CAT Score Calculator (COPD Assessment Test)
Add up the 8-item COPD Assessment Test (CAT) — cough, phlegm, chest tightness, breathlessness, activities, confidence, sleep and energy — total 0–40 with the impact level and the GOLD symptom cut-off of 10.
How it works
CAT = sum of 8 items, each rated 0 (best) to 5 (worst); range 0–40. Impact: under 10 low, 10–20 medium, 21–30 high, over 30 very high. GOLD: CAT ≥ 10 = more symptoms.
The COPD Assessment Test (Jones et al., European Respiratory Journal 2009) is a short questionnaire on how COPD affects daily life, used in the GOLD report to separate patients with fewer and more symptoms. The item wording here is paraphrased; the official questionnaire is available free from the CAT website for clinical use. A change of 2 points or more is generally considered clinically meaningful.
Worked example
Ratings of cough 2, phlegm 2, chest tightness 1, breathlessness 3, home activities 2, confidence 1, sleep 1 and energy 2 add up to a CAT score of 14 / 40 — medium impact, and “more symptoms” for GOLD grouping (CAT 10 or more).
Sources: COPD Assessment Test (CAT) — official site · Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease — GOLD Report
Frequently asked questions
What is a good CAT score?
Below 10 means COPD has a low impact on daily life; people without COPD usually score under about 6. 10–20 is medium, 21–30 high and above 30 very high impact.
What CAT change is meaningful?
A change of about 2 points is the minimal clinically important difference — for example after pulmonary rehabilitation or during recovery from an exacerbation.
How often should the CAT be done?
It is quick enough to complete at each review (often every 3–6 months) to track symptoms over time and guide the GOLD group assignment.
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Clinical decision tool for education and for use by trained clinicians alongside clinical judgement — not a diagnosis and not a substitute for medical assessment. Formulas and cut-offs come from the cited sources; local protocols may differ.