Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) calculator
Scores conscious level from 3 to 15 across eye, verbal and motor responses, and flags the point at which the airway is at risk.
What it is used for
The Glasgow Coma Scale, described by Teasdale and Jennett, is the standard measure of conscious level in acute care. Three components are scored independently and summed to a total between 3 and 15. Good practice is to record and hand over the breakdown, not just the total — E3 V3 M5 and E1 V5 M5 both total 11 but describe very different patients. The trend over serial assessments carries more information than any single value, and a GCS of 8 or less is the conventional threshold for a threatened airway.
The three components
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Eye opening4 spontaneous · 3 to voice · 2 to pain · 1 none | 1–4 |
| Verbal response5 oriented · 4 confused · 3 words · 2 sounds · 1 none | 1–5 |
| Motor response6 obeys · 5 localises · 4 withdraws · 3 flexion · 2 extension · 1 none | 1–6 |
Minimum total 3, maximum 15. Always document as E, V and M separately.
How the score is interpreted
When not to use it
- Record the E, V and M breakdown — the total alone conceals clinically important differences.
- Sedation, intubation, intoxication, dysphasia and pre-existing cognitive impairment all confound the score.
- Use a paediatric GCS for young children, whose verbal responses are scored differently.
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