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Revised Trauma Score Calculator

Calculate the Revised Trauma Score from GCS, systolic BP, and respiratory rate. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.

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Clinical Medicine

Revised Trauma Score Calculator

Calculate the Revised Trauma Score (RTS) from GCS, systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Estimates survival probability for blunt and penetrating trauma.

Last updated: January 2026Reviewed by NovaCalculator Medical Editorial Team

Calculator

Adjust values & calculate
15
120
16
Revised Trauma Score (RTS)
7.8408
out of 7.8408 maximum
GCS Code
4/4
weight: 0.9368
SBP Code
4/4
weight: 0.7326
RR Code
4/4
weight: 0.2908
Triage RTS (T-RTS)
12/12
Severity
Mild / Minor Trauma
Estimated Survival Probability
Blunt Trauma
95.2%
Penetrating Trauma
97.5%
Triage Category
Green (Minor / Walking Wounded)
Clinical Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and reference purposes only. Clinical decisions should never be based solely on scoring systems. Always use clinical judgment and institutional protocols. The survival probability estimates are based on historical TRISS coefficients and may not reflect current trauma care outcomes.
Your Result
RTS = 7.8408 | T-RTS = 12/12 | Survival (blunt): 95.2%
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Formula

RTS = 0.9368 x GCS_code + 0.7326 x SBP_code + 0.2908 x RR_code

Each physiological parameter (GCS, systolic BP, respiratory rate) is coded on a 0-4 scale, then multiplied by empirically derived weighting coefficients. GCS has the highest weight (0.9368) as the strongest survival predictor. Maximum RTS is 7.8408.

Last reviewed: January 2026

Worked Examples

Example 1: Alert Trauma Patient with Normal Vitals

A motorcycle crash patient presents with GCS 15, systolic BP 120 mmHg, and respiratory rate 16/min. Calculate the RTS.
Solution:
GCS 15 -> Code 4 (13-15 range) SBP 120 -> Code 4 (>89 range) RR 16 -> Code 4 (10-29 range) RTS = 0.9368(4) + 0.7326(4) + 0.2908(4) RTS = 3.7472 + 2.9304 + 1.1632 = 7.8408 T-RTS = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 Survival (blunt) = 98.8%
Result: RTS = 7.8408 | T-RTS = 12 | Survival: 98.8% | Minor Trauma

Example 2: Severely Injured Patient

A stabbing victim has GCS 8, systolic BP 70 mmHg, and respiratory rate 32/min. Calculate RTS and survival probability.
Solution:
GCS 8 -> Code 2 (6-8 range) SBP 70 -> Code 2 (50-75 range) RR 32 -> Code 3 (>29 range) RTS = 0.9368(2) + 0.7326(2) + 0.2908(3) RTS = 1.8736 + 1.4652 + 0.8724 = 4.2112 T-RTS = 2 + 2 + 3 = 7 Survival (penetrating) = 84.6%
Result: RTS = 4.2112 | T-RTS = 7 | Survival (penetrating): 84.6% | Moderate Trauma
Expert Insights

Background & Theory

The Revised Trauma Score Calculator applies the following established principles and formulas. Health and medicine calculators are grounded in validated physiological measurement methods established through decades of clinical research. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/mยฒ), a formula originating from Adolphe Quetelet's 19th-century statistical work and later codified by the WHO into standard classifications: underweight below 18.5, normal weight 18.5 to 24.9, overweight 25 to 29.9, and obese at 30 and above. Basal Metabolic Rate quantifies the minimum energy required to sustain life at rest. The Mifflin-St Jeor equation, published in 1990 and widely regarded as the most accurate for most adults, calculates BMR as (10 ร— weight in kg) + (6.25 ร— height in cm) โˆ’ (5 ร— age) ยฑ sex adjustment. The older Harris-Benedict equations, revised in 1984 by Roza and Shizgal, remain in common use. Total Daily Energy Expenditure is derived by multiplying BMR by a physical activity factor ranging from 1.2 for sedentary individuals to 1.9 for extremely active ones, following the methodology validated by doubly labeled water studies. Body fat percentage can be estimated without laboratory equipment using the U.S. Navy circumference method, which uses neck, waist, and hip measurements, or via BMI-derived equations adjusted for age and sex. The Jackson-Pollock skinfold method offers higher precision with calipers. Blood pressure classification, according to the American College of Cardiology and the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines, defines normal as below 120/80 mmHg, elevated as 120 to 129 systolic, and hypertension stage 1 as 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 diastolic. Target heart rate zones for aerobic exercise are derived from maximum heart rate estimates, most commonly using the formula 220 minus age in years, with moderate-intensity training typically defined as 50 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate and vigorous intensity at 70 to 85 percent, consistent with CDC and American Heart Association guidelines. These thresholds guide safe and effective cardiovascular conditioning.

