GFR Calculator
Calculate your Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) to assess kidney function and monitor kidney health. Get instant results with professional medical accuracy.
Calculate Your GFR
Assess your kidney function with medical precision
Your GFR Results
Enter your details above to see personalized results
GFR Value
mL/min/1.73m²
Your kidney filtration rate
Kidney Function Stage
CKD Classification
Chronic kidney disease stage
Risk Assessment & Recommendations
Awaiting Your Calculation
Complete the form above to receive personalized kidney health assessment, risk evaluation, and medical recommendations based on your GFR results and kidney function stage.
GFR Progress Tracking
Medical Note: GFR values should be interpreted by healthcare professionals. Regular monitoring is essential for those with kidney disease or risk factors. This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes.
Kidney Health Tips
Stay Hydrated
Drink adequate water daily (8-10 glasses) to help kidneys filter waste effectively and maintain optimal function.
Healthy Diet
Limit sodium, processed foods, and excessive protein. Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for kidney health.
Monitor Blood Pressure
Keep blood pressure under control as hypertension is a leading cause of kidney damage and chronic kidney disease.
Regular Exercise
Maintain regular physical activity to support overall health, blood pressure control, and kidney function.
Related Calculators
Understanding GFR & Kidney Function
Medical insights into glomerular filtration rate and kidney health
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is the best overall measure of kidney function and is used to diagnose and stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our GFR calculator uses the CKD-EPI equation, which is recommended by the National Kidney Foundation and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for accurate kidney function assessment. Understanding your GFR helps detect kidney problems early when treatment is most effective. Monitor your overall health with our blood pressure calculator as hypertension is closely linked to kidney health.
GFR Measurement
Measures how much blood the kidneys filter each minute, indicating overall kidney function.
CKD Staging
GFR values help classify chronic kidney disease into five stages for treatment planning.
Early Detection
Regular GFR monitoring helps detect kidney problems before symptoms appear.
How GFR Calculation Works
GFR is calculated using the CKD-EPI equation, which considers age, gender, race, and serum creatinine levels. Creatinine is a waste product filtered by healthy kidneys, so higher creatinine levels indicate reduced kidney function. The equation adjusts for demographic factors because muscle mass and creatinine production vary between individuals. Use our creatinine clearance calculator for alternative kidney function assessment. For comprehensive health monitoring, consider our BMI calculator as obesity can impact kidney health over time.
CKD-EPI Equation
📊 Factors considered:
Age, Gender, Race, Serum Creatinine
🎯 Normal GFR:
>90 mL/min/1.73m² (healthy adults)
Understanding GFR stages helps patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions about treatment, lifestyle modifications, and monitoring frequency for optimal kidney health management.
GFR Stages & Clinical Significance
Chronic kidney disease is classified into five stages based on GFR values. Each stage requires different monitoring and treatment approaches:
Stage 1
Normal or high kidney function with kidney damage
Stage 2
Mild decrease in kidney function
Stage 3
Moderate decrease in kidney function
Stage 4
Severe decrease in kidney function
Stage 5
Kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant
Factors Affecting GFR Accuracy
Several factors can influence GFR calculations and should be considered when interpreting results:
- Muscle Mass: Very muscular individuals may have higher creatinine levels, leading to underestimated GFR. Conversely, those with low muscle mass may have overestimated GFR.
- Diet: High protein intake can temporarily increase creatinine levels. Vegetarian diets may result in lower creatinine levels.
- Medications: Some drugs like cimetidine, trimethoprim, and certain antibiotics can affect creatinine levels without changing actual kidney function.
- Hydration Status: Dehydration can temporarily reduce GFR, while overhydration may increase it. Maintain consistent hydration for accurate results.
- Acute Illness: Fever, infection, or other acute conditions can temporarily affect kidney function and GFR measurements.
- Age: GFR naturally declines with age, approximately 1 mL/min/1.73m² per year after age 30-40. Use our diabetes risk calculator as diabetes accelerates kidney function decline.
Kidney Health & Lifestyle
Prevention Strategies
Maintaining kidney health requires a comprehensive approach including blood pressure control, diabetes management, and healthy lifestyle choices.
💧 Hydration Management
Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily, adjust for climate and activity level
🍎 Nutritional Approach
Limit sodium, processed foods, and excessive protein intake
🏃 Regular Exercise
Maintain physical activity to support cardiovascular and kidney health
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
Regular medical consultation is essential for proper kidney health management and GFR interpretation:
Immediate Consultation
- GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73m²
- Rapid decline in GFR over time
- Blood or protein in urine
- Persistent swelling or high blood pressure
Regular Monitoring
- Annual screening for healthy adults over 60
- Every 6 months for diabetes or hypertension
- Every 3 months for known kidney disease
- Family history of kidney disease
GFR vs. Other Kidney Function Tests
While GFR is the gold standard, other tests provide complementary information about kidney health:
Creatinine Clearance
24-hour urine collection test that directly measures kidney’s ability to clear creatinine. More accurate but less convenient than estimated GFR. Use our creatinine clearance calculator for comparison.
Urinalysis
Detects protein, blood, or other abnormalities in urine that may indicate kidney damage even with normal GFR.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Measures another waste product filtered by kidneys. Used alongside creatinine for comprehensive kidney function assessment.
Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
For those diagnosed with CKD based on GFR results, comprehensive management includes:
Medical Management
- • Blood pressure control (target <130/80 mmHg)
- • Diabetes management (HbA1c <7%)
- • Medication adjustments for kidney function
- • Regular monitoring and specialist referrals
Lifestyle Modifications
- • Dietary protein restriction if recommended
- • Sodium limitation (2-3g daily)
- • Weight management and regular exercise
- • Smoking cessation and alcohol moderation
Remember that GFR is one component of kidney health assessment. Work with healthcare providers to interpret results in context of your overall health, symptoms, and other test results. Explore our health & fitness calculator category for additional tools including heart rate zones calculator and blood pressure calculator to support comprehensive health monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get expert answers to common GFR and kidney health questions
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
This website contains affiliate links to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission when you click on these links and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products that we believe will be helpful for your kidney health journey. The prices you pay remain the same whether you use our affiliate links or not.