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TOOLS · SCREENER
NoSAS score: a one-minute sleep apnea screener
The NoSAS score adds up five facts about you — neck size, BMI, snoring, age and sex — into a number from 0 to 17. A score of 8 or more is at or above the published cutoff for a higher likelihood of clinically significant sleep-disordered breathing.
Published scoring · Marti-Soler et al., Lancet Respiratory Medicine 2016
- About 1 minute
- Free, no sign-up
- Counts toward your Sleep Check-up
Sleep Check-up
0 of 6 checks done
Finish this one to reach 1 of 6.
- NoSAS (next)
- STOP-Bang (not started)
- Berlin (not started)
- Epworth (not started)
- Insomnia (not started)
- NOSE (not started)
Free NoSAS score calculator: five quick answers (neck, BMI, snoring, age, sex) give a 0–17 sleep apnea screening score with the published cutoff of 8.
What your result looks like
A sample result. Yours appears here the moment you finish, with what it means and what to do next. Every possible result is listed beside it.
At or above the published cutoff
9/17
017
Your NoSAS score is at or above the cutoff of 8.
In the original study, people at or above 8 were more likely to have clinically significant sleep-disordered breathing. Only a sleep study can confirm it, so this is a reason to talk to a clinician, not a diagnosis.
- Neck 41.9 cm +4
- BMI 29.4 +3
- Snoring +2
- Age 48 +0
- Female +0
- Learn what a sleep study measures
- Cross-check with STOP-Bang
- See what sleep study AHI bands mean
0–7Below the published cutoff
Your NoSAS score is below the cutoff of 8.
8–17At or above the published cutoff
Your NoSAS score is at or above the cutoff of 8.
Either side of 8Depends on snoring
Your score falls either side of 8 depending on whether you snore.
Milestone addedNoSAS done · 4 of 6 checks
Saved to your account. We'll remind you to retake in 180 days.
What this tool does
NoSAS is for adults who wonder whether they might have sleep apnea and have not had a sleep study. It uses facts you already know. It was derived in a general-population cohort in Lausanne (HypnoLaus) and validated in a second cohort in São Paulo (EPISONO).
It cannot tell you whether you have sleep apnea, how severe it is, or whether your CPAP is working. On therapy, your residual AHI is the more useful number.
How the score works
| Item | Condition | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Neck | More than 40 cm (15.7 in) | 4 |
| Obesity | BMI 25 to under 30 | 3 |
| Obesity | BMI 30 or more | 5 |
| Snoring | Yes | 2 |
| Age | Older than 55 | 4 |
| Sex | Male | 2 |
| Row | Maximum | 17 |
Add the points; only one BMI row applies. 8 or more is the cutoff.
Reading your result
0–7, below the cutoff. Lower risk on these factors. Symptoms still outweigh scores.
8–17, at or above the cutoff. Higher likelihood of clinically significant sleep-disordered breathing. Talk to your clinician and bring this result.
Depends on snoring. You are close to the line and snoring decides it. Find out, then retake.
Why body measurements predict sleep apnea
Neck size, BMI and male sex reflect how much soft tissue surrounds the upper airway. Age adds risk, and snoring is the sound of a partly narrowed airway.
If you go on to start CPAP, Apnealytics moves the question from "might I have apnea?" to "is my therapy working?" Your dashboard shows residual AHI, leak and usage every night, with synced weight from Apple Health or Health Connect beside the trend.
Sources
- Marti-Soler H, Hirotsu C, Marques-Vidal P, et al. The NoSAS score for screening of sleep-disordered breathing: a derivation and validation study. Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 2016.
FAQ
What does NoSAS stand for?
The letters spell the five items: Neck circumference, Obesity (BMI), Snoring, Age and Sex. Each condition you meet adds fixed points, up to 17. The score was published by Marti-Soler and colleagues in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine in 2016 and is designed for quick screening in the general population.
What is a high NoSAS score?
A score of 8 or more is the published cutoff. It means your profile was associated with a higher likelihood of clinically significant sleep-disordered breathing in the study population. It is not a diagnosis and does not indicate severity. Only a sleep study, at home or in a lab, can answer that.
How do I measure my neck for the NoSAS score?
Use a soft tape measure around your neck at the level of the Adam's apple, standing upright and looking ahead. Keep it snug but not tight. Shirt collar size tends to run a little larger than a true neck measurement, so measure directly if you can.
Can I use NoSAS if I already use CPAP?
You can, but it tells you nothing about how well your therapy is working. NoSAS screens people who have not been diagnosed. On CPAP, residual AHI, leak and usage are the numbers to watch. The AHI lookup explains what your machine's number means.
Is NoSAS better than STOP-Bang or Berlin?
They answer the same question differently. NoSAS uses measurements and snoring, so it is quick and objective. STOP-Bang and Berlin add symptoms such as tiredness and observed pauses. Taking more than one gives your clinician a fuller picture, which is why the Sleep Check-up includes all three.
Diagnosed and on CPAP? See if it's working.
Apnealytics reads your machine's SD card and shows residual AHI, leak and usage every night. Your first 30 nights are free.
Screening tool, not a diagnosis. A result here cannot tell you whether you have sleep apnea, insomnia or any other condition — only a licensed clinician can diagnose. If you are very sleepy during the day or have dozed while driving, see a doctor promptly.
