How do I calculate the Glasgow Coma Scale score?

Pick the best response in three blocks: eye opening (1–4), verbal (1–5), motor (1–6). Add them for a total of 3 to 15. The calculator does this automatically and shows the level of impaired consciousness.

What score is a coma?

A total of 8 or below means severe impairment (coma). It is an emergency: at 8 or below clinicians consider airway protection. 9–12 is moderate, 13–15 mild.

What does “E3 V4 M5” mean?

It is the breakdown: eyes open to speech (E3), confused speech (V4) and localises pain (M5). The sum is 12. The breakdown is written to show why the score is reduced.

Does the scale work for children?

For children who already talk, yes. For young children there is a paediatric Glasgow scale with adapted verbal and motor blocks. In preschoolers the “adult” total is interpreted with caution.

What to do with a low score?

A low or falling total is a reason to call emergency services immediately. The scale only describes the state; care and diagnosis come from a doctor.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score calculator

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) rates consciousness from three responses — eye opening, verbal and motor. Pick the best response for each and the calculator adds the score (3 to 15) and shows the level of impaired consciousness. This is a tool for clinicians and assessment, not self-diagnosis.

Calculate the Glasgow Coma Scale score

Choose a response in each of the three blocks — the total appears instantly.

What the Glasgow score means

A guide by total score. A score of 8 or below means severely impaired consciousness (coma) — an emergency. Assessment and decisions are made by a doctor.

Total score	Severity
13–15	Mild impairment
9–12	Moderate
3–8	Severe (coma)

What the Glasgow Coma Scale is

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the standard way to assess a person’s level of consciousness. Introduced in Glasgow in 1974, it is now used worldwide — from ambulances to intensive care.

It combines three responses: how the person opens their eyes, speaks and moves. Each is scored, and the sum reflects the depth of impaired consciousness.

How to score: three responses E + V + M

Eye opening (E) is scored 1–4, verbal response (V) 1–5 and motor response (M) 1–6. For each block you pick the best observed response.

The sum gives a total from 3 (no response at all) to 15 (fully alert). Often both the total and the breakdown are written, e.g. “E3 V4 M5 = 12”.

What the total means

13–15 is mild impairment, 9–12 moderate, 3–8 severe (coma). A score of 8 or below is the traditional threshold at which airway protection (intubation) is considered, because such a person cannot reliably protect their own airway.

The change over time matters as much as the number: a falling score is an alarming sign that needs immediate medical assessment.

Adults and children

The classic scale is for adults and children who already speak. For young children a paediatric modification is used: the verbal and motor blocks are adapted to age (crying, grimacing, response to parents).

So in preschoolers the “adult” total is interpreted with caution — use the paediatric version and a doctor’s assessment.

A clinician’s tool, not self-diagnosis

The Glasgow scale helps describe a state quickly and consistently — but it does not diagnose and does not replace an exam. Consciousness, especially its trend, should be assessed by a trained person.

If someone nearby has impaired consciousness, confusion, or responds weakly or not at all — call emergency services immediately rather than scoring alone.

Frequently asked questions

Pick the best response in three blocks: eye opening (1–4), verbal (1–5), motor (1–6). Add them for a total of 3 to 15. The calculator does this automatically and shows the level of impaired consciousness.
A total of 8 or below means severe impairment (coma). It is an emergency: at 8 or below clinicians consider airway protection. 9–12 is moderate, 13–15 mild.
It is the breakdown: eyes open to speech (E3), confused speech (V4) and localises pain (M5). The sum is 12. The breakdown is written to show why the score is reduced.
For children who already talk, yes. For young children there is a paediatric Glasgow scale with adapted verbal and motor blocks. In preschoolers the “adult” total is interpreted with caution.
A low or falling total is a reason to call emergency services immediately. The scale only describes the state; care and diagnosis come from a doctor.

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This calculator is for reference and information only and is not a diagnosis. Consciousness assessment and emergency decisions are a doctor’s; if consciousness is impaired, call emergency services immediately.