Screen for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) risk · 8 simple questions
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Faiq Ur Rahman is a web designer, digital product developer, and founder of Toolraxy, a growing platform of web-based calculators and utility tools. He specializes in building structured, user-friendly tools focused on health, finance, productivity, and everyday problem-solving.
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The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a validated screening tool used to identify individuals at risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Developed by Dr. Frances Chung and colleagues, it combines four self-reported symptoms (STOP) with four demographic and physical characteristics (BANG) to predict the likelihood of moderate-to-severe OSA. This simple, eight-question screening tool has been widely adopted in clinical practice and research settings due to its high sensitivity and ease of administration.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common but often underdiagnosed condition characterized by repeated episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep, leading to oxygen desaturation, sleep fragmentation, and daytime symptoms. Untreated OSA is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and impaired quality of life. Early identification through screening tools like STOP-BANG can facilitate timely referral for diagnostic sleep studies and appropriate treatment.
How to Use the STOP-BANG Calculator
Answer each of the 8 questions by selecting “Yes” or “No” for each item.
The questions cover: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, Pressure (blood pressure), BMI > 35, Age > 50, Neck circumference > 40 cm, and Gender (male).
Each “Yes” response scores 1 point.
Use the quick example buttons to test different risk profiles.
View your Total Score out of 8 in the results section.
Check your Risk Level (Low, Intermediate, or High) with a color-coded badge.
Review the OSA Likelihood assessment.
Read the personalized Recommendation based on your score.
Consult the Risk Classification table for clinical context.
Copy, share, or embed your results using the buttons below.
The STOP-BANG scoring system is simple and additive. Each “Yes” response contributes 1 point to the total score.
Formula: STOP-BANG Score = Σ(Responses to 8 questions)
Each question is answered with “Yes” (1 point) or “No” (0 points):
STOP Questions:
Snoring: Do you snore loudly?
Tired: Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during daytime?
Observed: Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
Pressure: Do you have high blood pressure?
BANG Questions:
BMI: Is your BMI > 35 kg/m²?
Age: Are you older than 50 years?
Neck: Is your neck circumference > 40 cm (15.7 in)?
Gender: Are you male?
Interpretation:
0–2: Low risk of moderate-to-severe OSA
3–4: Intermediate risk; consider further evaluation
5–8: High risk; strongly consider sleep study
A score of 3 or higher is associated with increased probability of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea.
A 52-year-old male patient with a BMI of 36 kg/m² presents to his primary care physician. He completes the STOP-BANG questionnaire:
| Question | Response | Score |
|---|---|---|
| S — Snoring loudly? | Yes | 1 |
| T — Tired during daytime? | Yes | 1 |
| O — Observed apnea during sleep? | No | 0 |
| P — High blood pressure? | Yes | 1 |
| B — BMI > 35? | Yes | 1 |
| A — Age > 50? | Yes | 1 |
| N — Neck > 40 cm? | Yes | 1 |
| G — Male gender? | Yes | 1 |
Total Score: 1 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7 / 8
Classification: High Risk
Interpretation: “You have a high risk of OSA. A sleep study is strongly recommended. Consult a sleep specialist.”
The patient is referred for polysomnography, which confirms severe obstructive sleep apnea (AHI of 45). He is started on CPAP therapy and experiences significant improvement in daytime sleepiness and blood pressure control.
A 60-year-old female patient with a BMI of 38 kg/m² and a history of hypertension presents with complaints of daytime fatigue. Her husband has noticed her snoring loudly and occasionally stopping breathing during sleep. She completes the STOP-BANG questionnaire:
Snoring: Yes
Tired: Yes
Observed: Yes
Pressure: Yes
BMI > 35: Yes
Age > 50: Yes
Neck > 40 cm: No
Gender (male): No
Score: 6 / 8 (High Risk)
Interpretation: “You have a high risk of OSA. A sleep study is strongly recommended. Consult a sleep specialist.”
The patient is referred for a sleep study, which confirms moderate obstructive sleep apnea (AHI of 22). She starts CPAP therapy and notices significant improvement in her fatigue, mood, and blood pressure control within weeks.
The STOP-BANG Calculator is a screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea that uses 8 yes/no questions. Each “Yes” scores 1 point. The total score (0–8) is classified as Low (0–2), Intermediate (3–4), or High (5–8) risk. The tool helps identify individuals who should be referred for a formal sleep study.
The STOP-BANG score ranges from 0 to 8. A score of 0–2 indicates low risk, 3–4 indicates intermediate risk, and 5–8 indicates high risk of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. A score of 3 or higher suggests that further evaluation with a sleep study may be warranted.
A STOP-BANG score of 4 places you in the Intermediate Risk category. This indicates a moderate probability of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. The recommendation is to consider a formal sleep study (polysomnography) for further evaluation.
A STOP-BANG score of 5 places you in the High Risk category. This suggests a high probability of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. A sleep study is strongly recommended. Consult a sleep specialist for a comprehensive evaluation.
STOP-BANG has been validated in both men and women, but its sensitivity may be slightly lower in women due to gender differences in OSA presentation. A score of 3 or higher in women still warrants further evaluation, but clinical judgment should also be used.
The STOP-BANG questionnaire was developed for adults (typically 18+ years). Pediatric sleep apnea screening uses different tools and criteria. This calculator is intended for adult use only.
If your STOP-BANG score is 5 or higher (High Risk), you should consult a healthcare provider about undergoing a formal sleep study (polysomnography). If your score is 3–4 (Intermediate Risk), consider discussing further evaluation with your doctor. Lifestyle modifications like weight loss and positional therapy may also help.
A low score (0–2) suggests that OSA is unlikely, but it does not completely rule it out. Some individuals with OSA, particularly those with atypical presentations, may have low scores. If you have symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness or witnessed apnea, further evaluation may still be warranted.
STOP-BANG screens for the risk of having OSA by assessing risk factors, while the Epworth Sleepiness Scale measures daytime sleepiness as a symptom. They are complementary tools, a high STOP-BANG score suggests OSA risk, and a high ESS score confirms daytime sleepiness, which together strengthen the case for further evaluation.
The STOP-BANG neck circumference cutoff is 40 cm (15.7 inches). A neck circumference greater than this threshold is associated with increased risk of airway obstruction and moderate-to-severe OSA.
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