CURB-65 Score Calculator
Calculate the CURB-65 score to assess pneumonia severity and guide decisions about hospital admission and antibiotic treatment according to UK guidelines.
CURB-65 Score
Recommended Management
Antibiotic Guidance
About CURB-65 Score
The CURB-65 score is a clinical prediction rule used to determine the severity of community-acquired pneumonia and likely mortality. It was derived by Lim and colleagues (2003) for the British Thoracic Society, and NICE guideline NG250 uses it for adults assessed in hospital. In the community, NICE uses CRB65, which leaves out urea.
Components:
- Confusion: New onset confusion, disorientation, or AMT score ≤ 8
- Urea: Blood urea nitrogen > 7 mmol/L (19 mg/dL)
- Respiratory rate: ≥ 30 breaths per minute
- Blood pressure: Systolic BP < 90 mmHg or Diastolic BP ≤ 60 mmHg
- 65: Age ≥ 65 years
Interpretation:
| Score | Severity (NICE NG250) | 30-day mortality risk | Place of care to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 or 1 | Low | Less than 3% | Home-based care, with clinical judgement |
| 2 | Intermediate | 3% to 15% | Hospital-based care |
| 3 to 5 | High | More than 15% | Hospital-based care; consider critical care assessment, especially at 4 or 5 |
Note: This calculator is intended for healthcare professionals. Clinical judgment should always be used alongside the CURB-65 score when making decisions about patient management. Follow your local antimicrobial guidelines for specific antibiotic recommendations.
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.
- Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information from this tool.
- Clinical decision-making should always incorporate the full clinical context, patient preferences, and local protocols.
- The creators of this tool accept no liability for decisions made based on its output.
If you are a patient: please discuss any results with your healthcare provider. This tool is designed for use by medical professionals and may not be appropriate for self-assessment.
References
- Lim WS, van der Eerden MM, Laing R, et al. (2003). Defining community acquired pneumonia severity on presentation to hospital: an international derivation and validation study. Thorax, 58(5), 377-382.
- NICE (2025). Pneumonia: diagnosis and management (NG250).