Cellulite Grades Explained: How to Tell Your Stage (0 to 3)

Medically reviewed by Meg LaFerriere, APRN · Regulate Rx, Lee’s Summit, MO

Not all cellulite looks the same. Some only shows when you squeeze the skin, and some is visible even when you lie down.

What are the grades of cellulite?

The most widely used system comes from dermatologists Nürnberger and Müller, who described cellulite stages in 1978. It’s simple: it asks when the dimples show up.

Grade	What you see
Grade 0	Smooth skin standing, lying down and when pinched
Grade 1	Smooth standing and lying down; dimples appear when you pinch or squeeze
Grade 2	Dimples visible when standing; mostly fade when lying down
Grade 3	Dimples visible standing and lying down, often with raised and sunken areas

A more detailed tool, the Cellulite Severity Scale published by Hexsel and colleagues in 2009, scores features like the number and depth of depressions, raised areas and skin laxity. Clinicians and researchers use it to track change more precisely.

How can I check my cellulite grade at home?

You can get a rough idea in a few minutes. Use good, even light, since overhead lighting exaggerates shadows.

1. Standing test: stand relaxed in front of a mirror with your muscles loose. Look at your thighs and buttocks. Visible dimples suggest grade 2 or higher.
2. Lying test: lie on your back or side and look again. If dimples are still clear, that points to grade 3.
3. Pinch test: if the skin looks smooth standing, gently squeeze a section of thigh between your thumb and fingers. An orange-peel or mattress pattern suggests grade 1.

This is only a guide. Grades can differ between areas of your body, so your outer thighs might be grade 2 while your buttocks are grade 1.

Does cellulite get worse over time?

It can. As collagen declines with age, skin thins and the structure underneath shows more. Weight gain, pregnancy, hormone changes and long periods of inactivity can also push the look of cellulite up a grade.

It’s also normal for grade to shift slightly day to day. Fluid retention around your cycle, a salty meal or a long flight can make tissue look puffier for a while.

Why does your cellulite grade matter for treatment?

Grade helps set realistic expectations. Lighter cellulite is mostly about surface texture and circulation, while deeper grades involve firmly tethered bands and more loose skin.

• Grades 1 and 2: often respond visibly to noninvasive approaches that combine heat, suction and massage.
• Grade 3: can still improve with noninvasive care, but changes are usually more modest. Deep, fixed dimples are sometimes better suited to procedures that release the bands, done by a specialist.

T-Shape 2 is FDA-cleared for the temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite. At your visit, Meg looks at your areas, talks through your grade and explains what improvement may look like for you, including how many sessions and what maintenance involves.

How should I track changes in my grade?

Take photos in the same spot, with the same light, pose and time of day. Snap one relaxed and one with a gentle pinch. Compare every few weeks instead of daily, since small shifts are easy to miss in the mirror.

Also note your weight and where you are in your cycle. That context keeps you from crediting or blaming a treatment for normal fluctuations. Questions about getting started are covered on our FAQs page.

Frequently asked questions

Is grade 3 cellulite permanent?

The underlying structure doesn’t go away, but its appearance can improve. Deeper grades usually need more sessions and have more modest changes with noninvasive treatments, and maintenance helps hold results.

Can you have different grades in different areas?

Yes. It’s common to have more visible cellulite on the back of the thighs than on the buttocks or belly. Each area is assessed separately.

Can a clinician grade my cellulite?

Yes. A practitioner can look at the area standing and lying down, do a pinch test and take standardized photos, which makes it easier to judge change over time.

Sources: Nürnberger & Müller, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology, 1978; Hexsel et al., Cellulite Severity Scale, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2009; American Academy of Dermatology; Cleveland Clinic; Mayo Clinic; NIH/MedlinePlus; FDA 510(k) K231092 (T-Shape 2, B&M S.r.l.)

This article is for general education and isn’t medical advice. Treatments aren’t right for everyone, and results vary. Our practitioner reviews your health history before any treatment.