PHQ-9 Depression Scale – Free Online Depression Assessment

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Question	Not at all (0)	Several days (1)	More than half (2)	Nearly every day (3)

⚠ Thoughts of self-harm noted (item 9) If you selected anything other than "Not at all" for question 9, please reach out to a mental health professional. You can also call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) anytime.

⚠ Please answer all 9 questions before calculating.

Your PHQ-9 Result

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out of 27

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0–4

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–27

MinimalMildModerateMod-SevereSevere

Score	Severity	Clinical guidance
0–4	Minimal / None	No treatment likely needed; monitor
5–9	Mild depression	Watchful waiting; self-care strategies
10–14	Moderate depression	Treatment plan; consider counseling
15–19	Moderately severe	Active treatment recommended
20–27	Severe depression	Immediate treatment; close follow-up

Frequently asked questions

What is the PHQ-9?

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a validated self-report tool developed by Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams (2001). It assesses the nine DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder, asking how often each symptom has bothered you over the past two weeks. It is one of the most widely used depression screening instruments in primary care and mental health settings worldwide.

What score indicates depression?

A score of 10 or higher is the most commonly used threshold for clinically significant depression and warrants further evaluation. The PHQ-9 validation study reported a sensitivity and specificity of approximately 88% at this threshold for major depressive disorder. Scores of 5–9 suggest mild symptoms, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe, and 20–27 severe depression.

What is question 9 about?

Question 9 asks about thoughts of self-harm or being better off dead. This item is always reviewed individually by clinicians regardless of total score. Any response other than "Not at all" warrants immediate clinical attention. If you are having such thoughts, please reach out to a mental health professional or call/text 988 right away.

How does the PHQ-9 relate to the GAD-7 and PCL-5?

These three tools are frequently used together as a mental health screening battery. The PHQ-9 screens for depression, the GAD-7 for anxiety, and the PCL-5 for PTSD. Using all three at clinical intake and at regular follow-up intervals gives clinicians a comprehensive, standardized snapshot of a patient's mental health — a key part of measurement-based care.

Is this a diagnosis?

No. The PHQ-9 is a screening and symptom-monitoring tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A high score indicates that further evaluation by a qualified mental health or medical professional is appropriate. It cannot replace a comprehensive clinical assessment or formal diagnosis.

About this calculator

This calculator implements the standardized PHQ-9 scoring algorithm from Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW (2001), published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Each of the 9 items is rated 0–3, yielding a maximum possible score of 27. Score thresholds follow the validated cutpoints from the original publication and subsequent literature.

This tool is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified provider for mental health concerns.