OBJECTIVE To estimate the functional independence of persons with spinal cord injury according to the Functional Independence Measure motor items. METHODS The study design was cross-sectional. METHODS All adult citizens of Helsinki with traumatic spinal cord injury were identified. The final study group consisted of 121/152 subjects (80%). METHODS Functional Independence Measure assessments and American Spinal Cord Association examinations were performed on all subjects by the same experienced group including a physician and a physiotherapist. RESULTS The most assistance-craving items were climbing stairs and bladder management. There were no significant differences between the genders. Subjects with tetraplegia needed significantly more assistance in all motor items except walking/wheelchair locomotion, where there was no significant difference. Subjects with tetraplegia in American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale D had higher Functional Independence Measure scores, more functional independence, than subjects in American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A-C, the difference being significant. CONCLUSIONS Because of new information, the results of this study may provide better possibilities for planning and coordinating rehabilitation measures and social services.