AIS: Athens Insomnia Scale

8-item scale based on ICD-10 insomnia criteria for clinical assessment. ≈ 2 min to complete. Free with attribution.

sleep 8 items ≈ 2 min Updated 2026-05-06

Score AIS below → Download printable PDF View source paper (DOI)
What is AIS? AIS (Athens Insomnia Scale) is a validated instrument used to assess 8-item scale based on icd-10 insomnia criteria for clinical assessment.. It is used in 8-item scale based on icd-10 insomnia criteria for clinical assessment.. It comprises 8 items. Administration takes about 2 min.

What is AIS?

AIS (Athens Insomnia Scale) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 8-item scale based on icd-10 insomnia criteria for clinical assessment.. It is most often used for 8-item scale based on icd-10 insomnia criteria for clinical assessment.. The instrument contains 8 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 2 min.

Source / attribution: Free to use with citation

Clinical context: when AIS is used

8-item scale based on ICD-10 insomnia criteria for clinical assessment. AIS is part of standard practice in this setting because it provides a structured, replicable assessment that can be tracked over time and compared across patients or visits.

Like all screening or assessment instruments, AIS is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.

Score AIS

Answer all 8 items below to see your AIS score and interpretation.

Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (0–3). Your score updates live as you answer.

All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.

How AIS is scored

Sum all 8 items scored 0-3. Total range 0-24. Score >= 6 indicates insomnia.

Scoring notes: Sum all 8 items scored 0-3. Total range 0-24. Score >= 6 indicates insomnia.

AIS score interpretation

The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.

Score rangeBandInterpretation
0–5No insomniaNone
6–10Mild insomniaSleep hygiene
11–17Moderate insomniaConsider treatment
18–24Severe insomniaActive treatment

How to score AIS: a step-by-step worked example

This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.

Step 1 — Score each item

Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.

#ItemExample responseScore
1Sleep induction (time needed to fall asleep after lights-off)Slightly delayed/reduced1
2Awakenings during the nightSlightly delayed/reduced1
3Final awakening earlier than desiredSlightly delayed/reduced1
4Total sleep durationSlightly delayed/reduced1
5Overall quality of sleep (no matter how long you slept)Slightly delayed/reduced1
6Sense of well-being during the daySlightly delayed/reduced1
7Functioning (physical and mental) during the daySlightly delayed/reduced1
8Sleepiness during the daySlightly delayed/reduced1

Step 2 — Add up the scores

Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8

Step 3 — Look up the band

Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:

Total = 8 falls between 6 and 10Mild insomnia

Step 4 — What does this mean clinically?

Mild insomnia. Sleep hygiene

A score is one input alongside history and examination. AIS supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.

Score AIS with your own answers above →

AIS psychometric properties

Psychometric figures are drawn from the validation literature and may vary across clinical populations and translations.

Limitations & common pitfalls

How AIS compares to other sleep scales

If AIS doesn't fit your context, related instruments in sleep include:

ScaleMeasuresItemsTime
ISIBrief screening measure for insomnia severity and outcomes.7≈ 2 min
PSQI19-item measure assessing sleep quality and disturbances over one month.7≈ 5 min
ESS8-item questionnaire measuring daytime sleepiness in everyday situations.8≈ 2 min
PHQ-9Severity of depression9≈ 3 minutes
GAD-7Severity of generalized anxiety7≈ 2 minutes
AUDIT10-item WHO screening tool for hazardous alcohol consumption and dependence.10≈ 3 min
CHA2DS2-VAScAnnual stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation8
Glasgow Coma ScaleLevel of consciousness after head injury3

Frequently asked questions about AIS

What does AIS measure?

AIS (Athens Insomnia Scale) is a validated instrument that assesses 8-item scale based on icd-10 insomnia criteria for clinical assessment.. Its primary clinical use is 8-item scale based on icd-10 insomnia criteria for clinical assessment..

How long does AIS take to complete?

AIS typically takes ≈ 2 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.

How many items are on AIS?

AIS contains 8 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.

What is a high AIS score?

Scores of 18–24 fall in the "Severe insomnia" band. Active treatment

What is a low AIS score?

Scores of 0–5 fall in the "No insomnia" band. None

How reliable is AIS?

AIS has reported Cronbach's α of 0.87 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.85. High diagnostic agreement with ICD-10 criteria.

Is AIS free to use?

AIS is free to use with attribution. Free to use with citation

What is the source paper for AIS?

Soldatos, C. R., Dikeos, D. G., & Paparrigopoulos, T. J. (2000). Athens Insomnia Scale. Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 107(1), 5-10.

Can AIS replace clinical judgment?

No. AIS is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.

References & validation

AIS is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: