How Much Does a Head X-Ray Cost?
A head or skull x-ray costs $100 to $600 without insurance in the United States. Freestanding imaging centers charge $100 to $250, urgent care $150 to $300, hospital outpatient departments $250 to $500, and an emergency room $400 to $600 or more before the ER facility fee is added. With insurance, most people pay a copay of $10 to $75.
One thing is worth knowing before you book: for a head injury, most doctors now order a CT scan rather than a skull x-ray, because a plain x-ray cannot show bleeding or bruising inside the brain. A skull x-ray still has specific uses, and it costs a fraction of what a head CT costs, but if you have been told you need "a scan of the head" it is worth confirming which study was actually ordered before comparing prices.
Head and Skull X-Ray Cost by Facility
| Where You Go | Self-Pay Cost | Typical Insured Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding imaging center | $100–$250 | $10–$50 copay | Cheapest option; needs a referral in most states |
| Urgent care with on-site x-ray | $150–$300 | $50–$125 copay | Visit fee charged on top of the image |
| Hospital outpatient radiology | $250–$500 | $25–$75 copay | Facility fee often billed separately |
| Emergency room | $400–$600+ | $150–$500 | ER visit fee of $500–$1,500 charged in addition |
| Head CT scan (for comparison) | $500–$3,000 | $100–$500 | The study actually ordered for most head injuries |
A skull x-ray is billed under CPT 70250 for fewer than four views and CPT 70260 for a complete study of four or more views. Facial bones use CPT 70140 and 70150, and the nasal bones CPT 70160. Quoting the exact code when you call for a cash price gets a comparable answer from every facility.
When a Head X-Ray Is Still the Right Test
Plain skull radiography has been largely replaced by CT for trauma, but it remains in routine use for a handful of questions where it answers the problem at a fraction of the cost:
- Facial and nasal fractures. A suspected broken nose or cheekbone is often assessed with facial bone views first, at $100 to $250 rather than $500 or more for a CT.
- Foreign bodies. Metal or glass in the scalp or face shows up clearly and cheaply on a plain film.
- Shunt series. Patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt have periodic plain films to check the tubing is intact and correctly positioned.
- Skull base and sinus assessment. Some sinus and mastoid questions are screened with plain views before advanced imaging.
- Post-surgical hardware checks. Plates and screws after craniofacial surgery are followed on plain films.
- Dental and jaw imaging. Jaw and TMJ questions are usually better answered by a panoramic dental x-ray at $60 to $200, which shows both jaw joints and all the teeth in one image.
Head X-Ray vs Head CT vs MRI: What Each Costs
Being clear on which study you need is worth more than any discount you can negotiate, because the price gap between them is large.
| Study | Self-Pay Cost | What It Shows | Typically Ordered For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skull / head x-ray | $100–$600 | Bone only | Facial fractures, foreign bodies, shunt checks |
| Head CT without contrast | $500–$3,000 | Bone and acute bleeding | Head injury, sudden severe headache, stroke |
| Brain MRI | $700–$3,500 | Detailed soft tissue | Persistent headache, seizures, tumour follow-up |
If a doctor has recommended a head CT after an injury, a cheaper skull x-ray is not a substitute. A plain film cannot show bleeding inside the skull, which is the specific thing a post-injury scan is looking for. Where money is the barrier, the useful conversation is about where to have the CT rather than whether to have one — the same scan at a freestanding imaging center routinely costs half what a hospital charges.
Head X-Ray Costs Outside the United States
| Country | Typical Cost | Public System |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £100–£250 private | Free on the NHS with a referral |
| Canada | Free with provincial coverage | C$150–C$400 for non-residents |
| South Africa | R650–R900 private per view | Low-cost at public hospitals; medical aid covers at scheme rate |
| India | ₹300–₹800 | Nominal or free at government hospitals |
| Australia | A$0–$150 with Medicare | Bulk-billed at many practices; gap payments otherwise |
For a fuller country-by-country picture, see our guides to x-ray costs in the UK, South Africa, Canada and India.
How to Pay Less for a Head X-Ray
- Confirm which study was ordered. "Scan of the head" could mean a $150 x-ray or a $2,000 CT. Ask for the CPT code on the referral.
- Choose an imaging center over a hospital. The same skull x-ray commonly costs half to a third as much, and the images are read by the same kind of radiologist.
- Avoid the ER for a stable, non-urgent question. The image itself may differ by only $200, but the ER facility fee of $500 to $1,500 does not apply at an imaging center. For anything involving loss of consciousness, vomiting, confusion or worsening headache, go to the ER regardless — that is not the situation to economise in.
- Ask for the global cash price. Confirm the quote covers both the images and the radiologist's report, or a second bill for $25 to $80 arrives later.
- Request the prompt-pay discount. Discounts of 20 to 40% for paying in full on the day are widely available and rarely volunteered.
- For jaw and tooth pain, ask about a dental panoramic instead. At $60 to $200 it answers most jaw questions better than a skull film does.
Radiation Dose From a Head X-Ray
A skull x-ray delivers roughly 0.1 mSv, about the same as ten days of natural background radiation and comparable to a chest x-ray. A head CT delivers around 2 mSv, roughly twenty times more. That difference is one reason doctors do not order head CTs casually, and one reason a plain film is still preferred where it can answer the question. Both are considered safe when clinically justified. If you are or might be pregnant, tell the technologist — head imaging is well away from the abdomen, but shielding and protocol are adjusted.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on XRayCost.com is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prices are typical 2026 ranges and vary by provider, insurer, and location. Always confirm costs directly with your provider and seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions about a medical condition.
Last Updated: August 27, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About Head X-Ray Costs
A head or skull x-ray costs $100 to $600 without insurance in the US. Freestanding imaging centers are cheapest at $100 to $250, urgent care charges $150 to $300, hospital outpatient radiology $250 to $500, and an emergency room $400 to $600 or more before the ER facility fee. With insurance, most patients pay a $10 to $75 copay. The study is billed under CPT 70250 for fewer than four views or CPT 70260 for a complete four-view study, and quoting the code when you call gets you a comparable cash price from each facility.
Because a plain skull x-ray only shows bone. It cannot show bleeding, bruising or swelling inside the brain, which is exactly what a scan after a head injury is looking for. A head CT costs $500 to $3,000 self-pay compared with $100 to $600 for an x-ray, but for trauma it is the study that actually answers the question. Skull x-rays remain appropriate for facial and nasal fractures, foreign bodies, shunt tubing checks and post-surgical hardware follow-up.
A hospital outpatient department typically charges $250 to $500 for a skull x-ray, while a freestanding imaging center charges $100 to $250 for the identical study read by the same kind of radiologist. Hospitals also frequently add a separate facility fee. Where a study is not urgent and you have a referral, using an imaging center is the single largest saving available — commonly 50 to 60% off the hospital price.
Yes, when it is ordered for a documented clinical reason such as suspected facial fracture, a foreign body, or a shunt check. Most plans leave a $10 to $75 copay at an in-network facility, or 10 to 30% coinsurance after the deductible. On a high-deductible plan before the deductible is met you pay the full negotiated rate, which is when comparing an imaging center against a hospital matters most. Some insurers require prior authorization for advanced imaging like CT but not for plain x-rays.
About 0.1 mSv, roughly equivalent to ten days of natural background radiation and similar to a chest x-ray. A head CT delivers around 2 mSv, about twenty times more. Both doses are considered safe when the study is clinically justified, and the plain x-ray is preferred wherever it can answer the question. Tell the technologist if you are or might be pregnant so shielding and protocol can be adjusted.
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