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Waterlow Scale

Waterlow Scale: calculated with the published clinical method, with result interpretation. A reference tool that does not replace a doctor's advice.

ℹ Reference calculation based on the published method. It does not replace a clinical examination or a doctor's decision.

Waterlow Scale

Female sex (1 = yes)
Ageyears
BMIkg/m²
Tissue-paper skin (1 = yes)
Dry skin (1 = yes)
Oedematous skin (1 = yes)
Clammy skin or pyrexia (1 = yes)
Discoloured skin, grade 1 (1 = yes)
Broken skin, grade 2–4 (1 = yes)
Urinary incontinence (1 = yes)
Faecal incontinence (1 = yes)
Mobility: 0 fully mobile, 1 restless/fidgety, 2 apathetic, 3 restricted, 4 bedbound, 5 chairbound
Recent weight losskg
Weight loss unknown (1 = yes)
Eating poorly or lack of appetite (1 = yes)
Terminal cachexia (1 = yes)
Multiple organ failure (1 = yes)
Single organ failure: respiratory, renal, cardiac (1 = yes)
Peripheral vascular disease (1 = yes)
Anaemia, Hb <8 g/dL (1 = yes)
Current smoker (1 = yes)
Neurological deficit: 0 none, 4–6 by severity (diabetes, MS, stroke, paraplegia)points
Orthopaedic surgery below the waist or spinal (1 = yes)
Time on the operating tableh
Cytotoxics, long-term/high-dose steroids, anti-inflammatories (1 = yes)
Waterlow score (2005)
13points
Waterlow score card, 2005 revisionSurgery points may be discounted after 48 h if recovery is normalNeurological deficit scores 4–6; values 1–3 are counted as 4Reference calculation; the decision rests with the physicianWaterlow Scale: calculated with the published clinical method, with result interpretation. A reference tool that does not replace a doctor's advice.
Pressure ulcer risk
At risk
Nutrition (MST)
2

More about: Waterlow Scale

What it calculates

The “Waterlow Scale” calculator computes Waterlow score (2005) in points from 25 parameters: female (1 = yes), age (years), bmi (kg/m²), tissue-paper skin (1 = yes), dry skin (1 = yes), oedematous skin (1 = yes), clammy skin or pyrexia (1 = yes), discoloured skin, grade 1 (1 = yes), broken skin, grade 2–4 (1 = yes), urinary incontinence (1 = yes), faecal incontinence (1 = yes), mobility: 0 fully mobile, 1 restless/fidgety, 2 apathetic, 3 restricted, 4 bedbound, 5 chairbound, recent weight loss (kg), weight loss unknown (1 = yes), eating poorly or lack of appetite (1 = yes), terminal cachexia (1 = yes), multiple organ failure (1 = yes), single organ failure: respiratory, renal, cardiac (1 = yes), peripheral vascular disease (1 = yes), anaemia, hb <8 g/dl (1 = yes), smoking (1 = yes), neurological deficit: 0 none, 4–6 by severity (diabetes, ms, stroke, paraplegia) (points), orthopaedic surgery below the waist or spinal (1 = yes), time on the operating table (h), cytotoxics, long-term/high-dose steroids, anti-inflammatories (1 = yes).

Used by professionals and patients to assess health metrics, dosages, and risks.

Example calculation

With parameters Female (1 = yes) = 1, Age = 78 years, BMI = 22 kg/m², Tissue-paper skin (1 = yes) = 0, Dry skin (1 = yes) = 1, Oedematous skin (1 = yes) = 0, Clammy skin or pyrexia (1 = yes) = 0, Discoloured skin, grade 1 (1 = yes) = 0, Broken skin, grade 2–4 (1 = yes) = 0, Urinary incontinence (1 = yes) = 1, Faecal incontinence (1 = yes) = 0, Mobility: 0 fully mobile, 1 restless/fidgety, 2 apathetic, 3 restricted, 4 bedbound, 5 chairbound = 3, Recent weight loss = 3 kg, Weight loss unknown (1 = yes) = 0, Eating poorly or lack of appetite (1 = yes) = 1, Terminal cachexia (1 = yes) = 0, Multiple organ failure (1 = yes) = 0, Single organ failure: respiratory, renal, cardiac (1 = yes) = 0, Peripheral vascular disease (1 = yes) = 0, Anaemia, Hb <8 g/dL (1 = yes) = 0, Smoking (1 = yes) = 0, Neurological deficit: 0 none, 4–6 by severity (diabetes, MS, stroke, paraplegia) = 0 points, Orthopaedic surgery below the waist or spinal (1 = yes) = 0, Time on the operating table = 0 h, Cytotoxics, long-term/high-dose steroids, anti-inflammatories (1 = yes) = 0 the result is 13 points (Waterlow score card, 2005 revision).

How to use

  1. Enter female (1 = yes), age, bmi, tissue-paper skin (1 = yes), dry skin (1 = yes), oedematous skin (1 = yes), clammy skin or pyrexia (1 = yes), discoloured skin, grade 1 (1 = yes), broken skin, grade 2–4 (1 = yes), urinary incontinence (1 = yes), faecal incontinence (1 = yes), mobility: 0 fully mobile, 1 restless/fidgety, 2 apathetic, 3 restricted, 4 bedbound, 5 chairbound, recent weight loss, weight loss unknown (1 = yes), eating poorly or lack of appetite (1 = yes), terminal cachexia (1 = yes), multiple organ failure (1 = yes), single organ failure: respiratory, renal, cardiac (1 = yes), peripheral vascular disease (1 = yes), anaemia, hb <8 g/dl (1 = yes), smoking (1 = yes), neurological deficit: 0 none, 4–6 by severity (diabetes, ms, stroke, paraplegia), orthopaedic surgery below the waist or spinal (1 = yes), time on the operating table and cytotoxics, long-term/high-dose steroids, anti-inflammatories (1 = yes) — each field above is adjustable with a slider.
  2. Waterlow score (2005) (points) is calculated automatically as you type.
  3. Check the worked example below to see the formula applied to real numbers.
  4. Copy the result or bookmark this calculator.

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FAQ

How is BMI calculated?
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². Example: 70 kg / (1.75 m)² = 22.9. The WHO normal range is 18.5–24.9; below that is underweight, 25–29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese.
Is BMI accurate for everyone?
No. BMI does not distinguish muscle from fat, so athletes may show a high BMI with low body fat. It is also less reliable for teenagers, pregnant people, older adults, and very tall or short individuals.
What are the BMI categories?
Underweight: below 18.5. Normal: 18.5–24.9. Overweight: 25–29.9. Obese class I: 30–34.9; class II: 35–39.9; class III: 40+.
What is a better measure than BMI?
Body fat percentage, waist-to-height ratio (aim for under 0.5), and waist circumference give a clearer picture of health than BMI alone.

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