COPD grades
While it is still possible to travel and live a full life with COPD, it is a progressive condition that will change over time. Once you have been diagnosed, your doctor will also need to find out how bad your condition is to decide on the correct treatment.
They will also monitor how your condition is changing, and whether your treatments need adjusting.
Because COPD is complicated, and everyone is different, your healthcare team will look at several different ways in which your COPD is affecting you:1
- What symptoms you have
- If you have had any flare-ups/exacerbations
- If you have any other health conditions
- How well you are able to breathe
There are four grades of COPD: mild, moderate, severe and very severe.
1: Mild COPD2,3
Lung function is reduced to around 80% and symptoms are mild. They can often be assumed to be "just a smoker's cough". The cough increases at this stage and often there is production of phlegm. The most important action in this mild stage is to stop smoking which can reduce the worsening of emphysema. Exercise is important as well to try and increase the functioning of the lungs.
2: Moderate COPD2,3
Lung function is reduced to between 50 and 79%. This is the commonest stage for COPD to be diagnosed as the symptoms are more troublesome. The symptoms are usually the same as in mild COPD but more persistent with daily cough and phlegm.
3: Severe COPD2,3
Lung function is reduced to between 30 and 49% of normal. Symptoms are worse and more frequent at this stage. It is common to get more frequent infections as the lungs are no longer able to work to expel bacteria and viruses. It is usually difficult at this stage to exercise without getting out of breath very quickly.
4: Very severe COPD2,3
Lung function is reduced to less than 30%. This stage is also called 'end-stage' emphysema or 'end-stage' COPD because it is so severe and can be life-threatening; however, it is common to live for several years at this stage, but with reduced quality of life. Weight loss is common at this stage.
Remember, although COPD is a progressive and currently incurable condition, treatment can help keep it under control.4
Living well at every stage
Although COPD is a progressive condition, there’s a lot you can do at every stage to feel better and slow things down. This may include:5,6
Your healthcare team will work with you to create the best treatment plan for your needs. For more information on living with COPD, see our information, here.
Healthcare team could include a GP, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, dietitian, occupational therapist, counsellor and stop smoking advisor.
Abbreviations:
References:
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of COPD. Available at: https://goldcopd.org/2025-gold-report/. Accessed October 2025.
- Patient.info. Emphysema. Available at: https://patient.info/chest-lungs/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-leaflet/emphysema. Accessed October 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Severe COPD. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/severe-copd. Accessed October 2025.
- COPD Foundation. Stages of COPD. Available at: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-New-to-COPD/Stages-of-COPD.aspx. Accessed October 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. What can you do to manage your COPD? Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/what-can-you-do-manage-your-copd. Accessed October 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Treatments and medicines for COPD. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/what-are-treatments-copd. Accessed October 2025.