Hair Colour Level Chart
The International Colour Chart (ICC) system classifies natural hair colour on a scale from Level 1 (black) to Level 10 (lightest blonde). Understanding levels is fundamental to hair colouring because it determines what underlying pigment is exposed during lightening and what toner or colour is needed to achieve the desired result.
Hair Colour Levels
| Level | Description | Underlying pigment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | Dark red | Densest melanin; most difficult to lift |
| 2 | Darkest brown | Dark red | Very dark with warm red undertones when lifted |
| 3 | Dark brown | Red / dark red-orange | Strong red pigment shows when lightened |
| 4 | Medium brown | Red-orange | Common natural colour; red-orange undertone |
| 5 | Light brown | Orange | Classic "brassy" stage when lifting |
| 6 | Dark blonde | Orange-yellow | Transition between warm and neutral tones |
| 7 | Medium blonde | Yellow-orange | Warm yellow tones begin to dominate |
| 8 | Light blonde | Yellow | Requires toning to achieve cool blonde results |
| 9 | Very light blonde | Pale yellow | Target level for most platinum/ice blonde toners |
| 10 | Lightest blonde (platinium) | Pale yellow / almost none | Maximum lightness; very little natural pigment remains |
Developer Lift at Each Level
The table below shows approximately what level you can expect to reach from each starting level using permanent colour with different developer volumes. Bleach can achieve higher lift but results vary significantly with product, time and hair condition.
| Starting level | 20 vol (1–2 lift) | 30 vol (2–3 lift) | 40 vol (3–4 lift) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 (dark brown) | Level 4–5 | Level 5–6 | Level 6–7 |
| Level 4 (medium brown) | Level 5–6 | Level 6–7 | Level 7–8 |
| Level 5 (light brown) | Level 6–7 | Level 7–8 | Level 8–9 |
| Level 6 (dark blonde) | Level 7–8 | Level 8–9 | Level 9–10 |
| Level 7 (medium blonde) | Level 8–9 | Level 9–10 | Level 10 |
These are approximate results with permanent colour. Previously coloured hair, resistant grey hair and porous hair will respond differently. Always strand test.
Colour Mixing Calculators
Use our free tools for precise colour formulation:
- Colour Formula Calculator — build your colour formula with levels and tones
- Developer Ratio Calculator — calculate mixing quantities for any ratio
Levels and underlying pigments are generalised — individual results vary based on hair condition, porosity, previous chemical history and the specific colour brand used. Always consult the manufacturer's colour chart for their specific level system.