FLACC Pain Scale Calculator
Score the FLACC behavioural pain scale for infants, young children and non-verbal patients — Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability — total 0–10 with the pain level.
How it works
FLACC = Face (0–2) + Legs (0–2) + Activity (0–2) + Cry (0–2) + Consolability (0–2); range 0–10. 0 relaxed · 1–3 mild discomfort · 4–6 moderate pain · 7–10 severe discomfort or pain.
The FLACC scale (Merkel, Voepel-Lewis, Shayevitz and Malviya, 1997) rates pain from behaviour in children too young to use a self-report scale — typically 2 months to 7 years — and in older patients who cannot communicate. Observe the child for 1–5 minutes (awake: with legs and body uncovered; asleep: for at least 5 minutes), score each category and add them up. The 0–10 total lines up with the familiar numeric pain scales, so it can guide and re-check analgesia.
Worked example
A toddler after surgery who frowns now and then (1), is restless (1), squirms (1), whimpers (1) and settles with cuddling (1) scores 5 / 10 — moderate pain.
Frequently asked questions
What age is the FLACC scale for?
It was validated in children from 2 months to 7 years and is also used for older children and adults who cannot self-report pain, such as those with cognitive impairment or who are sedated.
What FLACC score needs pain relief?
Many units treat a score of 4 or more (moderate pain) and reassess after the intervention, but any score should be interpreted together with the clinical situation.
Is there a revised FLACC?
Yes. The revised FLACC (r-FLACC) adds behaviours typical of children with cognitive disability, with the same 0–10 scoring.
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.