头发，或称发，是指长在人类头部上的毛发。头发的颜色及其他特征是由基因决定，一般而言常见的有黑色、金黄色、棕色及红色等，当人类老化时，头发通常会变成银白色。不同民族的头发硬度、自然卷曲度也不同。头发由角蛋白所组成。

只有人类的头发才会始终生长，所以人类需要时常理发，而动物界则没有这种现象。其中原因尚不清楚。

头发可以保护头部和大脑。夏天可防烈日，冬天可御寒冷。细软蓬松的头发具有弹性，可以抵挡较轻的碰撞；还可以帮助头部汗液的蒸发。目前尚不清楚头发在人类进化中的作用。

Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis, or skin. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals. The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and fine vellus hair. Most common interest in hair is focused on hair growth, hair types and hair care, but hair is also an important biomaterial primarily composed of protein, notably keratin. Attitudes towards hair, such as hairstyles and hair removal, vary widely across different cultures and historical periods, but it is often used to indicate a person's personal beliefs or social position, such as their age, gender, or religion.