Capillary Refill Test

Published July 2, 2026 Read time 1 min read Readers 1
Capillary Refill Test

What is the "Capillary Refill Test" used for?

  • The capillary refill test provides gross information on the quality and quantity of blood flow to the extremities.

How to perform the "Capillary Refill Test"?

  • Squeeze the fingernail so that the nail bed turns white or a lighter shade and hold for 5 seconds.
  • Release the pressure and note the speed of the refill as indicated by the baseline color returning to the nail bed.
  • Repeat using the other fingers or toes and then perform on the opposite extremity.

What is the positive result?

  • Normal capillary refill time is usually 3 seconds or less.
  • A positive test is when markedly slow or absent return of the nail’s natural color for more than 3 seconds.

A delayed capillary refill time is a sign of:

  1. Unilateral positive test: Occlusion of an artery or arteriole supplying the finger.
  2. Bilateral positive test: Possible systemic cardiovascular compromise or disease.

Test Accuracy

  • No standardized execution or evidence demonstrates the area of the digit giving the most accurate capillary refill time (CRT).

References