Score the patient's best eye, verbal and motor responses; the three numbers add to the GCS total, from 3 to 15.
The GCS is recorded as the total plus its three components (for example E3 V4 M5 = 12). Factors such as sedation, swelling or a breathing tube can prevent a component being tested — note that rather than guessing a score. This calculator adds the components only; assessment and escalation decisions belong to the treating team.
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?
The Glasgow Coma Scale is a standardised way to describe a person's level of consciousness using three responses: eye opening (scored 1–4), verbal response (1–5) and motor response (1–6). Added together they give a total from 3 (no responses) to 15 (fully alert).
Why record the components as well as the total?
Two patients can share a total with very different presentations — for example E2 V3 M5 and E4 V2 M4 both total 10. Recording the components (such as E3 V4 M5) preserves the detail the treating team needs and makes changes over time visible.
What GCS score is normal?
A fully alert person scores 15 (E4 V5 M6). Scores below 15 describe some degree of impaired consciousness; how the score is acted on depends on the cause, the trend and the clinical setting, and follows local protocol.