STOP-BANG Score Calculator for Sleep Apnea Risk

A score of 0 to 2 is considered low risk and is the most reassuring result. Most adults without sleep apnea fall in this range. A score of 0 means none of the eight risk factors are present. Because the questionnaire over-flags risk, even a score of 3 or 4 does not mean you definitely have OSA, only that formal evaluation is sensible.

Most sleep medicine guidelines suggest that a score of 3 or higher warrants a discussion with a clinician. A score of 5 or higher generally leads to a direct referral for polysomnography or a home sleep apnea test. If you are scheduled for surgery and score 3 or above, inform your surgical and anesthesia team before your procedure.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing brief pauses in breathing. These interruptions fragment sleep and reduce oxygen levels. Untreated OSA is linked to higher rates of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and excessive daytime sleepiness that impairs driving and work performance. It is one of the most common sleep disorders, affecting an estimated 15 to 30% of men and 5 to 15% of women.

The STOP-BANG questionnaire has been validated in multiple large studies across preoperative, primary care, and general clinic populations. In the original 2008 study, a cutoff of 3 or higher had a sensitivity of 83.9% for all OSA (AHI >= 5), 92.9% for moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI >= 15), and 100% for severe OSA (AHI >= 30). Subsequent meta-analyses have confirmed its utility as a first-line screen, particularly for ruling out severe OSA when the score is low.

No. The STOP-BANG score is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic test. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose sleep apnea, and only after an overnight sleep study that measures your apnea-hypopnea index. If your score suggests intermediate or high risk, or if you have symptoms like loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, or significant daytime sleepiness, speak with your doctor about formal testing.

The clinical threshold used in the STOP-BANG tool is 40 cm (approximately 16 inches) for both men and women, though some versions use 17 inches for men and 16 inches for women. To measure, stand in front of a mirror and wrap a flexible tape measure around your neck at the level of your Adam's apple (larynx), keeping it horizontal and snug but not tight. Large neck circumference is a proxy for upper airway soft-tissue crowding that can cause obstruction during sleep.

Men have a two to three times higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea than women, largely due to differences in upper airway anatomy, fat deposition patterns (men tend to accumulate more fat around the neck and throat), and respiratory control during sleep. This difference persists across most age groups, though the gap narrows after menopause in women. The male sex is therefore included as an independent risk factor in the BANG sub-score.