Apgar score

In 1953, Virginia Apgar proposed a scheme to describe the condition of a newborn quickly after birth. Five signs are scored 0–2 points each; the total ranges from 0 to 10.

⚠︎ Learning tool for medical education – not for use in patients or for treatment decisions.

Calculator

Heart rate (pulse)
Respiration
Muscle tone (activity)
Reflex irritability (grimace)
Colour (appearance)
–points

🔒 Calculated only in your browser – nothing is stored or transmitted.

Classification (original publication)

ScoreClassification (original publication)
0–30–3 points
4–64–6 points
7–107–10 points

Timing

Apgar set the first assessment at 60 seconds after complete birth. Later it emerged that the 5-minute score correlates more closely with mortality and later neurological outcome than the 1-minute score (Apgar 1966). Documentation at 1, 5 and 10 minutes is common.

Grouping of scores

In 1966, Apgar herself grouped scores into 0–3, 4–6 and 7–10 to compare hospitals; grouped this way, the differences between institutions became negligible. The calculator shows these groups.

Limitations

According to the AAP and ACOG (2015), the Apgar score alone is neither evidence nor a consequence of asphyxia and does not predict mortality or neurological outcome in the individual infant. A score assigned during resuscitation is not equivalent to that of a spontaneously breathing infant. Assessing colour is limited in darker skin.

FAQ

What does APGAR stand for?▾

The name comes from Virginia Apgar. As a mnemonic it is often read as Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration.

When is the Apgar score assessed?▾

Originally 60 seconds after birth; today usually at 1, 5 and 10 minutes.

References

  1. Apgar V. A proposal for a new method of evaluation of the newborn infant. Curr Res Anesth Analg 1953;32:260–7. · PubMed
  2. Apgar V. The newborn (Apgar) scoring system. Reflections and advice. Pediatr Clin North Am 1966;13:645–50. · PubMed
  3. American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The Apgar score. Pediatrics 2015;136:819–22. · PubMed

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Intended purpose: learning tool for medical education only. Not intended for use in patients or for diagnostic or treatment decisions; not a medical device. Calculations follow the cited original publications; no guarantee of completeness or correctness. Last updated: 10/2026 · Dr. Pascal Bafteh