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What is the Berg balance score?

Pick the level for each of the 14 tasks of the Berg Balance Scale to get the total out of 56 and see how it compares with the cutoff of 45. For information only. This is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Do not use it to make treatment decisions without a clinician. No licensed clinician has reviewed this page.

Your numbers

Berg balance score
56

The Berg balance score is 56 out of 56 (45 or more).

45 or more

  1. Under 45: greater fall risk
  2. 45 or more
Against the cutoff of 45
45 or more

Berg balance score: 56. The Berg balance score is 56 out of 56 (45 or more).

Berg score out of 56

This calculator gives general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor or other health care provider. Talk with a professional about your results. Terms of use

How to calculate

Adds up the 14 tasks of the Berg Balance Scale (Berg 1989), each scored 0 to 4, to a score out of 56, and shows whether it is under the cutoff of 45 linked to a greater risk of falls.

Example with the default inputs (1. Sitting to standing 4: Stands without using hands, steady, 2. Standing unsupported 4: Stands safely for 2 minutes, 3. Sitting unsupported 4: Sits safely for 2 minutes, 4. Standing to sitting 4: Sits safely with little use of hands, 5. Transfers 4: Transfers safely with little use of hands, 6. Standing with eyes closed 4: Stands 10 seconds safely, 7. Standing with feet together 4: Feet together alone, 1 minute safely, 8. Reaching forward 4: Reaches forward 25 cm (10 in) confidently, 9. Picking up an object from the floor 4: Picks it up safely and easily, 10. Turning to look behind 4: Looks behind from both sides, shifts weight well, 11. Turning 360 degrees 4: Turns safely in 4 seconds or less each way, 12. Placing alternate foot on a stool 4: Alone and safe, 8 steps in 20 seconds, 13. Standing with one foot in front 4: Feet in line (tandem) alone, 30 seconds, 14. Standing on one leg 4: Lifts a leg alone and holds over 10 seconds): The Berg balance score is 56 out of 56 (45 or more).

Method: Berg score = the sum of 14 tasks, each scored 0 to 4 (total 0 to 56). Under 45: the cutoff Berg 1992 linked to more falls.

  • Developed and tested in older adults (Berg 1989, 1992); later studies used it after stroke and in other groups.
  • Score each task at the lowest level that applies, as the scale directs.

Machine-readable copies: Markdown, JSON.

Worked examples

Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.

  1. 1. Sitting to standing 4: Stands without using hands, steady, 2. Standing unsupported 4: Stands safely for 2 minutes, 3. Sitting unsupported 4: Sits safely for 2 minutes, 4. Standing to sitting 4: Sits safely with little use of hands, 5. Transfers 4: Transfers safely with little use of hands, 6. Standing with eyes closed 4: Stands 10 seconds safely, 7. Standing with feet together 4: Feet together alone, 1 minute safely, 8. Reaching forward 4: Reaches forward 25 cm (10 in) confidently, 9. Picking up an object from the floor 4: Picks it up safely and easily, 10. Turning to look behind 4: Looks behind from both sides, shifts weight well, 11. Turning 360 degrees 4: Turns safely in 4 seconds or less each way, 12. Placing alternate foot on a stool 4: Alone and safe, 8 steps in 20 seconds, 13. Standing with one foot in front 4: Feet in line (tandem) alone, 30 seconds, 14. Standing on one leg 4: Lifts a leg alone and holds over 10 seconds gives Berg balance score 56, Against the cutoff of 45 45 or more.Source: Berg 1989 scale: 14 × 4 = 56
  2. 1. Sitting to standing 4: Stands without using hands, steady, 2. Standing unsupported 4: Stands safely for 2 minutes, 3. Sitting unsupported 4: Sits safely for 2 minutes, 4. Standing to sitting 3: Controls the descent using hands, 5. Transfers 3: Transfers safely but needs hands, 6. Standing with eyes closed 3: Stands 10 seconds with supervision, 7. Standing with feet together 3: Feet together alone, 1 minute with supervision, 8. Reaching forward 3: Reaches forward 12 cm (5 in), 9. Picking up an object from the floor 3: Picks it up but needs supervision, 10. Turning to look behind 3: Looks behind one side only, 11. Turning 360 degrees 3: Turns safely one way only in 4 seconds or less, 12. Placing alternate foot on a stool 3: Alone, 8 steps in over 20 seconds, 13. Standing with one foot in front 3: One foot ahead of the other alone, 30 seconds, 14. Standing on one leg 3: Lifts a leg alone and holds 5 to 10 seconds gives Berg balance score 45, Against the cutoff of 45 45 or more.Source: Berg 1992 cutoff: 3 × 4 + 11 × 3 = 45, at the cutoff
  3. 1. Sitting to standing 4: Stands without using hands, steady, 2. Standing unsupported 4: Stands safely for 2 minutes, 3. Sitting unsupported 3: Sits 2 minutes with supervision, 4. Standing to sitting 3: Controls the descent using hands, 5. Transfers 3: Transfers safely but needs hands, 6. Standing with eyes closed 3: Stands 10 seconds with supervision, 7. Standing with feet together 3: Feet together alone, 1 minute with supervision, 8. Reaching forward 3: Reaches forward 12 cm (5 in), 9. Picking up an object from the floor 3: Picks it up but needs supervision, 10. Turning to look behind 3: Looks behind one side only, 11. Turning 360 degrees 3: Turns safely one way only in 4 seconds or less, 12. Placing alternate foot on a stool 3: Alone, 8 steps in over 20 seconds, 13. Standing with one foot in front 3: One foot ahead of the other alone, 30 seconds, 14. Standing on one leg 3: Lifts a leg alone and holds 5 to 10 seconds gives Berg balance score 44, Against the cutoff of 45 Under 45.Source: Berg 1992 cutoff: 2 × 4 + 12 × 3 = 44, under 45
  4. 1. Sitting to standing 2: Stands using hands after several tries, 2. Standing unsupported 2: Stands 30 seconds unsupported, 3. Sitting unsupported 2: Sits 30 seconds, 4. Standing to sitting 2: Uses the back of the legs against the chair, 5. Transfers 2: Transfers with spoken cues or supervision, 6. Standing with eyes closed 2: Stands 3 seconds, 7. Standing with feet together 2: Feet together alone, but under 30 seconds, 8. Reaching forward 1: Reaches forward but needs supervision, 9. Picking up an object from the floor 1: Cannot, and needs supervision while trying, 10. Turning to look behind 1: Needs supervision when turning, 11. Turning 360 degrees 1: Needs close supervision or spoken cues, 12. Placing alternate foot on a stool 1: Over 2 steps, needs minimal help, 13. Standing with one foot in front 1: Needs help to step, holds 15 seconds, 14. Standing on one leg 1: Tries, cannot hold 3 seconds, stays standing gives Berg balance score 21, Against the cutoff of 45 Under 45.Source: Berg 1989 scale: 7 × 2 + 7 × 1 = 21

