| Symptom | Migraine headache | Tension headache | Cluster headache |
| Location | Unilateral (one sided) in 60 to 70 percent; occurs on both sides of the forehead or all over the head in 30 percent of cases | Bilateral (involves both sides of the head) | Always unilateral, usually begins around the eye or temple |
| Characteristics | Gradual in onset, builds up over time; pulsating; moderate or severe intensity; aggravated by routine physical activity | Pressure or tightness which waxes and wanes | Pain begins quickly, reaches a crescendo within minutes; pain is deep, continuous, excruciating, and explosive in quality |
| Activity | Prefers to rest in a dark, quiet room | May remain active or may need to rest | Remains active |
| Duration | 4 to 72 hours | Variable | 30 minutes to 3 hours |
| Associated symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, photophobia (bothered by light), phonophobia (bothered by sound); may have aura (usually visual, but can involve other senses or cause speech or motor problems) | None | Tearing and redness of the eye on the same side as the headache; stuffy, runny nose; pallor; sweating; eye drooping; rarely neurologic deficits; sensitivity to alcohol |
