# What is the Berg balance score? 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. - Page: https://www.acalculator.org/health/berg-balance-calculator - JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/health/berg-balance-calculator.json - Version: 41be24af4b04 ## Default answer 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). ## Inputs | Key | Label | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | t1 | 1. Sitting to standing | 1. Sitting to standing: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t2 | 2. Standing unsupported | 2. Standing unsupported: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t3 | 3. Sitting unsupported | 3. Sitting unsupported: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t4 | 4. Standing to sitting | 4. Standing to sitting: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t5 | 5. Transfers | 5. Transfers: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t6 | 6. Standing with eyes closed | 6. Standing with eyes closed: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t7 | 7. Standing with feet together | 7. Standing with feet together: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t8 | 8. Reaching forward | 8. Reaching forward: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t9 | 9. Picking up an object from the floor | 9. Picking up an object from the floor: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t10 | 10. Turning to look behind | 10. Turning to look behind: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t11 | 11. Turning 360 degrees | 11. Turning 360 degrees: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t12 | 12. Placing alternate foot on a stool | 12. Placing alternate foot on a stool: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t13 | 13. Standing with one foot in front | 13. Standing with one foot in front: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | | t14 | 14. Standing on one leg | 14. Standing on one leg: pick the level that matches, 4 (best) to 0. | ## Outputs | Key | Label | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | score | Berg balance score | The total of the 14 tasks, 0 to 56. | | cutoff | Against the cutoff of 45 | Berg 1992 found a greater risk of falls below 45. | ## 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. ## Assumptions - 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. ## Worked examples 1. t1 = 4, t2 = 4, t3 = 4, t4 = 4, t5 = 4, t6 = 4, t7 = 4, t8 = 4, t9 = 4, t10 = 4, t11 = 4, t12 = 4, t13 = 4, t14 = 4 gives score = 56, cutoff = 45 or more. Source: Berg 1989 scale: 14 × 4 = 56. 2. t1 = 4, t2 = 4, t3 = 4, t4 = 3, t5 = 3, t6 = 3, t7 = 3, t8 = 3, t9 = 3, t10 = 3, t11 = 3, t12 = 3, t13 = 3, t14 = 3 gives score = 45, cutoff = 45 or more. Source: Berg 1992 cutoff: 3 × 4 + 11 × 3 = 45, at the cutoff. 3. t1 = 4, t2 = 4, t3 = 3, t4 = 3, t5 = 3, t6 = 3, t7 = 3, t8 = 3, t9 = 3, t10 = 3, t11 = 3, t12 = 3, t13 = 3, t14 = 3 gives score = 44, cutoff = Under 45. Source: Berg 1992 cutoff: 2 × 4 + 12 × 3 = 44, under 45. 4. t1 = 2, t2 = 2, t3 = 2, t4 = 2, t5 = 2, t6 = 2, t7 = 2, t8 = 1, t9 = 1, t10 = 1, t11 = 1, t12 = 1, t13 = 1, t14 = 1 gives score = 21, cutoff = Under 45. Source: Berg 1989 scale: 7 × 2 + 7 × 1 = 21. ## FAQ ### 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. ## Sources - Berg K, Wood-Dauphinee S, Williams JI, Gayton D. Measuring balance in the elderly: preliminary development of an instrument. Physiotherapy Canada. 1989;41(6):304-311. https://doi.org/10.3138/ptc.41.6.304 (retrieved 2026-10-05) - Berg KO, Wood-Dauphinee SL, Williams JI, Maki B. Measuring balance in the elderly: validation of an instrument. Can J Public Health. 1992;83 Suppl 2:S7-S11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1468055/ (retrieved 2026-10-05) - Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Rehabilitation Measures Database: Berg Balance Scale (items, the cutoff of 45, public domain). https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/berg-balance-scale (retrieved 2026-10-05) - NINDS Common Data Elements: Berg Balance Scale items and their 0 to 4 levels (citing Berg 1989), NIH CDE Repository. https://cde.nlm.nih.gov/deView?tinyId=WoGHRMKDkeE (retrieved 2026-10-05) - Stevenson TJ, Connelly DM, Murray JM, Huggett D, Overend T. Threshold Berg balance scale scores for gait-aid use in elderly subjects: a secondary analysis. Physiother Can. 2010;62(2):133-140 (states the 45 of the 1992 validation). https://doi.org/10.3138/physio.62.2.133 (open at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2871022/, retrieved 2026-10-05)