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APGAR Score Calculator

Score a newborn's clinical condition using Virginia Apgar's five-criterion system — each rated 0–2 points, evaluated at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.

1 minute after birth

5 minutes after birth

APGAR result

1-minute score

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5-minute score

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APGAR scoring chart

Sign012
Appearance (skin color)Blue / pale all overBody pink, extremities bluePink all over
Pulse (heart rate)No pulse detectableBelow 100 bpmAbove 100 bpm
Grimace (reflex irritability)No responseGrimaceCry, cough, or sneeze
Activity (muscle tone)LimpSome flexion of extremitiesActive motion
Respiration (breathing effort)AbsentSlow / irregularStrong cry

How it works

The APGAR score was developed in 1953 by anaesthesiologist Virginia Apgar. It rates five vital signs — Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration — with 0 to 2 points each. The total (0–10) is conventionally measured at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. Scores ≥ 7 are reassuring, 4–6 indicate moderate depression, and ≤ 3 are critical and require resuscitation.

This calculator helps structure the APGAR assessment and does not replace expert clinical judgement. Newborn evaluation requires hands-on experience. If any vital sign is impaired, immediately involve a midwife, obstetrician, or neonatologist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the APGAR score?+
The APGAR score is a quick newborn-assessment tool created in 1953 by Virginia Apgar. It rates five clinical signs (skin color, pulse, reflexes, muscle tone, breathing) with 0 to 2 points each, summing to a total between 0 and 10.
When is the APGAR score taken?+
Routinely at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. If the 5-minute score is below 7, the assessment is repeated every 5 minutes until it reaches 7 or higher — typically also at 10, 15, and 20 minutes.
What APGAR values are normal?+
Scores between 7 and 10 at 5 minutes are considered reassuring. 4–6 indicates moderate adaptation difficulty, while ≤ 3 reflects a severely depressed newborn requiring immediate resuscitation.
Does the APGAR score predict long-term outcome?+
The 1-minute score only describes immediate adaptation status and is not a prognostic tool. Persistently low 5-minute scores (≤ 3 over 10–20 minutes) correlate with elevated neurologic risk, but most low APGAR babies develop normally.
Who performs the APGAR scoring?+
Usually the midwife or obstetrician, often together with a neonatologist or paediatrician. Standardized, independent evaluation of each sign is essential.
What does APGAR stand for?+
APGAR is both the inventor's name (Virginia Apgar) and an acronym: Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing effort).

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Background

APGAR Score: How to Read 1- and 5-Minute Newborn Assessments

7 min