Apgar Score Calculator

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Assess the health of newborn babies at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.

Observation Criteria

Appearance (Skin Color)

Pulse (Heart Rate)

Grimace (Reflex Irritability)

Activity (Muscle Tone)

Respiration (Breathing)

Score Analysis

Select the newborn's observations in each category to calculate the Apgar score.

Disclaimer: This tool is for clinical reference and training only. Actual newborn assessment requires specialized neonatal expertise.

About this calculator

Overview

The Apgar score is a simple and effective method to quickly summarize the health of newborn children. Developed in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar, it evaluates 5 criteria (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) to determine if a baby needs immediate medical care. It is typically performed at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth.

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Pro Tips

A low initial score doesn't necessarily mean the baby will have long-term health problems.
The Appearance score (skin color) is often the most subjective part of the assessment.
If a baby has a score below 7 at 5 minutes, the test is usually repeated every 5 minutes up to 20 minutes.
High pulse rate (above 100 bpm) is a standard good sign in a newborn.

Fun Facts

"Apgar stands for Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, and Respiration—the five areas assessed."
"The 1-minute score determines how well the baby tolerated the birthing process."
"The 5-minute score tells the doctor how well the baby is doing outside the mother's womb."
"A low score is common; many babies start with low scores at 1 minute and reach 7 or higher by 5 minutes."

Formula: Apgar = Appearance + Pulse + Grimace + Activity + Respiration (0-2 points each)