Wells PE Score Calculator — Pulmonary Embolism Risk
The Wells score stratifies patients into low, moderate, or high pre-test probability of pulmonary embolism using seven clinical criteria. Select each criterion that applies to generate the score and the corresponding recommended diagnostic pathway.
Clinical signs and symptoms of DVT (+3)
PE is #1 diagnosis or equally likely (+3)
Heart rate > 100 bpm (+1.5)
Immobilization or surgery in past 4 weeks (+1.5)
Previous DVT or PE (+1.5)
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) (+1)
Malignancy (active or treated in past 6 months) (+1)
Score range 0–12.5 pts • Low < 2 • Moderate 2–6 • High > 6
How does this calculator work?
Sum points for each applicable criterion: DVT signs (+3), PE most likely (+3), HR > 100 (+1.5), immobilization/surgery (+1.5), prior DVT/PE (+1.5), hemoptysis (+1), malignancy (+1). Score < 2 = low risk (~1.3% PE); 2–6 = moderate (~16%); > 6 = high (~65%). Two-level: ≤ 4 = PE unlikely; > 4 = PE likely.
Formula
How this is calculated
The Wells PE score (Wells et al., Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2000) is a validated clinical decision tool that combines history, symptoms, and clinical findings to estimate pre-test probability of pulmonary embolism. Seven criteria are assessed; each contributes a fixed number of points when present. The maximum possible score is 12.5 points.
In the three-tier model, a score below 2 is low risk (observed 2-week PE rate ~1.3%), 2–6 is moderate risk (~16%), and above 6 is high risk (~65%). The two-level simplified version classifies scores > 4 as 'PE likely' and ≤ 4 as 'PE unlikely', which is widely used alongside sensitive D-dimer testing: a negative D-dimer in the 'PE unlikely' group effectively rules out PE without imaging.
The score should always be interpreted in the clinical context. A positive D-dimer or a high/moderate Wells score typically leads to CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for definitive diagnosis. The two most heavily weighted criteria — DVT signs and 'PE is the most likely diagnosis' — both require clinical judgment; they cannot be applied algorithmically and require an experienced clinician.
Frequently asked questions
For Wells ≤ 4 ('PE unlikely'), a negative age-adjusted D-dimer (threshold = age × 10 µg/L for patients over 50) effectively rules out PE with a sensitivity > 97% in most studies. For Wells > 4 ('PE likely'), D-dimer is not used to exclude PE — proceed directly to CTPA.
This criterion relies on clinical gestalt — the physician's overall assessment that pulmonary embolism is the most probable diagnosis, or at least as probable as any alternative. It contributes 3 points, the maximum of any single criterion, which means it effectively determines the classification in borderline cases. It should be applied by an experienced clinician, not algorithmically.
The Wells score has been validated primarily in emergency department and hospital inpatient settings. Performance in primary care settings may differ. The YEARS algorithm and Geneva score are alternative tools developed in different settings. The 2019 ESC guidelines recommend the Wells or revised Geneva score alongside D-dimer for suspected PE.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Wells PE Score Calculator — Pulmonary Embolism Risk [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/wells-pe-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Wells PE Score Calculator — Pulmonary Embolism Risk." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/wells-pe-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Wells PE Score Calculator — Pulmonary Embolism Risk," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/wells-pe-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_wells_pe_calculator, title = {Wells PE Score Calculator — Pulmonary Embolism Risk}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/wells-pe-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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