OBJECTIVE: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological survey designed to estimate the prevalence of dizziness among the adult population of the city of Sã o Paulo, Brazil, and to describe the clinical features and level of discomfort. METHOD: This population based study was conducted in the city of Sã o Paulo, Brazil, between April and October 2012. A total of 1,960 household interviews were completed. The following variables were assessed: gender, age, clinical characteristics of dizziness, and dizziness disability index. Chi-square test, Student's t-test, Tukey test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The dizziness prevalence in Sã o Paulo was 42%. Peaks of dizziness were observed in two age groups: 49% among the 46 to 55 year-old, and 44% among the elderly subjects (. 65 years-old). Vestibular vertigo was detected in 8.3% of patients, with a strong female preponderance (p , 0.001). Symptoms caused disability in 27% of the affected respondents and were more frequent among women (p , 0.001). These sought medical care more frequently (p , 0.001). The dizziness disability index was significantly higher (p ¼ 0.0165) among subjects with a lower educational level. There was no correlation between dizziness discomfort and the type of job. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dizziness in Sã o Paulo, Brazil, was established at 42%. Among the symptomatic subjects, 67% reported interruption of daily activities, but only 46% of them sought medical attention.