Survey: What Do Young Americans Think About Dating Bald Men?

Baldness has always sparked mixed opinions in the dating world. Is it a dealbreaker, a turn-on, or just another trait that doesn’t matter much at all as long as the chemistry is there?

To find out, Hily Dating App surveyed 700 Gen Z and Millennial Americans about their views on dating bald men. From swiping right to going on real-life dates, the results reveal how young people today actually see baldness when it comes to attraction, and if a strong hairline is as important as some think.

Here’s what they said.

How Women See Bald Men

43% of young American women said they would send a like to a bald man on a dating app. That’s nearly half of the women surveyed, showing that baldness isn’t stopping many from swiping right. In fact, this suggests that a strong profile can stand out regardless of whether someone has hair.

Almost half (48%) of young American women said they would go on a date with a bald man, so maybe the swiping isn’t as selective as we thought. This number shows that interest doesn’t stop at the app, it often carries through to real-life interactions. Baldness on its own isn’t a dealbreaker for many women, especially if there’s chemistry or shared interests.

40% of young American women said they think bald men are sexy. That’s a sizable share, showing that baldness can absolutely be seen as attractive in its own right. It suggests that baldness is not just accepted but can even be a part of, or enhance, someone’s appeal.

Another 10% went a step further, saying bald men are actually sexier than men with hair. While not the majority, this group shows that baldness isn’t always a drawback—it may even give some men an edge in dating. For these women, confidence, intelligence, and style may matter far more than having a full head of hair

The Reality of Dating Bald

41% of women shared that they’ve gone on a date with, or dated, a bald man before. This shows that baldness isn’t just a hypothetical—it’s part of many women’s real-life dating experiences. For some, attraction clearly extends beyond hair, and feelings of connection can matter more than looks.

1 in 4 women said they’ve gone on a date with someone from a dating app who turned out to be bald in real life…even though his profile photos showed hair. Online dating often comes with surprises, and hair is one of them—we all know of someone who was likely catfished on an app, right? While some people may expect honesty in profiles, others roll with the unexpected once they meet face to face.

When asked how they’d react if a match turned out to be bald in real life but had hair in his photos, 34% of women said they would leave the date. Another 30% neither agreed nor disagreed, while 16% somewhat disagreed. Overall, most women seemed open to giving the date a chance, even if the photos didn’t quite match reality.

Confidence came out on top as the most important trait for bald men to work on. 63% of women said it’s the number one thing that makes bald men more attractive. This suggests that how a man carries himself can matter even more than whether he has hair and confidence continues to play a big role in dating overall.

What Women Value in Bald Men

42% of women said bald celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, and Vin Diesel positively influence how they see bald men in real life. Seeing famous figures own their look with confidence can shift opinions outside of Hollywood too. These cultural references often set the tone for how traits are viewed in everyday dating.

When asked what traits women most associate with bald men, maturity came in first place at 28%, with intelligence and honesty closely behind. Many women said baldness gives off the impression of being older or more grown-up. While not everyone sees it the same way, maturity stood out as the dominant trait tied to baldness.

Men’s Perspective on Baldness

About one in four young American men said they are bald or balding. For many, it’s already part of their identity rather than just a future possibility. Baldness is clearly common enough that it shapes how men think about dating and attraction. 

Among men who aren’t bald or are starting to bald, 53% believe being bald would lower their chances of getting a match on a dating app. This shows that worries about swiping left are widespread, regardless of how much hair a man is rocking. Even if women’s responses suggest otherwise, many men still assume baldness puts them at a disadvantage online.

57% of men think women would prefer to date someone with a full head of hair. This shows that many men may carry insecurities about baldness before even stepping into the dating scene. The perception that hair equals attractiveness can shape how they present themselves online and in person.

Another 42% of men surveyed believe women generally don’t want to date bald men at all. That belief stands in contrast to what many women in the survey actually reported. The gap highlights how men often underestimate women’s attraction and openness to dating bald partners.

Only 9% of men said bald men should hide their baldness on dating apps to have a better chance at matching. Most men don’t see covering up as the right approach. Instead, the numbers suggest that authenticity is valued, even if men still feel insecure about how baldness affects attraction.

Conclusion

Hily’s survey makes one thing clear: baldness isn’t the barrier many people think it is. Women are open to matching with, dating, and even finding bald men more attractive than those with hair. Confidence, maturity, and positive role models all play a big role in shaping how baldness is seen, and the numbers show that personality and presence outweigh hairlines.

For men worried about how baldness might affect their dating lives, the data tells a different story. Most women are less focused on what’s on your head and more on how you carry yourself. In the end, baldness isn’t a dealbreaker—it’s just one part of the bigger picture of attraction.