The hair color level chart is the foundation of every professional formula. It ranks hair from level 1 (black) to level 10 (lightest blonde) so colorists can predict lift, underlying pigment and the final tone. Use this guide to identify your level, understand the pigment hiding underneath, and choose the right tone family and brand shade.
Quick reference: hair color levels 1-10
| Level | Name | Underlying pigment | Neutralizing tone |
| 1 | Black | Dark red / blue-black | Green (minimal visible) |
| 2 | Darkest brown | Dark red | Green |
| 3 | Dark brown | Red | Green |
| 4 | Medium brown | Red / red-orange | Green |
| 5 | Light brown | Red-orange | Green / blue-green |
| 6 | Dark blonde | Orange | Blue |
| 7 | Medium blonde | Orange-gold | Blue-violet |
| 8 | Light blonde | Yellow-orange | Violet-blue |
| 9 | Very light blonde | Yellow | Violet |
| 10 | Lightest blonde | Pale yellow | Violet / pearl |
Know the level now? The app turns it into a formula.
Already know your natural or current level? Enter it with your target and the app converts it into a ready-to-mix formula: tone, developer strength and processing guidance. Not sure of your level yet? Scroll through the level-by-level breakdown below, match your hair to the closest description, then come back.
Available tone families: Level 1
Level 1 is true black. Tone families here are limited and mostly shift the reflect rather than the depth.
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Classic soft black |
| Blue / blue-black | .1 / .8 | Cool, glossy blue-black |
| Violet | .2 | Deep violet-black |
Professional brand examples: Level 1
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 1/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 1-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 1.0 |
| Goldwell Topchic | 1N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 1
Level 1 carries dense dark red and blue-black pigment. Lifting this level exposes strong red, so formulas usually deposit rather than lift. Green-based correctors neutralize red, but at this depth warmth is rarely visible.
Available tone families: Level 2
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Dark espresso |
| Ash | .1 | Cool, flat dark brown |
| Violet | .2 | Subtle plum depth |
| Mahogany | .5 | Dark red-brown glow |
Professional brand examples: Level 2
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 2/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 2-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 2.0 |
| Redken Shades EQ | 2N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 2
Dark red dominates. Warm reflects appear quickly as color fades. Use green-based tones to counter unwanted red glow.
How to reach level 2
Reaching level 2 is mostly a deposit service. From level 1, use a permanent color at level 2 with 20 vol (6%) developer. From lighter levels, apply a level 2 shade with a base that replaces missing red pigment to avoid a muddy or green result.
Available tone families: Level 3
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Dark chocolate brown |
| Ash | .1 | Cool dark brown |
| Gold | .3 | Warm dark brown |
| Red-violet | .6 | Rich burgundy-brown |
Professional brand examples: Level 3
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 3/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 3-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 3.0 |
| Matrix SoColor | 3N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 3
Red pigment is strong. As dark brown fades it turns red-brown. Neutralize with green-based ash or matte tones.
How to reach level 3
From level 1-2, use a level 3 permanent shade with 20 vol (6%). Lifting from level 1 to 3 needs 30 vol (9%) or a lightener, and warm tones should be expected.
Available tone families: Level 4
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Medium brown |
| Ash | .1 | Cool, neutral brown |
| Gold / warm | .3 | Golden chestnut |
| Copper | .4 | Auburn-brown |
| Mahogany | .5 | Red-brown |
| Matte | .8 | Red-cancelling brown |
Professional brand examples: Level 4
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 4/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 4-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 4.0 |
| Goldwell Topchic | 4N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 4
Red to red-orange. Use matte or green-based tones to cancel red when you want a cool brown.
How to reach level 4
Lift 1-2 levels from level 2-3 with 30 vol (9%) and a level 4 permanent shade. Going from level 1 or 2 needs a pre-lightening step, or a high-lift approach, for consistent results.
Available tone families: Level 5
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Light chestnut brown |
| Ash | .1 | Cool light brown |
| Gold | .3 | Warm golden brown |
| Copper | .4 | Copper brown |
| Red | .6 | Vivid red-brown |
| Matte | .8 | Neutral, anti-red brown |
Professional brand examples: Level 5
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 5/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 5-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 5.0 |
| Redken Shades EQ | 5N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 5
Red-orange pigment. Without correction, cool ash shades pull warm. Add green or blue-green correctors to hold a neutral or ash result.
How to reach level 5
Lift 2 levels from level 3 with 30 vol (9%). From level 4, 20-30 vol is enough. From darker bases, use lightener first and tone to level 5.
