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Glasgow Coma Scale Calculator

Sums the Glasgow Coma Scale eye (1–4), verbal (1–5) and motor (1–6) responses into the 3–15 total, writes it in E/V/M notation and assigns the conventional head-injury severity band (13–15 mild, 9–12 moderate, 3–8 severe).

Eye opening (E)Best eye response: none = 1, to_pressure = 2, to_sound = 3, spontaneous = 4. Verbal response (V)Best verbal response: none = 1, sounds = 2, words = 3, confused = 4, orientated = 5. Motor response (M)Best motor response: none = 1, extension = 2, abnormal_flexion = 3, normal_flexion = 4, localising = 5, obeys_commands = 6.

When to use

You have the three observed best responses of a patient and need the GCS total, its E V M breakdown or the severity band used in trauma and neurosurgical communication.

Do not use when: A component cannot be tested (intubation, swollen eyes, sedation): report the testable components individually with NT rather than a total; infants need a paediatric scale. Results are informational and not medical advice.

Formula

gcs_total = eye_response (1–4) + verbal_response (1–5) + motor_response (1–6); severity: 13–15 mild, 9–12 moderate, 3–8 severe

Teasdale and Jennett's scale (1974) in its 15-point form (motor 1–6, 1976) with the 2014 revised response terminology from glasgowcomascale.org; the total is a communication shorthand and the three components, especially the motor score, carry more information than the sum. Results are informational only and not a substitute for clinical judgement or medical advice.

Inputs

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`eye_response`	enum: none \| to_pressure \| to_sound \| spontaneous	yes	Best eye response: none = 1, to_pressure = 2, to_sound = 3, spontaneous = 4.
`verbal_response`	enum: none \| sounds \| words \| confused \| orientated	yes	Best verbal response: none = 1, sounds = 2, words = 3, confused = 4, orientated = 5.
`motor_response`	enum: none \| extension \| abnormal_flexion \| normal_flexion \| localising \| obeys_commands	yes	Best motor response: none = 1, extension = 2, abnormal_flexion = 3, normal_flexion = 4, localising = 5, obeys_commands = 6.

Outputs

Output	Type	Description
`gcs_total`	integer	E + V + M, 3–15.
`gcs_text`	string	Component notation, e.g. E4V5M6 = 15.
`severity`	string	Mild 13–15, moderate 9–12, severe 3–8 (traumatic brain injury convention).
`component_scores`	object	Eye, verbal and motor scores.

Example

Spontaneous eye opening, orientated, obeys commands: {"eye_response":"spontaneous","verbal_response":"orientated","motor_response":"obeys_commands"} → {"gcs_total":15,"gcs_text":"E4V5M6 = 15","severity":"Mild (13–15)","component_scores":{"eye":4,"verbal":5,"motor":6}}

Eyes open to pressure, sounds only, normal flexion: {"eye_response":"to_pressure","verbal_response":"sounds","motor_response":"normal_flexion"} → {"gcs_total":8,"gcs_text":"E2V2M4 = 8","severity":"Severe (3–8)"}

GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/glasgow-coma-scale?eye_response=spontaneous&verbal_response=orientated&motor_response=obeys_commands

Machine access

API: GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/glasgow-coma-scale (query parameters) or POST with a JSON body {"inputs": {...}}
Schema: https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculators/glasgow-coma-scale · Markdown: https://tttkmbb.com/medical/glasgow-coma-scale.md · JSON definition: https://tttkmbb.com/medical/glasgow-coma-scale.json
MCP: server https://tttkmbb.com/mcp, tool run_calculator with calculator_id="glasgow-coma-scale"
OpenAPI operationId: calculate_glasgow_coma_scale
Freshness: static. Authentication: none. Rate limit: fair use (see rate limits).

Sources

FAQ

Why is GCS 8 a threshold?

A total of 8 or less is the conventional definition of coma and severe brain injury and a common prompt to consider airway protection; it is a guide, not a rule, and the trend matters more than one value.

How are untestable components recorded?

As NT for that component (for example E4 VT M6 in an intubated patient) without a total; scores must not be guessed. This calculator requires all three components.

What changed in the 2014 terminology?

Wording only: 'to pressure' replaced 'to pain', 'sounds' and 'words' replaced 'incomprehensible' and 'inappropriate', and 'normal/abnormal flexion' replaced 'withdrawal/decorticate'; the points are unchanged.

Related calculators

Apgar Score Calculator — Component-based newborn score.
MELD Score Calculator — Another clinical severity score.