APGAR Score Calculator
Calculate newborn APGAR scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. Includes full scoring criteria with visual selection, total score interpretation, resuscitation thresholds, and printable documentation.
👼 Calculate APGAR Score
| Criterion | 1 min Score | 5 min Score |
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The APGAR Score — History, Criteria & Interpretation
The APGAR score was developed in 1952 by Dr Virginia Apgar, an American anaesthesiologist, as a standardised method to quickly assess the health of newborn babies immediately after birth. The acronym — Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration — was created retrospectively as a mnemonic to aid memorisation of the five criteria.
The Five APGAR Criteria
- Appearance (Skin Colour): 0 = Blue/pale all over; 1 = Blue extremities, pink body; 2 = Pink all over
- Pulse (Heart Rate): 0 = Absent; 1 = <100 bpm; 2 = ≥100 bpm
- Grimace (Reflex Irritability): 0 = No response; 1 = Grimace; 2 = Cry/cough/sneeze
- Activity (Muscle Tone): 0 = None (floppy); 1 = Some flexion; 2 = Active motion
- Respiration: 0 = Absent; 1 = Weak/irregular; 2 = Strong cry
Score Interpretation
- 7–10: Normal — routine newborn care
- 4–6: Moderately abnormal — stimulation and supplemental oxygen; reassess at 5 minutes
- 0–3: Severely abnormal — immediate resuscitation required
1-Minute vs 5-Minute Scores
The 1-minute score reflects the infant's condition at birth and guides immediate management. The 5-minute score is more predictive of neurological outcome and long-term prognosis. If the 5-minute score is below 7, further assessments at 10, 15, and 20 minutes may be warranted.
For newborn drug dosing, use our pediatric dose calculator. For pregnancy monitoring, see our pregnancy due date calculator. For fluid management in neonatal intensive care, use our fluid balance calculator. All pediatric tools are in our Medical tools hub.
⚠️ The APGAR score is one component of neonatal assessment. Resuscitation should never be delayed to calculate a score. Always follow local resuscitation protocols and involve the neonatal team immediately for any baby requiring intervention.