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Wells score: deep vein thrombosis

Respiratory & VTE

Pre-test probability for DVT; 'unlikely' with a negative D-dimer needs no ultrasound.

What you enter

  • Active cancer (+1)
  • Paralysis, paresis or recent plaster immobilisation of the leg (+1)
  • Bedridden ≥3 days or major surgery within 12 weeks (+1)
  • Localised tenderness along the deep venous system (+1)
  • Entire leg swollen (+1)
  • Calf swelling >3 cm vs the other side (+1)
  • Pitting oedema confined to the symptomatic leg (+1)
  • Collateral superficial veins (non-varicose) (+1)
  • Previously documented DVT (+1)
  • Alternative diagnosis at least as likely (-2)
FORMULAOne point each (alternative diagnosis −2); cut-off ≥2 = likely
SourceWells PS et al. Evaluation of D-dimer in the diagnosis of suspected deep-vein thrombosis. NEJM 2003;349:1227-35ReviewedFormula and thresholds checked against the source on 2026-08-22. If the source updates, this line will say so.