ALBI Score Calculator
Use this tool to estimate the Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score and ALBI grade from serum albumin and total bilirubin values.
What is the ALBI score?
The ALBI score is a validated liver function index derived from two routine laboratory values: serum albumin and bilirubin. It is often used in hepatology and oncology settings, especially for patients with chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), to help stratify liver reserve.
Unlike older scoring systems that include subjective findings (such as ascites or encephalopathy grading), ALBI is fully laboratory-based. That makes it simple, reproducible, and easy to calculate.
ALBI formula and unit conversions
Formula
Because the equation uses specific units, conversions are required if your lab reports values differently:
- Bilirubin: mg/dL × 17.1 = µmol/L
- Albumin: g/dL × 10 = g/L
This calculator handles those conversions automatically.
How ALBI grade is interpreted
Once the score is calculated, patients are grouped into ALBI grades:
- ALBI Grade 1: score ≤ -2.60 (better liver functional reserve)
- ALBI Grade 2: score > -2.60 and ≤ -1.39 (intermediate reserve)
- ALBI Grade 3: score > -1.39 (poorer reserve)
In general, more negative scores indicate better hepatic function.
How to use this ALBI calculator
- Enter your serum albumin value and choose the correct unit.
- Enter your total bilirubin value and choose the correct unit.
- Click Calculate ALBI.
- Review the numeric ALBI score and grade interpretation.
Worked example
Suppose albumin is 3.5 g/dL and bilirubin is 1.2 mg/dL. The calculator converts these to 35 g/L and 20.52 µmol/L, then applies the ALBI equation. The resulting score is around -2.35, which is ALBI Grade 2.
Why clinicians use ALBI
ALBI is frequently discussed because it is objective and practical. Common clinical applications include:
- Baseline liver function assessment in chronic liver disease.
- Risk stratification in HCC patients undergoing treatment.
- Follow-up trend tracking when lab values change over time.
ALBI vs Child-Pugh: brief comparison
Child-Pugh remains widely used, but includes subjective variables. ALBI simplifies this by using only albumin and bilirubin. That said, the two tools are complementary in practice. Treatment decisions should always incorporate full clinical context, imaging, comorbidities, performance status, and specialist judgment.
Important limitations
- ALBI is a supportive tool, not a stand-alone diagnosis.
- Lab variability and acute illness can influence results.
- Interpretation depends on underlying disease and clinical setting.
- Pediatric or special populations may require different frameworks.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an ALBI grade calculator?
Yes. It calculates both the numeric ALBI score and the corresponding ALBI grade (1, 2, or 3).
Can I enter mg/dL bilirubin and g/dL albumin?
Absolutely. The tool converts those values to the required units before applying the formula.
What does a lower ALBI score mean?
A lower (more negative) ALBI score generally reflects better liver function reserve.