Free tool

MIDAS migraine score

Answer 5 short questions about the last 3 months to get your MIDAS score - the Migraine Disability Assessment used by neurologists to gauge how much migraine is limiting your life. Takes about 2 minutes.

Related: Sam's Migraine program →

Answer for all headaches you've had over the last 3 months. Enter 0 for any question that didn't apply to you.

The 5 scored questions

These five day counts are added together for your MIDAS score.

1.On how many days in the last 3 months did you miss work or school because of your headaches?

2.How many days in the last 3 months was your productivity at work or school reduced by half or more because of your headaches? (Do not include days you counted in question 1 where you missed work or school.)

3.On how many days in the last 3 months did you not do household work because of your headaches?

4.How many days in the last 3 months was your productivity in household work reduced by half or more because of your headaches? (Do not include days you counted in question 3 where you did not do household work.)

5.On how many days in the last 3 months did you miss family, social or leisure activities because of your headaches?

For your doctor (not scored)

MIDAS's own instructions say to ignore these two questions when adding up your score - they're optional extra context worth bringing to your doctor.

On how many days in the last 3 months did you have a headache? (If a headache lasted more than 1 day, count each day.)

On a scale of 0-10, on average how painful were these headaches? (Where 0 = no pain at all, and 10 = pain as bad as it can be.)

See it in Sam

Skip the memory math next time

You just did the math from memory. Inside Sam, the monthly MIDAS check-in draws on the attacks you've already logged, so there's no 3-month estimate to make next time.

MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment)

MIDAS, once a month

Once a month, you'll get a short check-in using the MIDAS questionnaire - the same one neurologists use to ask about the past three months. It's not a diagnosis, just one more data point to bring to your appointment.

Identify your personal triggers
Prepare stronger conversations with your care team
Support a steady sleep routine

Sam's Migraine program screen showing the monthly MIDAS check-in

MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment) is a validated 5-question score that adds up headache-related days lost from work, school, housework, and social activities over the last 3 months. The total sorts into 4 grades, from I (0-5 days, little or no disability) to IV (21 or more, severe disability). MIDAS's own guidance is to discuss a score of 6 or higher with a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a MIDAS score of 6 or more a diagnosis?+

No. The guidance to talk to your doctor at a score of 6 or more is the MIDAS questionnaire's own published recommendation, not a diagnosis and not medical advice from Sam. Only a doctor can diagnose migraine or assess your disability level.

Can I use this calculator without the Sam app?+

Yes. This calculator works from your own memory of the last 3 months - no app or account needed. If you use Sam's Migraine program, the same MIDAS questionnaire appears there automatically once a month.

How accurate is a score based on memory?+

MIDAS is designed to be filled out from memory, so this is expected and normal. The trade-off is that recalling exact day counts over 3 months gets harder the further back you look. Logging attacks as they happen, which Sam's Migraine program does, gives you a more precise count next time.

Sam is a wellness companion, not a medical device. Sam does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness and does not replace medical advice. For health questions or concerns, always consult a qualified medical professional.