Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Calculator
Score eye, verbal, and motor responses with severity bands (mild 13–15, moderate 9–12, severe ≤8).
Understanding this tool
Why nurses use it
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the standard rapid neurological assessment for trauma, stroke, intoxication, and altered consciousness. It supports triage, monitoring trends, and escalation to neurosurgical or ICU teams.
When to use it
Use at initial assessment and serially for any patient with altered consciousness, head injury, or suspected neurological deterioration.
Calculate
How to use this calculator
- Score eye opening (1–4), best verbal response (1–5), and best motor response (1–6).
- Sum the three components for GCS out of 15.
- Reassess regularly and report GCS ≤8 or a drop of ≥2 points urgently.
How the calculation works
GCS = Eye + Verbal + Motor (range 3–15). Lower scores indicate more severe impairment. Intubation affects verbal scoring — document components separately.
Formula used by this tool — verify units before applying at the bedside.
Worked example
Limitations & clinical notes
- Sedation, paralysis, and intubation limit verbal/motor components.
- Use pediatric GCS for infants and young children.
References
Key sources: Teasdale G, Jennett B — GCS (1974).
Don’t miss new nursing tools
Subscribe for alerts when we add calculators, clinical scores, and reference updates to NurseOnShift.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and bedside double-check purposes only. It does not replace institutional protocols, prescriber orders, pharmacist verification, or clinical judgment. Always follow your local policies — especially for high-risk medications, infusions, pediatrics, and critical care. If the patient is acutely unwell, escalate immediately rather than relying on any calculator output.