Sleep Apnea Risk Quiz (STOP-BANG)

The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a validated clinical screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It was developed by anesthesiologists and has been validated in multiple large studies for sensitivity in detecting moderate-to-severe OSA. It is used preoperatively in hospitals worldwide and as a primary care screening tool.

Answer yes or no to each of the 8 questions honestly. STOP-BANG stands for: Snoring, Tired, Observed (apnea), Pressure (high blood pressure), BMI, Age, Neck circumference, Gender.

Disclaimer: This quiz is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. Only a sleep study (polysomnography or home sleep apnea test) can diagnose sleep apnea. If this quiz suggests moderate or high risk, discuss the results with your doctor. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with serious cardiovascular and metabolic health risks.

STOP-BANG Questionnaire

S — Do you snore loudly? (louder than talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors)

Yes No

T — Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime?

Yes No

O — Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?

Yes No

P — Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

Yes No

B — Is your BMI greater than 35? (BMI >35 = obesity class II)

Yes No

Not sure of your BMI? Use any online BMI calculator. BMI 35 corresponds roughly to a 5'9" (175cm) person weighing 235 lbs (107 kg).

A — Are you older than 50?

Yes No

N — Is your neck circumference greater than 40 cm (16 inches)?

Yes No

Measure around the neck at the level of the Adam's apple. Many men wear a shirt collar size that approximates this (e.g., 16" collar ≈ 40 cm neck circumference).

G — Are you male?

Yes No

STOP-BANG Risk Levels

Score	Risk Level	OSA Probability
0–2	Low	~10–20%
3–4	Intermediate	~40–50%
5–8	High	~60–80%+ for moderate-severe OSA

The STOP-BANG has high sensitivity (93.4% for moderate-severe OSA) but lower specificity — many people who screen as intermediate/high risk will not have OSA on formal testing. It's designed to identify people who need further evaluation, not to rule OSA in definitively. A formal sleep study is required for diagnosis.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, repeatedly interrupting breathing. Each event triggers a brief arousal from sleep to restore airway patency. These arousals are typically too brief to be remembered but fragment sleep architecture significantly, preventing deep and REM sleep.

OSA affects an estimated 26% of adults aged 30–70 — and 85% of cases are undiagnosed. It significantly increases risk for hypertension, heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and motor vehicle accidents. It is very effectively treated — see our sleep apnea treatment guide.