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Scores the standard published 9-item Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) questionnaire (Krupp LB, LaRocca NG, Muir-Nash J, Steinberg AD. Arch Neurol. 1989;46(10):1121-1123). Each item is scored 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), and the standard scoring method is the mean of the 9 item scores. A commonly cited cutoff of 4 or higher (out of 7) suggests clinically significant fatigue. Same questionnaire-scoring pattern as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP-BANG tools already on this site. For general reference and educational purposes only — not a diagnosis. Consult a doctor for actual evaluation of fatigue.
How it works
Rate your agreement (1-7) with each of the 9 standard FSS statements. The tool averages the 9 scores.
- Enter 1. My motivation is lower when I am fatigued. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Enter 2. Exercise brings on my fatigue. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Enter 3. I am easily fatigued. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Enter 4. Fatigue interferes with my physical functioning. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Enter 5. Fatigue causes frequent problems for me. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Enter 6. My fatigue prevents sustained physical functioning. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Enter 7. Fatigue interferes with carrying out certain duties and responsibilities. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Enter 8. Fatigue is among my three most disabling symptoms. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Enter 9. Fatigue interferes with my work, family, or social life. (1=strongly disagree, 7=strongly agree).
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
All items rated 1
FSS score = 9/9 = 1.0 (minimum possible, no fatigue impact indicated).
All items rated 7
FSS score = 63/9 = 7.0 (maximum possible).
Who should use it
- Fatigue self-screening education.
- Tracking fatigue impact over time.
Industry applications
- Neurology/rheumatology clinical education
- Patient-reported outcome measure reference
Advantages
- Standard, widely-used published questionnaire.
- Simple, transparent averaging method.
Limitations
- Self-report only — no objective physiological measurement.
- A high score does not identify the underlying cause of fatigue.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Answering items based on a single unusual day rather than your typical experience over the past week or two, as the questionnaire intends.
Best practices
- Answer based on your typical recent experience, not an outlier day.
Tips
- The FSS was originally validated in multiple sclerosis and lupus patients but is now used more broadly as a general fatigue-impact screening questionnaire.