Available tone families: Level 6
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Dark blonde |
| Ash | .1 | Cool dark blonde |
| Beige / sand | .13 / .31 | Soft neutral blonde |
| Gold | .3 | Golden dark blonde |
| Copper | .4 | Copper blonde |
Professional brand examples: Level 6
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 6/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 6-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 6.0 |
| Matrix SoColor | 6N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 6
Orange. Blue-based tones neutralize it. Ash shades at this level need enough blue base to avoid a brassy or muddy finish.
How to reach level 6
From level 4, lift 2 levels with 30 vol (9%). From level 5, 20-30 vol. Beyond 3 levels, use lightener and tone orange with a blue-based formula.
Available tone families: Level 7
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Medium blonde |
| Ash | .1 | Cool medium blonde |
| Pearl / beige | .2 / .13 | Soft neutral blonde |
| Gold | .3 | Warm golden blonde |
| Copper | .4 | Copper-gold blonde |
Professional brand examples: Level 7
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 7/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 7-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 7.0 |
| Goldwell Topchic | 7N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 7
Orange-gold. Blue-violet tones neutralize the warmth. Level 7 is where many clients first see brassy tones appear between salon visits.
How to reach level 7
From level 5, lift 2 levels with 30-40 vol (9-12%) and a level 7 shade. From level 4 or darker, pre-lighten with lighter, then tone.
Available tone families: Level 8
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Light blonde |
| Ash | .1 | Cool light blonde |
| Pearl / violet | .2 | Pearly, soft blonde |
| Gold | .3 | Warm sunlit blonde |
| Beige | .13 | Neutral beige blonde |
Professional brand examples: Level 8
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 8/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 8-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 8.0 |
| Redken Shades EQ | 8N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 8
Yellow-orange. Violet-blue toners cancel it. Fine, previously lightened hair often needs a toner rather than a permanent color.
How to reach level 8
Bleach or lighten to a clean yellow-orange stage, rinse, then tone. Lifting from level 6 typically needs 20-30 vol lighteners. Darker hair needs multiple sessions.
Available tone families: Level 9
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Very light blonde |
| Ash | .1 | Icy light blonde |
| Violet | .2 | Cool lavender-toned blonde |
| Pearl | .8 | Soft pearl blonde |
| Gold | .3 | Light golden blonde |
Professional brand examples: Level 9
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Colour Charm / Koleston | T18 / 9/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 9-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 9.0 |
| Goldwell Topchic | 9N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 9
Yellow. Violet toner neutralizes it. Overtoning with too much violet can leave a dull gray or lavender cast.
How to reach level 9
Lighten to a pale yellow stage with lightener, check the lift, then apply a toner. Most clients above level 5 need multiple sessions to reach level 9 safely.
Available tone families: Level 10
| Tone family | Number | Result |
| Natural | .0 / N | Lightest blonde |
| Ash | .1 | Platinum cool blonde |
| Pearl | .2 | Pearly platinum |
| Violet | .6 | Cool silvery blonde |
| Gold | .3 | Pale golden blonde |
Professional brand examples: Level 10
| Brand | Example shade |
| Wella Koleston | 10/0 |
| Schwarzkopf Igora Royal | 10-0 |
| L’Oréal Majirel | 10.0 |
| Redken Shades EQ | 10N |
Underlying pigment & neutralization: Level 10
Pale yellow, similar to the inside of a banana peel. A small amount of violet or pearl is enough to neutralize it, and over-toning can flatten the blonde.
How to reach level 10
Lift the hair to a pale yellow stage, with strict strand testing and bond protection. Reaching level 10 from level 5 or darker usually takes several sessions and should only be done on healthy hair.
How the 10-level system works
Hair color levels measure how light or dark hair is on a scale from 1 to 10. Level 1 is the darkest black and level 10 is the lightest blonde. The scale is based on how much melanin the hair contains: more melanin means a darker level and a stronger underlying pigment.
Why levels matter
- Predictable lift: Knowing your current and target level tells you how many levels of lift you need.
- Pigment control: Every level exposes a predictable underlying pigment that determines which tone you need.
- Accurate formulas: Color brands number their shades by level, so matching level first makes the formula work.
| Term | Meaning |
| Level | Depth of the hair, from 1 (darkest) to 10 (lightest) |
| Tone / reflect | The color cast you see in the hair: ash, gold, copper, violet and so on |
| Underlying pigment | Warm color revealed when hair is lightened |
| Lift | How many levels hair is made lighter |
| Deposit | Adding color without lightening |
How to find your level: Compare a clean, dry section of hair in natural light to a level swatch ring. Check the mid-lengths, not the roots (which are often darker) or ends (which may be lighter or porous).
