Hair color levels chart: 1 to 10 explained
Updated November 2026 6 min read Levels 1–10
Hair color levels describe how light or dark a shade is, from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde). The level tells you how much lift you need; the undertone tells you what warmth will show up along the way.
Hair color levels 1–10
| Level | Name | Underlying pigment | What it looks like | Lift from black (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | Red | Natural black; the darkest starting point. | 0 |
| 2 | Very dark brown | Red | Soft black-brown; reads black indoors. | 1 level |
| 3 | Dark brown | Red-orange | Dark chocolate; brown shows in daylight. | 2 levels |
| 4 | Medium brown | Orange | Classic medium brown; the most common natural level. | 3 levels |
| 5 | Light brown | Orange-gold | Chestnut or light brown; warm in the sun. | 4 levels |
| 6 | Dark blonde | Gold | Dark honey blonde; copper shows clearly. | 5 levels |
| 7 | Medium blonde | Yellow-gold | Warm blonde; the easiest base for copper and strawberry. | 6 levels |
| 8 | Light blonde | Yellow | Light blonde; toners read clearly at this level. | 7 levels |
| 9 | Very light blonde | Pale yellow | Platinum territory; very high maintenance. | 8 levels |
| 10 | Lightest blonde | Pale yellow | White-blonde; the most fragile and fastest to show regrowth. | 9 levels |
Example shades at each level
Black
Natural black; the darkest starting point.
Very dark brown
Soft black-brown; reads black indoors.
Dark brown
Dark chocolate; brown shows in daylight.
Medium brown
Classic medium brown; the most common natural level.
Light brown
Chestnut or light brown; warm in the sun.
Dark blonde
Dark honey blonde; copper shows clearly.
Medium blonde
Warm blonde; the easiest base for copper and strawberry.
Light blonde
Light blonde; toners read clearly at this level.
Very light blonde
Platinum territory; very high maintenance.
Lightest blonde
White-blonde; the most fragile and fastest to show regrowth.
How to find your natural level
Look at the darkest part of your hair, usually the roots, in indirect daylight. Compare it to the chart above. If you are between two levels, choose the darker one. Do not judge from the mid-lengths: sun, old dye and heat styling make them read lighter than your natural level.
Once you know your natural level, count up to your target level. That difference is the lift. A two-level lift is a routine color service; a five-level lift is a project that needs a strand test, a bond builder and realistic expectations.
Why undertone matters as much as level
Two shades can sit at the same level and look completely different. A level 7 ash blonde and a level 7 honey blonde have the same depth but opposite warmth. If you choose the wrong undertone, the color can look grey, green or orange even when the level is right.
The practical rule: choose the level first, then choose the undertone. Warm skin usually handles gold, copper and honey; cool skin usually handles ash, beige and pearl. Neutral skin can wear both if the formula is balanced.
What to ask your stylist
Ask three questions: What is my natural level? How many levels of lift does this shade need? And what will the underlying pigment look like at that lift? Then ask for a strand test. It is the cheapest way to see how your hair reacts before the full application.
This chart is a planning tool, not a formula. Real results depend on your hair history, texture, porosity and the products your stylist uses. Always book a strand test before a large change.
Questions people ask
How do I find my natural hair level?
Look at the darkest part of your hair—usually the roots—in daylight, not under salon or bathroom light. Compare that color to the chart above. If you are between two levels, choose the darker one; a stylist can confirm with a strand test.
Can I go from level 2 to level 9 in one session?
Usually no. That is a seven-level lift, which puts a lot of stress on the hair. Most stylists split it into multiple sessions and use a bond builder. A strand test will show how your hair responds.
What does underlying pigment mean?
It is the warmth that appears when you lift the hair. Dark hair exposes red, then red-orange, then orange, gold and finally pale yellow. That is why dark hair can turn orange before it turns blonde.
Do I always need bleach to go lighter?
Not always. A high-lift tint can lift two or three levels on some hair. More than that usually needs lightener. The right answer depends on your starting level, hair history and target shade.
How do I choose a shade after I know my level?
Pick the target level and the undertone you want—warm, cool or neutral—then read the shade guide. A shade that needs more than four levels of lift is usually a multi-session project.