STOP-Bang Calculator
STOP-Bang sleep apnea score and risk band.
What it does
Sleep apnea hides behind snores: breathing pauses that fragment sleep and strain hearts while mornings feel unrefreshed. STOP-Bang compresses eight risk flags into one triage score.
The tool above takes four symptom answers with BMI, neck, age, and sex. It returns the 0 to 8 score with the risk band.
The default two symptoms plus male at BMI 32 scores 3: intermediate risk. All clear scores 0 for low, and six flags plus measurements scores 8 for high.
Validation research fixes the eight items with 35 BMI, 50 year, and 43/41 neck cutoffs. Academy guidance bands 0-2 low with 3-4 intermediate and 5-8 high toward sleep studies.
Scores screen; labs diagnose. Sleepiness with intermediate or any high score earns an overnight study, while weight, side sleeping, and pressure therapy move risk after.
How to use
- Answer the four symptom questions.
- Type BMI, neck, and age.
- Pick male or female.
- Read the score first.
- Read the band beside it.
- Book studies when sleepy.
Formula
- score
- Yes answers across 8 items.
- risk
- Low, intermediate, or high band.
Sleep medicine validation studies behind STOP-Bang set the eight items with BMI over 35, age over 50, neck over 43 men or 41 women, and male sex as points. Academy sleep guidance mirrors the 0-2/3-4/5-8 bands for triage to studies. Screening never diagnoses; sleepiness with intermediate plus earns the lab.
Worked example
Example: score of 3
Defaults: 2 yes answers plus male, BMI 32.
- Answers: snore yes, tired yes, rest no.
- BMI 32 under 35, age 45 under 50.
- Neck 40 under 43, male adds one.
- Count: 1 + 1 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 1 = 3.
- Band: 3 to 4 reads intermediate risk.
- Tool shows 3 of 8, Intermediate risk, Sleep study if sleepy.
Reference table
| Score | Risk | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 | Low | Routine care |
| 3 to 4 | Intermediate | Study if sleepy |
| 5 to 8 | High | Sleep study |
| Any + sleepy | Escalate | Sooner lab |
Limits
- Screening only, never diagnosis.
- Self reported symptoms vary.
- Neck and BMI need tapes.
- Studies rule treatment.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring witnessed apneas.
- Understating snoring volume.
- Skipping neck measuring.
- Reading low as all clear forever.
- Skipping studies when sleepy.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
All no, BMI 24, female?
0 of 8: low risk, routine care.
Everything yes, BMI 38?
8 of 8: high risk, sleep study if sleepy.
Age 10?
Under 18 sits outside adult screens: enter 18 up.
Questions
Eight letters?
Snoring, tired, observed apneas, pressure, BMI, age, neck, gender. Yes counts one each.
Score bands?
0 to 2 low, 3 to 4 intermediate, 5 to 8 high risk for moderate to severe apnea.
Flag symptoms?
Yes, loudly with pauses, daytime sleepiness despite hours, and morning headaches.
Measured cutoffs?
Over 35 BMI, over 50 years, neck over 43 men or 41 women, male sex.
Diagnose apnea?
No, this screens risk. Diagnosis needs sleep studies with clinician reads.
Lower risk how?
Yes, weight, side sleeping, and pressure therapy change the math after diagnosis.