Epworth Sleepiness Scale Calculator 2026
Assess your daytime sleepiness using the validated Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire. Answer 8 simple questions to get your ESS score and interpretation.
Sleepiness Assessment
Rate your likelihood of dozing in each situation (0-3)
Sleepiness Assessment Results
Your Epworth Sleepiness Scale score and interpretation
Answer all 8 questions above and click Calculate ESS Score to see your results.
ESS Score Ranges
Understanding what your Epworth Sleepiness Scale score means for your health and daily functioning.
| Score Range | Classification | Interpretation | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 7 | Normal | Normal daytime sleepiness | No action needed |
| 8 – 9 | Average | Average daytime sleepiness | Monitor if symptoms persist |
| 10 – 15 | Moderate | Moderate excessive sleepiness | Consider consulting a doctor |
| 16 – 24 | Severe | Severe excessive sleepiness | Seek medical attention promptly |
Epworth Sleepiness Scale FAQ
Everything you need to know about the ESS questionnaire and understanding your sleepiness score.
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a widely used questionnaire developed by Dr. Murray Johns in 1991 to measure daytime sleepiness. It consists of 8 questions about different everyday situations, where you rate your likelihood of dozing off on a scale of 0-3. The total score helps identify whether you have excessive daytime sleepiness that may require medical attention.
Each of the 8 situations is scored from 0 to 3: 0 means you would never doze, 1 means slight chance of dozing, 2 means moderate chance, and 3 means high chance of dozing. The scores are added together for a total ranging from 0 to 24. Scores of 0-7 indicate normal sleepiness, 8-9 is average, 10-15 suggests moderate excessive sleepiness, and 16-24 indicates severe excessive sleepiness.
A score of 10 or higher on the ESS indicates excessive daytime sleepiness that may be caused by sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or insufficient sleep. Scores between 10-15 suggest moderate sleepiness where you should consider consulting a healthcare provider. Scores of 16 or higher indicate severe sleepiness and you should seek medical attention promptly, as this can affect your daily functioning and safety.
The ESS is a validated screening tool with good reliability and has been used in clinical practice for over 30 years. While it’s effective for identifying excessive daytime sleepiness, it’s a screening tool rather than a diagnostic test. It should be used alongside other assessments by healthcare professionals. The ESS is particularly useful for detecting sleep apnea and monitoring treatment effectiveness.
The ESS includes 8 common situations: sitting and reading, watching TV, sitting inactive in a public place, being a car passenger for an hour, lying down to rest in the afternoon, sitting and talking to someone, sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol, and being stopped in traffic for a few minutes. These situations range from passive activities to more engaging ones to assess your sleepiness across different contexts.