MIDAS Score Calculator
Migraine Disability Assessment Scale — The validated clinical tool for measuring migraine-related disability
Instructions
Enter the number of affected days in the last 3 months (90 days) for each question. Every field starts at 0, and 0 is a valid answer.
How to count days correctly
- Count each calendar day once per question, even if the headache lasted only part of the day.
- Do not count the same day in both the “missed” and “reduced productivity” question for the same domain.
- Questions A and B are optional. They help add context, but they do not change your MIDAS score.
On how many days in the last 3 months did you miss work or school because of your headaches?
How many days in the last 3 months was your productivity at work or school reduced by half or more because of your headaches?
On how many days in the last 3 months did you not do household work because of your headaches?
How many days in the last 3 months was your productivity in household work reduced by half or more because of your headaches?
On how many days in the last 3 months did you miss family, social, or leisure activities because of your headaches?
Saved MIDAS Assessments
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What is the MIDAS Questionnaire?
The Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) is a validated clinical instrument developed by Dr. Richard Lipton and Dr. Walter Stewart. It quantifies the impact of headaches on daily activities by measuring the number of days lost or with significantly reduced productivity over a 3-month period, based on the original validation work by Stewart et al. (2001).
Healthcare providers use MIDAS scores alongside headache history, frequency, examination findings, and treatment response. Research has shown that MIDAS scores are reliable in headache populations and clinically useful when interpreting disability over time, including the studies by Stewart et al. (1999) and Lipton et al. (2001).
How the MIDAS Score is Calculated
Your MIDAS score is the sum of days reported across the five main questions. The scoring reflects cumulative disability from three domains: paid work or school, household work, and social or leisure activities.
Questions A and B provide supplementary information but are not included in the total score.
How to Count MIDAS Days Correctly
If a headache disrupted a meaningful part of the day, count that day once for the relevant question.
A day missed completely should not also be counted as a reduced-productivity day in the same domain.
They help describe frequency and pain burden but do not change the official MIDAS total.
Clinical Utility of MIDAS
The score helps frame a treatment conversation, but it does not replace diagnosis, exam findings, or individualized clinician judgment.
Serial assessments help evaluate treatment effectiveness over time.
Provides objective disability data for medical records and disability evaluations.
MIDAS vs HIT-6: Which Should You Use?
| Feature | MIDAS | HIT-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Measures | Days of disability | Impact across 6 domains |
| Time period | Past 3 months | Past 4 weeks |
| Questions | 5 scored + 2 supplementary | 6 scored |
| Score range | 0 to unlimited | 36 to 78 |
| Best for | Quantifying lost productivity | Broader impact assessment |
For the most complete picture, consider taking both assessments.
When to See a Doctor About Your MIDAS Score
Consider a clinical review if your MIDAS score is Grade III (11-20) or higher, if your disability is rising over time, or if the result feels out of step with how you are functioning. Seek urgent care if you experience:
- A sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache unlike any previous episode
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, or seizures
- Progressive worsening despite treatment over 3+ months
- 45 or more headache days in 90 days, which reaches the 15-days-per-month chronic migraine threshold
- Need for acute medication on more than 2 to 3 days per week
Related Migraine Assessment Tools
Measures the broader impact of headaches on daily life over 4 weeks. Use alongside MIDAS for a complete picture.
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Log episodes, identify patterns, and generate physician-ready reports over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good MIDAS score?
A MIDAS score of 0-5 (Grade I) indicates little or no disability, meaning your migraines have minimal impact on daily life. Scores of 6-10 (Grade II) represent mild disability. Ideally, treatment should aim to achieve or maintain Grade I status. However, what's "good" depends on your baseline - any reduction in score indicates improvement.
How often should I take the MIDAS test?
The MIDAS questionnaire should be completed every 3 months to track changes in disability over time. This interval allows enough time for treatment effects to become apparent and provides a consistent 90-day recall period. Regular retesting helps you and your doctor evaluate treatment effectiveness.
What's the difference between MIDAS and HIT-6?
MIDAS measures disability (days lost/reduced productivity) over 3 months, while HIT-6 measures the overall impact of headaches on daily life over 4 weeks. MIDAS is better for tracking long-term disability trends; HIT-6 captures the broader impact including pain severity and emotional effects. Using both provides a comprehensive picture.
Can I use my MIDAS score for disability claims?
Yes, MIDAS scores can support disability documentation as they provide an objective, validated measure of headache-related disability. However, disability evaluations typically require comprehensive medical documentation including physician assessments, treatment history, and other clinical evidence alongside MIDAS scores.
What should I do if my MIDAS score is high (Grade III or IV)?
A Grade III or IV MIDAS score means headache-related disability is affecting daily life substantially. Bring the score, your headache-day count, and your current medicines to a clinician. Together, you can review whether treatment changes, preventive therapy, or specialist referral make sense for your situation.
Are the supplementary questions (A and B) important?
Yes. Questions A (total headache days) and B (pain intensity) do not change your MIDAS score, but they add helpful clinical context. Question A helps you compare your 90-day total against the 15-headache-days-per-month threshold used in chronic migraine criteria, and Question B describes pain burden.
Is the online MIDAS calculator accurate?
Yes, our online MIDAS calculator uses the exact same validated questionnaire and scoring system used in clinical settings. The MIDAS questionnaire was developed by neurologists and has been validated in multiple clinical studies. The key to accuracy is answering questions honestly based on your actual experience over the past 3 months.
How do I explain my MIDAS score to my doctor?
Simply share your total MIDAS score and grade. You can say: "My MIDAS score is [X] days, which puts me at Grade [I/II/III/IV]." Download or print the full report from our calculator, which includes all your responses, the clinical interpretation, and treatment considerations. This gives your doctor comprehensive information for discussion.
Learn More from Our Blog
Understanding Your MIDAS Score
Complete guide to interpreting MIDAS grades and using your score in clinical discussions.
How to Keep a Migraine Diary
Track the data you need to accurately calculate your MIDAS score.
When to See a Neurologist
Learn when your MIDAS score indicates specialist referral is needed.
References
1. Stewart WF, Lipton RB, Dowson AJ, Sawyer J. Development and testing of the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) Questionnaire to assess headache-related disability. Neurology. 2001;56(6 Suppl 1):S20-S28. PubMed
2. Stewart WF, Lipton RB, Kolodner KB, Liberman J, Sawyer J. Reliability of the migraine disability assessment score in a population-based sample of headache sufferers. Cephalalgia. 1999;19(2):107-114. PubMed
3. Lipton RB, Stewart WF, Sawyer J, Steiner TJ. Clinical utility of an instrument assessing migraine disability: the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire. Headache. 2001;41(9):854-861. PubMed
Related Assessment Tools
Medical Disclaimer: The MIDAS questionnaire was developed by Drs. Stewart and Lipton and is a clinically validated disability assessment tool. This digital implementation provides the same questions and scoring structure as the published instrument. Results should be interpreted with a healthcare provider alongside your headache history, frequency, and examination.