Epworth Sleepiness Scale Calculator

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a short self-assessment of how likely you are to doze off during the day. You rate your chance of dozing in 8 everyday situations, such as sitting and reading or sitting in traffic, each on a 0 to 3 scale. It was introduced by Dr. Murray Johns in 1991 and is widely used in sleep clinics to flag excessive daytime sleepiness.

You score each of the 8 situations from 0 (would never doze) to 3 (high chance of dozing), then add the 8 numbers together. The total ranges from 0 to 24. There is no weighting and no average, it is a simple sum, so a higher total means more daytime sleepiness.

A total of 0 to 10 is generally considered normal daytime sleepiness, often split into a lower normal range of 0 to 5 and a higher normal range of 6 to 10. Scores of 11 to 12 suggest mild excessive sleepiness, 13 to 15 suggest moderate, and 16 to 24 suggest severe. A score above 10 is the common threshold for excessive daytime sleepiness worth discussing with a clinician.

No. A high score signals excessive daytime sleepiness, but it does not name the cause. Many things can raise your score, including not getting enough sleep, an irregular schedule, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or certain medications. A clinician interprets the score alongside your history and may order a sleep study to find the cause.

Try to estimate how the situation would affect you, based on your usual way of life in recent times. The scale asks about your typical likelihood of dozing, not a specific day, so pick the number that best reflects your habit even for activities you have not done lately.

No. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a screening tool, and this calculator is for education only. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your score is high or excessive sleepiness affects your safety, for example while driving, talk to a qualified clinician.