# Tinetti Test Calculator (Balance and Gait)

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

> The Tinetti calculator scores the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment – 9 balance items (16 points) and 7 gait items (12 points) – to estimate fall risk in older adults.

## Inputs

- Sitting balance
- Rises from chair
- Attempts to rise
- Immediate standing balance (first 5 s)
- Standing balance
- Nudged (sternal push)
- Eyes closed
- Turning 360°
- Sitting down
- Gait initiation
- Step length and height
- Step symmetry
- Step continuity
- Path
- Trunk
- Walking stance

## Results

- Balance score
- Gait score
- Tinetti total
- Fall risk

## Formula

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

## Explanation

The Tinetti test, developed in 1986, is a widely used bedside assessment of balance and walking. A total below 19 indicates high fall risk, 19–23 moderate risk and 24–28 low risk.

### How to use the Tinetti Test Calculator

- **Sitting balance**
- **Rises from chair**
- **Attempts to rise**
- **Immediate standing balance (first 5 s)**
- **Standing balance**
- **Nudged (sternal push)**
- **Eyes closed**
- **Turning 360°**
- **Sitting down**
- **Gait initiation**
- **Step length and height**
- **Step symmetry**
- **Step continuity**
- **Path**
- **Trunk**
- **Walking stance**

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 pointsSitting balanceLeans or slides in chair = 0; Steady, safe = 1Rises from chairUnable without help = 0; Able, uses arms = 1; Able without arms = 2Attempts to riseUnable without help = 0; Able, needs more than one attempt = 1; Able in one attempt = 2Immediate standing balance (first 5 s)Unsteady = 0; Steady with aid = 1; Steady without aid = 2Standing balanceUnsteady = 0; Steady, wide stance or aid = 1; Narrow stance without support = 2Nudged (sternal push)Begins to fall = 0; Staggers, grabs, catches self = 1; Steady = 2Eyes closedUnsteady = 0; Steady = 1Turning 360°Discontinuous steps and unsteady = 0; Discontinuous or unsteady = 1; Continuous and steady = 2Sitting downUnsafe (falls into chair) = 0; Uses arms or not smooth = 1; Safe, smooth = 2Gait initiationHesitancy = 0; No hesitancy = 1Step length and heightNeither foot passes or clears = 0; Partly = 2; Both feet pass and clear = 4Step symmetryUnequal = 0; Equal = 1Step continuityStopping or discontinuity = 0; Continuous = 1PathMarked deviation = 0; Mild deviation or uses aid = 1; Straight without aid = 2TrunkMarked sway or uses aid = 0; No sway but flexes or spreads arms = 1; No sway, no flexion, no aid = 2Walking stanceHeels apart = 0; Heels almost touching = 1

### 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 enterSitting balanceChoose one: Leans or slides in chair, Steady, safeRises from chairChoose one: Unable without help, Able, uses arms, Able without armsAttempts to riseChoose one: Unable without help, Able, needs more than one attempt, Able in one attemptImmediate standing balance (first 5 s)Choose one: Unsteady, Steady with aid, Steady without aidStanding balanceChoose one: Unsteady, Steady, wide stance or aid, Narrow stance without supportNudged (sternal push)Choose one: Begins to fall, Staggers, grabs, catches self, SteadyEyes closedChoose one: Unsteady, SteadyTurning 360°Choose one: Discontinuous steps and unsteady, Discontinuous or unsteady, Continuous and steadySitting downChoose one: Unsafe (falls into chair), Uses arms or not smooth, Safe, smoothGait initiationChoose one: Hesitancy, No hesitancyStep length and heightChoose one: Neither foot passes or clears, Partly, Both feet pass and clearStep symmetryChoose one: Unequal, EqualStep continuityChoose one: Stopping or discontinuity, ContinuousPathChoose one: Marked deviation, Mild deviation or uses aid, Straight without aidTrunkChoose one: Marked sway or uses aid, No sway but flexes or spreads arms, No sway, no flexion, no aidWalking stanceChoose one: Heels apart, Heels almost touching

### What each result means

- **Balance score** = [Sitting balance] + [Rises from chair] + [Attempts to rise] + [Immediate standing balance (first 5 s)] + [Standing balance] + [Nudged (sternal push)] + [Eyes closed] + [Turning 360°] + [Sitting down]
- **Gait score** = [Gait initiation] + [Step length and height] + [Step symmetry] + [Step continuity] + [Path] + [Trunk] + [Walking stance]
- **Tinetti total** = [Balance score] + [Gait score]

*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 — Sitting balance: Steady, safe; Rises from chair: Able without arms; Attempts to rise: Able in one attempt; Immediate standing balance (first 5 s): Steady without aid; Standing balance: Narrow stance without support; Nudged (sternal push): Staggers, grabs, catches self; Eyes closed: Steady; Turning 360°: Discontinuous or unsteady; Sitting down: Safe, smooth; Gait initiation: No hesitancy; Step length and height: 3; Step symmetry: Equal; Step continuity: Continuous; Path: Straight without aid; Trunk: No sway, no flexion, no aid; Walking stance: Heels almost touching.

Results — Balance score = 14 / 16; Gait score = 11 / 12; **Tinetti total = 25 / 28**; Fall risk = Low fall risk.

## Key terms

- **POMA**: Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment.

## FAQ

**What Tinetti score means high fall risk?**
Below 19.

**How long does the test take?**
About 10–15 minutes.

**What helps reduce fall risk?**
Strength and balance exercise, reviewing medicines, vision checks and home safety changes.


## Sources

- [Tinetti ME. Performance-oriented assessment of mobility problems in elderly patients. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1986](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3944402/)