at the crown while temples are receding. In photos, you will see a visible patch of scalp showing through the hair at the top of the head. This pattern requires planning for both frontal and vertex zones.
Stage 4: Crown Expansion
Frontal recession extends further, and the crown bald spot grows larger. A bridge of thinner hair still connects the frontal and vertex areas, but scalp is visible through it.
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Frontal line | Receded significantly |
| Crown patch | Expanding, clearly visible |
| Bridge | Present but thinning |
| Graft needs | 2,500 to 3,500 grafts |
Stage 5: Bridge Narrowing
The bridge of hair between the front and crown narrows significantly. In top-down photos, the two bald zones are close to merging. Coverage with a single transplant session becomes challenging.
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Bridge | Narrow, barely connecting |
| Bald area | Large, spanning most of scalp top |
| Remaining density | Concentrated at sides and back |
| Graft needs | 3,000 to 4,500 grafts |
Stage 6: Bridge Lost
The bridge is gone. The frontal and vertex bald areas have merged into one continuous zone. A horseshoe-shaped band of hair remains around the sides and back. Multiple transplant sessions are typically required.
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Bridge | Absent |
| Bald area | Continuous from front to crown |
| Donor band | Horseshoe shape, sides and back |
| Graft needs | 4,000 to 6,000 grafts |
Stage 7: Extensive Loss
Only a narrow horseshoe band of hair remains on the sides and back of the head. The donor area is at its smallest, which limits transplant options. Hair within the remaining band may also be thinner than earlier stages.
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Remaining hair | Narrow horseshoe band only |
| Donor density | Reduced, may show thinning |
| Scalp coverage | Minimal |
| Graft needs | 5,500 to 7,500 grafts |
Quick Reference Table
| Stage | Temple Recession | Crown | Bridge | Grafts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | None | Full | N/A | 0 |
| 2 | Slight (1-2 cm) | Full | N/A | 800 to 1,500 |
| 3 | Deep (2+ cm) | Full or early thinning | N/A | 1,500 to 2,200 |
| 3V | Deep | Thinning | Present | 2,000 to 2,800 |
| 4 | Advanced | Bald spot | Thin | 2,500 to 3,500 |
| 5 | Advanced | Expanding | Narrow | 3,000 to 4,500 |
| 6 | Advanced | Merged | Gone | 4,000 to 6,000 |
| 7 | Advanced | Merged | Gone | 5,500 to 7,500 |
Get a Precise Assessment
Photo comparisons provide a useful estimate, but measurements vary based on lighting, angle, and hair styling. AI-powered tools analyze 468 facial landmarks to measure your hairline position precisely against established baselines.
Get your free AI Norwood assessment for an objective classification in 30 seconds.
FAQ
How do I know what Norwood stage I am?
Compare your hairline to the stage descriptions: Norwood 1 has no recession, Norwood 2 shows slight temple recession, Norwood 3 has deep temple recession forming an M-shape, Norwood 4 adds crown thinning, Norwood 5 shows the bridge narrowing, Norwood 6 loses the bridge entirely, and Norwood 7 has only a horseshoe band remaining.
What is the difference between Norwood 2 and Norwood 3?
Norwood 2 shows slight recession at the temples (1 to 2 cm behind the juvenile hairline), while Norwood 3 shows deep recession forming a pronounced M or U shape. The key marker is whether the recession extends more than 2 cm behind the frontal hairline.
Can I use photos to assess my own Norwood stage?
Self-assessment with photos provides a rough estimate but has limitations. For accuracy, take photos in consistent lighting from the front, both sides, and top-down. AI-powered tools like MyHairline provide more precise measurements by mapping 468 facial landmarks against your hairline position.