What is the Karnofsky Performance Status scale?

The KPS scale is a clinical tool that rates a patient's functional capacity from 0 (dead) to 100 (normal, no complaints) in steps of 10. Developed by Dr. David Karnofsky in 1949, it remains widely used in oncology to guide treatment and assess prognosis.

How does KPS differ from ECOG Performance Status?

KPS uses a 0–100 scale in steps of 10, while ECOG uses a simpler 0–5 scale. Both measure functional status; a KPS of 100–80 roughly corresponds to ECOG 0–1, KPS 70–60 to ECOG 2, KPS 50–40 to ECOG 3, and KPS 30–10 to ECOG 4.

What KPS score is typically required for chemotherapy?

Most oncology protocols require a KPS of 60 or higher (able to care for self but unable to work) for patients to receive standard chemotherapy. Patients with KPS below 40 are generally considered too ill for aggressive treatment.

Is this tool a medical device?

No. This is a reference lookup tool only. All clinical decisions must be made by a qualified healthcare professional based on direct patient assessment and the full clinical picture.

Karnofsky Performance Status

Look up and document a patient's Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score (0–100) with the clinical description for each level.

Select KPS Score

Score: 100 Normal

050100

100

Normal Activity

Normal, no complaints, no evidence of disease.

Patient is fully functional with no restrictions on activity. No signs of disease are present.

Full KPS Reference

Score	Description

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Summary

The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale is a standardized measure used in oncology and palliative care to assess a patient's functional ability. Scores range from 0 (dead) to 100 (no impairment) in steps of 10. Clinicians use KPS to guide treatment decisions, predict prognosis, and document functional decline over time.

How it works

Select a KPS score from 0 to 100 (multiples of 10) using the slider or score buttons.
The corresponding clinical description and functional category appear immediately.
Use the copy button to copy the score and description for documentation.
Consult the full reference table to compare all levels at a glance.

Use cases

Documenting a patient's baseline functional status before starting chemotherapy.
Tracking functional decline over successive oncology clinic visits.
Determining eligibility for clinical trial enrollment based on KPS cutoff criteria.
Supporting palliative care and hospice referral decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-15 · Reviewed by Nham Vu