If you’re searching for information about what lice eggs look like, you’re probably dealing with an itchy scalp or checking your child’s hair after a lice outbreak at school. Lice eggs, called “nits,” can be tricky to identify because they’re so tiny and often mistaken for dandruff or other particles in the hair.
This guide will show you exactly what lice eggs look like, how to spot them, and most importantly, how to tell them apart from dandruff and other similar-looking things in hair.
What Are Lice Eggs Called?
Lice eggs are called “nits.” However, many people also use the term “nits” to describe the empty eggshells left behind after a baby louse hatches. Whether the egg is full or empty, they’re all referred to as nits.
What Do Lice Eggs (Nits) Look Like?
Lice eggs have a very distinctive appearance once you know what to look for. Here are the key features:
Size
Nits are extremely small – about the size of a knot in thread or a poppy seed. They measure roughly 0.8 millimeters long by 0.3 millimeters wide. That’s smaller than the tip of a pen!
To give you a better idea: if you line up three nits end to end, they would equal about one grain of sand.
Shape
Nits have a unique teardrop or oval shape that helps distinguish them from other particles:
- Round on one side
- Pointy on the other end
- A tiny hair-like antenna sticking out from the pointy end
Think of a nit as looking like a tiny water droplet or teardrop attached to the side of a hair strand. This distinct shape is one of the best ways to identify nits versus dandruff.
Color
This is where things get confusing for many people. Nits change color depending on whether they’re alive, dead, or already hatched:
Live Nits (before hatching):
- Light golden color
- Tan or amber
- Light brown to dark brown
- Sometimes appear yellow
The darker a nit looks, the closer it is to hatching. Many people mistakenly think nits are always white, but live lice eggs are actually golden or brown colored.
Empty Nits (after hatching):
- Dull white or translucent
- Gray
- Almost clear
Once the baby louse hatches and crawls out, only the empty shell remains. These empty shells turn white or clear because there’s no longer a brown louse inside.
Dead Nits (never hatched):
- Dark brown
- Black
- Very dark tan
If a nit dies before hatching, the dead louse embryo inside darkens, making the whole nit appear very dark brown or black.
Appearance on Different Hair Colors
Nits are masters of camouflage and can blend in with different hair colors:
- In blonde hair: Appear almost transparent, light golden, or very light brown
- In brown hair: Appear tan, medium brown, or amber
- In black hair: Can appear darker brown (though they never truly turn black)
- In red hair: May appear reddish-brown or golden
When you remove a nit and place it on a white paper towel, you’ll see its true color – usually golden brown or tan with a darker center (the baby louse inside).
Where Are Lice Eggs Found?
Location is one of the most important clues for identifying nits:
Distance from Scalp
Live nits are always found very close to the scalp – within one-quarter inch (about 4-6 millimeters) from the scalp. This is because:
- Nits need warmth to incubate and develop
- The scalp provides the perfect temperature
- Female lice can only lay eggs near the warmth of the scalp
Important rule: If you find nits more than one-quarter inch away from the scalp, they’re likely old, empty shells that have grown out with the hair. Live nits requiring treatment are always close to the scalp.
Hot Spots on the Head
Lice lay their eggs in specific areas called “hot spots”:
- Behind both ears – The most common location
- At the nape of the neck – The second most common spot
- On the crown of the head – The top center of the scalp
These areas provide:
- Optimal warmth
- Good blood supply
- Common points of head-to-head contact
Always check these three spots first when looking for lice eggs.
How Nits Attach to Hair
One of the most distinctive features of nits is how they attach to hair:
The Glue
Female lice produce a cement-like substance made of chitin and protein that creates an incredibly strong bond. This glue:
- Hardens immediately upon contact with air
- Creates a bond so strong that nits won’t move even with vigorous brushing
- Keeps the egg firmly attached until it either hatches or is manually removed
- Doesn’t dissolve with water, shampoo, or regular conditioner
Position on Hair Strand
Nits attach to the side of individual hair strands, not wrapped around them. Think of it like:
- A flower stem (the hair) with a single leaf (the nit) growing from one side
- The nit sits at an angle, tilted toward the scalp
- Only one side of the nit touches the hair shaft
This is different from other particles like hair casts, which wrap completely around the hair.
The “Tail”
When you pull a nit off a hair strand, you’ll always see a small “tail” of glue attached to it. This tail is leftover glue that came off with the egg. This tail is a telltale sign that you’re looking at a real nit, not dandruff or dirt.
Nits vs. Dandruff: How to Tell the Difference
Many people confuse lice eggs with dandruff. Here are foolproof ways to tell them apart:
The Movement Test (Most Important!)
Dandruff:
- Falls off easily when you blow on it
- Moves from strand to strand when you jiggle the hair
- Brushes out effortlessly
- Flakes away with minimal touching
Nits:
- Won’t budge when you blow on them
- Stay firmly attached no matter how much you shake the hair
- Cannot be brushed out
- Must be manually squeezed and dragged down the hair shaft to remove
Try this: Blow gently on a suspicious white speck. If it flies away, it’s dandruff. If it stays put, it’s likely a nit.
Attachment to Hair
Dandruff:
- Sits loosely on top of hair
- Rests on the scalp surface
- Not attached to anything
- Like snow sitting on tree branches
Nits:
- Glued firmly to the side of the hair shaft
- Cannot be removed without pulling hard
- Make a small “pop” sound if crushed between fingernails
- Like a sticker stuck to paper
Shape and Size
Dandruff:
- Irregular, flaky pieces
- Different sizes and shapes
- Flat and wide
- Looks like skin flakes (because it is!)
Nits:
- Uniform teardrop shape
- All roughly the same size
- Three-dimensional and rounded
- Consistent oval appearance
Location
Dandruff:
- Scattered throughout the hair
- Found on scalp surface
- Can appear anywhere
- Often falls onto shoulders and clothing
Nits:
- Concentrated within 1/4 inch of scalp
- Always on hair strands, not scalp
- Found mainly in hot spots (behind ears, nape of neck)
- Never fall onto shoulders (they’re glued on)
Color on White Background
Dandruff:
- Stays white or yellowish
- Crumbles easily
- Breaks apart when squeezed
Nits:
- Appear brownish or tan
- Hold their shape
- Have a hard, smooth shell
What Do Live Nits Look Like Inside?
If you look at a live nit under magnification or in very good lighting, you might see:
- A darker center or circle inside the translucent shell
- This dark spot is the baby louse (nymph) growing inside
- As the nit gets closer to hatching, the entire egg appears darker
- The baby louse becomes more visible as it develops
Live nits often have a two-toned appearance – golden brown on the outside with a dark brown circle or spot inside.
What Do Empty Nits Look Like?
After a louse hatches:
- The eggshell remains firmly attached to the hair
- The top part of the shell is broken open
- The shell appears white, translucent, or clear
- You can see it’s hollow if you look closely
- It looks like a tiny, empty popcorn kernel
Empty nits grow out with the hair over time. If you find white nits far from the scalp (more than 1/4 inch), they’re almost always old, empty shells from a previous infestation.
Other Things Commonly Mistaken for Nits
Hair Casts
- Tubular, cylinder-shaped white tubes
- Wrap completely around the hair shaft (nits don’t do this!)
- Slide easily up and down the hair
- Longer than nits
- Natural keratin buildup, not lice-related
How to tell: Hair casts move easily along the hair, while nits don’t.
DEC Plugs
- Perfectly round, spherical balls
- Creamy white or yellowish color
- Sit on the scalp, not attached to hair
- Move easily when touched
- Natural keratin secretions from hair follicles
How to tell: DEC plugs are perfectly round (nits are teardrop-shaped) and move easily.
Hair Spray Droplets
- Can harden and stick to hair
- Usually white or clear
- Located anywhere on hair, not just near scalp
- Remove more easily than nits
- Irregular sizes
Dirt or Sand
- Irregular shapes
- Various colors
- Washes out with shampooing
- Not consistently located near scalp
Scabs or Dead Skin
- Irregular, flaky appearance
- Can stick near scalp
- Different texture than the smooth shell of nits
- Usually larger than nits
The Three Stages: Egg, Nymph, Adult
Understanding the life cycle helps you know what you’re looking for:
Stage 1: Nit (Egg)
- Laid by adult female louse
- Firmly glued to hair shaft near scalp
- Takes 6 to 9 days to hatch
- Appears golden, tan, or brown
Stage 2: Nymph (Baby Louse)
- Hatches from the nit
- Looks like a tiny adult louse
- Size of a pinhead
- Almost transparent or very light colored
- Matures in 7 to 10 days
Stage 3: Adult Louse
- Size of a sesame seed
- Tan, gray, or reddish-brown
- Can lay 6 to 10 eggs per day
- Lives about 30 days on the scalp
How to Check for Lice Eggs
Here’s a step-by-step method to check for nits:
What You Need
- Good lighting (natural daylight works best)
- Fine-toothed lice comb
- Magnifying glass (helpful but optional)
- White paper towel or tissue
- Someone to help check your own head
Step-by-Step Process
- Sit in bright light near a window if possible
- Part the hair in small sections (about 1 inch wide)
- Look very close to the scalp within 1/4 inch
- Check the hot spots first:
- Behind both ears
- Nape of the neck
- Crown of the head
- Look for tiny bumps on hair strands that create a slight bulge
- Try the blow test on suspicious specks
- Attempt to remove any suspicious specks:
- Nits won’t come off easily
- You’ll need to squeeze and pull
- Place removed items on white paper to examine their true color
- Use a lice comb on damp hair:
- Apply lots of conditioner
- Comb through small sections
- Wipe comb on white tissue after each pass
- Look for nits or bugs
- Check all family members if you find nits on anyone
Important Facts About Lice Eggs
How Many Eggs Do Lice Lay?
