Epworth Sleepiness Scale

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a questionnaire developed by Dr. Murray Johns of Melbourne to measure daytime sleepiness.  You can use our interactive online form below, or Click Here to download a PDF version of the Form.

Interactive self-evaluation test

Using the rating scale below, rate each of the following statements as it best applies to you:

Would never doze Slight chance
of dozing		 Moderate chance
of dozing		 High chance
of dozing
  Sitting and reading
  Watching TV
  Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g. cinema or in a meeting)
  Being in a car for an hour as a passenger (without a break)
  Lying down to rest in the afternoon (when possible)
  Sitting and chatting to someone
  Sitting quietly after lunch (not having had alcohol)
  In a car when you stop in traffic for a few minutes

 Your Score 
 It Means    

Result What your ESS result indicates
Less than 10 You are most likely getting enough sleep
However, if you have noticed a change in your normal sleep routine, you may want to discuss this with your doctor.
10 - 16 Your may be suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness
You should see you Doctor to determine the cause of your sleepiness and possible treatment. 
Your Doctor may refer you to Sleep Services Australia for a home-based sleep study to assist in your diagnosis.
16+ You are dangerously sleepy
It is imperative that you see your Doctor to determine the cause of your sleepiness, and to investigate treatment as soon as possible.  Your Doctor can refer you to Sleep Services Australia for a sleep study to assist in your diagnosis.

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* This scale should not be used to make your own diagnosis. It is intended as a tool to help you identify your own level of daytime sleepiness, which can often by a symptom of many sleep disorders.

If your score is 10 or more, please share this information with your doctor - make sure you describe all your symptoms  as clearly as possible to help in your diagnosis and treatment.  You may want to print off this questionnaire and take the results to your doctor, or call us on 1300 867 533 to request a brochure titled "Do You Snore?", which contains the ESS.

* Please Note - true excessive daytime sleepiness is almost always caused by an underlying medical condition that can be easily diagnosed and effectively treated.

*Table based on ESS table devised by Dr M. W .Johns Copyright 1991 (Source: Sleep 1991; 14(6): 540-545).

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You will need to have the Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer to view PDF files, which is available free from Adobe's website. Get Acrobat Reader

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Sleep Apnoea can be variously spelt (or mis-spelt) as apnia, apnea, appnia.