Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Calculator
Calculate the Glasgow Coma Scale score, the most widely used clinical tool for assessing the level of consciousness in acute medical and trauma settings. The GCS evaluates three components: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.
The Glasgow Coma Scale was introduced in 1974 by professors Bryan Jennett and Graham Teasdale at the University of Glasgow. It has become the international standard for assessing consciousness in emergency medicine, neurosurgery, and critical care. The scale ranges from 3 (deep coma or death) to 15 (fully alert and oriented).
The three components are scored independently and then summed. Eye opening ranges from 1 (none) to 4 (spontaneous). Verbal response ranges from 1 (none) to 5 (oriented). Motor response ranges from 1 (none) to 6 (obeys commands). The motor component is generally considered the most reliable and predictive single element, especially for outcomes after traumatic brain injury.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This calculator is for educational purposes only. The GCS must be performed by trained healthcare professionals through direct patient assessment. It should not be used as the sole determinant for clinical decisions. Factors such as intoxication, sedation, intubation, and facial/eye injuries can confound the assessment. Always report the individual component scores (e.g., E4V5M6) in addition to the total.