In short
Migraine is usually moderate to severe, throbbing, often one-sided, worse with movement, and comes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Tension-type headache, the most common headache, is a mild to moderate pressing pain on both sides, without nausea, that doesn’t get worse with activity.
On this page
The main difference
Headache is a symptom with many causes. Migraine is a specific neurological condition in which headache is one part of an attack. The most common type of headache is tension-type headache, and the two are often confused.
Side by side
| Migraine | Tension-type headache | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Often one side, can be both | Both sides, like a band |
| Feels like | Throbbing, pulsing | Pressing, tightening |
| Severity | Moderate to severe | Mild to moderate |
| With activity | Worse with routine activity | Not worse |
| Nausea or vomiting | Common | No |
| Light and sound | Sensitivity to both is common | Sometimes one, not both |
| Aura | In about a third of people | No |
| Duration | 4 to 72 hours | 30 minutes to several days |
These features come from the International Classification of Headache Disorders, which doctors use to diagnose headache types.
Headaches taking whole days away?
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
Other headache types
- Cluster headache: severe pain around one eye, with a red, watery eye and runny nose, in bouts
- Sinus headache: often actually migraine
- Medication-overuse headache: from using pain relief too often
- Ice pick headache: brief, sharp stabs
- Headaches from other conditions, such as infections, high blood pressure crises or head injury
People can have more than one type. Many people with migraine also get tension-type headaches.
Why the difference matters
Migraine and tension-type headache respond to different approaches. Treatments for migraine attacks and prevention are specific, and getting the diagnosis right helps you get the right treatment.
Keep a headache diary
Recording when headaches happen, what they feel like, what you took and possible triggers helps you and your doctor see the pattern.
When to get help
See a GP if headaches are frequent, changing, or affecting your life. Call 000 for a sudden severe headache, headache with weakness, confusion or trouble speaking, or headache with fever and a stiff neck.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- . Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1-211.
- Ashina S, Mitsikostas DD, Lee MJ, et al. Tension-type headache. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):24.
- Ferrari MD, Goadsby PJ, Burstein R, et al. Migraine. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2022;8(1):2.
- healthdirect. Headaches.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.