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Depression screening · Free calculator

PHQ-9 Depression Score Calculator

Score the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and see the depression severity band, the standard cut-offs, and what a meaningful change looks like.

Short answer

PHQ-9 Depression Score Calculator

7PHQ-9 score

Mild range. Watchful waiting and lifestyle changes are the usual first step at this level. You scored 7/27 (26% of the maximum), with 0 of 9 items in the upper half. The single highest item was "Little interest or pleasure in doing things" — that is usually the most useful thing to bring up first, because specific examples get better help than a general "I've been off lately."

How it's calculated: 7 out of 27 — mild depression range on this 9-item scale. Adjust the inputs below to recalculate for your own numbers.

Disclaimer: Educational self-scoring tool only — this is not a diagnosis and not medical advice. Screening questionnaires flag patterns worth discussing; they cannot replace an evaluation by a licensed clinician. If you are struggling, contact a health professional. In the US you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time.

New here? Watch it work in 2 seconds — then tweak it for you.
1

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

1

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

1

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

1

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

1

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

1

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

1

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

0

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

0

0 = not at all · 1 = several days · 2 = more than half the days · 3 = nearly every day (over the last 2 weeks)

Try it like this

Tap a scenario to load realistic numbers, then tweak the sliders.

Related calculators
GAD-7 Anxiety ScorePHQ-2 Quick ScreenerBurnout ScoreLoneliness Score
Formula used

PHQ-9 = sum of 9 items scored 0–3

The PHQ-9 maps directly onto the nine diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, asking how often each bothered you over the past two weeks. The raw sum is the score.

Score = Σ(item₁…item₉), each 0–3 → range 0–27
Referral threshold
10 or higher
Severe cut-off
20 or higher
Meaningful change
5 points
Score range
0–27
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The PHQ-9 severity bands

Published bands are 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe, and 20–27 severe. A 10 or above is the point at which most primary care protocols move from monitoring to assessment.

  • • 0–4 minimal · 5–9 mild · 10–14 moderate · 15–19 moderately severe · 20–27 severe
  • • Item 9 is treated separately — any non-zero answer is followed up regardless of total
  • • A 5-point drop is the usual definition of clinically meaningful improvement

Why item 9 is different

The last question asks about thoughts of self-harm. Clinicians treat any score above zero on that item as needing follow-up on its own, even when the total score is low. If that item is not zero for you, please reach out to a professional or, in the US, call or text 988.

FAQ

What PHQ-9 score indicates depression?

A total of 10 or more is the commonly used screening threshold for probable major depression, with roughly 88% sensitivity and specificity in the original validation. It is a signal for assessment, not a diagnosis.

What's the difference between PHQ-9 and PHQ-2?

The PHQ-2 is just the first two items, used as a very fast pre-screen. If the PHQ-2 is 3 or higher, the full PHQ-9 is administered.

How much of a change matters?

A five-point movement in either direction is generally treated as clinically meaningful, which is why the questionnaire is repeated every two to four weeks during treatment.

Can anxiety inflate a PHQ-9 score?

Yes — sleep, energy, and concentration items overlap heavily with anxiety, which is why the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 are so often scored together.

How this calculator is built

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Written by Sam Doshi and the RevenueLab editorial team. We don't sell the data feeds this tool is built on.

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Reviewed on a rolling quarterly cycle. Dated reviews are published on the methodology record for each calculator.

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See our editorial policy and disclaimer. Results are estimates, not advice.

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