Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) Calculator

Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale 0–100 for assessing functional status.

For educational and clinical reference. Not a substitute for medical judgment. See the medical disclaimer.
Score
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Interpretation
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References

  1. Karnofsky DA, Burchenal JH. The clinical evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer. In: MacLeod CM, ed. Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Agents. New York: Columbia University Press; 1949:191-205.

How to use

  1. Select the descriptor that best matches the patient.
  2. The KPS score (0–100) and interpretation update instantly.
  3. Re-assess at each visit; KPS decline often signals worsening disease.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Karnofsky Performance Scale?

An 11-level (0–100, step 10) scale for assessing functional status in cancer patients and other chronic illnesses. Higher = more functional.

KPS vs ECOG?

KPS has finer granularity (11 levels) but ECOG (0–5) has higher inter-rater reliability and is more common in modern oncology trials. They map approximately: KPS 100→ECOG 0, 80–90→ECOG 1, 60–70→ECOG 2, 40–50→ECOG 3, 10–30→ECOG 4.

How is KPS used clinically?

KPS guides chemotherapy eligibility, hospice eligibility (KPS ≤ 70 is one criterion), and clinical trial inclusion criteria.

Does KPS predict survival?

Yes — lower KPS strongly correlates with shorter survival across many cancer types and in end-of-life care.

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