- Adult female lice lay 6 to 10 eggs per day
- A female louse can lay up to 70 eggs in her lifetime
- This is why infestations grow so quickly
- Finding multiple nits is very common
How Long Until They Hatch?
- Nits hatch in 6 to 9 days (typically about one week)
- The warmer the environment, the faster they hatch
- Once hatched, the empty shell remains glued to the hair
Can You Have Just One Nit?
While it’s technically possible, it’s very rare to find just one nit in someone’s hair. If you find one nit, keep looking – you’ll almost certainly find more. Female lice lay multiple eggs, so infestations typically involve many nits at various stages.
Do All Nits Hatch?
No. Some nits die before hatching due to:
- Lice treatments that kill eggs
- Temperature being too cold or too hot
- Lack of proper conditions
- Natural die-off
Dead nits appear very dark brown or black.
Why Are Nits So Hard to Remove?
The glue that female lice use to attach eggs is incredibly strong:
- Waterproof and shampoo-proof
- Doesn’t dissolve with regular washing
- Requires physical removal by combing or pulling
- Special lice treatments can help dissolve the glue
- Manual removal is the most reliable method
This is why treating lice requires two approaches:
- Killing live bugs with treatments
- Physically removing all nits with a comb or by hand
When Nits Are NOT a Problem
Not all nits mean you have an active infestation:
Old, Empty Nits:
- Located more than 1/4 inch from scalp
- White or translucent appearance
- No live bugs found
- Just old shells growing out with hair
- May not require treatment
Already Treated Nits:
- Dead nits from previous treatment
- Empty shells remaining attached
- No new nits close to scalp
- No live bugs present
What to Do If You Find Lice Eggs
If you’ve identified nits in the hair:
- Don’t panic – Lice are very common and treatable
- Check everyone in the household
- Start treatment immediately:
- Use over-the-counter or prescription lice treatment
- Follow all instructions carefully
- Most treatments require a second application
- Remove all nits manually:
- Use a fine-toothed lice comb
- Work through small sections
- Remove every single nit you can find
- Clean items:
- Wash bedding and clothing in hot water (130°F)
- Vacuum floors and furniture
- Soak combs and brushes in hot water
- Notify contacts:
- Tell school or daycare
- Inform close contacts
- Help prevent spreading
- Check daily for at least two weeks after treatment
Common Mistakes When Looking for Nits
Mistake 1: Looking for White Eggs
Many people search for white lice eggs, but live nits are actually golden, tan, or brown. White nits are usually old, empty shells.
Mistake 2: Not Looking Close Enough to the Scalp
Live nits requiring treatment are always within 1/4 inch of the scalp. If you’re only looking at mid-lengths or ends of hair, you’ll miss active nits.
Mistake 3: Giving Up After Not Finding Bugs
Lice move quickly and hide from light. You’re much more likely to see nits than adult bugs, especially in early infestations.
Mistake 4: Confusing Nits with Dandruff
Always do the movement test – dandruff blows away, nits don’t.
Mistake 5: Assuming One Treatment Is Enough
Most lice treatments don’t kill all eggs. You need a second treatment and thorough manual nit removal to completely eliminate an infestation.
Super Lice and Nits
“Super lice” are head lice that have become resistant to common over-the-counter treatments. Important facts:
- Super lice eggs look exactly the same as regular lice eggs
- The resistance is to treatments, not the physical removal
- Manual nit removal is still effective
- Prescription treatments may be needed
If over-the-counter treatments don’t work after two applications, you may be dealing with super lice.
The Bottom Line
Lice eggs (nits) are tiny, teardrop-shaped eggs that are golden, tan, or brown when alive, and white or clear after hatching. They’re firmly glued to hair strands within one-quarter inch of the scalp, typically behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
The easiest way to identify nits versus dandruff is the movement test: dandruff blows away easily, while nits stay firmly attached to the hair no matter what you do.
