Karnofsky Scale
Written by Lisbeth Roy
Updated at February 18th, 2025
The Karnofsky scale was devised by two American doctors in the 1940s (David Karnofsky and Joseph Burchenal) as an attempt to try and measure the more ‘subjective’ side of
the outcome of cancer treatment. In fact, the scale relates purely to physical ability and covers 11 points, from normal health to death, each scored as a percentage.
The scale is:
| Physical Ability | Percent |
| Normal health | 100% |
| Minor symptoms | 90% |
| Normal activity with some effort | 80% |
| Unable to carry on normal activity but able to care for oneself | 70% |
| Requires occasional help with personal needs | 60% |
| Disabled | 50% |
| Requires considerable assistance and medical care | 40% |
| Severely disabled, in hospital | 30% |
| Very sick, active support needed | 20% |
| Moribund | 10% |
| Death | 0% |