Paediatrics · Anaesthesiology

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) for Post-Op Pediatric Pain calculator

Enter the published formula inputs below to calculate and interpret this score.

Clinical inputs

Cry

Choose the behaviour seen for each item. The total is 4 (no pain behaviour) to 13. In the French version, a restrained child scores the maximum on torso, touch and legs.

Facial expression

Child verbal

Torso

Touch (hand towards the wound)

Legs

Result

6 fields remaining

Anyone can run this calculator. Sign in to save, favourite, or send the result.

Primary source

McGrath PJ, Johnson G, Goodman JT, et al. CHEOPS: a behavior scale for rating postoperative pain in children. In: Fields H, Dubner R, Cervero F, editors. Advances in Pain Research and Therapy, vol. 9. New York: Raven Press; 1985. pp. 395-402. The original chapter is not online. Item points and bands were read from the peer-reviewed review Zielinski J, Morawska-Kochman M, Zatonski T. Pain assessment and management in children in the postoperative period. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2020;29(3):365-374. DOI: 10.17219/acem/112600. PMID: 32129952 (Table 2, citing McGrath 1985), and agree with Dmytriiev D, Anaesth Pain Intensive Care 2018;22(3):392-400 (Table 3) and the Pediadol French version (2000). Cry: no cry 1, moaning 2, crying 2, screaming 3. Facial: smiling 0, composed 1, grimace 2. Child verbal: positive 0, none 1, complaints other than pain 1, pain complaints 2, both pain and non-pain complaints 2. Torso: neutral 1; shifting, tense, shivering, upright or restrained 2. Touch: not touching 1; reach, touch, grab or restrained 2. Legs: neutral 1; squirming or kicking, drawn up or tensed, standing or restrained 2. Total 4 to 13. Zielinski 2020: a score of 5 or more should be considered for analgesic administration and a score of 8 or more should be interpreted as requiring analgesic administration. Other versions print other thresholds: Dmytriiev 2018 states additional interventions are required above 6; the Pediadol French version states above 9 requires analgesic treatment and that a restrained child scores the maximum on the last three items. (1985)

Scope: Young children after surgery, scored by observation of six behaviours. Published treatment thresholds differ between versions, and the score does not separate pain from distress of other causes.

Last reviewed 2026-10-18

View source

Professional use only

For qualified clinicians. Independently verify inputs, calculations, source guidance, and applicability before any clinical action. This calculator does not replace clinical judgment.

Source: McGrath PJ, Johnson G, Goodman JT, et al. CHEOPS: a behavior scale for rating postoperative pain in children. In: Fields H, Dubner R, Cervero F, editors. Advances in Pain Research and Therapy, vol. 9. New York: Raven Press; 1985. pp. 395-402. The original chapter is not online. Item points and bands were read from the peer-reviewed review Zielinski J, Morawska-Kochman M, Zatonski T. Pain assessment and management in children in the postoperative period. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2020;29(3):365-374. DOI: 10.17219/acem/112600. PMID: 32129952 (Table 2, citing McGrath 1985), and agree with Dmytriiev D, Anaesth Pain Intensive Care 2018;22(3):392-400 (Table 3) and the Pediadol French version (2000). Cry: no cry 1, moaning 2, crying 2, screaming 3. Facial: smiling 0, composed 1, grimace 2. Child verbal: positive 0, none 1, complaints other than pain 1, pain complaints 2, both pain and non-pain complaints 2. Torso: neutral 1; shifting, tense, shivering, upright or restrained 2. Touch: not touching 1; reach, touch, grab or restrained 2. Legs: neutral 1; squirming or kicking, drawn up or tensed, standing or restrained 2. Total 4 to 13. Zielinski 2020: a score of 5 or more should be considered for analgesic administration and a score of 8 or more should be interpreted as requiring analgesic administration. Other versions print other thresholds: Dmytriiev 2018 states additional interventions are required above 6; the Pediadol French version states above 9 requires analgesic treatment and that a restrained child scores the maximum on the last three items. (1985)

Ruqelo is AI and can make mistakes. Check important information.

Clinical inputs

Cry
Facial expression
Child verbal
Torso
Touch (hand towards the wound)
Legs

Primary source

View source