DASH Calculator
Score a QuickDASH-style upper-extremity assessment below, free, no account. In a real chart, the same block scores it automatically at every visit and charts the trend for you.
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH)
What the QuickDASH measures
The QuickDASH is the 11-item short form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, developed by the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto. It measures upper-limb function and symptoms across diagnoses, from shoulder impingement to carpal tunnel syndrome.
The result runs from 0 to 100, and higher means more disability.
How to score the QuickDASH
- The patient rates each of the 11 items from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (unable).
- Add the responses and divide by the number of items answered to get the mean.
- Subtract 1 and multiply by 25: QuickDASH = ((sum ÷ n) − 1) × 25.
At least 10 of the 11 items must be answered for a valid score. The optional work and sports/performing-arts modules are scored separately with the same formula.
Interpreting the score
The QuickDASH has no official severity bands. Read the number as a position between no disability (0) and the most severe disability (100), and compare it with the patient's earlier scores.
| Score | What it reflects |
|---|---|
| 0 | No reported difficulty or symptoms |
| About 10–20 | Typical range reported for the general population without an upper-limb problem |
| 40–60 | Substantial limitation in daily upper-limb tasks |
| 100 | Unable to perform any listed activity |
Population figures vary by age and study. Use them for context, not as cut-offs.
What counts as a meaningful change
Published minimal clinically important differences for the QuickDASH range from about 8 to 16 points, depending on the condition and study. The calculator above uses roughly 15 points, a commonly cited threshold for mixed upper-limb conditions.
For the full 30-item DASH, a change of about 10 points is commonly used.
Using the QuickDASH in your clinic
Hand therapists and physiotherapists use the QuickDASH at intake and discharge for shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand conditions, where one measure is needed across different diagnoses. In Zdrovia, the score is saved to the chart at each visit and graphed automatically. See how that works for physiotherapy clinics.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate a QuickDASH score?
Add the 11 item responses (each 1–5), divide by the number answered, subtract 1, and multiply by 25. At least 10 items must be answered.
What is the difference between the DASH and the QuickDASH?
The DASH has 30 items; the QuickDASH is an 11-item short form with the same 0–100 scoring direction. The QuickDASH is quicker to complete and is often used in routine practice.
What is a good QuickDASH score?
Lower is better, with 0 meaning no disability. People without an upper-limb problem typically score in the low teens or below.
What is the MCID for the QuickDASH?
Estimates range from about 8 to 16 points depending on the population. Around 15 points is commonly used for mixed upper-limb conditions.
Is the QuickDASH free to use?
The DASH and QuickDASH are copyrighted by the Institute for Work & Health. Clinical use is generally free, but reproduction in publications or commercial products needs permission.
Sources
- Beaton DE et al. Development of the QuickDASH. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(5):1038–1046
- Institute for Work & Health: The DASH Outcome Measure
This page is a reference for clinicians, not medical advice. Scoring conventions and change thresholds vary between studies; follow your profession's guidance and the instrument's official user manual.
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