Epworth Sleepiness Scale Calculator

Assess your daytime sleepiness using the standardized Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a widely used tool in sleep medicine to evaluate sleep disorders.

How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations?

Use the following scale to rate each situation: 0 = Would never doze, 1 = Slight chance of dozing, 2 = Moderate chance of dozing, 3 = High chance of dozing

Sitting and reading

Watching TV

Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g., theater, meeting)

As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break

Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit

Sitting and talking to someone

Sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol

In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic

Quick Examples:

How to Use This Calculator

Rate your likelihood of dozing in each of the 8 different situations
Use the scale: 0 = Would never doze, 1 = Slight chance of dozing, 2 = Moderate chance of dozing, 3 = High chance of dozing
Answer all 8 questions based on your usual way of life in recent times
Click Calculate to see your total score and what it indicates about your daytime sleepiness

Formula Used

Epworth Score = Sum of all 8 question scores (0-3 each)

Where:

Each question is scored from 0 to 3
Total score ranges from 0 to 24
Higher scores indicate greater daytime sleepiness

Example Calculation

Real-World Scenario:

A person experiencing daytime fatigue completes the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess their sleepiness level before consulting a sleep specialist.

Given:

Sitting and reading: 1 (Slight chance)
Watching TV: 2 (Moderate chance)
Sitting inactive in public: 0 (Never)
As a passenger in a car: 2 (Moderate chance)
Lying down in afternoon: 3 (High chance)
Sitting and talking: 1 (Slight chance)
Sitting quietly after lunch: 2 (Moderate chance)
In a car in traffic: 2 (Moderate chance)

Calculation:

Epworth Score = 1 + 2 + 0 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 13

Result: A score of 13 indicates mild sleepiness, suggesting the person may benefit from further evaluation by a sleep specialist.

Why This Calculation Matters

Practical Applications

Screening tool for sleep disorders like sleep apnea
Assessing effectiveness of sleep treatments
Evaluating fitness for certain occupations (e.g., drivers)
Monitoring changes in sleepiness over time

Key Benefits

Quick, simple assessment of daytime sleepiness
Standardized tool used worldwide
Helps identify potential sleep disorders
Provides objective measure of subjective symptoms

Common Mistakes & Tips

The Epworth Scale should reflect your usual way of life in recent times, not just occasional experiences. Consider your typical responses to these situations rather than rare occurrences. For example, if you only occasionally fall asleep while watching TV, but it happens when you're particularly tired, you should rate based on your typical experience.

The Epworth Scale specifically measures sleepiness (propensity to fall asleep), not general fatigue or lack of energy. While related, these are different conditions. You might feel fatigued but not sleepy, or vice versa. Rate your likelihood of actually dozing off, not just feeling tired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scores are interpreted as follows: 0-10 = Normal daytime sleepiness; 11-15 = Mild sleepiness; 16-20 = Moderate sleepiness; 21-24 = Severe sleepiness. Higher scores suggest a greater degree of daytime sleepiness and may indicate an underlying sleep disorder that warrants further evaluation.

No, the Epworth Scale is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It helps identify potential sleep problems but cannot diagnose specific sleep disorders. If you score high on the Epworth Scale, it's recommended to consult with a healthcare provider or sleep specialist for further evaluation.

The frequency depends on your situation. You might take it initially to assess your sleepiness, then periodically to monitor changes if you're undergoing treatment for a sleep disorder. It can also be useful to retake if your sleep patterns have changed significantly due to lifestyle factors, medications, or health conditions.

References & Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

References

Epworth Sleepiness Scale Official Website - Information about the development and validation of the scale
American Academy of Sleep Medicine - Clinical interpretation of Epworth scores
Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale - Original research paper by Dr. Murray Johns

Accuracy Notice

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a subjective self-assessment tool. Results may be influenced by how accurately you recall and report your typical sleepiness. While widely used and validated, it should be interpreted in the context of a comprehensive medical evaluation if sleep problems are suspected.

About the Author

Kumaravel Madhavan

Web developer and data researcher creating accurate, easy-to-use calculators across health, finance, education, and construction and more. Works with subject-matter experts to ensure formulas meet trusted standards like WHO, NIH, and ISO.

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