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Pain rating scale

A pain scale is a way for people to measure their pain so that health professionals can help plan how best to control it. Most pain scales use numbers from 0 to 10: 0 means no pain and 10 means the worst pain the person has ever known or felt.

Use the list below to find the number that best describes your pain.

  • 0 = No pain
  • 1 to 5 = Mild pain
  • 6 to 7 = Moderate pain
  • 8 to 9 = Severe pain
  • 10 = Worst pain possible
Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated April 27, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 27, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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