# MELD Score Calculator (MELD 3.0, MELD-Na and Original MELD)

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/meld/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The MELD calculator scores liver disease severity with MELD 3.0 – used for US liver transplant allocation since 2023 – and the older MELD-Na and original MELD, from bilirubin, INR, creatinine, sodium, albumin and sex, and gives the estimated 90-day mortality.

## Inputs

- Sex
- Bilirubin (mg/dL, µmol/L)
- INR
- Creatinine (mg/dL, µmol/L)
- Sodium (mmol/L)
- Albumin (g/dL, g/L)
- Dialysis twice or more in the past week

## Results

- MELD 3.0
- Original MELD
- MELD-Na
- Estimated 90-day mortality

## Formula

```
MELD 3.0 = 1.33 (female) + 4.56 ln(bili) + 0.82 (137 − Na) − 0.24 (137 − Na) ln(bili) + 9.09 ln(INR) + 11.14 ln(Cr) + 1.85 (3.5 − Alb) − 1.83 (3.5 − Alb) ln(Cr) + 6
Original MELD = 10 × (0.957 ln Cr + 0.378 ln bili + 1.120 ln INR + 0.643)
MELD-Na = MELD + 1.32 (137 − Na) − 0.033 × MELD × (137 − Na)
Bounds: bili, INR, Cr ≥ 1; Cr ≤ 3 for MELD 3.0 (≤ 4 for original MELD and MELD-Na); dialysis twice in the past week sets Cr to the cap; Na 125–137; Alb 1.5–3.5
```

## Explanation

The Model for End-stage Liver Disease predicts 90-day survival in cirrhosis and decides priority on the liver transplant waiting list. MELD 3.0 adds female sex and albumin to correct a disadvantage that women faced with earlier versions.

### How to use the MELD Score Calculator

- **Sex**
- **Bilirubin**
- **INR**
- **Creatinine**
- **Sodium**
- **Albumin**
- **Dialysis twice or more in the past week**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter the laboratory values and whether the patient has had dialysis at least twice in the past week.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterSexChoose one: Male, FemaleBilirubinUnits: mg/dL, µmol/LINRA numberCreatinineUnits: mg/dL, µmol/LSodiumIn mmol/LAlbuminUnits: g/dL, g/LDialysis twice or more in the past weekChoose one: No, Yes

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Bilirubin** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Bilirubin (mg/dL)MELD 3.01.25181.88192.5203.13213.7522523
*Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.*

## Worked example

Inputs — Sex: Male; Bilirubin: 2.5 mg/dL; INR: 1.6; Creatinine: 1.2 mg/dL; Sodium: 132 mmol/L; Albumin: 3 g/dL; Dialysis twice or more in the past week: No.

Results — **MELD 3.0 = 20**; Original MELD = 17; MELD-Na = 21; Estimated 90-day mortality = About 20%.

## Key terms

- **MELD**: Model for End-stage Liver Disease.

## FAQ

**What MELD score qualifies for a liver transplant?**
Listing is usually considered at MELD 15 or more, when transplant survival benefit outweighs risk.

**Why was MELD 3.0 introduced?**
To reduce the disadvantage women faced (lower creatinine for the same kidney function) and to add albumin.

**What is the maximum MELD?**
Scores are capped at 40.


## Sources

- [Kim WR et al. MELD 3.0: the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease updated for the modern era. Gastroenterology, 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34481845/)
- [Kamath PS et al. A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver disease. Hepatology, 2001](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11172350/)