Sleep Apnea Risk Calculator (STOP-BANG)

STOP-BANG is one of the most widely used questionnaires for screening the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. It’s 8 yes-or-no questions. Check the ones that apply to you to see your risk level — keeping in mind this is a screening test, not a diagnosis.

What each risk band means

Each “yes” answer is worth 1 point, out of a total of 0 to 8. The standard STOP-BANG reading is: 0 to 2 points, low risk; 3 to 4, intermediate risk; 5 to 8, high risk for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The higher the score, the higher the chance — but only a sleep study confirms or rules out the condition.

The name comes from the initials of the items: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, Pressure (high blood pressure), BMI (over 35), Age (over 50), Neck (large size), and Gender (male).

Why sleep apnea matters

In obstructive apnea, the airway partially or fully closes several times a night, interrupting breathing for a few seconds. The person doesn’t fully wake up, but sleep becomes fragmented and loses quality. The result is non-restorative sleep, daytime sleepiness, and, over the long term, an association with high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. Many people live for years with apnea without knowing it, attributing the fatigue to other causes.

Signs that call for attention

• Loud, frequent snoring, especially with gasping or pauses noticed by whoever sleeps nearby
• Strong daytime sleepiness, involuntary naps
• Waking up with a headache, dry mouth, or a choking sensation
• Difficulty concentrating and irritability with no other explanation

If daytime sleepiness is your main complaint, measure it with the Epworth sleepiness scale calculator. To understand how sleep is organized in cycles, see the sleep cycle calculator, and to check your hours, the sleep duration calculator.

This calculator is an informational screening tool, does not diagnose sleep apnea, and does not replace medical evaluation. Diagnosis requires a sleep study interpreted by a doctor.