Sleep & Fatigue

Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)

9 statements rated 1–7 — measures fatigue impact on daily life.

The Fatigue Severity Scale was developed by Krupp and colleagues for people who want to understand how fatigue affects daily life. It has nine statements, each rated from 1 to 7. The result is the mean of the nine answers, not a total score, so a score of 4 means you chose 4 on average.

  1. My motivation is lower when I am fatigued. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  2. Exercise brings on my fatigue. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  3. I am easily fatigued. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  4. Fatigue interferes with my physical functioning. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  5. Fatigue causes frequent problems for me. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  6. My fatigue prevents sustained physical functioning. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  7. Fatigue interferes with carrying out certain duties and responsibilities. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  8. Fatigue is among my three most disabling symptoms. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  9. Fatigue interferes with my work, family, or social life. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

What your score means

Below 4.0 — Normal fatigue. Your fatigue is within the normal range.

4.0-5.0 — Moderate fatigue. Your fatigue is moderately affecting daily life. Review sleep, diet, stress and activity levels.

Above 5.0 — Severe fatigue. Your fatigue is severe. Please consult a doctor to rule out underlying causes.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal FSS score?

A mean score below 4.0 is generally considered normal. Scores from 4.0 to 5.0 suggest moderate fatigue, and above 5.0 suggests severe fatigue.

Why is the score a mean and not a total?

Each statement is rated 1 to 7. Adding the nine ratings would give a meaningless total, so the FSS uses the average to make the result easy to interpret.

Should I see a doctor if my fatigue is persistent?

Yes. Persistent unexplained fatigue deserves review by a doctor, because it can have physical causes such as thyroid problems, anaemia or sleep disorders.

Are my answers stored?

Answers stay in your browser unless you sign in and save the result to your account.

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