😴 Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)
Quantify daytime sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).
Clinical takeaway
Measures average sleep propensity, not a diagnosis.
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When to use
Screen for excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep disorders.
How it works
Eight situations rated 0–3 (chance of dozing); total 0–24. > 10 indicates excessive daytime sleepiness.
Key points
- Measures average sleep propensity, not a diagnosis.
- High scores warrant evaluation for OSA or insufficient sleep.
- Useful to monitor treatment response.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| 1. Sitting and reading | No chance (0) |
|---|---|
| 2. Watching TV | No chance (0) |
| 3. Sitting inactive in a public place | No chance (0) |
| 4. As a passenger in a car for an hour | No chance (0) |
| 5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon | No chance (0) |
| 6. Sitting and talking to someone | No chance (0) |
| 7. Sitting quietly after lunch (no alcohol) | No chance (0) |
| 8. In a car, stopped in traffic | No chance (0) |
→Epworth0/24
- Interpretation：Normal daytime sleepiness
- Note：> 10 suggests excessive daytime sleepiness — consider evaluation for sleep disorders.
| 1. Sitting and reading | High (3) |
|---|---|
| 2. Watching TV | High (3) |
| 3. Sitting inactive in a public place | High (3) |
| 4. As a passenger in a car for an hour | High (3) |
| 5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon | High (3) |
| 6. Sitting and talking to someone | High (3) |
| 7. Sitting quietly after lunch (no alcohol) | High (3) |
| 8. In a car, stopped in traffic | High (3) |
→Epworth24/24
- Interpretation：Severe excessive sleepiness
- Note：> 10 suggests excessive daytime sleepiness — consider evaluation for sleep disorders.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)?
- Quantify daytime sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).
- How is Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) calculated? What is the core formula?
- Eight situations rated 0–3 (chance of dozing); total 0–24. > 10 indicates excessive daytime sleepiness.
- When is Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) used?
- Screen for excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep disorders.
- What are the key clinical points for Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)?
- Measures average sleep propensity, not a diagnosis. High scores warrant evaluation for OSA or insufficient sleep. Useful to monitor treatment response.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: 1. Sitting and reading No chance (0), 2. Watching TV No chance (0), 3. Sitting inactive in a public place No chance (0), 4. As a passenger in a car for an hour No chance (0), 5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon No chance (0), 6. Sitting and talking to someone No chance (0), 7. Sitting quietly after lunch (no alcohol) No chance (0), 8. In a car, stopped in traffic No chance (0) → Result: Epworth 0 /24（Interpretation: Normal daytime sleepiness, Note: > 10 suggests excessive daytime sleepiness — consider evaluation for sleep disorders.） Inputs: 1. Sitting and reading High (3), 2. Watching TV High (3), 3. Sitting inactive in a public place High (3), 4. As a passenger in a car for an hour High (3), 5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon High (3), 6. Sitting and talking to someone High (3), 7. Sitting quietly after lunch (no alcohol) High (3), 8. In a car, stopped in traffic High (3) → Result: Epworth 24 /24（Interpretation: Severe excessive sleepiness, Note: > 10 suggests excessive daytime sleepiness — consider evaluation for sleep disorders.）