STOP-BANG Calculator: 8-Question OSA Screening Score
Answer the published eight STOP-BANG yes/no items. Each “Yes” scores 1 point, for a total from 0 to 8. The score estimates risk of obstructive sleep apnea in studied populations; it does not diagnose OSA or replace a sleep study.
STOP-BANG uses eight dichotomous items: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, BMI >35 kg/m², Age >50 years, Neck circumference >40 cm, and male Gender. Each “Yes” = 1 point; total score = 0–8. Later stratification work supports 0–2 as lower risk and 5–8 as higher risk for moderate-to-severe OSA, while scores 3–4 sit in a midrange where additional clinical criteria can refine classification.
STOP-BANG Score Calculator
The question text and scoring below are preserved. Extra explanatory hints do not change the score.
How to Interpret the Score
The score is best used for risk stratification, not diagnosis. The later practical approach from Chung and colleagues describes the following framework for moderate-to-severe OSA:
| STOP-BANG score | Interpretation | Important nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | Lower risk for moderate-to-severe OSA | Does not rule out OSA, especially if symptoms or clinical suspicion are strong. |
| 3–4 | Midrange | Additional criteria/clinical context can refine risk classification rather than treating every score of 3 or 4 as equivalent. |
| 5–8 | Higher risk for moderate-to-severe OSA | Higher scores are associated with higher probability in studied surgical/sleep-clinic cohorts. |
Sensitivity Depends on the Population
STOP-BANG is known for high sensitivity in many surgical and sleep-clinic studies, but a single number should not be shown without context.
| Study context | Threshold | Outcome | Reported sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chung et al. practical review / validation data | STOP-BANG ≥3 | Moderate-to-severe OSA, AHI >15 | About 93% |
| 2015 systematic review/meta-analysis, sleep-clinic populations | STOP-BANG ≥3 | Moderate-to-severe OSA, AHI ≥15 | 94% |
| 2015 systematic review/meta-analysis, sleep-clinic populations | STOP-BANG ≥3 | Severe OSA, AHI ≥30 | 96% |
| General-population validation, Singapore | STOP-BANG ≥3 | Moderate-to-severe OSA, AHI ≥15 | 66.2% |
| General-population validation, Singapore | STOP-BANG ≥3 | Severe OSA, AHI ≥30 | 69.2% |
Limitations and Population Context
STOP-BANG was developed and validated in a perioperative setting, then evaluated in other populations.
OSA diagnosis requires appropriate clinical evaluation and objective sleep testing when indicated.
A screening threshold may identify many people at risk while also producing false positives.
Symptoms, comorbidities, anatomy, pregnancy, menopause, ethnicity, and other factors can affect clinical suspicion.
The adult STOP-BANG questionnaire should not be repurposed as a pediatric screening tool without a validated pediatric adaptation.
Scores 3–4 can be refined using clinical features described in later STOP-BANG stratification work.
What Was Corrected From the Previous Version
The original page advertised a universal “93.4% sensitivity” badge and repeated that figure beside the ≥3 threshold without identifying the source population. fileciteturn39file0L48-L57 fileciteturn39file2L113-L123 That has been replaced with population-specific performance data.
It also claimed that risk thresholds were identical across every implementation. fileciteturn39file1L91-L99 That blanket comparison language has been removed; this page now explains the published score and its own evidence context directly.
The previous interpretation table called 3–4 “intermediate risk” and 5–8 “high risk,” while attributing the table directly to Chung et al. 2008. fileciteturn39file3L165-L177 The revised page explains that the more explicit 0–2 / 3–4 / 5–8 stratification comes from later STOP-BANG work, with additional criteria recommended for the midrange.
The underlying JavaScript already preserved the core scoring rule—each answered item contributes 0 or 1 and the eight values are summed. fileciteturn40file0L103-L130 That scoring rule remains unchanged.
STOP-BANG FAQs
What does a STOP-BANG score of 3 mean?
A score of 3 crosses the commonly used screening threshold, but it sits in the midrange rather than automatically proving high risk of moderate-to-severe OSA. Population and additional clinical factors matter.
Is a score of 5 or higher important?
In Chung’s 2012 surgical cohort and later practical stratification, scores 5–8 were associated with higher probability of moderate-to-severe OSA. It remains a screening result, not a diagnosis.
Does a low score rule out sleep apnea?
No. A low score lowers risk in studied populations but cannot rule out OSA in an individual, particularly when symptoms or other risk factors are concerning.
Why doesn’t this page say STOP-BANG is 93.4% sensitive?
Because sensitivity varies by population and OSA definition. Surgical and sleep-clinic studies often report very high sensitivity, while a general-population validation reported lower sensitivity.
Do I need a sleep study after a high score?
A clinician can decide whether home sleep apnea testing or in-lab polysomnography is appropriate based on your score, symptoms, medical history, examination, and testing suitability.
Primary and Validation Sources
- Chung F, Yegneswaran B, Liao P, et al. STOP questionnaire: a tool to screen patients for obstructive sleep apnea. Anesthesiology. 2008. PubMed
- Chung F, Subramanyam R, Liao P, et al. High STOP-Bang score indicates a high probability of obstructive sleep apnoea. Br J Anaesth. 2012. PubMed
- Chung F, Abdullah HR, Liao P. STOP-Bang Questionnaire: A Practical Approach to Screen for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Chest. 2016. PubMed
- Nagappa M et al. Validation of STOP-Bang among different populations: systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed
- Tan A et al. Predicting obstructive sleep apnea using STOP-Bang in the general population. PubMed