Key identifying features of nits:
- Size of a poppy seed or knot in thread
- Teardrop shape with pointy end
- Firmly attached to side of hair strand
- Located within 1/4 inch of scalp
- Golden, tan, brown, or white in color
- Won’t blow, brush, or wash off
- Have a small “tail” of glue when removed
If you find nits, check all family members and start treatment immediately. Remember that effective treatment requires both killing live bugs and manually removing every single nit to prevent reinfestation.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About What Lice Eggs Look Like
1. What color are lice eggs?
Live lice eggs (nits) are typically golden, tan, light brown, or amber in color – not white as many people think. The darker a nit appears, the closer it is to hatching. Empty nits that have already hatched appear white, gray, or translucent because only the empty shell remains. Dead nits that never hatched are very dark brown or black. When placed on a white paper towel, nits usually appear brown or tan with a darker center.
2. How big are lice eggs?
Lice eggs are extremely small, measuring about 0.8 millimeters long by 0.3 millimeters wide – roughly the size of a knot in thread or a poppy seed. They’re about one-third the size of a sesame seed. While visible to the naked eye, they’re small enough that many people don’t notice them without careful inspection. A magnifying glass can be helpful for identification, though not required.
3. How can you tell the difference between lice eggs and dandruff?
The easiest way to tell the difference is the movement test: blow gently on a suspicious white speck – if it flies away, it’s dandruff; if it stays firmly attached, it’s likely a nit. Dandruff flakes brush off easily and have irregular shapes, while nits are firmly glued to hair strands, have a uniform teardrop shape, and cannot be removed without pulling hard. Nits are found within 1/4 inch of the scalp, while dandruff appears throughout the hair.
4. Where are lice eggs found on the head?
Lice eggs are always found very close to the scalp – within one-quarter inch (4-6 millimeters) – because they need warmth to incubate. They’re most commonly found in three “hot spots”: behind both ears, at the nape of the neck, and on the crown of the head. These areas provide optimal temperature and are common points of head-to-head contact. Nits found farther than 1/4 inch from the scalp are usually old, empty shells.
5. What shape are lice eggs?
Lice eggs have a distinctive teardrop or oval shape – they’re round on one side and pointy on the other, with a tiny hair-like antenna sticking out from the pointy end. They’re three-dimensional and appear like tiny beads attached to the hair. This uniform shape helps distinguish them from dandruff, which has irregular, flaky shapes. Nits are often described as looking like tiny water droplets stuck to the side of a hair strand.
6. Can you see lice eggs with the naked eye?
Yes, lice eggs are visible to the naked eye, though they’re very small. While a magnifying glass can be helpful, it’s not required to see nits. The challenge isn’t that they’re invisible, but that they’re tiny, blend in with hair color, and are often confused with dandruff or other particles. Good lighting – especially natural daylight – makes nits much easier to spot. They’re more visible than moving adult lice because they don’t run away from light.
7. Do lice eggs move or fall off?
No, lice eggs do not move or fall off on their own. Female lice produce a cement-like glue that creates an incredibly strong bond, firmly attaching each egg to an individual hair strand. Nits cannot be washed, brushed, or blown off the hair. They must be manually removed by combing with a special lice comb or by squeezing them between fingernails and pulling them down the entire hair shaft. This permanent attachment is one of the key ways to distinguish nits from dandruff.
8. What do lice eggs look like in blonde hair vs. dark hair?
In blonde hair, lice eggs appear almost transparent, very light golden, or pale tan, making them harder to see against light-colored hair. In brown or black hair, nits appear darker brown or tan to camouflage themselves. However, regardless of hair color, when you remove a nit and place it on a white paper towel, it will appear in its true color – usually golden brown or tan. This color-changing camouflage ability makes lice eggs particularly difficult to spot.
9. How do you remove lice eggs from hair?
Lice eggs must be physically removed because they’re glued to the hair. The most effective method is using a fine-toothed metal lice comb on damp, conditioned hair, working through small sections and wiping the comb on white tissue after each pass. Alternatively, you can manually remove nits by squeezing them between fingernails and pulling down the hair shaft – they’ll make a small pop sound when crushed. Some lice treatments help dissolve the glue, making removal easier, but manual removal is essential for complete elimination.
10. What’s the difference between live and dead lice eggs?
Live lice eggs (nits with a developing louse inside) appear golden, tan, or brown because you can see the embryo through the translucent shell. They’re found within 1/4 inch of the scalp where it’s warm enough for development. Empty nits (after hatching) appear white, gray, or translucent with the top broken open. Dead nits (that never hatched) appear very dark brown or black and can be located anywhere along the hair shaft as the hair grows out.
