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)
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