What is eGFR?
eGFR means estimated glomerular filtration rate — a bedside estimate of how much blood the kidneys filter each minute, standardized to 1.73 m² of body surface area. A modern egfr calculator kidney function tool turns serum creatinine (and sometimes cystatin C), age, and sex into that number using equations such as CKD-EPI 2021 or MDRD. It is the core lab metric clinicians use to stage chronic kidney disease and to flag when filtration is falling.
How filtration becomes an eGFR number
From blood creatinine to indexed kidney function.
eGFR normal range at a glance
KDIGO GFR categories (mL/min/1.73 m²).
Why use an eGFR calculator?
A single creatinine value is hard to interpret across ages and sexes. The egfr calculation from creatinine adjusts for those factors so you can compare kidney function over time, classify egfr stages of kidney disease, and decide when to review drugs that need renal adjustment. This page is built as a transparent national kidney foundation egfr calculator-style workflow: race-free CKD-EPI 2021 first, with MDRD and cystatin options for comparison — the same family of equations used by major bedside tools such as MDCalc and laboratory eGFR modules.
eGFR formula
The recommended adult egfr formula in 2026 remains the CKD-EPI 2021 creatinine equation (Inker et al.; endorsed by NKF–ASN). It is deliberately an egfr calculator without race.
How to calculate eGFR
- Take a stable serum creatinine (mg/dL or µmol/L).
- Enter age and sex.
- Choose egfr calculator ckd-epi 2021 by default (or MDRD / cystatin if matching a specific report).
- Optional: add height & weight for egfr calculator with weight (BSA → mL/min).
- Read the indexed result and KDIGO stage; interpret with albuminuria and trends.
Worked example
65-year-old woman · SCr 1.2 mg/dL · CKD-EPI 2021
- Convert if needed: already mg/dL (106 µmol/L ÷ 88.4 ≈ 1.2).
- Apply CKD-EPI 2021: κ = 0.7, α = −0.241, female factor 1.012.
- Result: about 50 mL/min/1.73 m² → KDIGO G3a.
- Clinical meaning: an egfr 60 what does it mean question often lands near this boundary — persistent values under 60 warrant CKD work-up.
eGFR calculator CKD-EPI 2021 (without race)
The egfr calculator ckd-epi 2021 removes the Black race coefficient that older equations used. NKF and ASN recommend this race-free equation for routine adult laboratory reporting. Use this page’s default mode when you want a transparent egfr calculator without race aligned with that guidance — not a different “secret” formula.
eGFR calculator MDRD
The egfr calculator mdrd option implements the 4-variable IDMS MDRD Study equation (same structure as classic MDCalc MDRD tools). It tends to underestimate GFR at higher filtration rates compared with CKD-EPI and optionally multiplies by 1.212 for Black race. Prefer it when comparing to an older printout that explicitly says MDRD.
eGFR calculator cystatin C
Creatinine rises and falls with muscle mass and diet. The egfr calculator cystatin c path uses the 2012 CKD-EPI cystatin equation, and the combined 2021 creatinine–cystatin equation when both labs are available — often more accurate near decision thresholds (transplant evaluation, dosing edges).
Creatinine vs cystatin C
When combined Cr + Cys helps
Combined equations reduce race-related and muscle-mass bias versus creatinine alone.
eGFR vs creatinine clearance
eGFR vs creatinine clearance: eGFR estimates GFR indexed to BSA (mL/min/1.73 m²). Creatinine clearance (commonly Cockcroft–Gault) estimates clearance in mL/min using weight and remains embedded in many FDA drug labels. For dosing that specifies CrCl, use our creatinine clearance calculator; for CKD staging and lab reporting language, use eGFR.
eGFR stages of kidney disease
KDIGO grades filtration as G1–G5. Albuminuria (A1–A3) completes the heat map of risk. Staging needs persistence (≥3 months) and clinical context — a single low number after illness is not automatic CKD.
eGFR 60 — what does it mean?
egfr 60 what does it mean? It is the classic threshold below which many guidelines treat kidney function as reduced (G3a starts at 45–59; 60 sits at the G2/G3a border). Confirm with a repeat lab, check urine albumin, review nephrotoxic drugs, and consider nephrology referral based on local pathways — especially if declining or symptomatic.