Medical disclaimer

This calculator is for information and education only. It is not medical advice, and its result is not a diagnosis. Do not use it to start, stop, or change a treatment without a clinician who knows your health history. No licensed clinician has reviewed this page. This site's editors checked the formulas and worked examples against published sources. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number.

When this does not apply. The scale and the cutoff of 45 come from studies of older adults (Berg 1989 and 1992). The cutoff may differ after a stroke, with Parkinson's disease, or in other groups. People who cannot stand at all score low on most tasks, and a fit person reaches 56 easily, so the scale shows little change at either end.

How the score is worked out

Each task scores 0 to 4. The score is the sum of the 14 tasks, 0 to 56.

  1. Sitting to standing
  2. Standing unsupported (2 minutes)
  3. Sitting unsupported (2 minutes)
  4. Standing to sitting
  5. Transfers (chair to chair)
  6. Standing with eyes closed (10 seconds)
  7. Standing with feet together (1 minute)
  8. Reaching forward with the arm out (25 cm scores 4, 12 cm 3, 5 cm 2)
  9. Picking up an object from the floor
  10. Turning to look behind over each shoulder
  11. Turning 360 degrees (4 seconds or less each way scores 4)
  12. Placing alternate feet on a stool (8 steps in 20 seconds scores 4)
  13. Standing with one foot in front (30 seconds)
  14. Standing on one leg (over 10 seconds scores 4, 5 to 10 seconds 3, 3 seconds or more 2)

The page lists a short description of each level, 4 down to 0. Under 45 is shown as the cutoff linked to greater fall risk (Berg 1992); 45 or more is above it.

Worked examples by hand

Every task at 4. 14 × 4 = 56, 45 or more.

Three tasks at 4, eleven at 3. 12 + 33 = 45, at the cutoff (45 or more).

Two tasks at 4, twelve at 3. 8 + 36 = 44, under 45.

Seven tasks at 2, seven at 1. 14 + 7 = 21, under 45.

Other questions people ask

What is the Berg Balance Scale?

A test of balance in 14 everyday tasks, such as standing up, standing with eyes closed, reaching, turning, and standing on one leg. Berg and others published it in 1989. Each task scores 0 to 4, for a total of 0 to 56.

What is a good Berg score?

56 is the most. In their validation study, Berg and others (1992) proposed that a score under 45 calls for a walking aid or supervision, and found that the score predicted multiple falls in older residents. Under 45 is now widely used as a sign of greater fall risk. Other studies have suggested cutoffs from 45 to about 50 in different groups.

What does a score under 45 mean?

In Berg’s study it went with more falls. It is one sign among many; a fall risk assessment also looks at medicines, eyesight, the home, and past falls.

How do you score a task?

Score the lowest level that applies. If the person needs supervision for a task that they otherwise do alone, the lower level is used.

What do I need to run the test?

Two chairs (one with arms), a stopwatch, a ruler, a step or stool, and a slipper or shoe to pick up from the floor.

Is the scale free to use?

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab database, citing the NINDS common data elements, lists it as in the public domain.