The Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Widespread Pain Index (WPI) Calculator is a user-friendly digital tool developed to help individuals assess symptoms commonly associated with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive issues. Because the symptoms can be varied and subjective, this calculator offers a structured method to capture symptom patterns and severity in a consistent way.
The WPI component focuses on identifying the number of areas on the body where the user has experienced pain during the past week. It helps in recognizing the extent and distribution of pain across different zones. The SSS component complements this by evaluating the intensity of key symptoms such as fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive difficulties, as well as noting the presence of other somatic symptoms like headaches, digestive problems, or sensitivity to light. The final result provides an objective score that can support diagnosis and treatment planning.
The primary purpose of the SSS and WPI Calculator is to offer a standardized, self-guided way to assess and document symptoms related to fibromyalgia. While it does not replace a medical diagnosis, it serves as a valuable tool for both patients and healthcare providers. This calculator helps users to:
In summary, this tool empowers users to better understand their symptoms, track their health over time, and prepare for more informed conversations with doctors. It supports early detection, ongoing monitoring, and personalized care strategies for managing fibromyalgia.
The Widespread Pain Index (WPI) is a measure used to determine how many areas of the body a person has experienced pain in over the past week. It is one of the two main criteria used in the assessment of fibromyalgia. The index includes 19 specific areas on the body, and the user is asked to indicate whether they have felt pain in each of those areas recently. Each positive response adds one point to the total WPI score.
A higher WPI score reflects a greater number of pain areas, which may indicate a more widespread and systemic issue. The WPI is essential for recognizing the distribution of pain and contributes significantly to the overall evaluation when combined with the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS).
To accurately complete the WPI section, you need to consider any pain you've experienced during the past 7 days. Pain zones include areas such as:
If you've felt pain in a specific zone, even intermittently, it should be counted. Pain does not need to be constant or severe to qualify. A visual aid is often provided in the calculator to help you locate each of the 19 zones on the body.
Once entered, your WPI score will appear in the results section and be used to help determine whether your symptoms align with fibromyalgia criteria.
The Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) is a scoring system designed to measure the intensity and impact of three primary symptoms often associated with fibromyalgia: fatigue, sleep disturbances (drowsiness), and cognitive issues (such as memory or concentration problems). In addition, it considers the number of other physical symptoms (somatic symptoms) present during the previous week.
The SSS score is made up of two parts:
Together, the two parts produce a total score ranging from 0 to 12. This score helps determine the extent to which symptoms are affecting your daily life and contributes to the overall assessment of fibromyalgia.
Think about how tired or exhausted you have felt over the past week. This refers to physical and mental fatigue, whether it was mild or strong, temporary or persistent. Select the option that best matches your experience:
This refers to how well you’ve been sleeping and how refreshed you feel upon waking. Consider whether you feel rested in the morning and if drowsiness affects your ability to function during the day. Choose the option that best describes your sleep issues in the last week:
This includes difficulties with memory, concentration, mental clarity, or staying focused. These issues are sometimes described as "fibro fog." Reflect on whether you’ve had trouble with mental tasks over the last week and select the option that fits your situation:
After selecting your answers for all three symptoms, the calculator will total your scores and display the result for Part 2A. This, combined with the somatic symptom count from Part 2B, forms your overall SSS score.
The second part of the Symptom Severity Scale, known as 2B, focuses on the presence of additional physical symptoms, often referred to as somatic symptoms. These are various health complaints that may not be directly related to pain but can significantly affect a person's well-being. Individuals with fibromyalgia often report a wide range of such symptoms, and recognizing them helps provide a fuller picture of the condition's impact.
In the calculator, you are presented with a checklist of 41 possible associated symptoms. These symptoms range from digestive issues and skin problems to neurological complaints and general discomforts. The total number of symptoms checked is used to calculate a score from 0 to 3:
You do not need to rate the severity of each individual symptom. Instead, simply go through the list and check every symptom that you have experienced during the past week. It does not matter how intense the symptom was—if it was present at all, it should be marked.
Once all relevant symptoms are selected, the calculator automatically counts them and assigns a corresponding score from 0 to 3. This score becomes your 2B result, which is then added to your 2A score to produce your total SSS score.
