Log every episode
Use one row per headache, including mild ones, and note headache-free days too. Record start time and duration rather than a vague "afternoon" — frequency and timing are the two things memory distorts most.
Printable headache chart · free template
Headache chart: a printable head pain chart you can actually fill in
A blank headache chart template, a worked example, and quick reference tables that organise head pain by location and by type. Print it, keep a dated series, and bring the pattern — not just one description — to your next appointment.
What is a headache chart?
A headache chart is a structured way to record a headache episode. It can be a head pain diagram with marked spots, a table of episodes, or both together. The point is consistency: writing the same fields down every time turns scattered memories into a pattern someone else can read.
Most charts capture where it hurts, which side, how the pain feels, how strong and how long it is, what seemed to trigger it, what came with it, and what medication was taken. A 3D headache map adds a precise location and a perceived depth value that a flat drawing cannot show.
A chart is a communication aid, not a diagnostic test. There is substantial overlap between headache types, and the content here has not been clinically reviewed. Use it to describe symptoms, then let a clinician interpret them.
Three formats, one purpose
- Blank table chart — the printable template below; best for a daily diary.
- Location / head pain diagram — a labelled head where you mark the spot; see the 8 headache locations.
- Visual 3D chart — a dated PNG with numbered markers, depth legend and notes, exported from the map tool.
Many people use a table for the facts and one exported image per unusual episode.
Blank headache chart template (print or copy)
Print this page, save it as a PDF, or copy the table into a spreadsheet — it is free, with no sign-up and no download. One row per episode; use a fresh copy each week.
| Date | Start / duration | Where it hurts | Type / 1–10 | Other symptoms | Trigger & medication |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suggested shorthand for "Where it hurts": forehead · temple L/R · behind eye L/R · cheek/sinus · crown · back of head/neck · one side · whole head. Add "both" or a side letter to every entry. The headache locations guide explains each area.
This page prints without the navigation and footer. If a browser header or footer appears, turn it off in the print dialog to save space.
A worked example: one row filled in
Here is what a single, useful chart entry looks like. Notice how much more it says than "had a headache on Tuesday".
Tuesday 14 May · one row, six fields
- Start / duration: 15:20, lasted about 5 hours, eased after a nap.
- Where it hurts: right temple, spreading behind the right eye; one-sided.
- Type / intensity: throbbing, 7/10, worse climbing stairs.
- Other symptoms: nausea, light sensitivity, no aura, no tearing or congestion.
- Trigger & medication: short sleep the previous night; ibuprofen at 16:00, little effect.
- Context: skipped lunch, 4 coffees, screen-heavy day.
A single row like this is useful; eight to twelve of them across a month is what reveals frequency, triggers and medication use. Pair unusual entries with a 3D PNG map to show the exact spot.
Headache chart by location
A quick reference for filling in the "where it hurts" column. These are commonly reported patterns, not diagnostic rules — the full headache locations guide has a labelled diagram and a section for each area.
| Chart entry (location) | Typical pain quality | Often reported with | Area guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forehead / frontal band | Steady pressing, both sides | Tension-type pattern, eye strain, sinus congestion | Forehead → |
| Temple, left or right | Pressing or pulsating | Tension-type pattern, migraine, jaw clenching | Temple → |
| Behind one eye | Deep, boring, severe | Cluster headache, migraine; tearing or nausea as clues | Behind the eyes → |
| Cheeks, nose, brow | Fullness, worse bending forward | Sinus involvement, allergies — often actually migraine | Sinuses → |
| Crown / top of head | Heavy weight, squeezing | Tension-type pattern, poor sleep, posture | Crown → |
| Back of head / neck | Ache rising upward, or electric shocks | Cervicogenic headache, occipital neuralgia, muscle tension | Neck → |
| One whole side | Throbbing, may switch sides | Migraine, cluster headache | One side → |
| Whole head / diffuse | Dull all-over pressure | Tension-type, dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, medication overuse | Whole head → |
Remember: location is only one clue. Always record duration, intensity, accompanying symptoms and medication alongside it.
