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STOP-BANG Score Calculator (Sleep Apnoea Risk)

Obstructive sleep apnoea risk with the STOP-BANG questionnaire — snoring, tiredness, observed apnoeas, pressure, BMI over 35, age over 50, neck over 40 cm, male gender — with low, intermediate and high risk interpretation.

S — Snoring loudly (louder than talking, heard through a closed door)

T — Tired, fatigued or sleepy during the day

O — Observed to stop breathing or choke/gasp during sleep

P — Pressure: treated for high blood pressure

B — BMI

A — Age

N — Neck circumference

G — Gender

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How it works

One point each: Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnoea, Pressure (hypertension), BMI > 35, Age > 50, Neck > 40 cm, male Gender. 0–2 low, 3–4 intermediate, 5–8 high (or STOP ≥ 2 + male/BMI/neck)

STOP-BANG was developed for anaesthetists screening surgical patients, in whom undiagnosed sleep apnoea raises the risk of post-operative airway and cardiac complications, and it has become the most widely used apnoea screen everywhere. Four symptom questions (STOP) are joined by four objective risk factors (BANG). Its strength is sensitivity: a score of 3 or more catches about 93% of moderate and 100% of severe apnoea, at the cost of many false positives. The refined rule improves specificity — an intermediate score with two STOP items plus male sex, high BMI or a thick neck is reclassified as high risk. Confirmation requires a sleep study; the Epworth scale measures the resulting sleepiness but is not a substitute.

Worked example

Loud snoring, daytime tiredness and treated hypertension (STOP 3), BMI 33 (0), age 54 (1), neck 43 cm (1), male (1): STOP-BANG 6 — high risk, about 55–70% probability of moderate–severe OSA; refer for a sleep study.

Frequently asked questions

Is STOP-BANG reliable in women?

It is less sensitive in women, who snore less and have smaller necks; some clinicians use a neck threshold of 38 cm and a lower score cut-off for women.

What should happen before surgery if the score is high?

Anticipate difficult mask ventilation and airway management, minimise opioids and sedatives, use regional techniques where possible, and monitor oxygenation post-operatively; consider pre-operative sleep referral for elective cases.

Related calculators

Epworth Sleepiness Scale Calculator

Score the eight-situation Epworth Sleepiness Scale (0–24) for daytime sleepiness — normal, mild, moderate and severe excessive sleepiness — with sleep apnoea and narcolepsy implications.

BMI Calculator

Calculate your Body Mass Index from height and weight, see your WHO category, healthy weight range, BMI Prime and ponderal index, with CDC percentiles for children and teens.

Blood Pressure Category Calculator

Enter a blood-pressure reading and see which ACC/AHA category it falls into, from normal through hypertensive crisis.

Clinical decision tool for education and for use by trained clinicians alongside judgement — not a diagnosis and not a substitute for medical assessment. Scores validated in specific populations may not apply to every patient.