# Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Calculator

Calculate the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) from the three response components: Eye Opening (E, 1–4), Verbal Response (V, 1–5), and Motor Response (M, 1–6). Total = E + V + M, range 3–15. Supports the '1t' notation for intubated/untestable verbal response (counted as V = 1, with an annotation, and recommends reporting the E_M_V component string). Severity bands: 13–15 mild, 9–12 moderate, 3–8 severe (severe scores commonly prompt airway protection). Derived from Teasdale & Jennett, Lancet 1974, with the Lancet Neurology 2014 review and 2024 update. Not medical advice.

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/gcs-calculator

- **Category:** Health

- **Keywords:** GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale, coma, consciousness, traumatic brain injury, TBI, neurology, eye opening, verbal response, motor response, critical care, 1t

## Overview

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Calculator adds Eye Opening (E), Verbal Response (V), and Motor Response (M) scores to produce a total from 3 to 15, with mild, moderate, and severe severity bands. It also supports the 1t notation for an intubated or untestable verbal response. This tool is not medical advice.

## Inputs

- **Eye Opening (E)** (select): Best eye opening response. 4=spontaneous, 3=to sound, 2=to pressure, 1=none.
- **Verbal Response (V)** (select): Best verbal response. 5=oriented, 4=confused, 3=inappropriate words, 2=incomprehensible sounds, 1=none. Intubated/untestable counts as 1 (annotated 1t).
- **Motor Response (M)** (select): Best motor response. 6=obeys commands, 5=localizes pain, 4=normal flexion (withdrawal), 3=abnormal flexion (decorticate), 2=extension (decerebrate), 1=none.

## When to use

- Calculate a GCS total from documented eye, verbal, and motor responses.
- Record an intubated or otherwise untestable verbal response as V1t.
- Review the score band and report the E_M_V component string alongside the total.

## How it works

- Select the best Eye Opening response, scored from E1 to E4.
- Select the best Verbal Response, scored from V1 to V5, or choose 1t when verbal testing is not possible.
- Select the best Motor Response, scored from M1 to M6.
- The calculator adds E + V + M, returns the GCS total from 3 to 15, and assigns a severity band.

## Use cases

- Documenting consciousness in trauma and traumatic brain injury assessments.
- Supporting neurological observations in emergency and critical care settings.
- Standardizing GCS calculations when reporting eye, verbal, and motor components.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?

The GCS measures consciousness using eye opening, verbal response, and motor response scores.

### What is the GCS score range?

The total ranges from 3 to 15.

### How is the GCS total calculated?

Add the Eye Opening, Verbal Response, and Motor Response values: GCS = E + V + M.

### How does the calculator handle an intubated patient?

Choose 1t for an intubated or untestable verbal response. It counts as V = 1 and is annotated in the result.

### What do the GCS severity bands mean?

Scores of 13–15 are mild, 9–12 are moderate, and 3–8 are severe. The result does not replace clinical assessment.

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