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Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Calculator

Assess level of consciousness using the standardized Glasgow Coma Scale scoring system.

Special Considerations

Eye Opening (E)

Assess spontaneous eye opening or response to stimuli

Verbal Response (V)

Assess best verbal response

Motor Response (M)

Assess best motor response

Score Interpretation

Mild(13-15)
Minor brain injury
Moderate(9-12)
Moderate brain injury
Severe(3-8)
Severe brain injury - coma

Clinical Considerations

GCS 3

Lowest possible score. Deep coma or death. Consider intubation for airway protection.

GCS ≤8

Generally indicates coma. Consider endotracheal intubation for airway protection.

GCS 9-12

Moderate injury. Close monitoring required. May need ICU admission.

GCS 13-15

Mild injury. Consider CT if mechanism warrants or any risk factors present.

Notation Guide

Standard Notation
GCS 15 = E4 V5 M6

Eye 4, Verbal 5, Motor 6 = fully alert

Special Notations
ETEye not testable (trauma)
VTVerbal not testable (intubated)
ECEyes closed (swelling)
Clinical Note
The GCS should be used as part of a comprehensive neurological assessment. Serial assessments are more valuable than a single measurement. Consider confounding factors such as sedation, paralysis, intoxication, or metabolic abnormalities when interpreting scores.

About the Glasgow Coma Scale

History

The Glasgow Coma Scale was developed in 1974 by Graham Teasdale and Bryan Jennett at the University of Glasgow. It was originally designed to assess impaired consciousness in head-injured patients but is now used widely across emergency medicine and critical care.

Components

The scale measures three aspects of responsiveness: eye opening (E), verbal response (V), and motor response (M). Each component is scored independently, and the total ranges from 3 (deep coma) to 15 (fully awake and alert).

Clinical Applications

  • Traumatic brain injury assessment and classification
  • Stroke and neurological emergency evaluation
  • ICU monitoring and sedation assessment
  • Prognostication in comatose patients
  • Communication between healthcare providers

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