Blonde hair color chart: levels 7 to 10
| Level | Blonde name | Underlying pigment | Neutralizer | Typical tone goal |
| 7 | Medium blonde | Orange-gold | Blue-violet | Beige, golden, copper |
| 8 | Light blonde | Yellow-orange | Violet-blue | Pearl, champagne, honey |
| 9 | Very light blonde | Yellow | Violet | Icy, cool, soft golden |
| 10 | Lightest blonde | Pale yellow | Violet / pearl | Platinum, pearl, silver |
Tips for blondes
- Lift to the correct pigment stage before toning. Toning too early leaves brassiness.
- Use violet toner at levels 9-10 and blue-based toners at levels 6-7.
- Protect bonds during lightening and schedule toner refreshes every 4-6 weeks.
Brown hair color chart: levels 3 to 6
| Level | Brown name | Underlying pigment | Neutralizer | Popular tones |
| 3 | Dark brown | Red | Green | Chocolate, espresso, burgundy-brown |
| 4 | Medium brown | Red / red-orange | Green | Chestnut, mocha, auburn |
| 5 | Light brown | Red-orange | Green / blue-green | Golden brown, copper, ash brown |
| 6 | Dark blonde | Orange | Blue | Honey, caramel, bronde |
Tips for brunettes
- Brown hair loses depth and turns warm as it fades. Use color-depositing care and green or matte tones for correction.
- If you want an ashy brown, choose a level 4-5 shade with an ash or matte base, rather than ash alone.
Reflect families: what .0, .1, .3 mean
Shade numbers use a point or dash followed by a tone number. The first number is the level. The numbers after show the primary and secondary reflect. Numbering varies by brand, but these are the most common conventions.
| Number | Reflect family | Look | Best used to |
| .0 | Natural | Balanced, true to level | Cover gray, match natural base |
| .1 | Ash | Cool, blue-based | Cancel orange and gold |
| .2 | Violet / pearl | Cool, soft | Cancel yellow |
| .3 | Gold | Warm, golden | Add warmth and shine |
| .4 | Copper | Orange-red | Add vibrant warmth |
| .5 | Mahogany / red-violet | Deep red-brown | Add richness |
| .6 | Red | Bold red | Create red tones |
| .7 | Green / matte | Neutral earth | Cancel red |
| .8 | Blue / pearl | Cool | Cool dark levels |
Reading a shade: 7.13 means level 7, with a primary ash (.1) and secondary gold (.3) reflect. This creates a neutral beige blonde. A shade like 5.0 is a level 5 natural brown with no added tone.
The chart shows you the levels. Blendsor tells you how to reach the one you want from the base in front of you.
A level chart tells you where hair sits and what pigment lives underneath. Blendsor takes the next step. Enter your starting base and your target, and get a clear formula for how to get there. Try it and stop guessing the formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hair color level chart?
A hair color level chart is a scale from 1 to 10 that ranks hair from the darkest black (level 1) to the lightest blonde (level 10). Colorists use it to choose formulas, predict lift and neutralize underlying pigment.
How do I find my hair level?
Compare a clean, dry mid-length section to a level swatch ring in natural daylight. Ignore your roots and ends, which can look darker or lighter than the rest of your hair.
What is the difference between level and tone?
Level is how light or dark the hair is. Tone (or reflect) is the color cast, such as ash, gold, copper or violet. A level 7 can be ash, gold or copper depending on the tone.
What are underlying pigments?
They are the warm colors exposed as melanin is lifted from hair: red at dark levels, then orange, gold, yellow and pale yellow as hair gets lighter. Toners neutralize them.
How many levels can I lift in one session?
Most professional services lift 2-3 levels with permanent color and 30-40 vol developer. Lighteners can lift more, but going several levels at once raises the risk of damage, so large changes are usually split into sessions.
What do the numbers after the point mean in a shade?
The first number is the level. The numbers after show the primary and secondary tone, for example .1 is ash and .3 is gold. Always check the brand’s own chart, since conventions vary.
Which toner neutralizes brassy hair?
It depends on the level. Blue neutralizes orange (levels 5-7), blue-violet counters gold, and violet neutralizes yellow (levels 8-10).
Are level charts the same across brands?
Levels follow the same 1-10 principle, but tone numbering, depth and undertone can differ. Use a brand’s own chart when you formulate.
Conclusion
The hair color level chart is the starting point for any accurate formula. Once you know your level from 1 to 10, you can see the underlying pigment, choose the right tone family and tell how many levels of lift your target needs.
Always check a brand’s own hair color level chart, because tone numbering varies. Use the chart to find your level, then let Blendsor turn it into a formula from your starting base to the shade you want.
