How to Read a Chest X Ray
Expert
Reviewed
You have probably seen a chest x-ray (chest radiograph), or might even have had one
taken. Have you ever wondered how to read a chest x-ray? When looking at a radiograph,
remember that it is a 2-dimensional representation of a 3-dimensional object. Height and
width are maintained, but depth is lost. The left side of the film represents the right side of
the individual, and vice versa. Air appears black, fat appears gray, soft tissues and water
appear as lighter shades of gray, and bone and metal appear white. The denser the tissue,
the whiter it will appear on x-ray. Denser tissues appear radiopaque, bright on the film;
less dense tissues appear radiolucent, dark on the film.
Part One of Four:
Making Initial Checks
https://m.wikihow.com/Read-a-Chest-X-Ray?amp=1 11/20/17, 2>37 PM
Page 1 of 28
, 1 Check the patient's name. Above all else, make sure you are looking at the
correct chest x-ray first. This sounds obvious, but when you are stressed and
under pressure you can skip some of the basics. If you have the wrong x-ray you will
be wasting time not saving it.
Look up the patient's history. When you are preparing to read an x-ray make sure
https://m.wikihow.com/Read-a-Chest-X-Ray?amp=1 11/20/17, 2>37 PM
Page 2 of 28
, 2 you have all the information on the patient, including age and sex, and their
medical history. Remember to compare with old x-rays if there are any.[1]
3 Read the date of the radiograph. Make special note of the date when comparing
older radiographs (always look at older radiographs if available). The date the
radiograph is taken provides important context for interpreting any findings.
https://m.wikihow.com/Read-a-Chest-X-Ray?amp=1 11/20/17, 2>37 PM
Page 3 of 28
Expert
Reviewed
You have probably seen a chest x-ray (chest radiograph), or might even have had one
taken. Have you ever wondered how to read a chest x-ray? When looking at a radiograph,
remember that it is a 2-dimensional representation of a 3-dimensional object. Height and
width are maintained, but depth is lost. The left side of the film represents the right side of
the individual, and vice versa. Air appears black, fat appears gray, soft tissues and water
appear as lighter shades of gray, and bone and metal appear white. The denser the tissue,
the whiter it will appear on x-ray. Denser tissues appear radiopaque, bright on the film;
less dense tissues appear radiolucent, dark on the film.
Part One of Four:
Making Initial Checks
https://m.wikihow.com/Read-a-Chest-X-Ray?amp=1 11/20/17, 2>37 PM
Page 1 of 28
, 1 Check the patient's name. Above all else, make sure you are looking at the
correct chest x-ray first. This sounds obvious, but when you are stressed and
under pressure you can skip some of the basics. If you have the wrong x-ray you will
be wasting time not saving it.
Look up the patient's history. When you are preparing to read an x-ray make sure
https://m.wikihow.com/Read-a-Chest-X-Ray?amp=1 11/20/17, 2>37 PM
Page 2 of 28
, 2 you have all the information on the patient, including age and sex, and their
medical history. Remember to compare with old x-rays if there are any.[1]
3 Read the date of the radiograph. Make special note of the date when comparing
older radiographs (always look at older radiographs if available). The date the
radiograph is taken provides important context for interpreting any findings.
https://m.wikihow.com/Read-a-Chest-X-Ray?amp=1 11/20/17, 2>37 PM
Page 3 of 28
