Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Calculator
Structured aide for assessing functional status and broad ability to tolerate systemic anticancer therapy. For trained health professionals.
- Scores range from 100 (fully active) to 0 (death) in steps of 10.
- Higher scores indicate better independence and usually better treatment tolerance.
- Many systemic therapy protocols and studies require KPS ≥ 60–70 for standard-dose chemotherapy eligibility.
Score & Chemotherapy Interpretation
Select the most appropriate Karnofsky description and click “Calculate” to view the score and broad treatment fitness band.
This tool does not provide medical advice and is intended only as an educational support for clinicians already familiar with performance status and systemic therapy decision-making. It must not be used by patients or families to make treatment decisions. Always follow your institution’s guidelines and seek specialist oncology input where available.
The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) is a 0–100 scale used to describe how well a patient can perform ordinary tasks and care for themselves. It was introduced in 1948 by David A. Karnofsky and colleagues to help doctors judge whether patients were likely to tolerate cancer chemotherapy.Wikipedia+1
Scores run from 100 (fully active, no complaints) to 0 (death), usually in steps of 10. Higher scores mean better function and independence; lower scores indicate increasing need for help, time in bed, and medical care.Wikipedia+1 For example, people with scores of 80–100 are generally able to carry on normal or near-normal activities; those around 60–70 can care for themselves but can’t do normal work; those at 40 or below usually require significant assistance or are bedbound.Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
In oncology, performance status (including KPS) is central to decisions about chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other systemic treatments. It is used to:
- Decide if a patient is fit enough for chemotherapy (and how intensive it can be).
- Adjust doses or select less aggressive regimens.
- Estimate prognosis and plan palliative care intensity.Wikipedia+1
Many clinical trials and treatment protocols require a minimum KPS, often ≥60 or ≥70, for inclusion. Patients with lower scores are more likely to suffer serious toxicity and less likely to benefit from standard-dose cytotoxic chemotherapy, so clinicians may favor supportive or palliative approaches instead.
