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ECOG Performance Status ↔ Karnofsky (KPS) Conversion

Converts between ECOG (Zubrod/WHO) performance status 0–5 and the Karnofsky Performance Status 100–0 using the ECOG-ACRIN comparison: KPS 100–90 = ECOG 0, 80–70 = 1, 60–50 = 2, 40–30 = 3, 20–10 = 4, 0 = 5. ECOG 0–1 is the usual eligibility range for most chemotherapy trials.

Performance status (choose an ECOG grade or a Karnofsky score): ECOG 0: Fully active, able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction; ECOG 1: Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature (e.g. light house work, office work); ECOG 2: Ambulatory and capable of all self-care but unable to carry out any work activities; up and about more than 50% of waking hours; ECOG 3: Capable of only limited self-care; confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours; ECOG 4: Completely disabled; cannot carry on any self-care; totally confined to bed or chair; ECOG 5: Dead; KPS 100: Normal, no complaints; no evidence of disease; KPS 90: Able to carry on normal activity; minor signs or symptoms of disease; KPS 80: Normal activity with effort; some signs or symptoms of disease; KPS 70: Cares for self but unable to carry on normal activity or to do active work; KPS 60: Requires occasional assistance but is able to care for most personal needs; KPS 50: Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care; KPS 40: Disabled; requires special care and assistance; KPS 30: Severely disabled; hospitalization is indicated although death not imminent; KPS 20: Very ill; hospitalization and active supportive care necessary; KPS 10: Moribund; KPS 0: Dead

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Interpretation

Result	Meaning
ECOG 0	KPS 100–90
ECOG 1	KPS 80–70
ECOG 2	KPS 60–50
ECOG 3	KPS 40–30
ECOG 4	KPS 20–10
ECOG 5	KPS 0 (dead)

Formula

ECOG-ACRIN comparison: KPS 100–90 → ECOG 0; 80–70 → 1; 60–50 → 2; 40–30 → 3; 20–10 → 4; 0 → 5.

Clinical pearls

The conversion is approximate: the two scales were developed separately and some studies map KPS 80 to ECOG 0 or KPS 70 to ECOG 2, so record the scale the protocol specifies.
ECOG Performance Status: Oken MM et al. Am J Clin Oncol 1982;5:649–55 (ECOG-ACRIN states the scale is in the public domain).
Most systemic-therapy trials require ECOG 0–1 (sometimes 2); ECOG 3–4 generally predicts poor tolerance of cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Examples

convert kps 70 to ecog ecog 2 to karnofsky patient is bed or chair bound more than half the day, what is the performance status karnofsky 40 ecog equivalent

FAQ

What ECOG is KPS 70?

Karnofsky 70 (cares for self but unable to carry on normal activity or do active work) corresponds to ECOG 1 in the ECOG-ACRIN comparison table.

What does ECOG 2 mean?

Ambulatory and capable of all self-care but unable to carry out any work activities; up and about more than 50% of waking hours. It corresponds to KPS 60–50.

Evidence

Hematology & Oncology · Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Methodology