About the Braden Scale Calculator
The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk is the most widely used nursing tool for identifying adults at risk of pressure injuries (pressure ulcers or bedsores). Developed by Barbara Braden and Nancy Bergstrom and published in 1987, it rates six factors that affect either the intensity and duration of pressure or the skin’s tolerance of it: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction and shear.
Five subscales score from 1 (most impaired) to 4 (no impairment), and friction and shear scores from 1 to 3, so totals range from 6 to 23 — the lower the score, the higher the risk. In the original studies a cut-off of 16 identified every patient who went on to develop a pressure sore. Commonly used bands are: 15–18 at risk (sometimes called mild risk), 13–14 moderate risk, 10–12 high risk and 9 or below very high risk; 19–23 is generally regarded as not at risk.
The scale was validated in adult hospital and nursing home patients; the Braden Q scale is used for children. A Braden score supports, but never replaces, a full skin inspection and clinical judgement, and assessment should be repeated whenever a patient’s condition changes.
With the default inputs, the braden score is 16 / 23. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the braden scale calculator
- 1Assess the patient against the descriptors for each of the six subscales.
- 2Select the rating that best matches each subscale.
- 3Read the total score and risk level.
- 4Target the lowest-scoring subscales in the care plan and reassess regularly.
Formula and method
Each subscale is rated with defined descriptors, from 1 (worst) to 4 (best), except friction and shear, which runs from 1 to 3. The six ratings are added to give a total of 6 to 23; a lower total means a higher risk of developing a pressure injury.
Braden and Bergstrom reported that a cut-off of 16 gave 100% sensitivity in two prospective studies, with specificity of 64–90%. In practice, risk is usually banded as 15–18 at risk (often called mild risk), 13–14 moderate, 10–12 high and 9 or below very high risk, with 19–23 regarded as not at risk. Some settings use 18 as the threshold for older adults.
- Sensory, Moisture, Activity, Mobility, Nutrition
- Subscales scored 1–4
- Friction/shear
- Subscale scored 1–3
Worked examples
Chair-bound older patient
Sensory 3 + moisture 3 + activity 2 + mobility 3 + nutrition 3 + friction 2 = 16, in the at-risk (mild) band. Activity and friction/shear are the weakest areas.
Bedbound ICU patient
2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 10, a high-risk score that calls for an intensive prevention plan.
Very high risk
With every subscale at or near its lowest value, the total is 7 — very high risk.
Independent, mobile patient
All subscales are at their maximum, giving 23 — no identified pressure injury risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal Braden score?+
A score of 19 to 23 indicates no identified risk of pressure injury. Scores of 18 or below indicate increasing risk, from at risk / mild (15–18) through moderate (13–14) and high (10–12) to very high (9 or less).
What are the six Braden subscales?+
Sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction and shear. The first five are scored 1–4 and friction and shear 1–3.
How often should the Braden Scale be done?+
Typically on admission and then at regular intervals set by local policy — often every shift or daily in acute care and weekly in long-term care — and whenever the patient’s condition changes significantly.
Is a lower or higher Braden score worse?+
Lower is worse. Each subscale gives fewer points for greater impairment, so a low total means greater exposure to pressure and lower tissue tolerance.
Can the Braden Scale be used for children?+
The adult Braden Scale was developed for adults. The Braden Q scale adapts it for infants and children by adding tissue perfusion and oxygenation.
For healthcare professionals and education only. This calculator implements a published formula or score but is not a diagnosis and does not replace clinical judgment. Verify inputs and results against the original source before using them in patient care.