What this calculator is for
The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) is a laboratory-based score that predicts 90-day mortality risk in adults with chronic liver disease and is used in the United States to prioritise patients on the liver transplant waiting list. MELD 3.0, the current OPTN standard since 13 July 2023, uses six inputs: bilirubin, creatinine, INR, sodium, albumin and sex.
The score ranges from 6 to 40. Higher scores indicate more severe disease and more urgent need. It is a prognostic tool, not a diagnosis.
How to use it
- Select sex and whether the patient has had dialysis at least twice in the last 7 days (or 24 hours of CVVHD).
- Enter the most recent lab values in the units shown (US units: mg/dL for creatinine, bilirubin and albumin; mmol/L for sodium).
- Select Calculate MELD 3.0. Any bounds applied to your inputs are listed under the result.
Input bounds applied
| Input | MELD 3.0 bound | MELD-Na bound |
|---|---|---|
| Creatinine | 1.0–3.0 mg/dL; 3.0 if on dialysis | 1.0–4.0 mg/dL; 4.0 if on dialysis |
| Bilirubin | Minimum 1.0 mg/dL | Minimum 1.0 mg/dL |
| INR | Minimum 1.0 | Minimum 1.0 |
| Sodium | 125–137 mmol/L | 125–137 mmol/L |
| Albumin | 1.5–3.5 g/dL | Not used |
| Final score | Rounded, 6–40 | Rounded, 6–40 |
Who it applies to
MELD is intended for adults and adolescents aged 12 and over. Paediatric candidates under 12 are assessed with PELD or PELD-Cr instead. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma may receive standardised exception points, so a calculated score may differ from a listed score.
Want the full background? Read MELD 3.0 explained, or learn how scores relate to liver transplant evaluation.
MELD score FAQ
What is a good MELD 3.0 score?
There is no single “good” score. Lower scores generally mean lower short-term mortality risk, but the score ranks candidates relative to each other rather than acting as a pass/fail threshold.
What is the highest MELD 3.0 score?
The maximum under current OPTN policy is 40.
Does MELD 3.0 apply to children?
No. Paediatric candidates use PELD or PELD-Cr instead.
How is MELD 3.0 different from MELD-Na?
It adds serum albumin and sex, lowers the creatinine ceiling from 4.0 to 3.0 mg/dL, updates the statistical coefficients and adds interaction terms between variables.
Can I calculate my own MELD 3.0 score at home?
Validated calculators exist, but scores should be interpreted by your transplant team, since exception points and other conditions materially affect real-world prioritisation.