Apgar Score Calculator

Apgar Score Calculator

Neonatal assessment at 1 & 5 minutes · Based on AAP / ACOG 2023 guidelines

Assessment timing
Five criteria  —  select observed finding
A — Activity (muscle tone) Observe limb and body tone
2
P — Pulse (heart rate) Auscultation or pulse oximetry
2
G — Grimace (reflex irritability) Response to suction / stimulation
2
A — Appearance (skin colour) Observe trunk and extremities
2
R — Respiration (breathing effort) Rate, rhythm and cry quality
2
Normal
Score ≥ 7 indicates good neonatal condition. Continue routine post-delivery care and reassess at 5 minutes.
A:2 P:2 G:2 A:2 R:2
0–3 critical4–6 low7–10 normal
Score interpretation guide (AAP / ACOG 2023)
ScoreInterpretationRecommended action
7 – 10NormalRoutine newborn care; repeat at 5 min
4 – 6Moderately lowSupplemental O₂, tactile stimulation, close monitoring
0 – 3Critically lowImmediate resuscitation per NRP algorithm

Mnemonic: APGAR — Activity · Pulse · Grimace · Appearance · Respiration  ·  AAP / ACOG Committee Opinion 2023  ·  All calculations run locally

Clinical references
  • 1.Apgar V. A proposal for a new method of evaluation of the newborn infant. Curr Res Anesth Analg. 1953;32(4):260–267.
  • 2.American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) & American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Guidelines for Perinatal Care. 9th ed. 2023. Chapter on Neonatal Assessment.
  • 3.Committee on Obstetric Practice, AAP Committee on Fetus and Newborn. The Apgar Score. Pediatrics. 2023;151(1):e2022060440. doi:10.1542/peds.2022-060440
  • 4.Weiner GM, et al. (eds). Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP). 8th ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2021.
  • 5.Papile LA, et al. Hypothermia and neonatal encephalopathy. Pediatrics. 2014;133(6):1146–1150. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-0899
  • 6.Casey BM, McIntire DD, Leveno KJ. The continuing value of the Apgar score for the assessment of newborn infants. N Engl J Med. 2001;344(7):467–471.
  • 7.Iliodromiti S, et al. Apgar score and the risk of cause-specific infant mortality: a population-based cohort study. Lancet. 2014;384(9956):1749–1755.
Frequently asked questions
Medical disclaimer

For educational and professional reference only. This Apgar Score Calculator is intended to support qualified neonatal and obstetric healthcare professionals. It is not a substitute for direct clinical assessment, professional judgment, or institutional resuscitation protocols.


The Apgar score is a rapid clinical tool and should not be used in isolation to determine the need for neonatal resuscitation — resuscitation decisions must be made immediately based on clinical observation and must not await a formal score. Per AAP / ACOG 2023 guidelines, a low Apgar score prompts clinical action; it does not by itself diagnose birth asphyxia, hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), or predict long-term neurological outcome.

Serial scoring at 1, 5, and (where indicated) 10 minutes provides a dynamic picture of neonatal adaptation. A score that remains ≤ 3 at 10–20 minutes is associated with increased risk of adverse neurological outcomes and should prompt consideration of therapeutic hypothermia criteria per current neonatal encephalopathy protocols.

Apgar scores may be influenced by gestational age, maternal medications (particularly opioids and magnesium sulphate), and congenital anomalies — and should be interpreted in clinical context.

This tool does not store, transmit, or process any patient-identifiable information. All calculations occur locally in the user's browser. The authors assume no liability for clinical decisions made using this tool.

Last reviewed: January 2026 · AAP/ACOG 2023 Committee Opinion incorporated · NRP 8th Edition 2021 aligned