Hair Loss Norwood Stage Calculator
Interpret the Norwood scale of male-pattern hair loss: what your stage means and the approximate scalp coverage lost.
How it works
Norwood scale: stages 1–7 (plus 3 Vertex) describing progressive male-pattern hair loss; coverage-lost figures are approximate.
The Norwood (Hamilton–Norwood) scale is the standard way to classify male-pattern baldness, running from stage 1 (no loss) to stage 7 (only a horseshoe of hair around the sides). It tracks two fronts: recession at the temples/hairline and thinning at the crown, which is why the special "Vertex" variant exists. Staging your pattern helps set expectations and time treatment — medical options such as topical minoxidil and finasteride generally work best earlier, before follicles are lost.
Worked example
A man with clearly receded temples but a full crown is around Norwood 3, with roughly 15% of typical coverage affected. If the crown were also thinning, that would be the 3 Vertex variant instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Norwood scale?
It is a seven-stage classification of male-pattern hair loss, from no recession (1) to a horseshoe fringe (7), with a Vertex variant for crown-first thinning. Clinicians use it to describe and track balding.
Can hair loss be slowed or reversed?
Approved treatments like minoxidil and finasteride can slow loss and partly regrow hair in many men, and they work best when started early. A doctor can advise what is appropriate for you.
Does a mature hairline mean I am balding?
Not necessarily. Slight temple recession in early adulthood (around stage 2) is common and often stable. Progressive crown thinning or deepening recession is a clearer sign of ongoing loss.
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Educational estimate only, not medical advice — talk to an eye doctor, dentist, dermatologist or other qualified professional about your own care.