NEWS2 Calculator (National Early Warning Score 2)
NEWS2 is the UK Royal College of Physicians’ National Early Warning Score 2 — a standardised aggregate score of six bedside observations (respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, supplemental oxygen, blood pressure, pulse, consciousness and temperature) used to flag and track acute clinical deterioration in adults.
Quick answer
NEWS2 adds up points from six bedside observations — respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, any supplemental oxygen, systolic blood pressure, pulse, level of consciousness (ACVPU) and temperature. An aggregate of 5–6 prompts an urgent review, 7 or more prompts an emergency response, and any single parameter scoring 3 prompts a clinician review.
NEWS2 observations
How to use the NEWS2 calculator
- 1Enter the observations. Enter the respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (and choose Scale 1 or, for known hypercapnic respiratory failure, Scale 2), whether the patient is on supplemental oxygen, systolic blood pressure, pulse and temperature.
- 2Set consciousness. Mark whether the patient is Alert (0 points) or has new confusion or responds only to Voice, Pain, or is Unresponsive (ACVPU = 3 points).
- 3Read the aggregate and band. The tool sums the parameter scores and shows the aggregate plus the NEWS2 risk band (aggregate 1–4 low, 5–6 medium/urgent, ≥7 high/emergency; a single parameter of 3 = low-medium, clinician review).
Medical disclaimer: This is general health information, not medical advice. It does not diagnose or treat any condition, and the results are estimates based on public reference formulas. Always consult a qualified doctor about your individual health. If you think you may have a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately.
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Book a consultationFrequently asked questions
What NEWS2 score is concerning?⌄
An aggregate NEWS2 of 5 or 6 is the key threshold for an urgent clinical review, and 7 or more should trigger an emergency-level response. Separately, any single parameter scoring 3 (shown as a red score) should prompt a clinician review even if the aggregate is low.
What is the difference between NEWS2 Scale 1 and Scale 2?⌄
Scale 1 (target oxygen saturation ≥96%) is used for most patients. Scale 2 (target 88–92%) is used only for patients with confirmed hypercapnic respiratory failure, usually some people with COPD, when prescribed by a clinician. Using the wrong scale changes the score, so the choice must be a clinical decision.
Does supplemental oxygen change the NEWS2 score?⌄
Yes. Being on any supplemental oxygen adds 2 points in its own right, on top of the oxygen-saturation score, because needing oxygen itself signals risk.
Can NEWS2 be used in pregnancy or children?⌄
No. NEWS2 is validated for acutely ill adults aged 16 and over and is not for pregnancy (a maternity early-warning chart is used instead), spinal-injury patients, or children, who have their own paediatric scores.
Is my data stored?⌄
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to a server.
Sources & validation
This calculator reproduces the published NEWS2 score, validated for detection of acute-illness deterioration in adults (age ≥16, excluding pregnancy and spinal injury).
- Royal College of Physicians. National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2: Standardising the assessment of acute-illness severity in the NHS. Updated report of a working party. London: RCP, 2017 — the canonical NEWS2 chart and thresholds — verified 2026-06-18
- NEWS2 scoring chart (NHS reproduction of the RCP 2017 chart) — parameter bands and trigger thresholds (aggregate 5–6 urgent, ≥7 emergency, single parameter = 3 = clinician review) — verified 2026-06-18
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