Beighton Score
Calculate the Beighton score for joint hypermobility using 9 criteria across 5 standardized movements. Get score, interpretation, and detailed breakdown with charts.
Test Movements
Check each movement the patient can perform. One point is awarded for each positive finding.
Knee hyperextension >10° (passive, bilateral)
Elbow hyperextension >10° (passive, bilateral)
Thumb touches forearm (passive, bilateral)
Little finger bends >90° (passive, bilateral)
About This Calculator
The Beighton Score Calculator is a clinical screening tool used by physicians, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals to assess generalized joint hypermobility (GJH). Developed by orthopedic surgeons Dr. Peter Beighton and Dr. Frances Horan in 1969, the Beighton scoring system evaluates 9 criteria across 5 simple movements to determine whether a patient's joints exhibit an unusually large range of motion. This non-invasive test takes only a few minutes to perform and is widely used in rheumatology, orthopedics, sports medicine, and rehabilitation settings worldwide.
The scoring methodology evaluates one active movement (bending forward to place hands flat on the floor with knees fully extended) and four passive movements assessed bilaterally: knee hyperextension beyond 10 degrees, elbow hyperextension beyond 10 degrees, thumb opposition to touch the forearm, and dorsiflexion of the little finger beyond 90 degrees. Each positive finding scores 1 point, producing a total score from 0 to 9. A score of 4 or higher is generally considered indicative of generalized joint hypermobility. The Beighton scale is also a component of the broader Brighton criteria used to diagnose hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS).
The test is designed to be administered by a trained professional who can accurately assess the degree of joint movement. The passive movements require the examiner to gently apply pressure to determine the end range of motion. The active forward bend tests thoracolumbar spine and hip flexibility. Results should be interpreted in the context of the patient's age, sex (females tend to score higher), ethnicity, and clinical presentation including pain, dislocations, family history, and skin findings.
Regional notes: The Beighton score is used internationally. In the United States, it is part of the 2017 diagnostic criteria for hEDS established by the Ehlers-Danlos Society and is widely used in rheumatology and genetics clinics. In the United Kingdom, the Beighton score is recommended by NICE guidelines for assessing joint hypermobility in primary care and is commonly used in NHS rheumatology and physiotherapy departments. In India, it is increasingly adopted in orthopedic and rehabilitation medicine practice for evaluating patients presenting with joint pain, recurrent dislocations, or suspected connective tissue disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Beighton score?
The Beighton score is a validated screening tool used by healthcare professionals to assess generalized joint hypermobility. It evaluates 9 criteria across 5 movements: hands flat on floor with straight knees, bilateral knee hyperextension, bilateral elbow hyperextension, bilateral thumb-to-forearm contact, and bilateral little finger dorsiflexion beyond 90 degrees. Each positive finding scores 1 point, for a maximum score of 9.
What does a Beighton score of 4 or more mean?
A Beighton score of 4 or more out of 9 suggests generalized joint hypermobility (GJH). This means the patient's joints can stretch beyond the normal range in multiple body areas. However, a positive Beighton score alone is not diagnostic of any specific condition — it must be correlated with clinical symptoms, medical history, and other diagnostic tests. Many people with joint hypermobility are asymptomatic and lead normal lives.
What conditions are associated with a high Beighton score?
A high Beighton score (4+) is associated with benign joint hypermobility syndrome and may also be seen in heritable connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (particularly the hypermobile type), Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta. It is also more common in people with Down syndrome. Joint hypermobility can cause chronic pain, frequent dislocations, and early osteoarthritis in some individuals.
How is the Beighton test performed?
The Beighton test consists of 5 movements. One is active (the patient bends forward to place hands flat on the floor with knees straight). Four are passive (performed by the examiner): hyperextending each knee and elbow beyond 10 degrees, bringing each thumb to touch the forearm, and bending each little finger past 90 degrees. Each movement is scored bilaterally except the forward bend. The total score ranges from 0 to 9.
Is the Beighton score the same as the Brighton criteria?
No, the Beighton score and Brighton criteria are different. The Beighton score is a simple 9-point screening tool for joint hypermobility based on physical examination only. The Brighton criteria (also called Brighton diagnostic criteria) are a more comprehensive set of major and minor criteria used specifically to diagnose Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hypermobility type), combining the Beighton score with additional clinical features such as skin hyperextensibility, recurrent dislocations, and family history.
Can the Beighton score change over time?
Yes, the Beighton score can change over time. Joint hypermobility tends to decrease with age as connective tissues naturally stiffen. Children and adolescents typically have higher Beighton scores than adults, and scores often decline after middle age. Injury, surgery, or changes in physical activity levels can also affect joint laxity. For this reason, serial assessments may be useful when monitoring patients with known hypermobility disorders.
What are the limitations of the Beighton score?
The Beighton score has several limitations. It only evaluates 5 specific joint groups and may miss hypermobility in other joints such as the hips, shoulders, or cervical spine. A negative Beighton score does not rule out focal joint hypermobility or symptomatic hypermobility syndrome. The test also has inter-observer variability, and different cutoff values are sometimes used for different populations. Results should always be interpreted as part of a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional.
Is the Beighton score used for children?
Yes, the Beighton score is commonly used in pediatric practice and has been validated for children. However, children naturally have greater joint laxity than adults, so higher Beighton scores are more common in younger age groups. Some clinicians use a higher cutoff (5 or 6 out of 9) for children to avoid overdiagnosis. The Beighton score should be interpreted in the context of the child's age, symptoms, and functional limitations when used in pediatric populations.