Technology Readiness Level Assessment
Evaluate your technology's development stage using the NASA/DOD TRL framework (1-9). Get funding recommendations and next steps to advance your innovation.
TRL Assessment Questions
Is the basic concept and potential application clearly defined?
Has proof of concept been demonstrated in laboratory?
Have key components been validated individually?
Has the system been integrated and tested in simulated conditions?
Has the system been demonstrated in a relevant/operational environment?
Is a pre-production prototype operating in actual conditions?
Is the system complete, qualified, and ready for production?
Has the system proven successful through commercial operations?
About TRL
The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale was developed by NASA and is widely used by government agencies and investors to assess technology maturity. TRL 1 represents basic research, while TRL 9 indicates a fully operational system.
TRL Scale Overview
Basic Principles Observed
Technology Concept Formulated
Proof of Concept
Component Validation in Lab
System Validation in Relevant Environment
System Demonstrated in Relevant Environment
System Prototype in Operational Environment
System Complete and Qualified
System Proven Through Operations
Complete the Assessment
Answer the questions to determine your technology's current TRL level
How the TRL Assessment Works
Technology readiness levels (TRLs) rate how mature a technology is on a scale of 1 to 9. The scale was developed at NASA and is now used by the US Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the European Commission and many research funders and investors. This calculator gives you a quick, evidence-based estimate of where your technology sits.
- Answer one question per level. Each question describes the evidence needed to claim that level, starting at TRL 2.
- Answer from what you can document. Count test results and demonstrations you have completed, not ones that are planned.
- The first no sets your level. Your TRL is the last level you passed, because each level builds on the evidence of the one before it.
- Use the results. The tool shows typical activities, funding sources, risks and next steps for your level.
The Nine TRL Levels at a Glance
| Level | Name | Typical evidence |
|---|---|---|
| TRL 1 | Basic principles observed | Published research describing the underlying science. |
| TRL 2 | Technology concept formulated | A described application, still speculative, with no experimental proof. |
| TRL 3 | Proof of concept | Lab experiments or analysis showing the critical function works. |
| TRL 4 | Validated in the lab | Components work together in a laboratory setting. |
| TRL 5 | Validated in a relevant environment | Components tested under conditions close to real use. |
| TRL 6 | Prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment | A representative model or prototype system works in realistic conditions. |
| TRL 7 | Prototype demonstrated in an operational environment | A near-final prototype works in the real setting it is meant for. |
| TRL 8 | System complete and qualified | The final system passes testing and certification. |
| TRL 9 | System proven in operation | The system works in real-world use over time. |
For each level in depth, with examples and the evidence reviewers look for, read our technology readiness levels guide.
What to Do at Each Stage
A TRL tells you how far the technology has come. These are the commercialization moves that usually matter most in each band.
TRL 1–3: Research
Prove the science works and find out who would care if it did.
- Protect the core idea before publishing, with a provisional patent where appropriate
- Talk to 10–20 potential users to test whether the problem is real
- Look at non-dilutive funding such as grants and SBIR/STTR Phase I
TRL 4–6: Development
Turn a lab result into a prototype that works in realistic conditions.
- Pick a beachhead application and define what a pilot customer needs to see
- Decide on a pathway: license, spinout or partnership
- Line up pilot partners and plan the regulatory path if one applies
TRL 7–9: Deployment
Prove it works in the field and can be produced and sold repeatably.
- Run paid pilots and collect references from early customers
- Validate pricing, unit economics and manufacturing or delivery costs
- Build the sales and support motion for the first market
Early-stage funding options are covered in our SBIR phases guide, and the GTM readiness assessment checks market and team readiness alongside the technology.
A Worked Example
Take a hypothetical university team that has developed a new sensor for detecting water contamination. They have published the underlying chemistry, built a lab prototype that detects the target compound in prepared samples, and run it on water collected from two treatment plants, also in the lab.
- TRL 2 and 3: yes. The concept is described and the lab experiments show the critical function works.
- TRL 4: yes. The sensing element and readout electronics work together on the bench.
- TRL 5: not yet. Real plant water tested in the lab is a step toward a relevant environment, but the device has not run at a plant, with real flow, temperature changes and fouling.
The team is at TRL 4. Their next milestone is a field test at a treatment plant, which is also the evidence a pilot customer or a Phase II grant reviewer would ask for.
TRLs for Software and AI
The scale was written for hardware, but it maps onto software if you translate the environments. A relevant environment means realistic data and load; an operational environment means real users in production. A model that scores well on a benchmark dataset is usually around TRL 4; one running on live customer data in a pilot is closer to TRL 6 or 7. Because software moves through the levels quickly, many software teams pair TRL with product and commercial readiness measures.
Common TRL Assessment Mistakes
- Rating the best component, not the system. A technology is only as ready as its least mature critical part.
- Counting planned work. A test scheduled for next quarter does not move you up a level today.
- Confusing the lab with a relevant environment. TRL 5 and 6 require conditions close to real use, such as real temperatures, loads, data or users.
- Skipping documentation. Funders and investors will ask for the test reports behind each claimed level.
- Treating TRL as market readiness. A working technology still needs customers, a business model and a route to market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the TRL calculator work?
It asks one yes-or-no question for each level from TRL 2 to TRL 9, in order. Each question describes the evidence needed to claim that level. The assessment stops at the first question you answer no, and your TRL is the last level you passed, so a single gap keeps you at the level below it.
What are technology readiness levels?
Technology readiness levels are a nine-point scale for how mature a technology is, from TRL 1 (basic principles observed) to TRL 9 (system proven in real-world operation). The scale was developed at NASA and has since been adopted by the US Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the European Commission and many research funders.
Is a self-assessed TRL accurate?
It is a useful first estimate, not a certification. Formal assessments by agencies and investors check the evidence behind each level, such as test reports and the conditions of each demonstration. Answer each question based on what you can document, not what you expect to show soon.
Why do funders ask for a TRL?
It tells them where the technology sits on the path to market and what kind of risk remains. Many grant programs target specific ranges: early research funding typically supports TRL 1–4, while demonstration and commercialization programs focus on higher levels. Check each program's guidance for the levels it funds.
How long does it take to move up a TRL?
It depends heavily on the field. Software can move from proof of concept to a deployed product in months, while medical devices, energy systems and hardware can spend years between TRL 4 and TRL 7, often because of testing, manufacturing and regulatory steps.
What is the difference between TRL and commercial readiness?
TRL measures whether the technology works. Commercial readiness asks whether there is a market, a business model, a team and a way to reach customers. A technology can be at TRL 9 and still not be ready to sell, so assess both before planning a launch.