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
| Item | Answers and points |
|---|---|
| Sitting balance | Leans or slides in chair = 0; Steady, safe = 1 |
| Rises from chair | Unable without help = 0; Able, uses arms = 1; Able without arms = 2 |
| Attempts to rise | Unable without help = 0; Able, needs more than one attempt = 1; Able in one attempt = 2 |
| Immediate standing balance (first 5 s) | Unsteady = 0; Steady with aid = 1; Steady without aid = 2 |
| Standing balance | Unsteady = 0; Steady, wide stance or aid = 1; Narrow stance without support = 2 |
| Nudged (sternal push) | Begins to fall = 0; Staggers, grabs, catches self = 1; Steady = 2 |
| Eyes closed | Unsteady = 0; Steady = 1 |
| Turning 360° | Discontinuous steps and unsteady = 0; Discontinuous or unsteady = 1; Continuous and steady = 2 |
| Sitting down | Unsafe (falls into chair) = 0; Uses arms or not smooth = 1; Safe, smooth = 2 |
| Gait initiation | Hesitancy = 0; No hesitancy = 1 |
| Step length and height | Neither foot passes or clears = 0; Partly = 2; Both feet pass and clear = 4 |
| Step symmetry | Unequal = 0; Equal = 1 |
| Step continuity | Stopping or discontinuity = 0; Continuous = 1 |
| Path | Marked deviation = 0; Mild deviation or uses aid = 1; Straight without aid = 2 |
| Trunk | Marked sway or uses aid = 0; No sway but flexes or spreads arms = 1; No sway, no flexion, no aid = 2 |
| Walking stance | Heels 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
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sitting balance | Choose one: Leans or slides in chair, Steady, safe |
| Rises from chair | Choose one: Unable without help, Able, uses arms, Able without arms |
| Attempts to rise | Choose one: Unable without help, Able, needs more than one attempt, Able in one attempt |
| Immediate standing balance (first 5 s) | Choose one: Unsteady, Steady with aid, Steady without aid |
| Standing balance | Choose one: Unsteady, Steady, wide stance or aid, Narrow stance without support |
| Nudged (sternal push) | Choose one: Begins to fall, Staggers, grabs, catches self, Steady |
| Eyes closed | Choose one: Unsteady, Steady |
| Turning 360° | Choose one: Discontinuous steps and unsteady, Discontinuous or unsteady, Continuous and steady |
| Sitting down | Choose one: Unsafe (falls into chair), Uses arms or not smooth, Safe, smooth |
| Gait initiation | Choose one: Hesitancy, No hesitancy |
| Step length and height | Choose one: Neither foot passes or clears, Partly, Both feet pass and clear |
| Step symmetry | Choose one: Unequal, Equal |
| Step continuity | Choose one: Stopping or discontinuity, Continuous |
| Path | Choose one: Marked deviation, Mild deviation or uses aid, Straight without aid |
| Trunk | Choose one: Marked sway or uses aid, No sway but flexes or spreads arms, No sway, no flexion, no aid |
| Walking stance | Choose 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.
Formula
Score = sum of the points for each item
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.