A 1,500 graft hair transplant costs $6,000 to $9,000 in the USA and $1,500 to $3,000 in Turkey. This graft count sits at the upper range of Norwood 2 correction and the entry point for Norwood 3, making it one of the most commonly performed hair transplant sizes worldwide.
Cost by Country: 1,500 Grafts
| Country | Cost per Graft | Total Cost (1,500 Grafts) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | $4-$6 | $6,000-$9,000 |
| Turkey | $1-$2 | $1,500-$3,000 |
| UK | $3-$5 | $4,500-$7,500 |
| India | $0.50-$1.50 | $750-$2,250 |
| Europe (avg) | $2.50-$4.50 | $3,750-$6,750 |
The price gap between USA and Turkey is substantial at this graft count. A patient paying the US average of $7,500 could fly to Istanbul, stay for a week, get the same 1,500 graft procedure, and return home for under $4,000 total.
Which Norwood Stages Need 1,500 Grafts?
High-Density Norwood 2 (800-1,500 Grafts)
Norwood 2 patients who want maximum density in the hairline zone often land at the 1,500 graft mark. This is the top of the Norwood 2 range and delivers 40-45 follicular units per cm2, which is closer to natural density than the more conservative 1,000 graft approach.
Early Norwood 3 (1,500-2,200 Grafts)
Norwood 3 is defined by significant recession at both temples, creating a noticeable M-shaped pattern. At 1,500 grafts, the surgeon can address the full frontal hairline and both temple points, though patients with deeper recession may need the higher end of the Norwood 3 range.
Norwood 3 Vertex (2,000-2,800 Grafts)
1,500 grafts alone is not sufficient for Norwood 3V patients who need both frontal and crown work. However, some 3V patients choose to address only the frontal hairline first with 1,500 grafts, planning a second session for the crown later.
What 1,500 Grafts Achieves
At 2.2 hairs per graft, 1,500 grafts produces roughly 3,300 transplanted hairs. That covers approximately 37-43 cm2 of scalp at standard transplant density (35-40 units per cm2). To put that in perspective, it is enough to rebuild the entire frontal hairline zone from temple to temple.
Expected visual outcomes:
- Full restoration of both temple peaks
- Natural-looking hairline edge with single-unit placement
- Visible density improvement in the frontal third of the scalp
- The ability to style hair forward without visible thinning at the front
FUE vs FUT Considerations
FUE at 1,500 Grafts
A 1,500 graft FUE session takes 5-7 hours. The procedure stays well within FUE's per-session capacity of up to 5,000 grafts, meaning no mega-session logistics are required. Donor impact is minimal, with approximately 1,500 micro-dot scars distributed across the back and sides of the scalp that become invisible within weeks.
FUT at 1,500 Grafts
FUT requires a strip approximately 15-20 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide to yield 1,500 grafts. Graft viability with FUT runs 95-99%, slightly higher than FUE's 90-95%. The cost advantage of FUT is more noticeable at 1,500 grafts: some US clinics charge $3-$4 per graft for FUT versus $5-$6 for FUE, saving up to $3,000 on the procedure.
Which to Choose
For most 1,500 graft patients, FUE remains the preferred method unless budget is the deciding factor. The cosmetic advantage of no linear scar and the shorter recovery (7-10 days vs 10-14 days) outweigh FUT's slightly higher graft survival rate at this modest graft count.
Planning Ahead: Donor Conservation
A 1,500 graft session uses a moderate portion of lifetime donor capacity. The average patient has 5,000-7,000 grafts available over their lifetime before donor thinning becomes visible. Spending 1,500 leaves 3,500-5,500 grafts in reserve for future sessions if hair loss progresses beyond Norwood 3.
This is an important consideration. If you are currently at Norwood 2 and use 1,500 grafts for high-density results, you still have enough reserve to address Norwood 4 or even Norwood 5 later. But if you progress to Norwood 6 or 7, donor supply may become a limiting factor.
See our full Turkey vs USA cost comparison for guidance on choosing a clinic abroad.
Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to get your personalized Norwood assessment and graft estimate. Or try the graft cost calculator for a quick estimate based on your stage.
FAQ
How much does a 1,500 graft hair transplant cost?
A 1,500 graft hair transplant costs $6,000-$9,000 in the USA, $1,500-$3,000 in Turkey, $4,500-$7,500 in the UK, and $750-$2,250 in India. Turkey remains the most affordable destination even after accounting for travel expenses.
Is 1,500 grafts enough for Norwood 3?
1,500 grafts is at the lower end of the Norwood 3 range (1,500-2,200 grafts). It can work for early Norwood 3 patients with shallow recession, but patients with deeper recession or those wanting higher density may need closer to 2,000-2,200 grafts.
How long does a 1,500 graft hair transplant take?
A 1,500 graft FUE procedure takes approximately 5-7 hours in a single session. FUT takes 4-5 hours for the same graft count. Both methods are completed in one day with no overnight stay required.