Every level of the pain scale at a glance
The descriptions are guidance, not fixed definitions. What matters is that you use your numbers consistently over time.
-
0
No pain
no pain
You feel nothing. Daily life, sleep and movement are not affected. -
1
Barely noticeable
mild
Only when you pay attention to it. Most of the time you forget about it. -
2
Mild
mild
Noticeable now and then, but easy to ignore. -
3
Mild, clearly noticeable
mild
You notice it again and again. Work and daily life still go on as normal. -
4
Moderate
moderate
It's distracting. When you focus on something, it fades into the background for a while. -
5
Moderate, always there
moderate
You think about it often. Some things take longer and you need breaks. -
6
Moderate to severe
moderate
Concentration and activities are clearly limited. You skip some things. -
7
Severe
severe
The pain dominates the day. Normal tasks, and often sleep, become hard. -
8
Very severe
severe
Hardly any activity is possible. Talking and thinking clearly take a lot of effort. -
9
Extremely severe
severe
Almost nothing else is possible. The pain takes over everything. -
10
Worst pain imaginable
worst pain imaginable
The worst pain you can imagine.
What is the 0–10 pain scale?
The numeric rating scale (NRS) is the most widely used pain scale. 0 means no pain, 10 the worst pain you can imagine. You simply name the number that matches how you feel – quick, with no tools needed, and it even works over the phone. You'll also see it called the pain scale 1–10.
The scale only measures intensity. It doesn't capture where the pain is, what it feels like or how long you've had it. That's why the number says most alongside a short description.
Mild, moderate, severe: the ranges of the scale
Broadly, there are three ranges: 1 to 3 is usually considered mild pain, 4 to 6 moderate pain and 7 to 10 severe pain. The boundaries are fluid and aren't drawn the same way everywhere.
Far more important than the exact boundary is that your numbers stay comparable with each other. A 5 in March should feel roughly like a 5 in May – otherwise you can't read a trend.
The faces scale: when numbers are hard
Not everyone finds it easy to turn a feeling into a number – children, people facing a language barrier, or anyone in a moment of great stress. That's what faces scales are for: a row of faces from relaxed to very distressed, and you point to the one that fits.
The faces on this page are our own, deliberately simple drawings. They go along with the numbers but don't replace any scale used in a clinic or practice.
How to rate your pain realistically
Compare yourself with yourself, not with others. The question isn't who has it worse, but how you're doing compared with your own good and bad days.
Set two or three personal anchor points, for example: at a 2 I only notice it when I pay attention; at a 5 I work more slowly; at an 8 I have to lie down. Anchors like these keep the scale stable over weeks.
And rate as close to the moment as you can. If you sum up the whole day in one number in the evening, you'll usually name the worst moment. That's why three values help in an appointment: now, at its worst and on average.
Embed the pain scale on your website
Do you run a clinic website, a blog or a forum? Embed the interactive scale for free. It's small, loads no trackers and sets no cookies.
Preview
Pain scale FAQ
What number on the pain scale is "normal"?
There is no normal value. The scale is deliberately subjective: two people can rate the same condition differently, and both answers are correct.
Is a 10 only for emergencies?
10 stands for the worst pain you can imagine and is meant as the extreme end. Using it rarely leaves room at the top and makes differences easier to show.
Can I embed the pain scale on my website?
Yes, please do. Copy the embed code below. The embedded scale loads no trackers and sets no cookies.