PURPOSE: Comparison of functional capacity according to cognitive status in institutionalized elderly. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with a convenience sample of 152 elderly people of both sexes from 6 long-stay institutions for philanthropic elderly people in São Caetano do Sul. Cognitive function was measured by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Functional capacity was assessed by the CELAFISCS Functional Capacity Assessment Scale, consisting of the measurement of leg circumference (centimeters), elbow flexion test (repetitions), walking speed test (seconds), and stationary gait test (repetitions) with a total score of up to 16 points. The ANCOVA test adjusted for sex and age was applied, adopting a significance level of p < 0.05 using the SPSS 25.0 statistical program. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the group with cognitive impairment according to the functional when adjusted for age and sex in the following variables: elbow flexion, maximum walking speed and 2-minute stationary gait. CONCLUSION: The institutionalized elderly with cognitive deficit presented a lower functional capacity. Functional capacity variables according to the presence of cognitive deficit in institutionalized elderly