Find out whether you may be at increased risk of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. This short questionnaire uses the validated point system behind the American Diabetes Association's risk test: a score of 5 or more means you should ask your doctor about a blood test.
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Sex
years
ft
in
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Health questions
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Diabetes Risk Test
Select your sex and enter your age.
Enter your height and weight in US or metric units.
Tick the statements that apply: family history, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, physical activity.
Read your score out of 10 (men) or 11 (women).
If you score 5 or more, ask a doctor about an A1C or fasting glucose test.
How the diabetes risk score works
Question
Answer
Points
Age
Under 40 / 40–49 / 50–59 / 60+
0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Sex
Female / Male
0 / 1
Gestational diabetes (women)
No / Yes
0 / 1
Parent or sibling with diabetes
No / Yes
0 / 1
Diagnosed high blood pressure
No / Yes
0 / 1
Physically active
Yes / No
0 / 1
Weight (BMI)
Under 25 / 25–29.9 / 30–39.9 / 40+
0 / 1 / 2 / 3
5 points or more = increased risk. The original test uses a printed height-and-weight chart; this calculator applies the matching BMI bands directly (23 / 27.5 / 37.5 with the Asian American option).
Weights that start each points band
Height
1 point from
2 points from
3 points from
5 ft 0 in (152 cm)
128 lb (58 kg)
154 lb (70 kg)
205 lb (93 kg)
5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
146 lb (66 kg)
175 lb (79 kg)
233 lb (106 kg)
5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
164 lb (75 kg)
197 lb (89 kg)
263 lb (119 kg)
6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
184 lb (84 kg)
221 lb (100 kg)
295 lb (134 kg)
Values are BMI 25, 30 and 40, rounded. Weights can differ by a pound from printed charts because of rounding.
Lowering your risk
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as brisk walking.
Small, steady weight loss matters: 5–7% of body weight is a common goal in prevention programs.
Choose water over sugary drinks and build meals around vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
Know your blood pressure and get it checked regularly.
Frequently asked questions
How is the diabetes risk score calculated?
Points are added for age (0 to 3), being male (1), gestational diabetes (1), a parent or sibling with diabetes (1), high blood pressure (1), not being physically active (1) and weight for height (0 to 3). The scoring comes from a study by Bang and colleagues published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2009.
What score means high risk?
A total of 5 or more points means you are at increased risk of having prediabetes or undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and should get a blood test. A lower score does not rule diabetes out, but it makes it less likely.
Why do men get an extra point?
In the US population data used to build the test, men were more likely than women to have undiagnosed diabetes at the same age and weight, so being male adds one point.
What are the Asian American weight cutoffs?
People of Asian descent tend to develop type 2 diabetes at lower body weights, so lower BMI thresholds are used: about 23, 27.5 and 37.5 instead of 25, 30 and 40. Tick the option to apply them.
Which blood tests confirm diabetes?
Doctors usually use an A1C test (6.5% or higher suggests diabetes, 5.7% to 6.4% prediabetes), a fasting plasma glucose test (126 mg/dL or higher suggests diabetes) or an oral glucose tolerance test. Only these tests can diagnose diabetes.
Does this test work for type 1 diabetes?
No. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that is not linked to weight or lifestyle in the same way. This questionnaire only screens for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in adults.
How can I lower my score?
Age, sex and family history cannot change, but you can stay physically active, reach a healthier weight and keep blood pressure under control. Even modest weight loss of 5% to 7% of body weight has been shown to lower the chance of prediabetes turning into type 2 diabetes.
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