One of the first questions people ask when researching a hair transplant is how many grafts they need. The honest answer is that it depends on several factors that only a doctor can assess by examining you.
The Hair Loss Pattern
The Norwood scale describes the pattern of male hair loss in seven stages. A more advanced stage generally means a larger area to cover, but the stage alone does not give a graft number for you.
The Donor Area
Every person has a limited supply of hair in the donor area at the back and sides of the head, and its density varies from person to person. A responsible plan does not take so many grafts that the donor area itself looks thin. Ask the doctor how they assess your donor area and how many grafts they consider safe to take over your lifetime.
Hair Characteristics
Thicker hair covers more per graft than fine hair, and curly or wavy hair covers more than straight hair. Contrast between hair and skin colour also changes how dense the result looks. These factors are part of the examination.
Getting a Figure
Clinics often ask for photos and give a preliminary range; only an in-person examination by a doctor can confirm it. Be cautious of any clinic that quotes a fixed number without examining you, and ask how the number was worked out.