# SNAP-IV Calculator (ADHD Rating Scale) URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/snap-score/ Last updated: 2026-10-30 > The SNAP-IV calculator scores the 26-item Swanson, Nolan and Pelham rating scale used by parents and teachers to screen for ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder. It gives the average score for inattention, hyperactivity–impulsivity and opposition, and compares each with the published cut-offs. ## Inputs - Who is rating? - 1. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes - 2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play - 3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly - 4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work - 5. Has difficulty organising tasks and activities - 6. Avoids tasks that need sustained mental effort - 7. Loses things needed for tasks or activities - 8. Is distracted by outside stimuli - 9. Is forgetful in daily activities - 1. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat - 2. Leaves seat when remaining seated is expected - 3. Runs about or climbs excessively when inappropriate - 4. Has difficulty playing quietly - 5. Is "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor" - 6. Talks excessively - 7. Blurts out answers before questions are completed - 8. Has difficulty waiting in turn - 9. Interrupts or intrudes on others - 1. Often loses temper - 2. Often argues with adults - 3. Often actively defies or refuses adult requests or rules - 4. Often deliberately does things that annoy other people - 5. Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviour - 6. Is often touchy or easily annoyed by others - 7. Is often angry and resentful - 8. Is often spiteful or vindictive ## Results - Inattention average - Hyperactivity–impulsivity average - Combined ADHD average - Oppositional average - Inattention vs cut-off - Hyperactivity–impulsivity vs cut-off - Combined vs cut-off - Oppositional vs cut-off ## Formula ``` Subscale average = sum of item scores ÷ number of items Items scored 0 = not at all, 1 = just a little, 2 = quite a bit, 3 = very much ``` ## Explanation The SNAP-IV-26 covers the 18 DSM ADHD symptoms and 8 oppositional symptoms. Each item is rated from 0 (not at all) to 3 (very much). Average scores above the cut-off for the rater (parent or teacher) suggest symptoms in the clinical range and warrant a full assessment. ### How to use the SNAP-IV Calculator - **Who is rating?** - **1. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes** - **2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play** - **3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly** - **4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work** - **5. Has difficulty organising tasks and activities** - **6. Avoids tasks that need sustained mental effort** - **7. Loses things needed for tasks or activities** - **8. Is distracted by outside stimuli** - **9. Is forgetful in daily activities** - **1. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat** - **2. Leaves seat when remaining seated is expected** - **3. Runs about or climbs excessively when inappropriate** - **4. Has difficulty playing quietly** - **5. Is "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor"** - **6. Talks excessively** - **7. Blurts out answers before questions are completed** - **8. Has difficulty waiting in turn** - **9. Interrupts or intrudes on others** - **1. Often loses temper** - **2. Often argues with adults** - **3. Often actively defies or refuses adult requests or rules** - **4. Often deliberately does things that annoy other people** - **5. Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviour** - **6. Is often touchy or easily annoyed by others** - **7. Is often angry and resentful** - **8. Is often spiteful or vindictive** Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu. ### How it works Each answer carries the points shown in the published score. The calculator adds them up and maps the total to the published interpretation. ### Scoring table ItemAnswers and pointsWho is rating?Parent = 1; Teacher = 21. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakesNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 32. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or playNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 33. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directlyNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 34. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish workNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 35. Has difficulty organising tasks and activitiesNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 36. Avoids tasks that need sustained mental effortNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 37. Loses things needed for tasks or activitiesNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 38. Is distracted by outside stimuliNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 39. Is forgetful in daily activitiesNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 31. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seatNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 32. Leaves seat when remaining seated is expectedNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 33. Runs about or climbs excessively when inappropriateNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 34. Has difficulty playing quietlyNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 35. Is "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor"Not at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 36. Talks excessivelyNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 37. Blurts out answers before questions are completedNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 38. Has difficulty waiting in turnNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 39. Interrupts or intrudes on othersNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 31. Often loses temperNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 32. Often argues with adultsNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 33. Often actively defies or refuses adult requests or rulesNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 34. Often deliberately does things that annoy other peopleNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 35. Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviourNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 36. Is often touchy or easily annoyed by othersNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 37. Is often angry and resentfulNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 38. Is often spiteful or vindictiveNot at all = 0; Just a little = 1; Quite a bit = 2; Very much = 3 ### Cut-off averages (95th percentile) SubscaleParentTeacherInattention1.782.56Hyperactivity–impulsivity1.441.78Combined1.672.00Oppositional1.881.38 ### Tips - Answer based on the last two weeks, as the questionnaires ask. - Screening scores are a starting point for a conversation with a professional. - Repeat the questionnaire every few weeks to track change. - If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact a crisis line or emergency services now. ### Common mistakes to avoid - Treating a screening score as a diagnosis. - Answering for how you want to feel rather than how you have felt. - Waiting for a "high enough" score before asking for help. ### Inputs explained FieldWhat to enterWho is rating?Choose one: Parent, Teacher1. