What is the SOFA score used for?

SOFA quantifies the degree of organ dysfunction across six systems in ICU patients. It is used to describe morbidity, estimate mortality, and — per the 2016 Sepsis-3 consensus — to define sepsis as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection (SOFA ≥ 2 from baseline in the setting of suspected infection).

How does SOFA differ from qSOFA?

The full SOFA score requires lab values and is calculated in the ICU. qSOFA (quick SOFA) uses only three bedside criteria — altered mental status, respiratory rate ≥ 22/min, and systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg — making it useful for rapid screening outside the ICU. A qSOFA score ≥ 2 should prompt full evaluation including SOFA calculation.

What SOFA score indicates high mortality?

A total SOFA score of 0–6 is associated with 80%; and scores of 15–24 can exceed 90% mortality. Serial increases of ≥ 2 points during the ICU stay carry the highest risk regardless of initial score.

Can I use urine output instead of creatinine for the renal component?

Yes. The SOFA renal subscore can be assigned based on either serum creatinine or 24-hour urine output, whichever yields the higher (worse) score. This calculator allows you to select the higher-scoring option. In oliguric patients, urine output < 500 mL/day scores 3 points, and < 200 mL/day scores 4 points.

Does the SOFA score apply to non-ICU patients?

SOFA was validated in ICU populations and requires lab values typically obtained in that setting. For ward patients or emergency triage, qSOFA, NEWS, or MEWS may be more practical. The SOFA score loses predictive accuracy when applied outside its intended context.

Is this tool a substitute for clinical judgment?

No. This calculator is for educational use only. SOFA scores must be interpreted alongside the full clinical picture, including the clinical trajectory, treatment context, and patient values. All medical decisions should be made by qualified clinicians. Never use this tool as the sole basis for any treatment, triage, or prognosis discussion.

SOFA Score Calculator

Name: SOFA Score Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter values for 6 organ systems (respiratory, coagulation, liver, cardiovascular, neurological, renal) to calculate the SOFA score and estimate ICU mortality risk.

For educational use only. Not a substitute for clinical judgment. All SOFA scores must be interpreted by qualified clinicians in the context of the full patient presentation.

Organ System Parameters

1 Respiratory — PaO₂/FiO₂ Ratio (mmHg)

2 Coagulation — Platelets (×10³/μL)

Normal: 150–400 × 10³/μL

3 Liver — Total Bilirubin (mg/dL)

Normal: 0.1–1.2 mg/dL

4 Cardiovascular — MAP / Vasopressors

5 Neurological — Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

6 Renal — Creatinine or Urine Output

Creatinine (mg/dL)

Normal: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL

Urine Output (mL/day)

Leave blank to score by creatinine only

Fill in the organ system values
and click Calculate.

SOFA Score Reference Table

System	0 pts	1 pt	2 pts	3 pts	4 pts
Respiratory PaO₂/FiO₂	≥ 400	300–399	200–299	100–199 + MV	< 100 + MV
Coagulation Platelets ×10³/μL	≥ 150	< 150	< 100	< 50	< 20
Liver Bilirubin mg/dL	< 1.2	1.2–1.9	2.0–5.9	6.0–11.9	≥ 12.0
Cardiovascular MAP / Vasopressors	MAP ≥ 70	MAP < 70	Dopa ≤ 5 or Dobu	Dopa > 5 or E/NE ≤ 0.1	Dopa > 15 or E/NE > 0.1
Neurological GCS	15	13–14	10–12	6–9	< 6
Renal Creatinine mg/dL	< 1.2	1.2–1.9	2.0–3.4	3.5–4.9 or UO < 500	≥ 5.0 or UO < 200

Summary

Enter values for 6 organ systems (respiratory, coagulation, liver, cardiovascular, neurological, renal) to calculate the SOFA score and estimate ICU mortality risk.

How it works

Select the PaO2/FiO2 ratio range for the respiratory system (higher ratio = better oxygenation).
Enter the platelet count (×10³/μL) for coagulation assessment.
Enter the serum bilirubin (mg/dL) for liver function.
Select the cardiovascular status (MAP and vasopressor requirements).
Select the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score for neurological status.
Enter the serum creatinine (mg/dL) or select if the patient is anuric/oliguric.
Click Calculate to get the total SOFA score, per-system subscores, and an estimated mortality range.

Use cases

Quantify organ dysfunction severity on ICU admission and track trajectory over time.
Apply the Sepsis-3 definition: a SOFA increase ≥ 2 from baseline indicates organ dysfunction due to infection.
Estimate ICU and hospital mortality to guide goals-of-care conversations.
Communicate patient acuity between clinical teams using a standardized, reproducible score.
Support triage decisions during mass-casualty events or resource-limited settings.
Benchmark ICU performance and case-mix adjustment in quality-improvement research.
Use the quick SOFA (qSOFA) mental model when full labs are unavailable (this tool computes full SOFA).
Document baseline organ function at ICU admission for serial comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2026-05-23 · Reviewed by Nham Vu