The Norwood scale (also called the Hamilton-Norwood scale) is the standard classification system for male pattern baldness. It describes seven stages of progression from a full hairline to extensive hair loss — and identifying your stage is the starting point for making informed decisions about treatment.

The Seven Norwood Stages

Stage I — No significant recession. The hairline sits at or slightly above the upper forehead creases. This is considered the baseline for a mature hairline.

Stage II — Slight recession at the temples, forming a mild M-shape. Many men settle here and progress slowly. This is the earliest stage where intervention makes a meaningful difference.

Stage III — The first stage clinically classified as baldness. Temple recession deepens noticeably. Some men in Stage III also show early thinning at the vertex (Stage III Vertex).

Stage IV — Significant frontal recession with a band of hair separating frontal loss from vertex thinning. The two zones haven't yet merged.

Stage V — The band separating frontal and vertex thinning narrows. The two zones begin to appear connected.

Stage VI — The bridge between frontal and vertex zones is gone. Hair loss across the top of the scalp is extensive.

Stage VII — The most advanced stage. Only a horseshoe-shaped band remains around the sides and back. The top of the scalp is completely bald.

Why Stage Matters for Treatment

DHT blockers work by preserving follicles that are still active — they cannot restore follicles that have fully miniaturized and gone dormant.

  • Stages I–III: Most responsive to DHT-blocking intervention. Preserving the existing hairline is realistic; some regrowth possible in still-active follicles
  • Stages IV–V: Slowing further progression is realistic; partial regrowth possible but less predictable
  • Stages VI–VII: DHT blockers can stop further loss but significant density restoration is unlikely without hair transplant surgery

The Mature Hairline vs. Pathological Recession

Between adolescence and the mid-20s, most men's hairlines naturally mature — moving slightly backward from the juvenile hairline. This is normal. A maturing hairline recedes evenly and stabilizes. A receding hairline driven by androgenetic alopecia shows asymmetric temple deepening, miniaturization of hair at the edge, and doesn't stabilize — it progresses over time.

Assessing Your Own Stage

Take a well-lit photo from directly above and from the front. Compare to Norwood scale diagrams. Pay attention to the depth of temple recession, whether hairline-edge hairs are finer than those behind them, and whether there's any thinning at the crown. A dermatologist can confirm your stage and assess follicle viability with a dermoscope.