Braden Scale Calculator (Pressure Injury Risk)
Score the Braden Scale for predicting pressure injury (pressure ulcer) risk — sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, friction and shear — total 6–23 with the risk level.
How it works
Braden = sensory perception (1–4) + moisture (1–4) + activity (1–4) + mobility (1–4) + nutrition (1–4) + friction and shear (1–3); range 6–23. Risk: 19–23 none · 15–18 mild · 13–14 moderate · 10–12 high · ≤ 9 very high.
The Braden Scale (Bergstrom and Braden, 1987) is the most widely used nursing tool for predicting pressure injury risk in adults. Six subscales are scored, with lower scores meaning greater risk; a total of 18 or less is the usual threshold for starting a prevention plan (repositioning, pressure-redistributing surfaces, moisture management and nutritional support). Looking at which subscales score low is as useful as the total, because prevention targets those specific problems.
Worked example
A chairfast patient (activity 2) with very limited mobility (2), slightly limited sensation (3), occasional moisture (3), probably inadequate nutrition (2) and a potential friction problem (2) scores 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 14 / 23 — moderate risk.
Sources: Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk — bradenscale.com · Braden Scale — Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Rehabilitation Measures
Frequently asked questions
What Braden score is high risk?
A score of 10–12 is high risk and 9 or below very high risk. Most facilities start preventive measures at 18 or below, and some use 16 for younger adults.
How often should the Braden Scale be done?
On admission and then according to the setting — commonly every shift or daily in acute and intensive care, weekly for the first month in long-term care, and whenever the patient’s condition changes.
Is there a Braden Scale for children?
Yes — the Braden Q scale adds tissue perfusion and oxygenation and is used for children from about 3 weeks to 8 years.
Related calculators
Clinical decision tool for education and for use by trained clinicians alongside clinical judgement — not a diagnosis and not a substitute for medical assessment. Scores validated in specific populations may not apply to every patient.