How to change lifecycle stage and lead status in HubSpot

How do I change a contact's lifecycle stage in HubSpot?

Open the contact, click Lifecycle stage in the left panel and pick the new stage; Lead status, right below it, works the same way. HubSpot saves each change straight away.

1. In HubSpot, go to CRM, then Contacts, and open the contact.
2. In the left panel, click Lifecycle stage to see the stages.

   

3. Pick the new stage. HubSpot saves it straight away.

   

4. Click Lead status, right below, to see where the sales conversation stands.

   

5. Choose the new lead status. Both values are saved on the record.

   

You can set an earlier stage by hand, for example to move a contact back from Opportunity to Lead. Imports, forms, workflows and the API only move a contact forward, unless the value is cleared first. Your account's lead status values can differ from the defaults: New, Open, In progress, Open deal, Unqualified, Attempted to contact, Connected and Bad timing.

Source: HubSpot’s Use lifecycle stages help article, updated 17 July 2026, checked 22 September 2026.