EASI Score Calculator (Eczema Area and Severity Index)

Understanding the EASI score calculator — concept and principle

The Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) measures how extensive and how intense atopic dermatitis (eczema) is, on a scale of 0 to 72. Dermatologists use it to grade severity, follow treatment response and decide eligibility for some therapies, and it is a core outcome measure in eczema trials.

Region = signs × area × weight: with the default inputs the result is EASI 11.3 (moderate (7.1–21)).

How it is calculated

Region score = (redness + swelling/bumps + scratch marks + thickened skin) × area score × region weight

EASI = head and neck + arms + trunk + legs

Each of the four signs is graded 0–3 for the region as a whole, with half points allowed.
Area score: 0 none, 1 = 1–9%, 2 = 10–29%, 3 = 30–49%, 4 = 50–69%, 5 = 70–89%, 6 = 90–100% of that region.
Weights from age 8: head and neck 0.1, arms 0.2, trunk 0.3, legs 0.4. For children 0–7: 0.2, 0.2, 0.3, 0.3.

The principle

The weights match each region's share of the body surface. In adults the legs are about 40% of the skin and the head about 10%. Young children have relatively larger heads and shorter legs, so their weights shift. The four signs capture inflammation (redness, swelling) and chronic damage (scratching, thickening). Multiplying intensity by area means a small intense patch and a large mild rash both count. Dryness and itch are left out because they are better measured by the patient.

Worked example

Default inputs: age 8 or over; head 10–29% (2) with signs 1, 1, 0.5, 0; arms 30–49% (3) with 2, 1, 1, 1; trunk 10–29% (2) with 1, 0.5, 0.5, 0; legs 30–49% (3) with 2, 1, 1, 1.5.

Head = (1 + 1 + 0.5 + 0) × 2 × 0.1 = 0.5.
Arms = (2 + 1 + 1 + 1) × 3 × 0.2 = 3.
Trunk = (1 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 0) × 2 × 0.3 = 1.2.
Legs = (2 + 1 + 1 + 1.5) × 3 × 0.4 = 6.6.
EASI = 0.5 + 3 + 1.2 + 6.6 = 11.3 → Moderate (7.1–21).

How to read the result

Where does your result fall?

Severity bands (Leshem et al., 2015): 0 clear, 0.1–1 almost clear, 1.1–7 mild, 7.1–21 moderate, 21.1–50 severe, 50.1–72 very severe. In trials, a 75% fall from baseline (EASI-75) is a common definition of a good response. The region parts show where most of the score comes from.

Common mistakes

Grading the worst spot instead of the average intensity across the region.
Using adult weights for a child under 8.
Counting the hands within the trunk. Hands belong to the arms and feet to the legs.
Including dryness or itch.

Keep in mind: EASI is a clinician's scoring tool, not a diagnosis. Self-scoring is less reliable, and treatment decisions should be made with a dermatologist or doctor.

Frequently asked questions

What EASI score counts as severe eczema?

Above 21 is severe and above 50 very severe in the commonly used bands.

Where are the buttocks and neck scored?

The neck goes with the head; the buttocks are scored with the legs.

Is EASI the same as SCORAD?

No. SCORAD uses the rule of nines for area, adds dryness, and includes the patient's itch and sleep loss.

How often should EASI be measured?

Usually at clinic visits, before and after a change in treatment.

Sources: Hanifin JM et al., "The eczema area and severity index (EASI): assessment of reliability in atopic dermatitis", Exp Dermatol 2001;10(1):11–18 · Leshem YA, Hajar T, Hanifin JM, Simpson EL, Br J Dermatol 2015;172(5):1353–1357

Checked 9 Nov 2026. Hanifin JM, Thurston M, Omoto M et al., “The eczema area and severity index (EASI): assessment of reliability in atopic dermatitis”, Exp Dermatol 2001;10(1):11–18 (method, area grades and adult region weights; as summarised in the SCORAD-vs-EASI clinician worksheet by Pabau; child weights for ages 0–7 — head 0.2, arms 0.2, trunk 0.3, legs 0.3 — are the standard values of the same method); severity strata: Leshem YA, Hajar T, Hanifin JM, Simpson EL, Br J Dermatol 2015;172(5):1353–1357. Recommended as the core signs measure by the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative.

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