Sepsis Calculator — qSOFA Score
Screen for sepsis risk at the bedside using the quick SOFA (qSOFA) score. Enter the patient's respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, and level of consciousness — a score of 2 or more indicates high risk and warrants further assessment for organ dysfunction.
breaths/min
mmHg
Mentation (level of consciousness)
< 2 — lower risk; monitor and reassess as clinical picture evolves
- 1
Respiratory rate point
RR 18 ≥ 22? = 0< 22 breaths/min → 0 points - 2
Systolic BP point
SBP 110 ≤ 100? = 0 - 3
Mentation point
Mentation normal = 0 - 4
qSOFA score
0 + 0 + 0 = 0
How does this calculator work?
qSOFA = 1 point each for respiratory rate ≥ 22/min, systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg, and altered mentation (GCS < 15). Score ≥ 2 of 3 signals high sepsis risk and warrants further assessment. Based on Sepsis-3 definitions (Singer et al., JAMA 2016). For educational use only — not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Formula
How this is calculated
The quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score was introduced with the Sepsis-3 consensus definitions (Singer et al., JAMA 2016) as a rapid bedside tool for non-ICU settings. It comprises three criteria, each scoring 1 point: respiratory rate ≥ 22 breaths/min, systolic blood pressure ≤ 100 mmHg, and altered mentation (Glasgow Coma Score < 15, new confusion, or drowsiness). The total ranges from 0 to 3; a score of ≥ 2 identifies patients at greater risk for sepsis-related organ dysfunction and in-hospital mortality, and prompts further evaluation (e.g., blood cultures, lactate, SOFA score).
qSOFA was designed for speed: it requires no laboratory tests and can be assessed in seconds. However, it has lower sensitivity than SIRS criteria for ruling out sepsis, meaning a score of 0 or 1 does not exclude infection-related deterioration. It should be used alongside clinical judgment, vital-sign trends, and knowledge of the patient's baseline.
This tool is for educational and screening purposes only. Clinical decisions must be made by qualified healthcare professionals using the full clinical picture, including history, examination, and laboratory results.
Frequently asked questions
Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection (Sepsis-3, 2016). Not all infections cause sepsis — sepsis occurs when the immune response itself begins damaging the body's own tissues and organs, causing deterioration beyond what the infection alone explains.
The full SOFA score uses six organ systems and requires laboratory values (PaO₂, creatinine, bilirubin, platelet count). qSOFA uses only three clinical parameters measurable at the bedside, making it faster but less comprehensive. A qSOFA ≥ 2 is an indication to calculate the full SOFA score.
A score of ≥ 2 suggests that further evaluation for sepsis is warranted. Standard next steps include obtaining blood cultures, measuring lactate, initiating intravenous fluids, and applying the "Sepsis Six" bundle per local protocols. Immediate escalation to senior clinicians or critical care is often appropriate.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Sepsis Calculator — qSOFA Score [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/sepsis-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Sepsis Calculator — qSOFA Score." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/sepsis-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Sepsis Calculator — qSOFA Score," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/sepsis-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_sepsis_calculator, title = {Sepsis Calculator — qSOFA Score}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/sepsis-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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