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Epworth Sleepiness Scale

Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnolence)

The questions · 8

  1. Sitting and reading
  2. Watching TV
  3. Sitting inactive in a public place (theatre, meeting)
  4. As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
  5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
  6. Sitting and talking to someone
  7. Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol
  8. In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic

How scores are read

Normal daytime sleepiness

Within the normal range. Some end-of-day tiredness is physiological, not a problem.

Next step: Nothing to do. If you're worried about energy rather than sleepiness, look at fuel, training and stimulant use.

Mild excessive sleepiness

Slightly above normal. Common with short sleep, irregular schedule or a partner-disrupted night.

Next step: Check total sleep time over 14 nights and your regularity chart. Consider the STOP-BANG screen.

Moderate excessive sleepiness

Notable daytime sleepiness. Often paired with an undiagnosed sleep disorder such as apnea.

Next step: Run STOP-BANG. If either is elevated, discuss a sleep study with your doctor.

Severe excessive sleepiness

Severe daytime sleepiness. This is not something to optimise around — it needs a clinical look.

Next step: See a doctor or sleep clinic soon. Bring your Epworth and STOP-BANG scores and your sleep log.

Sources

A new method for measuring daytime sleepinessThe 8-item Epworth scale; ≥11 suggests excessive daytime sleepiness.The cumulative cost of additional wakefulnessTwo weeks at 6 h/night produced deficits equal to two nights of total deprivation — while subjects felt only mildly sleepy. You adapt to feeling tired, not to being impaired.The post-lunch dip in performanceThe early-afternoon dip is a normal circadian feature, largely independent of lunch — 'that's the point'.

Frequently asked questions

What does my Epworth Sleepiness Scale score mean?

Within the normal range. Some end-of-day tiredness is physiological, not a problem.

Is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire free?

Yes — all five screening questionnaires are included in SleepShred, scored automatically, with your history kept on your iPhone.

Is SleepShred free?

No. SleepShred Pro is $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year, with no free trial and no ads. Everything stays on your iPhone.

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Educational summary of published research, not medical advice. Screening scores are not diagnoses. If a score is elevated or you feel unwell, talk to a clinician.