Where do I find my eGFR and ACR?

Both come from routine tests. Your eGFR is calculated from a blood creatinine test — if you don't have it, our eGFR calculator works it out from creatinine, age, and sex. Your ACR comes from a urine test (sometimes written as UACR or 'urine albumin/creatinine'). If your lab reports ACR in mg/mmol, switch the unit toggle and we'll convert it.

What counts as high risk?

A common way to read the 5-year number: under 5% is low, 5–15% is intermediate, 15–40% is high, and 40% or more is very high. Many services use a 2-year risk around 40%, or a 5-year risk of a few percent, as a trigger for nephrology referral — but local thresholds vary, so treat these as general guides, not rules.

Is this the same as my CKD stage?

No, and that's the point. Two people at the same eGFR stage (say G3b) can have very different outlooks depending on how much albumin is in their urine. The KFRE combines both into a single, calibrated probability, which is usually more informative than the stage label alone.

Does a high score mean I will definitely need dialysis?

No. It's a probability across a population of similar people, not a prediction about you specifically. Plenty of people with a high score never progress, and the number can improve as your eGFR and albuminuria are managed. It also doesn't account for other outcomes, like heart disease, that compete with kidney failure — which is one reason it's a conversation starter with your clinician, not a verdict.

Which version of the equation does this use?

The 4-variable model with the original Tangri (2011) baseline survival. Regional recalibrations exist and can shift the numbers slightly. Because of that — and because ACR and eGFR values vary with how they're measured — use this as an estimate to discuss with a clinician, not a diagnostic test.

Clinical tool · CKD stages G3–G5

Kidney Failure Risk Calculator (KFRE).

This estimates the chance of needing dialysis or a transplant within the next 2 and 5 years, using the validated Tangri 4-variable equation. You need four things: age, sex, your eGFR, and your urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). It's an estimate to discuss with a clinician — not a diagnosis.

Implements a published clinical formula — see citation. Maintained by TheHealthTools team. Not medical advice.

Age (years)

Sex

eGFR (mL/min/1.73m²)

Don't know it? Work it out here →

Urine ACR

How to read your result

The two percentages are the estimated probability that someone with your numbers would progress to treated kidney failure within 2 and 5 years. A common way to band the 5-year figure: under 5% is low, 5–15% is intermediate, 15–40% is high, and 40% or above is very high. Many kidney services use a threshold in this range to decide on referral, closer monitoring, or planning ahead for dialysis access — though the exact cut-offs differ from place to place.

Why albuminuria matters so much here

The reason this beats staging by eGFR alone is the ACR. Two people can sit at the same eGFR and face very different futures depending on how much albumin is leaking into their urine. The equation gives albuminuria a heavy weight, which is why entering an accurate, recent ACR matters as much as the eGFR.

What it doesn't tell you

It predicts kidney failure only — not heart disease or other outcomes that can matter just as much, especially for older adults. It's a population estimate, not a personal certainty, and the number can move as your blood pressure, blood sugar, and albuminuria are treated. Use it to frame a conversation with your doctor, not to draw conclusions on your own.

Frequently asked questions

It's a validated formula developed by Tangri and colleagues that estimates the chance an adult with chronic kidney disease will need dialysis or a transplant within 2 and 5 years. The common 4-variable version uses just four things: age, sex, eGFR, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). It's used widely to decide who needs a nephrology referral and how closely to monitor.

Related kidney tools & reading

eGFR calculator →ACR calculator →CKD stages explained →

For general education only — not medical advice or a diagnosis. The 4-variable KFRE is intended for adults with chronic kidney disease (roughly stages G3–G5). Reference: Tangri N, Stevens LA, Griffith J, et al. A predictive model for progression of chronic kidney disease to kidney failure. JAMA. 2011;305(15):1553-1559. Regional recalibrations exist (Tangri et al., JAMA. 2016).