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Up to 8 questions to recommend ER, urgent care, a doctor's office, or self care. No signup, no data stored.
Not a diagnosis. If symptoms are severe or life‑threatening, call 911. See our validation.
Chat with our AI to get personalized care recommendations
AI can make mistakes. Educational guidance only, not medical advice. Call 911 for emergencies.
AI can make mistakes. This is an educational tool for general guidance on where to seek care, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We built it to be research‑backed and safety‑first, but it does not replace a clinician's judgment. If your symptoms are severe, worsening, or you are worried, call 911 or contact a healthcare provider.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Prathima Madda, MBBS • See the validation study
Tell the AI what you're experiencing in plain language - no medical terms needed.
Up to 8 targeted questions narrow down severity, timing, and related factors.
Receive a clear recommendation: ER, urgent care, doctor visit, or safe home care.
Not sure whether to go to the emergency room or urgent care? Use this guide, or answer the questions above for a recommendation tailored to your symptoms.
Life- or limb-threatening symptoms that need care right now.
Chest pain or pressure, stroke signs (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), severe trouble breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, a sudden “worst headache of my life,” fainting, or a major injury.
Not life-threatening, but you need care today and can't wait for your doctor.
Minor cuts that may need stitches, sprains, mild asthma, ear or urinary infections, or a fever without red-flag symptoms.
Persistent or worsening symptoms that aren't urgent.
A symptom lasting more than a week or two, medication questions, a slowly spreading rash, or a chronic condition that needs a check-in.
Mild, self-limiting symptoms with no warning signs.
A common cold, mild headache, minor scrapes, or short-lived stomach upset. Watch for changes and escalate if symptoms worsen.
Cost matters too: an ER visit averages far more than urgent care. See our ER cost and urgent care cost guides, or the full ER vs. urgent care comparison.
Skip the symptom checker and call 911 immediately for:
Paramedics start treatment on scene and alert the hospital so care begins before you arrive.
Deeper symptom analysis, in-network providers ranked by cost, and built-in Bill Defense that fights high medical bills for you.
In-depth guides on when to seek emergency care, visit urgent care, or manage symptoms at home.
ER vs. Urgent Care: Full ComparisonGo to the ER—or call 911—if you have any of the following: chest pain or pressure • sudden trouble breathing • severe bleeding that won’t stop • signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech) • head injury with loss of consciousness • seizures • major burns • poisoning • severe abdominal pain with vomiting • sudden vision loss. For personalized triage, use the chat assistant above.
Choose the ER for life‑threatening or potentially disabling problems; choose urgent care for non‑life‑threatening issues that still need same‑day attention. Average costs (before insurance): ER around $3,000 vs. urgent care around $200. ERs run 24/7 with advanced imaging and specialists; urgent care offers extended hours and shorter waits for minor fractures, stitches, infections, fevers, or moderate pain. Unsure? Our chat assistant can guide you in under 2 minutes.
Urgent care is ideal for: minor fractures or sprains • small cuts that may need stitches • ear or sinus infections • mild asthma flares • urinary tract infections • fevers without severe distress • flu, strep throat, or COVID‑19 tests • simple rashes. Anything involving severe pain, heavy bleeding, breathing trouble, or neurological symptoms belongs in the ER.
Call 911 if time or safety is critical—chest pain, stroke signs, severe shortness of breath, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, major trauma, or if you can’t safely move the patient. Paramedics start treatment immediately and alert the hospital so care begins sooner.
National averages run around $3000 before insurance; severe cases can exceed $5,000. Urgent Care averages around $200 before insurance. Out‑of‑pocket cost depends on your plan’s deductible, co‑pay, or co‑insurance. Check your benefits portal or call your insurer for exact numbers.
ER wait times vary widely—median ~2 hours in the U.S.—because patients are seen by severity, not arrival order. Urgent care clinics usually quote 15‑45 minutes. Using our pre‑visit chat can help you pick the setting most likely to treat you faster.
Yes, this web symptom checker is 100% free with no signup, no account, and no data stored. It asks up to 8 targeted questions and recommends ER, urgent care, a doctor visit, or home care. For deeper symptom analysis, provider recommendations, and cost estimates, try the free CareRoute app.
CareRoute’s symptom checker is clinical-case tested and designed with safety-first rules—it will always err on the side of caution. The same triage logic powers both this web tool and the CareRoute app, which has been validated against clinical scenarios by Dr. Prathima Madda, MBBS. It is not a medical diagnosis; always seek professional care for serious symptoms.
This tool provides guidance but is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Last updated: June 7, 2026 • Reviewed by Dr. Prathima Madda, MBBS • Web checker uses the same safety thresholds as the validated app in a streamlined flow