Headache chart by type
Clinicians separate primary headaches, where the headache itself is the condition, from secondary headaches caused by something else. Use this table as a vocabulary aid when describing a pattern — not as a self-diagnosis.
| Type | Usual location on a chart | Typical duration | Common accompanying clues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tension-type (primary) | Forehead, temples, crown — often both sides | 30 minutes to several days | Mild–moderate pressing pain, no nausea, daily activities usually possible |
| Migraine (primary) | One side, temple, behind the eye | 4–72 hours untreated | Nausea, light and sound sensitivity, worse with activity, sometimes aura |
| Cluster headache (primary) | Strictly around or behind one eye | 15 minutes to 3 hours per attack | Tearing, red eye, runny nostril, restlessness, attacks at similar times |
| Sinus headache (secondary) | Cheeks, brow, around the eyes | Days, while congestion lasts | Fever, discoloured discharge, reduced smell, worse leaning forward |
| Cervicogenic (secondary) | Starts in the neck, spreads to the back of the head | Varies, often persistent | Stiff neck, pain changing with posture or neck movement |
| Medication-overuse (secondary) | Whole head, both sides | Near-daily, on 15+ days a month | Pain relievers used more than 2–3 days a week; needs medical supervision to break the cycle |
The types of headaches by location section on the home page goes deeper, including the ICHD-3 based 5-4-3-2-1 migraine screening rule.
How to fill in a headache chart in three steps
Add the context
Fill in sleep, meals, caffeine, stress, menstrual cycle, screen time and medication. Note nausea, aura, light sensitivity, tearing or congestion: those accompanying symptoms usually matter more than the exact spot.
Keep the series
Two to four weeks of consistent entries is a useful window. Print them, or pair each unusual episode with an exported 3D PNG map. Bring the whole series to the appointment rather than a single example.
Everything on this site runs in your browser: no account, no upload, no server. See the privacy policy.
Headache chart: frequently asked questions
What is a headache chart?
A headache chart is a structured record of a headache episode. It can be a head pain diagram with marked spots, a table of episodes, or both. A useful chart captures where it hurts, which side, how the pain feels, how strong and how long it is, what triggered it, what came with it, and what medication was taken.
What should a headache chart include?
Record date and onset time, duration, headache location and side, pain quality (throbbing, pressure, sharp, burning or dull), intensity on a 1–10 scale, possible triggers, accompanying symptoms such as nausea or light sensitivity, medication taken and how well it worked, and a short free-text note.
Is there a printable headache chart I can use?
Yes. The blank template on this page can be printed with your browser's Print command or saved as a PDF, at no cost and without signing up. If you prefer a visual chart instead of a table, the free 3D map tool exports a dated PNG with numbered pain markers, a depth legend and your notes.
How is a headache chart different from a headache diary?
A chart is one structured record; a diary is a dated series of them. One chart shows a single moment, while two to four weeks of consistent diary entries reveal frequency, triggers, medication use and whether a pattern is changing. Clinicians usually find the series far more useful.
Can a headache chart tell me what type of headache I have?
No. A chart is a communication aid, not a diagnostic test. Location, duration, pain quality and accompanying symptoms provide clues, but there is substantial overlap between tension-type headache, migraine, cluster headache and secondary headaches. A clinician is needed to interpret the pattern.
How long should I keep a headache chart?
Two to four weeks of consistent entries is usually enough to show frequency, triggers and medication use before an appointment. Keep one row or one exported PNG per episode, note every day including headache-free days, and bring the whole series rather than a single example.
Can I make a headache chart on my phone?
Yes. This page and the 3D map tool run in a mobile browser. You can print or save the blank template as a PDF, or place markers with a tap and export a PNG you can show at an appointment. Everything is stored locally on your device.
Is my headache chart data private?
Yes. The blank template is just a web page and the 3D tool runs entirely in your browser. Markers, notes and settings stay in your browser's local storage; there is no account, no upload and no server endpoint that receives your entries. See the privacy policy for what the hosting provider may log.
When to stop charting and get help
Tracking is useful for recurring, familiar patterns. It is not a substitute for urgent care. Seek immediate help for a sudden "worst ever" headache, or a headache with weakness, confusion, fever, stiff neck, vision loss, after a head injury, or a new headache after age 50. See the full red flag headache symptoms list, and read the authorship and clinical review status of this content.
Sources & further reading
General educational guidance summarised from widely used public clinical references. This page has not been clinically reviewed and is not a medical device.
Related guides
8 area guides
Headache locations
A labelled diagram and a full section for each of the eight headache locations, from forehead to whole head.
Open the location guide → Interactive3D headache map
Mark the exact spot, set how deep it feels, switch on X-ray and export a printable PNG headache chart.
Open the map tool → TrustAbout & review status
Who writes this content, which sources it draws on, the editorial policy and its clinical review status.
Read the about page →