APGAR Score Calculator

What Is the APGAR Score? The APGAR score is a quick assessment of a newborn’s health at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. Developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar (USA, Columbia University, 1952). The name is also an acronym: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration. Each of 5 criteria is scored 0, 1, or 2 — maximum total score is 10.

The 5 Criteria

Appearance (skin color): 0 = Blue or pale all over (cyanosis) 1 = Body pink, extremities blue (acrocyanosis) 2 = Pink all over (no cyanosis)

Pulse (heart rate): 0 = Absent (no heartbeat) 1 = Below 100 beats per minute 2 = 100 beats per minute or above

Grimace (reflex irritability — response to stimulation): 0 = No response to airway suctioning 1 = Grimace only (minimal response) 2 = Sneeze, cough, or pulls away (strong response)

Activity (muscle tone): 0 = Limp (no muscle tone) 1 = Some flexion of arms and legs 2 = Active motion, fully flexed limbs

Respiration: 0 = Absent (no breathing) 1 = Slow, irregular breathing or weak cry 2 = Strong, regular breathing and vigorous cry

Score Interpretation 7–10: Normal. Baby is in good health. Continue routine monitoring. 4–6: Moderately abnormal. Baby may need some medical intervention (oxygen, stimulation). 0–3: Critically low. Immediate medical intervention required (resuscitation).

Timing Score at 1 minute: initial response to extrauterine life. Score at 5 minutes: response to resuscitation (if needed) and ongoing adaptation. If score is < 7 at 5 minutes, score again at 10 minutes. Most healthy babies score 7–9 at 1 minute and 8–10 at 5 minutes. A score of 10 is rare — some blueness in the extremities is normal briefly after birth.