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Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of clinical factors that indicates elevated risk of diabetes. It is diagnosed based on three or more abnormalities in its components. This does not take into account that MetS can likely present as a continuum of risk. We aim to develop a MetS severity score and assess its association with incident diabetes., Methods: In total, 4149 subjects without baseline diabetes participated in a community screening programme in 2013-2017. MetS was defined according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. A MetS severity z-score was derived from standardised loading coefficients of a confirmatory factor analysis for waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Multivariable cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the risk of diabetes by the score with adjustment for demographics and MetS components., Results: Diabetes occurred in 130 subjects. Quintile 5 of the baseline MetS severity z-score was significantly associated with development of diabetes even in fully adjusted model with HR 2.63 (95% CI: 1.04-6.64; p = 0.040). The relationship between MetS and incident diabetes became attenuated and non-significant in fully adjusted model with HR 0.67 (95% CI: 0.34-1.29; p = 0.228). Mediation analysis showed that MetS severity z-score accounted 61.0% of the association between increasing body mass index and development of diabetes (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The MetS severity z-score is an inexpensive and clinically-available continuous measure of MetS to identify individuals at high risk of diabetes.