Elegant ToolsRecord the minute
Score at 1 and 5 minutes
If the 5-minute total is below 7, continue scoring every 5 minutes through 20 minutes while documenting concurrent interventions.
Apgar Score Calculator
Record the newborn’s observed condition at a defined minute after birth.
Assessment time
Use 1, 5 and 10 minutes for the combined note. Standard guidance records 1 and 5 minutes for every newborn, with later scores when the 5-minute score is below 7.
1-minute score
—of 10
Complete all five findings to enable copying.Complete the assessment
Select one finding in every row before interpreting the score.
Combined assessment
1-, 5- and 10-minute summary
Complete the 1-, 5- and 10-minute assessments to generate the neonatal Apgar summary and interpretation. 0 of 3 recorded.
Clinical interpretation
What the total describes
The score documents the newborn’s condition at one moment. It does not diagnose asphyxia, predict an individual child’s outcome or replace immediate assessment.
ScoreDescriptionUse
0 - 3
Low score
Marked depression in the observed clinical signs. The finding is nonspecific and must be interpreted alongside the full newborn assessment.
Assess and respond now
Continue care under the neonatal resuscitation protocol and document the score, exact time and concurrent interventions. Do not wait for the total before acting.
4 - 6
Moderately abnormal
One or more signs show incomplete transition or ongoing compromise at the recorded minute.
Continue assessment
Follow the clinical response and resuscitation protocol. If this is the 5-minute score, repeat every 5 minutes until 20 minutes while the score remains below 7.
7 - 10
Reassuring score
At 5 minutes, this range is considered reassuring for term and late-preterm infants. Gestation, medication and resuscitation can affect the total.
Document context
Record the time, score and any support being given, then continue routine or indicated newborn care based on direct clinical assessment.
Document the response without delaying it.
Apgar scoring provides a standardized description of newborn transition and response to support. Immediate clinical assessment determines whether resuscitation is needed before the 1-minute score is available.
Do not wait
Resuscitation comes first
Use breathing, heart rate and the newborn resuscitation algorithm to act. The Apgar total is not a trigger for the initial steps.
Keep context
Document support and limitations
Gestational age, maternal medication, congenital conditions and resuscitation can change the score. Record these alongside the total.