Take the PHQ-9 test
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by each of the following problems?
Your PHQ-9 result
Please reach out for support
Your answer to question 9 shows you have been having thoughts of death or of hurting yourself. You matter, and support is available. Please contact your doctor, a mental health professional, or a crisis helpline in your country right now — or call your local emergency number if you feel you may act on these thoughts.
You can also find helplines worldwide through the Find a Helpline directory (an external directory — please verify the number for your country locally).
Your answers
| Question | Your answer |
|---|
This result is screening information only — not a diagnosis. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose depression. Consider sharing this result with a healthcare professional.
PHQ-9 score interpretation
Each answer scores 0–3 (Not at all = 0, Several days = 1, More than half the days = 2, Nearly every day = 3). The total ranges from 0 to 27. Severity bands (Kroenke et al., 2001):
| Total score | Depression severity | Usual guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal | None needed; re-check if things change |
| 5–9 | Mild | Watchful monitoring; repeat at follow-up |
| 10–14 | Moderate | Consider a treatment plan with a professional |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe | Active treatment commonly recommended |
| 20–27 | Severe | Prompt professional evaluation recommended |
A score of 10 or above is the commonly used screening threshold for likely major depression. Worked example: answers of 1, 2, 1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 1, 0 add up to 8, which is Mild.
Frequently asked questions
How is the PHQ-9 scored?
Each of the 9 items is scored 0 to 3: Not at all = 0, Several days = 1, More than half the days = 2, Nearly every day = 3. The PHQ-9 total is the sum of all 9 items, so scores range from 0 to 27. For example, answers of 1, 2, 1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 1, 0 add up to 8, which falls in the Mild range.
What do the PHQ-9 score ranges mean?
The standard severity bands from Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams (2001) are: 0-4 Minimal, 5-9 Mild, 10-14 Moderate, 15-19 Moderately severe, and 20-27 Severe. These bands describe symptom severity over the past two weeks; they are screening guidance, not a diagnosis.
What PHQ-9 score suggests depression?
A total score of 10 or above is the commonly used screening threshold for likely major depression (reported sensitivity and specificity around 88%). For example, answers of 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 0 total 10, which is the start of the Moderate range. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose depression, so a score at or above 10 is best followed by a professional conversation.
What is the difference between a score of 9 and 10?
One point can change the band and the guidance. Answers of 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 0 total 9, which is Mild. Answers of 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 0 total 10, which is Moderate and meets the common screening threshold where a professional conversation is usually recommended. This is why single readings near a boundary are best interpreted together with how difficult the symptoms make daily life.
What does a PHQ-9 score of 16 mean?
A score of 16 falls in the Moderately severe range (15-19). For example, answers of 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 0 add up to 16. Scores in this range are commonly followed by active treatment with medication and/or psychotherapy, decided together with a healthcare professional. It is screening information, not a diagnosis.
What are the lowest and highest possible PHQ-9 scores?
Answering 'Not at all' (0) to all 9 items gives a total of 0, which is Minimal. Answering 'Nearly every day' (3) to all 9 items gives a total of 27, the maximum, which is Severe. The full possible range is 0 to 27.
What happens if I answer above 0 on question 9?
Question 9 asks about thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way. Any answer above 0 - even 'Several days' - is treated as a safety flag. This calculator shows a clear, supportive prompt to contact your doctor, a mental health professional, or a crisis helpline in your country right away. You deserve support, and reaching out is a strong step.
How often should I retake the PHQ-9?
A single score is a snapshot - sleep, stress, illness, and medications can move it by several points. The PHQ-9 is commonly repeated every 2 to 4 weeks to track change over time, which is more meaningful than one reading. Comparing totals and band changes across check-ins is the standard way to watch progress.
Is the PHQ-9 a diagnosis of depression?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening and severity-measurement tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A formal diagnosis of depression can only be made by a qualified clinician using a clinical interview. Use this result as structured information to bring to that conversation, not as a verdict.
Who created the PHQ-9 and is it free to use?
The PHQ-9 was developed by Kurt Kroenke, Robert L. Spitzer, and Janet B.W. Williams and published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine in 2001. The PHQ measures are in the public domain - the official manual states that no permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute them.