Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that affects breathing during sleep. Many people do not realize they may have it until symptoms become severe. The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a widely used screening method to estimate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Our Stop Bang Calculator helps you quickly assess your risk level based on simple yes/no questions. It is commonly used by healthcare professionals as a first-step screening tool before further medical testing such as a sleep study.
This tool does not diagnose sleep apnea but helps identify whether you may be at low, medium, or high risk.
What Is STOP-BANG?
STOP-BANG is an acronym representing key risk factors:
S – Snoring
Do you snore loudly?
T – Tiredness
Do you feel tired or sleepy during the day?
O – Observed Apnea
Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
P – Pressure
Do you have high blood pressure?
B – BMI
Is your body mass index over 35?
A – Age
Are you over 50 years old?
N – Neck Circumference
Is your neck size large?
G – Gender
Are you male?
Required Inputs
The calculator uses simple yes/no answers:
- Snoring
- Daytime fatigue
- Observed breathing pauses
- High blood pressure
- BMI > 35
- Age > 50
- Large neck size
- Male gender
How the Calculator Works
Each “Yes” answer adds 1 point.
Total Score Range:
- 0 to 8 points
Risk Levels
Low Risk
- 0–2 points
Low probability of sleep apnea
Intermediate Risk
- 3–4 points
Possible sleep apnea
High Risk
- 5–8 points
Strong likelihood of sleep apnea
Example Calculation
A user reports:
- Snoring = Yes
- Tiredness = Yes
- Observed apnea = No
- High BP = Yes
- BMI > 35 = No
- Age > 50 = No
- Neck size large = Yes
- Male = Yes
Score:
5 / 8
Result:
High risk of obstructive sleep apnea
How to Use the Calculator
Step 1
Answer all STOP-BANG questions
Step 2
Click Calculate
Step 3
View your risk score
Step 4
Check your risk category
Why This Tool Is Important
Sleep apnea can lead to:
- Poor sleep quality
- Daytime fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Reduced concentration
- Increased accident risk
Early detection helps prevent complications.
Benefits of Using This Calculator
Quick Screening
Get results in seconds.
Early Awareness
Identify sleep apnea risk early.
Easy to Use
Simple yes/no questions.
No Medical Equipment Needed
Accessible for everyone.
Helps Medical Consultation
Useful before visiting a doctor.
Who Should Use This Calculator?
This tool is helpful for:
- People who snore
- Individuals with fatigue
- Overweight users
- Patients with hypertension
- Sleep clinic patients
- Health-conscious individuals
Important Note
This calculator is only a screening tool. A sleep study (polysomnography) is required for an official diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is STOP-BANG?
It is a screening tool for sleep apnea risk.
2. Does this diagnose sleep apnea?
No.
3. What does the score mean?
Higher scores indicate higher risk.
4. Is it accurate?
It is a reliable screening method but not diagnostic.
5. Can women use it?
Yes.
6. What is high risk score?
5 or more points.
7. What is low risk?
0–2 points.
8. Is snoring important?
Yes, it is a key symptom.
9. What is sleep apnea?
A condition where breathing stops during sleep.
10. Can children use it?
It is designed mainly for adults.
11. Does BMI matter?
Yes, obesity increases risk.
12. Is age important?
Yes, risk increases after 50.
13. Is it free?
Yes.
14. Can it replace a doctor?
No.
15. What is neck size risk?
Large neck circumference increases risk.
16. Does gender matter?
Males have higher risk.
17. Can I use it at home?
Yes.
18. Should high-risk users see a doctor?
Yes.
19. Does fatigue matter?
Yes, it is a key symptom.
20. Why use this calculator?
To identify early sleep apnea risk.
Conclusion
The Stop Bang Calculator is a simple and effective screening tool used to estimate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. By answering a few basic questions, users can quickly understand whether they fall into low, medium, or high-risk categories. While it does not replace medical diagnosis, it plays an important role in early detection and awareness. If you score high, it is strongly recommended to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and possible sleep testing.