Clinical Calculator
Epworth Sleepiness Scale — Daytime Sleepiness Test
Measure your daytime sleepiness level using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to assess potential sleep disorder risks.
What is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale?
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a standardized self-report questionnaire used to measure excessive daytime sleepiness. Developed in 1990 by Dr. Murray Johns at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, it is now a standard tool in sleep medicine clinics worldwide.
Clinical Assessment
The tool asks you to rate your likelihood of dozing off in 8 common daily scenarios, scored from 0 (Never) to 3 (High chance). Total scores are interpreted as follows:
- 0–10: Normal daytime sleepiness.
- 11–12: Mild excessive daytime sleepiness.
- 13–15: Moderate excessive daytime sleepiness.
- 16–24: Severe excessive daytime sleepiness.
A score of 10 or higher suggests excessive daytime sleepiness, which can indicate sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, or chronic sleep deprivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common causes include poor sleep hygiene, chronic sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and insomnia.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed using a sleep study (polysomnography), which monitors breathing, oxygen levels, and brain activity during sleep, either in a clinic or at home.
Caffeine masks sleepiness temporarily but does not replace restorative sleep. Relying heavily on caffeine can disrupt nighttime sleep cycles, worsening daytime sleepiness.