Low eGFR causes
Common low egfr causes include chronic kidney disease (diabetes, hypertension, glomerular disease), acute kidney injury, obstruction, heart failure with reduced renal perfusion, and advanced age with comorbidity. Spurious “low” eGFR can also appear when creatinine is high from muscle injury or when the wrong equation/unit is used. Always interpret with the clinical story — not the calculator alone.
What is a normal eGFR for age?
What is a normal egfr for age? Average filtration declines slowly after mid-adulthood. An egfr calculator for elderly patients still uses the same adult equations; the difference is interpretation: an eGFR of 55 in an 80-year-old without albuminuria may be less alarming than the same value in a 35-year-old, but medication dosing and monitoring still matter. There is no single “normal for age” cut-off that replaces clinical judgment.
Age trend (illustrative averages)
Not a diagnostic chart — shows why age context matters.
eGFR calculator UK
An egfr calculator uk workflow usually still reports mL/min/1.73 m² using CKD-EPI. Some UK laboratories historically printed CKD-EPI 2009; race-free 2021 uptake varies by trust/lab. Match the equation named on the report. Units are often µmol/L for creatinine — switch the unit toggle above.
eGFR calculator with weight
Indexed eGFR assumes 1.73 m² BSA. For very small or large adults, multiplying by BSA/1.73 (Mosteller BSA from height and weight) approximates non-indexed filtration in mL/min. This is not Cockcroft–Gault; use CrCl when a label demands it.
FAQ
What is eGFR?
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) estimates how well the kidneys filter blood, reported in mL/min/1.73 m². It is calculated from serum creatinine (and sometimes cystatin C) plus age and sex using equations such as CKD-EPI 2021.
What is the eGFR formula (CKD-EPI 2021)?
eGFR = 142 × min(SCr/κ,1)^α × max(SCr/κ,1)^−1.200 × 0.9938^Age × 1.012 if female. κ is 0.7 (female) or 0.9 (male); α is −0.241 (female) or −0.302 (male). SCr is in mg/dL. No race coefficient.
What is a normal eGFR range?
Many adults have eGFR ≥90 (G1). Values 60–89 (G2) can be acceptable for age without kidney damage markers. Persistent eGFR <60 for ≥3 months supports CKD when other criteria are met.
What does an eGFR of 60 mean?
It sits at the G2/G3a boundary. Persistently below 60 often indicates CKD stage G3a or worse and should prompt review of albuminuria, medications, blood pressure, and referral thresholds.
eGFR vs creatinine clearance — what is the difference?
eGFR estimates GFR indexed to 1.73 m² BSA. Creatinine clearance (often Cockcroft–Gault) estimates clearance in mL/min using weight and is still used for many drug-dosing labels. Related, not interchangeable.
Which equation does the National Kidney Foundation recommend?
NKF–ASN recommend race-free CKD-EPI 2021 creatinine for routine adults, with cystatin C or combined equations when greater accuracy is needed.
How do you calculate eGFR from creatinine?
Convert to mg/dL if needed (µmol/L ÷ 88.4), enter age and sex, apply CKD-EPI 2021 (or MDRD). Optional height and weight allow BSA de-indexing to mL/min.
What is a normal eGFR for age / elderly adults?
Average eGFR declines with age. Many healthy older adults fall in the 45–89 band. Age alone does not define CKD — combine with albuminuria and clinical context.
Does the UK use a different eGFR calculator?
UK labs commonly report CKD-EPI eGFR. Some still reference CKD-EPI 2009; race-free 2021 adoption varies. Match the equation on the lab report and use µmol/L creatinine when that is how the lab reports.
When should I use cystatin C for eGFR?
When creatinine may mislead (extremes of muscle mass, diet, amputation) or when eGFR is near a clinical decision threshold. Prefer combined CKD-EPI 2021 Cr+Cys when both values are available.
