Calculate the Beighton Score for joint hypermobility assessment. Tests 9 points across 5 maneuvers to evaluate generalized joint laxity and EDS screening.
The Beighton Score Calculator assesses generalized joint hypermobility by evaluating 9 specific maneuvers across five body areas. Developed by Beighton, Solomon, and Soskolne in 1973, this scoring system is the standard screening tool for joint hypermobility and is an essential component of the 2017 diagnostic criteria for hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).
The nine-point scale includes four bilateral assessments (small finger hyperextension, thumb apposition, elbow hyperextension, knee hyperextension) and one midline test (trunk forward flexion with palms flat on the floor). A score of 5 or more in adults is considered positive for generalized joint hypermobility.
This calculator helps patients, physical therapists, and clinicians score the Beighton assessment quickly, see which maneuvers are positive, and document whether the generalized hypermobility threshold is met. The result works best as a screening summary alongside clinical history, symptoms, and formal examination rather than as a standalone diagnosis.
Joint hypermobility affects 10-20% of the population and can be associated with chronic pain, joint instability, fatigue, and connective tissue disorders. Identifying hypermobility helps guide appropriate exercise prescription, injury prevention strategies, and referral for further evaluation when needed.
The Beighton score is simple, reproducible, and requires no equipment, making it an ideal screening tool for primary care, rheumatology, and physical therapy settings.
Beighton Score = Sum of 9 individual maneuver scores (0 or 1 each) Bilateral tests (1 pt each side, max 2 each): • 5th MCP hyperextension > 90° (L + R) • Thumb to forearm apposition (L + R) • Elbow hyperextension > 10° (L + R) • Knee hyperextension > 10° (L + R) Single test (max 1): • Palms flat on floor with knees straight Total range: 0-9
Result: 6/9 — Moderate Hypermobility, Threshold Met
The patient demonstrates hypermobility in finger, thumb, knee, and trunk joints (6/9) while elbows are within normal range. Score ≥5 meets the generalized hypermobility criterion for hEDS evaluation.
The 2017 International Classification for hEDS uses the Beighton score as Criterion 1 of three required criteria. Meeting the Beighton threshold alone is insufficient for diagnosis — patients must also demonstrate at least two features from a list including skin hyperextensibility, atrophic scarring, pelvic organ prolapse, and musculoskeletal features.
The Beighton score evaluates only a few joints and does not assess hypermobility in the spine, hips, shoulders, ankles, or jaw. Patients may have significant symptomatic hypermobility in these joints while scoring below threshold on the Beighton scale. Additionally, previous surgery or injury can reduce scores in previously hypermobile individuals.
Management focuses on strength training to stabilize joints, proprioceptive exercises, pain management, and activity modification. Physical therapy is the cornerstone of treatment, with emphasis on low-impact strengthening rather than stretching. Patients should be counseled about joint protection strategies and appropriate exercise selection.
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This calculator scores the Beighton examination as a strict 0-9 joint-hypermobility screen, assigning one point for each positive maneuver or side. The output is meant to summarize generalized joint hypermobility using the published elbow, knee, fifth-finger, thumb, and trunk-flexion maneuvers, then compare the result with the age-based cutoffs commonly used in the 2017 hEDS framework.
The page is a screening aid, not a diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or hypermobility spectrum disorder. Historical flexibility, symptoms, connective-tissue features, and alternate causes of joint laxity still need a broader clinical evaluation beyond the Beighton total alone.
No. The Beighton score only identifies generalized joint hypermobility, which is one criterion for hEDS diagnosis. A full hEDS evaluation includes family history, tissue fragility features, musculoskeletal complications, and exclusion of other connective tissue disorders.
For adults, a score of ≥5/9 indicates generalized joint hypermobility. For children under 18, the threshold is typically 6/9 because children naturally have more joint laxity. Adults over 50 may have reduced laxity, so ≥4/9 may still be significant.
Yes. Joint laxity naturally decreases with age, previous injuries, and surgeries. A person who was hypermobile as a child may score lower as an adult. Historical hypermobility can be documented using the 5-point questionnaire as a supplement.
No. Many hypermobile individuals are asymptomatic and may even benefit from their flexibility (dancers, gymnasts, musicians). Hypermobility becomes clinically significant when associated with chronic pain, recurrent subluxations/dislocations, fatigue, or postural instability.
The patient stands with knees fully extended. Hyperextension (genu recurvatum) is measured using a goniometer at the lateral knee. More than 10° beyond neutral (180°) is positive. Visual estimation by an experienced clinician is also acceptable.
Yes. Always test and document both sides. Asymmetric results may indicate previous injury, surgery, or focal rather than generalized hypermobility. The bilateral nature of the testing contributes to reliability.