STOP-BANG Questionnaire
STOP-BANG is a validated eight-item screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea. Answer yes/no questions, optionally enter BMI, age, and neck circumference, and review your risk category.
Do you snore loudly (louder than talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors)?
Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during daytime hours?
Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?
Is your BMI over 35 kg/m²?
Are you older than 50 years?
Is your neck circumference greater than 40 cm (15.75 in)?
Are you assigned male at birth?
≥ 35 adds 1 point.
> 50 years adds 1 point.
> 40 cm (15.75 in) adds 1 point.
Total STOP-BANG Score
0 / 8
Low risk of obstructive sleep apnea
Continue practising healthy sleep habits. Screening every few years is reasonable as risk factors change.
Low risk
0 – 2
Intermediate risk
3 – 4
High risk
5 – 8
How to Use This Calculator
Answer each STOP-BANG item
Select yes or no for the eight questions covering snoring, tiredness, observed apneas, pressure, BMI, age, neck circumference, and gender.
Use optional fields for convenience
Enter BMI, age, or neck circumference to automatically flag the corresponding items. These fields are optional but help ensure accuracy.
Review your risk category
A score of 5 or more indicates high risk and typically warrants a diagnostic sleep study, especially if symptoms such as loud snoring or daytime sleepiness are present.
Formula
STOP-BANG Score = Number of “Yes” responses (0–8)
- Snoring loudly
- Tiredness during daytime
- Observed apneas
- High blood pressure
- BMI > 35 kg/m²
- Age > 50 years
- Neck circumference > 40 cm
- Male gender / assigned male at birth
Full Description
The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a widely adopted screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea risk in clinical and perioperative settings. It combines subjective symptoms (snoring, tiredness, observed apneas) with objective risk factors (blood pressure, BMI, age, neck size, sex) to stratify patients rapidly.
High STOP-BANG scores correlate with greater apnea-hypopnea index values on polysomnography and increased postoperative respiratory complications. Screening helps prioritise patients for formal sleep testing, particularly before surgical procedures or in primary care evaluations of snoring and daytime fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a low score rule out sleep apnea?
A low score reduces the likelihood but does not fully exclude sleep apnea. If symptoms persist, further evaluation may still be appropriate.
Why does gender matter?
OSA prevalence is higher in males due to anatomical and hormonal differences. However, post-menopausal women also experience increased risk, so symptoms should be taken seriously regardless of sex.
How accurate is STOP-BANG?
STOP-BANG has high sensitivity for moderate-to-severe OSA, especially with scores ≥ 3. Specificity is lower, so positive screens require confirmatory testing.
What follow-up testing is recommended?
Depending on clinical context, providers may order a home sleep apnea test, overnight polysomnogram, or refer to sleep medicine specialists for comprehensive evaluation.