Below is a list of all the associated symptoms included in the calculator. These may vary in intensity and frequency from person to person, but all are considered relevant when evaluating fibromyalgia:
Each symptom you’ve experienced helps to build a more complete and accurate assessment. Be honest and thorough when checking symptoms to ensure your SSS score truly reflects your condition.
Once you've entered your pain zones (WPI) and selected the severity of symptoms (SSS), the calculator automatically processes the information using a simple scoring algorithm. It gathers values from each section:
The total SSS score is then calculated by combining 2A and 2B (maximum score = 12). The calculator also determines whether your results meet the criteria for a possible diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
After pressing the "Calculate" button, your results will appear as follows:
According to the American College of Rheumatology (2010) criteria, a person is considered to meet the diagnostic standard for fibromyalgia if one of the following conditions is met:
If your results match either of the conditions above, the calculator will display "Yes" next to the “Criterion 1 – Fibromyalgia” output. This does not confirm a diagnosis but suggests that your symptoms are consistent with fibromyalgia and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
The calculator is intended to guide awareness, not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional for an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
The SSS and WPI Calculator is a tool designed to help individuals assess symptoms related to fibromyalgia. It allows users to input their pain areas and symptom severity to receive a calculated score that may indicate whether they meet the criteria for fibromyalgia.
No. This calculator cannot provide a medical diagnosis. It is a self-assessment tool meant to guide users in understanding their symptoms. A diagnosis should only be made by a licensed healthcare professional based on clinical evaluation and medical history.
WPI stands for Widespread Pain Index. It measures how many specific areas of the body experienced pain in the past 7 days, with a maximum score of 19.
SSS stands for Symptom Severity Scale. It includes the severity of three core symptoms—fatigue, drowsiness, and cognitive problems—as well as a score for additional physical symptoms.
Use the body diagram provided in the calculator to identify the 19 specific zones. If you’ve experienced pain in a zone during the past week, count it—even if the pain was mild or occasional.
No. In Part 2B, simply check the box next to any symptom you’ve experienced in the past week. The calculator will automatically assign a score based on the total number of symptoms checked.
There is no “normal” score, as the calculator is designed to help identify patterns and severity of symptoms rather than evaluate health in general. However, a higher total score, especially when combined with a high WPI, may indicate fibromyalgia-like symptoms.
Yes! You can use the calculator regularly to track your symptoms and see how they change. This can be helpful for monitoring progress, understanding symptom triggers, and sharing information with your doctor.
If your result indicates that your symptoms meet the criteria for fibromyalgia, it is important to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. They can conduct a full evaluation and determine the appropriate next steps for diagnosis and treatment.
No personal information is saved by this calculator. Your results are calculated and displayed immediately in your browser but are not stored or sent anywhere unless you choose to share them yourself.
Fibromyalgia: A chronic medical condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression.
Widespread Pain Index (WPI): A scoring tool that counts the number of specific areas on the body where the patient has felt pain during the past 7 days. The maximum score is 19.
Symptom Severity Scale (SSS): A scale that measures the intensity of three core symptoms (fatigue, drowsiness, and cognitive issues) and includes a score for additional associated symptoms. The total score ranges from 0 to 12.
Somatic Symptoms: Physical symptoms that may not have a clear medical explanation but are commonly reported in conditions like fibromyalgia. These include symptoms such as dizziness, skin rashes, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.
Cognitive Symptoms: Problems related to thinking, memory, and concentration—often referred to as “fibro fog” by people with fibromyalgia.
Drowsiness (Sleep Disturbances): Difficulty staying awake, unrefreshing sleep, or constant tiredness during the day, which are common in people with fibromyalgia.
Fatigue: A constant or recurring feeling of exhaustion or tiredness that does not improve with rest. It is one of the core symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Criterion 1 – Fibromyalgia: The diagnostic condition based on the combination of WPI and SSS scores. A person may meet the criteria if WPI ≥ 7 and SSS ≥ 5, or if WPI is 3–6 and SSS ≥ 9.
2A (SSS Part 2A): The part of the SSS that includes severity ratings for fatigue, sleep quality, and cognitive symptoms (each scored 0–3).
2B (SSS Part 2B): The part of the SSS that accounts for the number of additional physical symptoms experienced, contributing a score from 0 to 3.
Self-Assessment Tool: An interactive resource that allows users to input their symptoms and receive an automated calculation or evaluation. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis.