The Norwood Scale: Complete Guide to Hair Loss Stages
The Norwood Scale is the gold standard for classifying male pattern baldness. Understand where you stand and track your stage over time with AI-powered analysis.
All 7 Norwood Stages Explained
Norwood 1 – No Recession
Full head of hair with no visible hair line recession. This is the baseline for comparison, a mature, well-defined hairline with no thinning.
Norwood 2 – Slight Recession
Slight recession at the temples, forming a natural "M" shape. This is common with age and not always indicative of progressive balding.
Norwood 3 – Deeper Recession
Noticeable deepening of the temporal recession. The hairline has receded significantly at the temples, creating a pronounced M-shape.
Norwood 3 Vertex
Similar to Stage 3 with additional thinning at the crown (vertex). The crown begins to show visible scalp through the remaining hair.
Norwood 4 – Significant Loss
Significant hair loss at the crown and further recession of the hairline. A band of moderately dense hair separates the two areas of loss.
Norwood 5 – Merging Areas
The band between the receded hairline and crown thinning narrows. The two areas of hair loss are beginning to merge together.
Norwood 6 – Connected Loss
The areas of loss at the temples and crown have merged. Only a horseshoe-shaped band of hair remains on the sides and back of the head.
Norwood 7 – Advanced Loss
The most advanced stage. Only a narrow band of hair remains along the sides and back. Any remaining hair on top is very fine and sparse.
Why Tracking Your Norwood Stage Matters
Hair loss is gradual, you might not notice changes day-to-day. Consistent tracking helps you catch progression early and measure whether treatments are working.
Catch Progression Early
Detect subtle changes before they become obvious to others.
Measure Treatment Efficacy
See if finasteride, minoxidil, or other treatments are actually working.
AI-Powered Assessment
Get an objective Norwood rating from AI, no guesswork required.
Find Out Your Norwood Stage
Upload a photo and get your AI-assessed Norwood rating instantly. Track changes over time to see how treatments affect your hair.
Get Your Free AnalysisFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Norwood Scale?▾
The Norwood Scale (also called the Hamilton-Norwood Scale) is the most widely used classification system for measuring the extent of male pattern baldness. It was first introduced by Dr. James Hamilton in the 1950s and later revised by Dr. O'Tar Norwood in the 1970s. The scale ranges from Stage 1 (no hair loss) to Stage 7 (most severe loss).
Can the Norwood Scale be used for women?▾
The Norwood Scale is primarily designed for male pattern baldness. Female pattern hair loss is typically classified using the Ludwig Scale or the Savin Scale, which focus on diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp rather than frontal recession.
Can you reverse your Norwood stage?▾
With treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and hair transplant surgery, many people can slow, stop, or partially reverse hair loss. Early intervention (Norwood 2-3) generally yields better results. Trichometrics helps you track whether your treatments are actually working by monitoring changes over time.
How often should I check my Norwood stage?▾
Hair changes slowly, so checking every 2-4 weeks is ideal. This gives enough time for visible changes while maintaining consistent monitoring. Trichometrics tracks your Norwood stage automatically with each analysis.