History

The history behind the Revised Trauma Score Calculator traces back through the following developments. The history of health measurement stretches back to ancient Greece, where Hippocrates around 400 BCE laid the foundation for observational medicine by systematically recording patient symptoms, diet, and environment. His humoral theory, though scientifically superseded, established the principle that the body operates as an interconnected system subject to measurable imbalance. The transformation toward modern medicine accelerated in the 19th century. Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch developed germ theory in the 1860s and 1870s, identifying microorganisms as disease agents and enabling targeted interventions. Florence Nightingale, working during the Crimean War in the 1850s, introduced statistical analysis to nursing practice, demonstrating through data visualization that sanitation reduced mortality. Her work is foundational to evidence-based health measurement. The discovery of vitamins in the early 20th century, beginning with Casimir Funk's coinage of the term in 1912 and culminating in the isolation of vitamins A through K, created the field of nutritional science and gave rise to dietary reference intake frameworks. The World Health Organization, founded in 1948, subsequently established global standards for health metrics, disease classification through the International Classification of Diseases, and recommended daily allowances. The BMI as a clinical screening tool gained traction in the 1970s through Ancel Keys' large-scale epidemiological work, which validated Quetelet's index as a population-level obesity indicator. Through the 1980s and 1990s, the Framingham Heart Study produced landmark data linking cholesterol, blood pressure, and lifestyle factors to cardiovascular disease risk, directly shaping the numeric thresholds still used in health calculators. The evidence-based medicine movement, formalized by Gordon Guyatt and colleagues at McMaster University in the early 1990s, demanded that all health recommendations derive from systematically graded clinical evidence. The digital health era beginning in the 2000s brought these formulas to consumer devices, wearable sensors, and smartphone applications, expanding access to health self-monitoring on a global scale and enabling population-level data collection that continues to refine clinical reference ranges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is a physiological scoring system used in trauma care to assess injury severity and predict survival probability. It was developed by Champion et al. in 1989 as a refinement of the original Trauma Score. The RTS uses three physiological parameters: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and respiratory rate (RR). Each parameter is coded on a scale of 0 to 4, then weighted: RTS = 0.9368 x GCS_code + 0.7326 x SBP_code + 0.2908 x RR_code. The maximum RTS is 7.8408, indicating minimal physiological derangement. The weighting reflects the relative importance of each parameter in predicting survival, with GCS carrying the greatest weight.
The RTS has several recognized limitations. It relies solely on physiological parameters measured at a single point in time and does not account for anatomical injury patterns, patient age, or comorbid conditions. Intubated and sedated patients cannot provide accurate GCS assessments, potentially artificially lowering their scores. The RTS may underestimate injury severity in young athletic patients who can maintain vital signs despite significant hemorrhage through compensatory mechanisms. It does not capture evolving clinical trajectories or response to resuscitation. The original coefficients were derived from 1980s trauma data and may not perfectly reflect modern trauma care outcomes. Despite these limitations, the RTS remains widely used because of its simplicity, speed of calculation, and validation across large international trauma databases.
You may use the results for reference and educational purposes. For professional reports, academic papers, or critical decisions, we recommend verifying outputs against peer-reviewed sources or consulting a qualified expert in the relevant field.
All calculations use established mathematical formulas and are performed with high-precision arithmetic. Results are accurate to the precision shown. For critical decisions in finance, medicine, or engineering, always verify results with a qualified professional.
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data you enter is ever transmitted to any server or stored anywhere. Your inputs remain completely private.
The Formula section on this page shows the equation used. You can reproduce the calculation manually or in a spreadsheet using those steps. Compare your answer against the worked examples in the Examples section, which use known reference values so you can confirm the calculator is behaving as expected.
Educational Note: This calculator is provided for educational and informational purposes. Results are based on the formulas and inputs provided. Always verify important calculations independently. NovaCalculator processes calculator inputs client-side; optional analytics follow visitor consent settings.Reviewed by: NovaCalculator Medical Editorial Team โ€” Reviewed against WHO, NIH, and peer-reviewed clinical sources. Last reviewed: January 2026. ยฉ 2024โ€“2026 NovaCalculator.

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Formula

RTS = 0.9368 x GCS_code + 0.7326 x SBP_code + 0.2908 x RR_code

Each physiological parameter (GCS, systolic BP, respiratory rate) is coded on a 0-4 scale, then multiplied by empirically derived weighting coefficients. GCS has the highest weight (0.9368) as the strongest survival predictor. Maximum RTS is 7.8408.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Revised Trauma Score and how is it calculated?

The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is a physiological scoring system used in trauma care to assess injury severity and predict survival probability. It was developed by Champion et al. in 1989 as a refinement of the original Trauma Score. The RTS uses three physiological parameters: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and respiratory rate (RR). Each parameter is coded on a scale of 0 to 4, then weighted: RTS = 0.9368 x GCS_code + 0.7326 x SBP_code + 0.2908 x RR_code. The maximum RTS is 7.8408, indicating minimal physiological derangement. The weighting reflects the relative importance of each parameter in predicting survival, with GCS carrying the greatest weight.

What are the limitations of the Revised Trauma Score?

The RTS has several recognized limitations. It relies solely on physiological parameters measured at a single point in time and does not account for anatomical injury patterns, patient age, or comorbid conditions. Intubated and sedated patients cannot provide accurate GCS assessments, potentially artificially lowering their scores. The RTS may underestimate injury severity in young athletic patients who can maintain vital signs despite significant hemorrhage through compensatory mechanisms. It does not capture evolving clinical trajectories or response to resuscitation. The original coefficients were derived from 1980s trauma data and may not perfectly reflect modern trauma care outcomes. Despite these limitations, the RTS remains widely used because of its simplicity, speed of calculation, and validation across large international trauma databases.

How accurate are the results from Revised Trauma Score Calculator?

All calculations use established mathematical formulas and are performed with high-precision arithmetic. Results are accurate to the precision shown. For critical decisions in finance, medicine, or engineering, always verify results with a qualified professional.

Can I use Revised Trauma Score Calculator on a mobile device?

Yes. All calculators on NovaCalculator are fully responsive and work on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. The layout adapts automatically to your screen size.

Is my data stored or sent to a server?

No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data you enter is ever transmitted to any server or stored anywhere. Your inputs remain completely private.

How do I verify Revised Trauma Score Calculator's result independently?

The Formula section on this page shows the equation used. You can reproduce the calculation manually or in a spreadsheet using those steps. Compare your answer against the worked examples in the Examples section, which use known reference values so you can confirm the calculator is behaving as expected.

References

Reviewed by Rahul Singh, Health & Wellness Specialist ยท Editorial policy