Answer 7 quick questions about the last two weeks to get your GAD-7 score (0–21), your severity band, and guidance on what to do next. Free, private, and instant.
Screening tool, not a diagnosis. The GAD-7 cannot diagnose you — only a qualified mental health professional can. If you are in crisis, contact your local emergency number immediately.
Final question (not scored)
How difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?
Your GAD-7 results
Total score (out of 21)
Item-by-item breakdown
#
Item
Your answer
Score
Screening tool, not a diagnosis. Discuss these results with a mental health professional. If you feel unsafe, contact your local emergency number or a crisis helpline right away.
How GAD-7 scoring works
Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by each of the following problems? Each item is scored 0 = not at all, 1 = several days, 2 = more than half the days, 3 = nearly every day. The total ranges from 0 to 21:
0–4: minimal anxiety
5–9: mild anxiety
10–14: moderate anxiety — further evaluation recommended at 10+
15–21: severe anxiety
For example, answering “more than half the days” (2) on all 7 items gives a total of 14 — moderate anxiety, the top of the moderate band. Source: Spitzer RL et al., Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(10):1092–1097.
Frequently asked questions
What is the GAD-7?
The GAD-7 is a 7-question screening questionnaire for generalized anxiety disorder, developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams and Loewe and published in Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006. Each question asks how often you were bothered by an anxiety symptom over the last two weeks.
How is the GAD-7 scored?
Each of the 7 GAD-7 items is scored 0 to 3: 0 = not at all, 1 = several days, 2 = more than half the days, 3 = nearly every day. The total score ranges from 0 to 21. For example, answering 2 (more than half the days) on all 7 items gives a total of 14.
What do the GAD-7 score ranges mean?
The standard GAD-7 cutoffs are: 0-4 minimal anxiety, 5-9 mild anxiety, 10-14 moderate anxiety, and 15-21 severe anxiety. A total of 14 is the top of the moderate band, while 15 marks the start of the severe band.
Is a GAD-7 score of 10 a positive screen?
Yes. When used as a screening tool, further evaluation is recommended when the GAD-7 score is 10 or greater. At a threshold of 10, the GAD-7 has 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for generalized anxiety disorder in the original validation study.
Who created the GAD-7?
The GAD-7 was created by Robert L. Spitzer, Kurt Kroenke, Janet B. W. Williams and Bernd Loewe. It was published in 2006 in Archives of Internal Medicine (volume 166, pages 1092-1097) as a brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder.
Is the GAD-7 a diagnosis?
No. The GAD-7 is a screening and severity measure, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose an anxiety disorder. Always discuss your score with a clinician rather than diagnosing yourself.
What is the difference between the GAD-7 and the PHQ-9?
The GAD-7 screens for anxiety symptoms, while the PHQ-9 screens for depression symptoms. The two are often used together because anxiety and depression frequently occur at the same time. Both use a 0-3 per-item scale over the last two weeks.
What should I do if my GAD-7 score is 15 or higher?
A score of 15-21 falls in the severe band, which means you should seek help from a mental health professional promptly. If you feel unsafe or in crisis, contact your local emergency number or a crisis helpline right away. This tool is screening only and cannot diagnose you.
How often should I retake the GAD-7?
The GAD-7 asks about the last two weeks, so retaking it about every two weeks is a common way to track whether symptoms are improving or worsening, for example while trying self-help strategies or during treatment. Bring your score history to your clinician.
What is the difficulty question at the end of the GAD-7?
After the 7 scored items, the standard GAD-7 asks how difficult the problems have made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people. This item is not added to the total score; it measures functional impairment.
We use cookies and third-party services (including Google AdSense) to personalize content, analyze traffic, and serve relevant ads. By clicking "Accept", you consent to our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy.
Report an issue
2 taps, no typing needed — diagnostics are sent automatically.