Epworth sleepiness scale
Peer reviewed by Patient infomatics teamAuthored by Patient infomatics teamOriginally published 16 Jul 2025
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
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At a glance
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a questionnaire to measure your daytime sleepiness.
It asks how likely you are to doze off in common situations.
Scores range from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating more sleepiness.
A score of 10 or more suggests excessive daytime sleepiness.
Excessive sleepiness can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Consult a doctor if your score is 10 or higher, or if sleepiness affects your daily life.
In this article:
Video picks for Tiredness
Continue reading below
What is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale?
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a simple questionnaire designed to measure your general level of daytime sleepiness. It asks how likely you are to doze off in common situations – like watching TV, sitting in traffic, or reading – and gives you a score from 0 to 24. The higher your score, the sleepier you are likely to be during the day.
Healthcare professionals often use this tool to help identify sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnoea or narcolepsy.
What does my score mean?
Back to contentsOnce you’ve added up your answers, your total score can be interpreted as follows:
0–7: Unlikely to be abnormally sleepy
8–9: Average daytime sleepiness
10–15: Excessive daytime sleepiness – consider seeing a doctor
16–24: Severely sleepy – medical advice strongly recommended
A high score doesn’t diagnose a condition on its own, but it can indicate that further investigation is needed.
Continue reading below
What causes excessive sleepiness?
Back to contentsFeeling excessively sleepy during the day can be caused by a range of issues, including:
Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep
Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome, or insomnia
Narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that disrupts sleep–wake cycles
Shift work, jet lag, or irregular sleep patterns
Mental health issues like depression or anxiety
Medications or alcohol that cause drowsiness
Underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or chronic fatigue syndrome
Understanding the root cause is key to managing daytime drowsiness effectively.
When to see a doctor
Back to contentsYou should consider speaking to your GP or a sleep specialist if:
Your Epworth score is 10 or higher
You often struggle to stay awake during the day
Your sleepiness is affecting your work, relationships, or safety
You snore heavily, stop breathing during sleep, or wake up feeling unrefreshed
You experience sudden sleep attacks, especially while talking, eating, or driving
Excessive sleepiness isn’t something to ignore – it can be a sign of an underlying condition that’s both treatable and important for your long-term health.
Patient picks for Tiredness
Signs and symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sometimes known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) , is a condition where there is long-term disabling tiredness (fatigue). Most people with also have one or more other symptoms such as muscular pains, joint pains, disturbed sleep patterns, poor concentration or headaches. The cause is not known.
by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
Signs and symptoms
Tiredness
Tiredness, or fatigue, means having less energy than usual. People feel exhausted - mentally, physically or both. Tiredness is a normal part of life and more significant at particular times of life, such as having a young family, but if it persists it may warrant some investigations to check for an underlying medical problem.
by Dr Rachel Hudson, MRCGP
Frequently asked questions
What is considered a normal Epworth Sleepiness Scale score?
Scores between 0 and 7 suggest you are unlikely to be abnormally sleepy. A score of 8-9 is considered average daytime sleepiness.
What should I do if my Epworth score indicates excessive sleepiness?
If your score is 10 or higher, it suggests excessive daytime sleepiness, and you should consider booking an appointment to see a doctor or sleep specialist for further evaluation.
Can external factors like my job or travel affect my Epworth Sleepiness Score?
Yes, external factors like shift work or jet lag, which cause irregular sleep patterns, can contribute to excessive sleepiness and may result in a higher Epworth score.
Can taking certain medications make me sleepier and affect my score?
Yes, some medications can cause drowsiness as a side effect, which could contribute to excessive daytime sleepiness and potentially result in a higher Epworth Sleepiness Scale score.
Does having a medical condition like an underactive thyroid contribute to daytime sleepiness?
Yes, underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, commonly known as an underactive thyroid, can be a cause of excessive daytime sleepiness and influence your Epworth score.
Continue reading below
About the authorView full bio
Patient infomatics team
The Patient.info Informatics Team ensures our medical content and tools are accurate, evidence-based, and aligned with trusted NHS and NICE guidance.
About the reviewerView full bio
Patient infomatics team
The Patient.info Informatics Team ensures our medical content and tools are accurate, evidence-based, and aligned with trusted NHS and NICE guidance.
Article history
The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
16 Jul 2025 | Originally published
Authored by:
Patient infomatics teamPeer reviewed by
Patient infomatics team
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