# Morse Fall Scale Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/morse-fall-scale/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The Morse fall scale calculator scores six fall-risk factors – history of falling, secondary diagnosis, walking aid, IV therapy, gait and mental status – to identify hospital patients at low, moderate or high risk of falling.

## Inputs

- History of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission)
- Secondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis)
- Ambulatory aid
- IV therapy or heparin lock
- Gait
- Mental status

## Results

- Morse fall score
- Fall risk

## Formula

```
Score = sum of the points for each item
```

## Explanation

Falls are among the most common adverse events in hospitals. The Morse scale takes a few minutes and guides prevention such as bed alarms, supervised walking and non-slip footwear.

### How to use the Morse Fall Scale Calculator

- **History of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission)**
- **Secondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis)**
- **Ambulatory aid**
- **IV therapy or heparin lock**
- **Gait**
- **Mental status**

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

### How it works

Each answer carries the points shown in the published score. The calculator adds them up and maps the total to the published interpretation.

### Scoring table

ItemAnswers and pointsHistory of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission)No = 0; Yes = 25Secondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis)No = 0; Yes = 15Ambulatory aidNone, bed rest or nurse assist = 0; Crutches, cane or walker = 15; Holds on to furniture = 30IV therapy or heparin lockNo = 0; Yes = 20GaitNormal, bed rest or wheelchair = 0; Weak = 10; Impaired = 20Mental statusOriented to own ability = 0; Overestimates or forgets limitations = 15

### Tips

- Assess on a typical day, not during an acute illness, unless the tool asks otherwise.
- Involve family or carers who know the person's usual abilities.
- Repeat assessments regularly to track change.
- Use results to plan support, not to label people.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Scoring what the person could do rather than what they actually do.
- Ignoring hearing or vision problems during cognitive tests.
- Using a single score to decide care without a full assessment.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterHistory of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission)Choose one: No, YesSecondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis)Choose one: No, YesAmbulatory aidChoose one: None, bed rest or nurse assist, Crutches, cane or walker, Holds on to furnitureIV therapy or heparin lockChoose one: No, YesGaitChoose one: Normal, bed rest or wheelchair, Weak, ImpairedMental statusChoose one: Oriented to own ability, Overestimates or forgets limitations
*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 — History of falling (in the past 3 months or this admission): No; Secondary diagnosis (more than one medical diagnosis): Yes; Ambulatory aid: None, bed rest or nurse assist; IV therapy or heparin lock: No; Gait: Weak; Mental status: Oriented to own ability.

Results — **Morse fall score = 25 / 125**; Fall risk = Moderate risk – standard fall prevention.

## Key terms

- **Fall prevention**: Measures to reduce falls, such as supervision and safe footwear.

## FAQ

**What Morse score is high risk?**
45 or more in most hospitals.

**How often should it be done?**
On admission, after a fall and when the condition changes.

**Does it work outside hospitals?**
It was designed for inpatients; other tools are used in the community.


## Sources

- [Morse JM et al. A prospective study to identify the fall-prone patient. Soc Sci Med, 1989](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2749454/)