Home › Medical & Clinical › MELD Score Calculator
MELD Score Calculator
Computes the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score from bilirubin, INR and creatinine (with the OPTN bounding and rounding rules) and MELD-Na when sodium is supplied, and reports the observed 3-month mortality band from Wiesner 2003.
When to use
You need the MELD or MELD-Na score for an adult with chronic liver disease, for example to compare severity or describe transplant listing priority.
Do not use when: The patient is under 12 (PELD is used) or you need the newer MELD 3.0 (adds albumin and sex), which this calculator does not implement.
Formula
MELD(i) = 0.957 × ln(creatinine) + 0.378 × ln(bilirubin) + 1.120 × ln(INR) + 0.643, rounded to one decimal and multiplied by 10 (values < 1 set to 1; creatinine capped at 4 or set to 4 with dialysis). If MELD(i) > 11: MELD-Na = MELD(i) + 1.32 × (137 − Na) − 0.033 × MELD(i) × (137 − Na), Na bounded 125–137. Final scores rounded and bounded to 6–40.
Kamath 2001 coefficients (3.78, 11.2, 9.57, 6.43 in the ×10 form); mortality bands are the 3-month waiting-list mortality observed by Wiesner 2003 (≤9: 1.9%, 10–19: 6.0%, 20–29: 19.6%, 30–39: 52.6%, 40: 71.3%). Results are informational only and not a substitute for clinical judgement or medical advice.
Inputs
| Parameter | Type | Unit | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
bilirubin_mg_dl | number | mg/dL | yes | Serum total bilirubin in mg/dL (µmol/L ÷ 17.1). Values below 1 are set to 1. Range: > 0, ≤ 100 |
inr | number | yes | International normalised ratio. Values below 1 are set to 1. Range: ≥ 0.5, ≤ 20 | |
creatinine_mg_dl | number | mg/dL | yes | Serum creatinine in mg/dL (µmol/L ÷ 88.4). Bounded to 1–4. Range: > 0, ≤ 30 |
sodium_mmol_l | number | mmol/L | no | Optional serum sodium; enables MELD-Na (bounded to 125–137). Range: ≥ 100, ≤ 200 |
dialysis_twice_past_week | boolean | default false | If true, creatinine is set to 4.0 mg/dL as in the OPTN policy. |
Outputs
| Output | Type | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
meld_score | integer | MELD(i) without sodium, rounded and bounded to 6–40. | |
meld_na_score | integer | 2016 OPTN MELD-Na (only when sodium_mmol_l is given), bounded to 6–40. | |
three_month_mortality_percent | number | % | Wiesner 2003 band for MELD-Na when available, otherwise MELD. |
mortality_band | string | Score band and observed mortality from Wiesner et al. 2003. | |
values_used | string | Laboratory values after the OPTN bounds were applied. |
Example
Bilirubin 2.0, INR 1.5, creatinine 1.2, Na 135: {"bilirubin_mg_dl":2,"inr":1.5,"creatinine_mg_dl":1.2,"sodium_mmol_l":135} → {"meld_score":15,"meld_na_score":17,"three_month_mortality_percent":6}
Bilirubin 5.0, INR 2.5, creatinine 2.0, Na 128: {"bilirubin_mg_dl":5,"inr":2.5,"creatinine_mg_dl":2,"sodium_mmol_l":128} → {"meld_score":29,"meld_na_score":32,"three_month_mortality_percent":52.6}
Bilirubin 0.8, INR 1.0, creatinine 0.9 (all bounded to 1): {"bilirubin_mg_dl":0.8,"inr":1,"creatinine_mg_dl":0.9} → {"meld_score":6,"three_month_mortality_percent":1.9}
GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/meld-score?bilirubin_mg_dl=2&inr=1.5&creatinine_mg_dl=1.2&sodium_mmol_l=135
Machine access
- API:
GET https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculate/meld-score(query parameters) orPOSTwith a JSON body{"inputs": {...}} - Schema: https://tttkmbb.com/api/v1/calculators/meld-score · Markdown: https://tttkmbb.com/medical/meld-score.md · JSON definition: https://tttkmbb.com/medical/meld-score.json
- MCP: server
https://tttkmbb.com/mcp, toolrun_calculator with calculator_id="meld-score" - OpenAPI operationId:
calculate_meld_score - Freshness:
static. Authentication: none. Rate limit: fair use (see rate limits).
Sources
- Kamath PS et al. (2001) A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver disease, Hepatology 33:464-470 (peer_reviewed)
- Wiesner R et al. (2003) Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and allocation of donor livers, Gastroenterology 124:91-96 (peer_reviewed)
- OPTN/HRSA policy notice – Improving liver allocation: MELD, PELD, Status 1A, Status 1B (MELD-Na formula) (government)
FAQ
Why is my score different from an older calculator?
Pre-2016 calculators used the un-rounded Kamath formula or omitted sodium; this one follows the OPTN rounding (MELD(i) to one decimal × 10) and adds the sodium term only when MELD(i) exceeds 11.
Are the mortality percentages predictions for an individual?
No. They are the mortality observed in waiting-list cohorts in 2003 for each score band; individual prognosis depends on complications and treatment.
Related calculators
- eGFR Calculator — Kidney function is a MELD component.
- Anion Gap Calculator — Electrolyte assessment in decompensated cirrhosis.