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You are here: Home / Compression Therapy / Compression Classifications / A Closer Look At Compression Classes

A Closer Look At Compression Classes

July 14, 2010 Gregory 10 Comments





Deciphering compression levels and classifications can be challenging to anybody who is just beginning to educate themselves on the subject of compression and support stockings.  Let it be said here that at this time there are still no international and universally agreed standards on the subject of compression stockings and their compression classes.

Several European countries and the United States have developed their own definitions of compression classifications.

Please note: All compression stockings should be used under the guidance of a physician.  Graduated compression stockings rated 20 mmHg or higher require a prescription by a physician.

The pressure of compression stockings is measured in

*) units of mmHg [millimeter of mercury] or **) kPa [kilo Pascal]

USA Pressure Classes for Compression Stockings

I Mild 15-20 mmHg*) 1.99-2.66 kPa**)
II Moderate 20-30 mmHg 2.66-3.99 kPa
III Strong 30-40 mmHg 3.99-5.32 kPa
IV Very Strong N/A N/A

Great Britain Pressure Classifications for Compression Stockings

I Mild 14-17mmHg*) 1.86-2.26 kPa**)
II Moderate 18-24 mmHg 2.39-3.19 kPa
III Strong 25-35 mmHg 3.33-4.66 kPa
IV Very Strong N/A N/A

France Pressure Classes for Compression Stockings

I Mild 10-15mmHg*) 1.33-1.99 kPa**)
II Moderate 15-20 mmHg 1.99-2.66 kPa
III Strong 20-36 mmHg 2.66-4.79 kPa
IV Very Strong >36 mmHg >4.79 kPa

Germany Pressure Classifications for Compression Stockings

I Mild 18-21mmHg*) 2.39-2.79 kPa**)
II Moderate 23-32 mmHg 3.06-4.26 kPa
III Strong 34-46 mmHg 4.53-6.13 kPa
IV Very Strong >49 mmHg >6.53 kPa

European Draft of Pressure Classes for Compression Stockings

A Very Mild 10-14 mmHg*) 1.33-1.86 kPa**)
I Mild 15-21mmHg 1.99-2.79 kPa
II Moderate 23-32 mmHg 3.06-4.26 kPa
III Strong 34-46 mmHg 4.53-6.13 kPa
IV Very Strong >49 mmHg >6.53 kPa

Support Stockings can be found in the following Mild Compression Classes:

  • I          6-8 mmHg*) – (0.7998-1.0664 kPa)**)
  • II     10-12 mmHg – (1.333-1.5996 kPa)
  • III    14-16 mmHg – (1.8662-2.1328 kPa)
  • IV    15-20 mmHg – (1.9999-2.6666 kPa)

If you liked this post please let us know by clicking the Facebook like button or the G+1 button below. We also appreciate any comments and personal experiences you have to contribute.



Related posts:

  1. What Is Graduated Compression?

Compression Classifications, Compresssion Stockings Compression Stockings, Graduated Compression, Support Stockings

Comments

  1. Mike says

    October 11, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    My knees are feeling so much better now than I’m wearing thigh high hose.

    Reply
  2. Stykhead says

    August 17, 2017 at 11:02 pm

    Hi loved the blog . Got a question ,maybe you can help . What would 94/6 be classified as in terms of the “mm-hg scale .ex: leggings ?

    Reply
  3. Mellissa R. says

    November 30, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    Enjoyed reading this blog, very good stuff, appreciate it.

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  8. Lucy says

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    Reply
  9. Myesha C. says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:16 pm

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    Reply
  10. Registered nurse says

    December 1, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    Nice post. thanks.

    Reply

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