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakesChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or playChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directlyChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish workChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much5. Has difficulty organising tasks and activitiesChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much6. Avoids tasks that need sustained mental effortChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much7. Loses things needed for tasks or activitiesChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much8. Is distracted by outside stimuliChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much9. Is forgetful in daily activitiesChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much1. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seatChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much2. Leaves seat when remaining seated is expectedChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much3. Runs about or climbs excessively when inappropriateChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much4. Has difficulty playing quietlyChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much5. Is "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor"Choose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much6. Talks excessivelyChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much7. Blurts out answers before questions are completedChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much8. Has difficulty waiting in turnChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much9. Interrupts or intrudes on othersChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much1. Often loses temperChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much2. Often argues with adultsChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much3. Often actively defies or refuses adult requests or rulesChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much4. Often deliberately does things that annoy other peopleChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much5. Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviourChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much6. Is often touchy or easily annoyed by othersChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much7. Is often angry and resentfulChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much8. Is often spiteful or vindictiveChoose one: Not at all, Just a little, Quite a bit, Very much ### What each result means - **Inattention average** = ([1. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes] + [2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play] + [3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly] + [4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work] + [5. Has difficulty organising tasks and activities] + [6. Avoids tasks that need sustained mental effort] + [7. Loses things needed for tasks or activities] + [8. Is distracted by outside stimuli] + [9. Is forgetful in daily activities])÷9 - **Hyperactivity–impulsivity average** = ([1. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat] + [2. Leaves seat when remaining seated is expected] + [3. Runs about or climbs excessively when inappropriate] + [4. Has difficulty playing quietly] + [5. Is "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor"] + [6. Talks excessively] + [7. Blurts out answers before questions are completed] + [8. Has difficulty waiting in turn] + [9. Interrupts or intrudes on others])÷9 - **Oppositional average** = ([1. Often loses temper] + [2. Often argues with adults] + [3. Often actively defies or refuses adult requests or rules] + [4. Often deliberately does things that annoy other people] + [5. Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviour] + [6. Is often touchy or easily annoyed by others] + [7. Is often angry and resentful] + [8. Is often spiteful or vindictive])÷8 *Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.* ## Worked example Inputs — Who is rating?: Parent; 1. Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes: Just a little; 2. Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play: Just a little; 3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly: Just a little; 4. Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish work: Just a little; 5. Has difficulty organising tasks and activities: Just a little; 6. Avoids tasks that need sustained mental effort: Just a little; 7. Loses things needed for tasks or activities: Just a little; 8. Is distracted by outside stimuli: Just a little; 9. Is forgetful in daily activities: Just a little; 1. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat: Just a little; 2. Leaves seat when remaining seated is expected: Just a little; 3. Runs about or climbs excessively when inappropriate: Just a little; 4. Has difficulty playing quietly: Just a little; 5. Is "on the go" or acts as if "driven by a motor": Just a little; 6. Talks excessively: Just a little; 7. Blurts out answers before questions are completed: Just a little; 8. Has difficulty waiting in turn: Just a little; 9. Interrupts or intrudes on others: Just a little; 1. Often loses temper: Not at all; 2. Often argues with adults: Not at all; 3. Often actively defies or refuses adult requests or rules: Not at all; 4. Often deliberately does things that annoy other people: Not at all; 5. Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviour: Not at all; 6. Is often touchy or easily annoyed by others: Not at all; 7. Is often angry and resentful: Not at all; 8. Is often spiteful or vindictive: Not at all. Results — **Inattention average = 1**; Hyperactivity–impulsivity average = 1; Combined ADHD average = 1; Oppositional average = 0; Inattention vs cut-off = Below the cut-off; Hyperactivity–impulsivity vs cut-off = Below the cut-off; Combined vs cut-off = Below the cut-off; Oppositional vs cut-off = Below the cut-off. ## Key terms - **ADHD**: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. - **ODD**: Oppositional defiant disorder. ## FAQ **Can SNAP-IV diagnose ADHD?** No – it is a screening and monitoring tool; diagnosis needs a full clinical assessment. **Why are parent and teacher cut-offs different?** Raters see children in different settings and rate them differently. **Is it used to track treatment?** Yes – averages are often compared before and after treatment. ## Sources - [Swanson JM et al. SNAP-IV rating scale. University of California, Irvine](https://www.adhd.net/) - [Bussing R et al. Parent and teacher SNAP-IV ratings of ADHD symptoms. Assessment, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18310593/)