What is the Norwood scale?

A 7-stage chart doctors use to grade male pattern hair loss, from no recession (1) to a horseshoe of hair at the sides and back (7). Stage 3 vertex adds crown thinning to temple recession.

What is the Ludwig scale?

A 3-stage chart for female pattern hair loss. It grades thinning on top and a widening part while the front hairline stays: Ludwig I, II and III.

Roughly. Compare photos of your hairline and crown in good light against the chart. A dermatologist grades it properly in person and checks for other causes.

Norwood and Ludwig scale self-check

Move the slider to compare your hairline and crown. Norwood (1 to 7) grades male pattern loss; Ludwig (I to III) grades female pattern loss. The same slider thins the 3D head on the Scalp Map.

Norwood self-check

Norwood stageNorwood 3 vertex

Norwood 3 vertex

Temple recession plus a thinning spot at the crown.

Typically discussed at this stage

An illustration for orientation, not a diagnosis. A dermatologist can grade your pattern in person.

Norwood scale

1
Norwood 1: No recession. The juvenile hairline.
2
Norwood 2: Slight temple recession. Often called a mature hairline.
3
Norwood 3: Deep temple recession. The first stage most derms call balding.
3vertex
Norwood 3 vertex: Temple recession plus a thinning spot at the crown.
4
Norwood 4: Deeper front loss and a larger bald crown, with a band of hair still between them.
5
Norwood 5: The band between front and crown thins out.
6
Norwood 6: Front and crown join. Hair remains at the sides and back.
7
Norwood 7: Only a horseshoe of hair at the sides and back.

Norwood scale

1
Norwood 1: No recession. The juvenile hairline.
2
Norwood 2: Slight temple recession. Often called a mature hairline.
3
Norwood 3: Deep temple recession. The first stage most derms call balding.
3vertex
Norwood 3 vertex: Temple recession plus a thinning spot at the crown.
4
Norwood 4: Deeper front loss and a larger bald crown, with a band of hair still between them.
5
Norwood 5: The band between front and crown thins out.
6
Norwood 6: Front and crown join. Hair remains at the sides and back.
7
Norwood 7: Only a horseshoe of hair at the sides and back.

Ludwig scale

I
Ludwig I: Thinning on top, visible as a wider part. The front hairline stays.
II
Ludwig II: Clearly less volume on top and a much wider part.
III
Ludwig III: Extensive thinning on top; the scalp shows through.

What each stage means

Norwood 1: No recession. The juvenile hairline.
Norwood 2: Slight temple recession. Often called a mature hairline.
Norwood 3: Deep temple recession. The first stage most derms call balding.
Norwood 3 vertex: Temple recession plus a thinning spot at the crown.
Norwood 4: Deeper front loss and a larger bald crown, with a band of hair still between them.
Norwood 5: The band between front and crown thins out.
Norwood 6: Front and crown join. Hair remains at the sides and back.
Norwood 7: Only a horseshoe of hair at the sides and back.
Ludwig I: Thinning on top, visible as a wider part. The front hairline stays.
Ludwig II: Clearly less volume on top and a much wider part.
Ludwig III: Extensive thinning on top; the scalp shows through.

Questions people ask

What is the Norwood scale?: A 7-stage chart doctors use to grade male pattern hair loss, from no recession (1) to a horseshoe of hair at the sides and back (7). Stage 3 vertex adds crown thinning to temple recession.
What is the Ludwig scale?: A 3-stage chart for female pattern hair loss. It grades thinning on top and a widening part while the front hairline stays: Ludwig I, II and III.
Can I grade myself?: Roughly. Compare photos of your hairline and crown in good light against the chart. A dermatologist grades it properly in person and checks for other causes.

Illustrations are for orientation, not diagnosis

This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist before starting any prescription treatment.