How accurate is the STOP-BANG calculator?

At a threshold of 3 or more, STOP-BANG has a sensitivity of 93.4% and specificity of 43.1% for moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI ≥15). It is a screening tool only — a formal diagnosis requires polysomnography (sleep study).

Is the STOP-BANG score the same as MDCalc STOP-BANG?

Yes. The STOP-BANG scoring method is standardised and identical across all tools including MDCalc. This calculator uses the same validated 8-item questionnaire and 0–8 scoring as published by Chung et al. (2008) in Anesthesiology.

What should I do if my STOP-BANG score is high?

A high STOP-BANG score (5–8) indicates high risk of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. You should discuss this result with your doctor or a sleep medicine specialist, who can refer you for a polysomnography (PSG) sleep study or home sleep apnea test (HSAT) for formal diagnosis.

Can I use this STOP-BANG calculator before surgery?

The STOP-BANG questionnaire was originally validated for pre-operative screening in surgical patients. If you are preparing for surgery, share this score with your anaesthesiologist or surgeon — they may request a formal sleep study before proceeding.

Sleep Apnea Screening — Validated Clinical Tool

STOP-BANG Calculator
— Free Sleep Apnea Risk Score

Q: What is the STOP-BANG questionnaire?

The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a validated 8-question screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Developed by Chung et al. (2008), it scores one point for each yes answer. A score of 0–2 indicates low risk, 3–4 intermediate risk, and 5–8 high risk of OSA.

Q: What does STOP-BANG stand for?

STOP-BANG is an acronym: S = Snoring, T = Tired, O = Observed apnea, P = Pressure (high blood pressure), B = BMI over 35, A = Age over 50, N = Neck circumference over 40 cm, G = Gender (male).

The STOP-BANG questionnaire is the world’s most widely used pre-operative sleep apnea screening tool. Answer 8 yes/no questions and get your validated risk score in under 60 seconds.

✓ Validated by Chung et al. 2008 ✓ Identical to MDCalc STOP-BANG ✓ Sensitivity 93.4% ⚠ Not a medical diagnosis

This is a screening tool only. A STOP-BANG score does not diagnose sleep apnea. Always discuss results with a qualified healthcare professional.

What Does STOP-BANG Stand For?

STOP-BANG is an acronym for the 8 risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Each letter is one yes/no question. You score 1 point for every “Yes” answer, giving a total score of 0–8.

SnoringDo you snore loudly — louder than talking, or loud enough to be heard through closed doors?

TiredDo you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime?

ObservedHas anyone observed you stop breathing, choking, or gasping during your sleep?

PressureDo you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure (hypertension)?

BMI > 35Is your Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m²?

Age > 50Are you older than 50 years?

Neck > 40 cmIs your neck circumference greater than 40 cm (15.7 inches)?

GenderAre you male? Male sex is independently associated with higher OSA prevalence.

STOP-BANG Score Calculator

Answer all 8 questions — then click Calculate Score

0 / 8

Do you snore loudly? (Louder than talking, or loud enough to be heard through closed doors?)

Ask your bed partner if unsure

Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime?

Falling asleep while sitting, watching TV, or driving

Has anyone observed you stop breathing, choking, or gasping during sleep?

This is the strongest predictor of sleep apnea

Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

Includes medication for hypertension

Is your BMI greater than 35?

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². Not sure? Check your BMI here

Are you older than 50 years?

OSA prevalence increases significantly after age 50

Is your neck circumference greater than 40 cm (15.7 inches)?

Measure around the middle of your neck at the Adam’s apple level

Are you male?

Biological sex at birth — males have 2–3× higher OSA risk than females

out of 8

🩺 Full Sleep Apnea Assessment

STOP-BANG Score Interpretation

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 the STOP-BANG Questionnaire?

Originally developed for pre-surgical screening, it is now the global standard for OSA risk stratification in clinical settings.

Under 60 Seconds

8 yes/no questions. No equipment needed. No blood test. No sleep study required to screen.

93.4% Sensitivity

At a score of ≥3, it correctly identifies 93.4% of patients with moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI ≥15).

Clinically Validated

Validated in 2,467 surgical patients. Published in Anesthesiology (Chung et al., 2008). Cited 3,000+ times.

Pre-Op Standard

Used globally before surgery to identify patients who may need additional airway precautions under anaesthesia.

Same as MDCalc

This STOP-BANG calculator uses the same validated scoring as MDCalc’s STOP-BANG tool — no difference in questions or thresholds.

100% Private

All calculations run in your browser. No data is stored, transmitted, or collected. No account required.

⚠ Medical Disclaimer: The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a screening tool only and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. A high score indicates elevated risk but does not confirm sleep apnea. Conversely, a low score does not rule out OSA. Formal diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea requires polysomnography (PSG) or home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) interpreted by a qualified sleep medicine physician. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on this score.

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.

Related Sleep Tools

If your STOP-BANG score is elevated, these tools help you understand your complete sleep health picture.

Scientific basis & references: Chung F, Yegneswaran B, Liao P, et al. “STOP questionnaire: a tool to screen patients for obstructive sleep apnea.” Anesthesiology. 2008;108(5):812-821. | Chung F, Abdullah HR, Liao P. “STOP-Bang Questionnaire: A Practical Approach to Screen for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” Chest. 2016;149(3):631-638. | American Society of Anesthesiologists. Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Management of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Anesthesiology. 2014. | Sensitivity/specificity data: AHI ≥15 threshold, sensitivity 93.4%, specificity 43.1% (Chung et al. 2016 meta-analysis, n=9,206). | All outputs are screening guidance only. Not a substitute for clinical diagnosis by a qualified physician.