The Norwood Scale Explained: Where Are You and What Can You Do?
The Norwood Scale is the standard tool for measuring male hair loss. Here's what each stage looks like and what you should do at each one.
The Norwood Scale Explained: Where Are You and What Can You Do?
If you’ve been Googling your hairline, you’ve probably come across the Norwood Scale. It’s the standard classification system for male pattern baldness — developed by Dr. James Hamilton in the 1950s and updated by Dr. O’Tar Norwood in the 1970s.
Knowing your Norwood stage matters because different stages respond differently to treatment. And if you’re at an early stage and doing nothing, you’re losing ground every month.
How the Scale Works
The Norwood Scale runs from Type 1 (no meaningful hair loss) to Type 7 (extensive baldness across the top of the scalp). There’s also a Type A variant for men whose hairlines recede more uniformly across the front rather than leaving an island of hair in the middle.
Here’s every stage — what it looks like and what it means.
Norwood Type 1 — The Baseline
What it looks like: Full head of hair with no significant recession. A slight maturing of the hairline may be present — this is completely normal and happens to most men in their late teens to early twenties.
What to do: Nothing urgent from a hair loss standpoint. That said, if baldness runs in your family and you’re under 25, it’s worth tracking. Take a photo every few months to track any changes.
Norwood Type 2 — Early Recession
What it looks like: Slight recession at the temples, creating a slightly more defined “M” shape at the hairline. The hairline is still relatively high and the overall look is still full.
What to do: This is where the window starts to open. Many men dismiss Type 2 as just a “mature hairline” and do nothing. That’s fine if you’re genuinely not bothered. But if you want to keep what you have:
- Finasteride at this stage is extremely effective — it’s far easier to maintain hair than to regrow it
- Minoxidil can help thicken existing hair
- Begin tracking with photos every 2–3 months
The men who get the best long-term results are the ones who start treatment at Type 2.
Norwood Type 3 — Visible Recession
What it looks like: More pronounced recession at the temples. The “M” shape deepens. The temples may be completely bare or very thinly covered. This is typically the earliest stage that most people would classify as “going bald.”
Type 3 Vertex is a variant where the crown (top-back of the head) also starts thinning, while the front may still look decent.
What to do: Act now if you haven’t already.
- Finasteride is highly effective here — studies show it halts further loss in ~86% of men and regrows hair in ~65%
- Minoxidil twice daily becomes important
- Derma rolling (microneedling) can enhance results when combined with minoxidil — see our microneedling guide
- Haircuts that reduce contrast between thin and thick areas (short-to-medium lengths, tapers)
At Type 3, you still have enough hair that a strong treatment combination can produce genuinely impressive results.
Norwood Type 4 — Clear Balding
What it looks like: Significant recession at the temples and a clear bald patch developing at the crown. A “bridge” of hair still exists separating the front recession from the crown, but it’s getting narrow. Hair density across the top is visibly reduced.
What to do:
- Finasteride + minoxidil combination — this is the non-negotiable treatment stack at this stage
- Consider low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct — there’s decent evidence for laser caps/combs as add-ons
- Hair fibres (like Toppik or Nanogen) can massively improve the appearance in the short term while treatments kick in — full guide in our styling thinning hair article
- Start discussing hair transplant eligibility with a specialist — though most will tell you to stabilise with medication first
At Type 4, regrowth is harder but still very possible in the thinning zones. Maintaining what remains is the priority.
Norwood Type 5 — Significant Loss
What it looks like: The bridge between front and crown is now very narrow or gone. You have a large bald patch on the crown and heavy recession at the front. What remains is primarily the sides and a strip across the back.
What to do:
- Medical treatment still has value — finasteride and minoxidil can prevent further loss and may recover some thinning areas
- Hair transplant is now a serious conversation. FUE (follicular unit extraction) can provide good results at this stage, but you need a realistic consultation — donor area quality matters a lot
- Hair systems (modern hairpieces) are also worth considering — the stigma is largely outdated and modern systems are undetectable
- Accept that full regrowth to a Type 2 or 3 level isn’t realistic without a transplant
Norwood Type 6 — Advanced Baldness
What it looks like: The bald areas from front and crown have merged. The top of the head is largely bald. A horseshoe of hair around the sides and back remains, but even this may be thinning.
What to do:
- Medical treatment options are limited at this stage, but minoxidil may help slow any remaining loss
- A hair transplant is possible but requires careful planning — donor hair is finite and must be distributed wisely across the bald area
- Hair fibres, scalp micropigmentation (SMP), or a quality hair system are practical daily solutions
- Shaving your head is a legitimate option that many men find genuinely liberating — pair with gym consistency and good skin and it looks great
Norwood Type 7 — Extensive Baldness
What it looks like: The most advanced stage. Even the horseshoe of hair around the back and sides is thin and sparse. The scalp is largely bare across the top.
What to do:
- Hair transplant may still be possible for some men but is limited by donor availability
- Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) creates the appearance of a close-shaved head and is one of the best cosmetic solutions at this stage
- Medical treatments have minimal impact on regrowth at this stage, though they can slow remaining loss
- Committing to the shaved look with confidence is the path many men take — and honestly, it suits more people than they expect
Norwood Type A Variants
Some men follow an alternative pattern (Type A) where the hairline recedes uniformly backward rather than leaving a central island. The key visual difference is a more even, band-like recession rather than the classic M/crown pattern.
Treatment approaches are the same at equivalent stages — the classification mainly matters for transplant planning.
How to Accurately Assess Your Norwood Stage
Take photos in good lighting — ideally natural light — from the front, top (use a second mirror or camera), and back. Compare to Norwood diagrams.
Be honest with yourself. Most men underestimate their stage by one level because they naturally avoid seeing it. A realistic assessment means realistic expectations.
Better yet — book a consultation with a trichologist or hair loss clinic. Many UK clinics (Zestige, Farjo, Belgravia Centre) offer free or low-cost initial consultations.
When to Act — The Golden Rule
The best time to start treatment was when you first noticed thinning. The second best time is now.
Hair follicles that have fully miniaturised and died cannot be recovered with medication — only a transplant can address them. Follicles that are thinning and miniaturising can be saved. Every month of inaction at stages 2–4 is follicles being permanently lost.
The treatments with the strongest evidence are:
- Finasteride (Type 2 through 5)
- Minoxidil (all stages with active follicles)
- FUE hair transplant (primarily Types 3–6 with stable donor area)
For a full breakdown of minoxidil vs finasteride, see our comparison article.
Bottom Line
The Norwood Scale tells you where you are in the progression. What matters is what you do with that information.
Types 1–3: Start treatment now if you want to keep your hair. This is the high-leverage window.
Types 4–5: Medical treatment still works. Transplant conversations should begin.
Types 6–7: Cosmetic solutions and transplant (if viable donor area) are the practical paths.
Whatever stage you’re at, you have options. The worst thing you can do is nothing.
