About this calculator
CURB-65 is a simple adult community-acquired pneumonia severity score. It can support risk discussion, but treatment location and urgency depend on the whole clinical picture, oxygen level, comorbidities, and clinician judgment.
CURB-65 assigns 1 point each for confusion, urea >7 mmol/L or BUN >19 mg/dL, respiratory rate ≥30/min, low blood pressure, and age ≥65 years.
Source-mapped adult CAP severity score
CURB-65 is for adult pneumonia severity support and does not replace clinical judgment, oxygen saturation, comorbidities, imaging, labs, sepsis assessment, or local admission criteria.
Formula and method
CURB-65 = confusion + urea/BUN criterion + respiratory rate ≥30 + low blood pressure + age ≥65. Each criterion adds 1 point, maximum 5.
Limitations and when not to rely on this result
- CURB-65 is for adult pneumonia severity support and does not replace clinical judgment, oxygen saturation, comorbidities, imaging, labs, sepsis assessment, or local admission criteria.
- Younger adults, pregnancy, immunosuppression, frailty, social risk, or severe symptoms may need different triage.
- Urgent care is needed for breathing difficulty, confusion, cyanosis, hypotension, or rapidly worsening illness.
Frequently asked questions
What does CURB-65 stand for? +
Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and age 65 or older.
Who is CURB-65 for? +
It is used in adults with suspected or confirmed community-acquired pneumonia, alongside clinical judgment.
Can a low score rule out serious pneumonia? +
No. Oxygen level, sepsis features, immune status, pregnancy, frailty, and comorbidities can change urgency.
What if I do not know the urea or BUN? +
Without the lab value, clinicians may use CRB-65-style assessment, but this calculator reports CURB-65 using the entered criterion.
Should this decide hospital admission? +
No. It is an educational severity screen, not a replacement for medical assessment or local pneumonia pathways.