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The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Johns 1991) measures daytime sleepiness by asking how likely the patient is to doze in eight common situations, each scored 0–3 (total 0–24). Higher scores indicate greater sleep propensity: 0–10 normal, 11–14 mild, 15–17 moderate, and ≥ 18 severe excessive daytime sleepiness.
ESS = sum of dozing likelihood for 8 situations (each 0–3) → 0–24. 0–10 normal, 11–14 mild, 15–17 moderate, ≥ 18 severe excessive daytime sleepiness.
0–10 indicates normal sleepiness. 11–14 mild, 15–17 moderate, and ≥ 18 severe excessive daytime sleepiness; scores ≥ 11 warrant evaluation for sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was introduced by Murray Johns in 1991 to measure the general level of daytime sleepiness. Patients rate their chance of dozing in eight situations — sitting and reading; watching television; sitting inactive in a public place; riding as a car passenger for an hour without a break; lying down to rest in the afternoon; sitting and talking to someone; sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol; and sitting in a car while stopped in traffic. Each is scored 0 (would never doze) to 3 (high chance of dozing), giving a total of 0–24. A score of 11–14 indicates mild, 15–17 moderate, and 18–24 severe excessive daytime sleepiness. The ESS is widely used in the assessment of obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
Specialty
General MedicineCategory
Sleep MedicineDifficulty
Basic
Estimated Time
30 seconds
Version
1.0
Last Updated
2026-08-16
Formula
Keywords
Normal Range
0–10 indicates normal sleepiness. 11–14 mild, 15–17 moderate, and ≥ 18 severe excessive daytime sleepiness; scores ≥ 11 warrant evaluation for sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
| Classification | Range |
|---|---|
Normal Normal daytime sleepiness | 0–10 |
Mild Mild excessive daytime sleepiness | 11–14 |
Moderate Moderate excessive daytime sleepiness | 15–17 |
Severe Severe excessive daytime sleepiness | 18–24 |
Quantifies the general level of daytime sleepiness, supporting the evaluation of sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
0–10 = normal daytime sleepiness; 11–14 = mild; 15–17 = moderate; ≥ 18 = severe excessive daytime sleepiness. Scores of 11 or more warrant evaluation for sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea.
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is the standard bedside measure of sleep propensity; an elevated score flags clinically significant daytime sleepiness that may indicate treatable sleep-disordered breathing and carries driving-safety implications.
A 52-year-old man with loud snoring and observed apneas rates his chance of dozing as 3 when reading, 3 watching TV, 2 in a meeting, 2 as a car passenger, 2 lying down in the afternoon, 1 while talking, 1 after lunch, and 0 in traffic.
Inputs:
ESS = 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 0 = 14/24 — MILD excessive daytime sleepiness, supporting further evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea.
Refer the patient for sleep medicine evaluation and objective testing (polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing) when clinically indicated, and discuss driving safety.
Yes. Some patients with obstructive sleep apnea, especially those without perceived sleepiness, score within the normal range.
Disclaimer: This calculator is intended for educational and clinical decision support purposes only. The ESS is a screening measure of sleep propensity; a diagnosis of sleep apnea requires objective sleep testing, and driving safety must always be addressed.
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