Search ICD-11 codes in English using data from the WHO API. Browse the chapter overview, explore coding examples and compare ICD-11 with ICD-10.
The ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision) is the global diagnostic classification system published by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is the international standard for recording, reporting, analyzing and interpreting mortality and morbidity data worldwide.
The tabular list contains approximately 15,000 entities at the four, five, or six character level in chapters 1 to 25. The alphabetical index includes more than 120,000 clinical terms. Through the postcoordination —combination of base codes with extension codes— it is possible to describe more than 1.6 million different clinical situations.
The eleventh revision was adopted in May 2019 and came into force on January 1, 2022. It is the first completely digital version, with free public API and multilingual support, including English and Spanish.
| Appearance | ICD-10 | ICD-11 |
|---|---|---|
| Entities in tabular list | ~14,400 | ~15,000 (chapters 1-25) |
| Terms in alphabetical index | ~70,000 | 120,000+ |
| Format | Printed + basic digital | 100% digital, public API |
| Code combination | Limited | Post-coordination: 1.6M+ combinations |
| Spanish support | Partial | official native |
| Sleep disorders | Inside neurology | Independent Chapter 07 |
| sexual health | Within genitourinary | Independent Chapter 17 |
| traditional medicine | Not included | Chapter 26 dedicated |
| Validity | Since 1994 | From January 1, 2022 |
For best results, type the full name or an exact ICD-11 code.
Official nomenclature according to the WHO Reference Guide. Click on a chapter to explore its blocks and codes.
ICD-11 codes are in alphanumeric format of 4 to 7 characters. The first letter or number indicates the chapter to which the disease belongs. For example, all codes in chapter 01 begin with 1, those in chapter 11 (circulatory system) begin with B, and those of chapter 06 (mental health) by 6.
The extension codes —which are never used alone— are added to the base code using a forward slash (/) to specify details such as severity, laterality or temporality, forming what the ICD-11 calls a cluster. The acronyms NOS (Not otherwise specified) and NEC (Not elsewhere classified) respectively indicate lack of greater specificity or that the condition does not have its own category.
Jacques Bertillon presents the Classification of Causes of Death in Chicago. It is the direct predecessor of the ICD.
With the creation of the WHO, the classification becomes an international responsibility and includes causes of morbidity for the first time.
It introduces the alphanumeric system and becomes the global standard for almost three decades.
The 194 Member States approve the eleventh revision in Geneva. First completely digital classification.
Official implementation with public API, native Spanish and postcoordination for more than 1.6 million clinical combinations.
The WHO publishes the ICD-11 Reference Guide in Spanish (February 2023), consolidating the complete technical documentation.
The official WHO Reference Guide describes multiple uses for different user profiles.
Coding of diagnoses in medical records, referrals, medical certificates and morbidity records.
Registration of hospital discharges, morbidity statistics, hospital casemix and resource allocation.
Classification of diagnoses for reimbursement, insurance records and medical audits, where adopted by the relevant system.
Epidemiological surveillance, disease burden analysis, mortality statistics and health policies.
Learning clinical diagnoses, preparing for exams and understanding medical nosology.
Integration using the WHO public API into HIS, EMR, clinical and billing applications.
Open the official English reference guide or download our English summary of the 26 ICD-11 chapters. No registration required.