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Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Calculator

Work out stroke scale (nihss) instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Calculator

Adds the eleven NIH Stroke Scale item scores and maps the 0 to 42 total onto the conventional severity bands.

Formula

NIHSS bands

0 no symptoms; 1-4 minor; 5-15 moderate; 16-20 moderate to severe; 21-42 severe

Worked example

With the default values below, Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Calculator returns NIHSS total of 11. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Points from items 1-5 (consciousness, gaze, visual fields, palsy, arm motor)accepts 0–20
6
Points from items 6-8 (leg motor, ataxia, sensory)accepts 0–9
3
Points from items 9-11 (language, speech, extinction)accepts 0–13
2

Results

NIHSS total
11
Severity band
Moderate stroke
Maximum possible score
42
Share of the maximum
26.2%

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2NIHSS bands
  3. 3NIHSS total= 11
  4. 4Severity band= Moderate stroke
  5. 5Maximum possible score= 42
  6. 6Share of the maximum= 26.2

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does NIHSS matter for treatment?

It quantifies deficit severity, informs thrombolysis and thrombectomy decisions and tracks change over time.

Does it weight all deficits equally?

No. It under-represents posterior circulation strokes, where large deficits can score low.

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