Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) — Sleep and Recovery Assessment
Seven Likert items assessing insomnia symptoms and impact.
The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is a brief, validated questionnaire designed to assess the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia symptoms. This Sleep and Recovery assessment uses seven Likert-style items to measure difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, early morning awakenings, satisfaction with sleep, daytime functioning, noticeability of impairment, and the degree of distress caused by sleep problems. Completing the ISI takes only a few minutes and provides an immediate score to help you understand your sleep health.
Whether you're tracking chronic sleep difficulties or assessing short-term sleep disruption, the ISI is a practical tool for individuals and clinicians focused on sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, and recovery strategies. Results include clear interpretation ranges and actionable recommendations to support better sleep, improved recovery, and informed conversations with healthcare providers about insomnia and treatment options.
How satisfied/dissatisfied are you with your current sleep pattern?
Consider your overall satisfaction with sleep over the past two weeks.
How noticeable to others (e.g., family, friends, or coworkers) do you think your sleep problems are in terms of impairing your quality of life?
Rate how much others would notice impairment caused by your sleep issues.
To what extent do you consider your sleep problem to interfere with your daily functioning (e.g., daytime tiredness, concentration, mood)?
Think about the impact on work, school, or social activities over the past two weeks.
How worried/distressed are you about your current sleep problem?
Indicate how much your sleep difficulties cause you distress or concern.
How difficult have you found it to fall asleep?
Rate difficulty initiating sleep during the past two weeks.
How difficult have you found it to stay asleep (waking up during the night)?
Consider awakenings and trouble returning to sleep over the past two weeks.
How much of a problem has waking up too early (before you wanted to) been for you?
Evaluate premature awakening and inability to return to sleep during the past two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
The ISI is a short, validated 7-item questionnaire used to measure the severity of insomnia symptoms and their impact on daily functioning. It evaluates difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, early morning awakenings, satisfaction with sleep, daytime interference, noticeability of impairment, and distress caused by sleep problems.
Each ISI item is rated 0–4 and the total score ranges from 0 to 28. Interpretation commonly used: 0–7 (no clinically significant insomnia), 8–14 (subthreshold/mild), 15–21 (moderate), and 22–28 (severe). Higher scores indicate greater insomnia severity and impact.
No. The ISI is a screening and severity tool, not a standalone diagnostic test. It helps quantify symptoms and monitor treatment response. A clinical diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare provider considering sleep patterns, medical history, and diagnostic criteria.
Retake the ISI after implementing sleep interventions or behavioral changes, typically after 4–8 weeks to monitor improvement. You can also retake it sooner if symptoms change significantly. Regular re-assessment helps track recovery and treatment effectiveness.
If your score is in the moderate or severe range (15+), consider consulting your primary care physician or a sleep specialist. Evidence-based treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), sleep hygiene changes, and, in some cases, medical evaluation for underlying causes or short-term pharmacotherapy.
The ISI is validated primarily for adults and is widely used in clinical and research settings. For children, adolescents, or individuals with complex medical or psychiatric conditions, specialized assessment by a clinician is recommended.
No. The ISI is a useful screening tool and can inform discussions with your clinician, but it does not replace a full medical evaluation. Use your ISI results to guide conversations about symptoms, treatment options, and next steps with a healthcare provider.
Related quizzes
Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) — Sleep and Recovery Assessment
Multiple-choice screening of sleep quantity, quality and disturbances tailored for athletes.
Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) — Sleep and Recovery Assessment
Likert items evaluating behaviors and environmental factors related to sleep hygiene.
Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) — Single-Item Sleepiness Test
Single-item repeated Likert measure (9 options) for current sleepiness across tasks or times.
Reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) — Sleep and Recovery Chronotype Quiz
Multiple-choice chronotype assessment categorizing morningness or eveningness.
Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) — Sleep and Recovery Assessment
Likert options evaluating sleep induction, awakenings, total sleep and daytime functioning.
Berlin Questionnaire: Sleep & Recovery Sleep Apnea Risk Test
Multiple-choice sleep apnea risk assessment across snoring, daytime sleepiness and hypertension.