STOP-BANG Questionnaire Calculator
— Free Sleep Apnea Risk Score
The STOP-BANG questionnaire is the world’s most widely used preoperative screening tool and validated questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnea screening. Answer 8 yes/no questions on this sleep apnea questionnaire and get your STOP-BANG score and OSA risk assessment in under 60 seconds.
What Is the STOP-BANG Questionnaire?
STOP-BANG is an acronym and validated questionnaire covering the 8 risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including a snoring questionnaire component, BMI and sleep apnea link, neck circumference, and hypertension and sleep apnea association. Each letter is one yes/no question in this sleep disorder screening tool. You score 1 point for every “Yes” answer, giving a total STOP-BANG score of 0–8.
STOP-BANG Score Calculator — OSA Screening Tool
Answer all 8 questions of this sleep apnea questionnaire — then click Calculate Score
STOP-BANG Score Interpretation — High Risk Sleep Apnea Thresholds
Validated thresholds from Chung et al. (2008) — Anesthesiology. Based on polysomnography-confirmed OSA with AHI ≥5.
| Score | Risk Level | OSA Probability | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 2 | ■ Low Risk | Low probability of moderate-to-severe OSA | No immediate referral needed. Monitor for symptoms. |
| 3 – 4 | ■ Intermediate Risk | Moderate probability — sensitivity 93.4% at this threshold | Discuss with your doctor. Consider home sleep apnea test (HSAT). |
| 5 – 8 | ■ High Risk | High probability of moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI ≥15) | Refer for polysomnography (PSG) or HSAT. Pre-operative caution. |
Why Use This Validated Questionnaire for OSA Screening?
Originally developed for preoperative evaluation and anesthesia screening, it is now the global standard screening tool for OSA risk stratification and perioperative risk assessment in clinical settings.
STOP-BANG Questionnaire, Sleep Study & CPAP: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the STOP-BANG questionnaire?
The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a validated 8-item screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Developed by Frances Chung and colleagues at the University of Toronto and published in Anesthesiology in 2008, it was designed for rapid pre-operative risk assessment. Each “Yes” answer scores one point, producing a total between 0 and 8. It is now the most widely cited sleep apnea screening questionnaire in clinical medicine.
Is this STOP-BANG calculator the same as MDCalc STOP-BANG?
Yes. The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a standardised, published tool — the 8 questions, scoring method, and risk thresholds are identical across all implementations including MDCalc, this calculator, and any other compliant tool. There is no proprietary variation in how it is scored. A score of 3–4 = intermediate risk and 5–8 = high risk on every validated implementation.
What is a high STOP-BANG score?
A score of 5–8 indicates high risk of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. At this level, Chung et al. found a high probability of an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥15 on polysomnography. You should discuss a score of 5 or above with your doctor, who may refer you for a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) or in-lab sleep study (PSG) for definitive diagnosis.
Can I use this STOP-BANG score before surgery?
The STOP-BANG questionnaire was originally designed for pre-operative screening. If you are preparing for surgery, share your score with your anaesthesiologist or surgeon. A score ≥3 may prompt them to request a pre-surgical sleep study or implement additional airway precautions during anaesthesia, as undiagnosed OSA significantly increases perioperative risk including difficult intubation, hypoxaemia, and post-operative respiratory complications.
What does the O in STOP-BANG mean?
The O stands for Observed apnea — whether anyone has witnessed you stopping breathing, choking, or gasping during sleep. This is widely considered the single most clinically significant predictor among the 8 items, as witnessed apneas represent an objective observation of the apnea event itself rather than an associated symptom. If someone has observed this in your sleep, discuss it with a doctor regardless of your total score.
How is STOP-BANG different from the Epworth Sleepiness Scale?
The STOP-BANG questionnaire screens for sleep apnea risk based on anatomical and physiological risk factors (snoring, BMI, neck size, blood pressure). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) measures daytime sleepiness across 8 everyday situations and quantifies how sleepy you are, not what is causing it. They are complementary tools: STOP-BANG identifies OSA risk, ESS measures the functional impact of that sleepiness. High scores on both warrant urgent referral.
How does STOP-BANG compare to the Berlin Questionnaire?
Both are validated OSA screening tools, but STOP-BANG is generally preferred in preoperative evaluation settings due to its higher sensitivity and simpler 8-item yes/no format. The Berlin Questionnaire uses a 3-category symptom model and can be more time-consuming to score. Most anesthesia screening protocols and perioperative risk guidelines now favor STOP-BANG for rapid bedside sleep disorder screening.
Do I need a sleep study, polysomnography, or CPAP after a high STOP-BANG score?
A high STOP-BANG score does not automatically mean you need CPAP — it means you should pursue formal testing. Your doctor may order in-lab polysomnography (PSG) or a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) to measure your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and confirm a diagnosis. CPAP therapy is only prescribed after a sleep study confirms moderate-to-severe OSA — this questionnaire is strictly an OSA risk assessment, not a diagnostic or treatment tool.
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