Before inducing labor, clinicians need a standardized way to assess whether the cervix is actually ready, since inducing an unfavorable cervix carries a higher risk of a failed induction and cesarean delivery. This Bishop score calculator applies the standard five-factor scoring system developed by Edward Bishop in 1964, still the reference method used today to assess cervical favorability for induction.
How to use this Bishop score calculator
- Select the Cervical Dilation: Closed (0 pts), 1-2 cm (1 pt), 3-4 cm (2 pts), or ≥5 cm (3 pts).
- Select the Cervical Effacement: 0-30% (0 pts), 40-50% (1 pt), 60-70% (2 pts), or ≥80% (3 pts).
- Select the Cervical Consistency: Firm (0 pts), Medium (1 pt), or Soft (2 pts).
- Select the Cervical Position: Posterior (0 pts), Mid (1 pt), or Anterior (2 pts).
- Select the Fetal Station: −3 (0 pts), −2 (1 pt), −1/0 (2 pts), or +1/+2 (3 pts).
- Click “Calculate Bishop Score.”
- Review your total score and its interpretation.
- Save your assessment to History for later reference.
What this Bishop score calculator does
The Bishop score combines five separate cervical and fetal position assessments, each individually subjective on a physical exam, into a single standardized number clinicians use to gauge how likely labor induction is to succeed. Rather than relying on a single factor like dilation alone, the combined score reflects the fuller clinical picture: a cervix that’s dilated but still firm and posterior behaves differently under induction than one that’s less dilated but already soft, effaced, and anterior.
The five components and their scoring
| Factor |
0 points |
1 point |
2 points |
3 points |
| Dilation |
Closed |
1-2 cm |
3-4 cm |
≥5 cm |
| Effacement |
0-30% |
40-50% |
60-70% |
≥80% |
| Station |
−3 |
−2 |
−1 / 0 |
+1 / +2 |
| Consistency |
Firm |
Medium |
Soft |
— |
| Position |
Posterior |
Mid |
Anterior |
— |
Dilation, effacement, and station are each scored 0 to 3, while consistency and position are each scored 0 to 2, giving a maximum possible total of 13.
Interpreting your total score
Score ≥8: Favorable cervix, generally associated with induction success rates similar to spontaneous labor
Score 6-7: Intermediate, requires clinical judgment on whether cervical ripening is needed
Score ≤5: Unfavorable cervix, cervical ripening is generally recommended before induction
A higher score reflects a cervix that’s already progressed toward the changes labor itself would produce, which is why a favorable score is associated with induction outcomes closer to those of spontaneous labor. A low score, on the other hand, indicates the cervix hasn’t yet made those changes, and inducing labor at that point carries a higher likelihood of a prolonged induction or a failed attempt requiring cesarean delivery.
Why cervical ripening matters at a low score
When the Bishop score is unfavorable (≤5), cervical ripening agents or mechanical methods are typically used first, to help the cervix soften, efface, and dilate before induction begins in earnest. This step exists specifically because attempting to induce labor against an unripe cervix is one of the more common paths to a failed induction, and the Bishop score is the standardized tool used to identify when this preparatory step is warranted.
A note on clinical use
The Bishop score is a widely used clinical assessment tool, but the underlying exam findings, dilation, effacement, consistency, position, and station, all require a hands-on cervical exam performed by a trained clinician, they cannot be self-assessed. This calculator computes the standardized score from exam findings a healthcare provider has already determined; it does not replace that clinical examination or the broader judgment a provider brings to an induction decision.
Frequently asked questions
What Bishop score is considered favorable for induction?
A score of 8 or higher is generally considered favorable, associated with induction success rates similar to spontaneous labor. A score of 5 or below is considered unfavorable, and cervical ripening is typically recommended first. Scores of 6-7 fall into an intermediate range requiring clinical judgment.
Why do dilation, effacement, and station go up to 3 points but consistency and position only go to 2?
This reflects the original scoring system as developed by Edward Bishop, based on which factors were found to be more strongly predictive of induction success. Dilation, effacement, and station each carry a maximum of 3 points, while consistency and position each carry a maximum of 2, giving a total possible score of 13.
Can I assess my own Bishop score at home?
No. Every component of the Bishop score requires a hands-on cervical exam performed by a trained healthcare provider. This calculator computes the standardized score from exam findings your provider has already determined; it isn’t a tool for self-assessment.
