PHQ-9 Depression Screener: Free Interactive Self-Assessment Calculator
The PHQ-9 is a 9-question self-assessment that measures how often you have experienced symptoms of depression over the past two weeks. It was developed by Kroenke, Spitzer and Williams (2001) and is one of the most widely used depression screening questionnaires in clinical practice and research. Answer all nine questions of this PHQ-9 self-assessment below to get your score instantly, with a plain-language explanation of what the score range means.
Direct answer: Each PHQ-9 question is scored 0 (Not at all) to 3 (Nearly every day). Your total is the sum of all nine answers, from 0 to 27. Scores of 0-4 suggest minimal symptoms, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-19 moderately severe, and 20-27 severe. The PHQ-9 is a screening aid, never a diagnosis on its own.
How PHQ-9 scoring works
The formula is simple: Total score = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q4 + Q5 + Q6 + Q7 + Q8 + Q9, where each answer contributes 0, 1, 2 or 3 points. The maximum possible score is 27. Higher scores indicate a greater number and frequency of depressive symptoms over the last two weeks. Researchers and clinicians use standard cut-offs to describe severity bands:
- 0-4: Minimal. Few or no symptoms in the last two weeks.
- 5-9: Mild. Some symptoms present, worth watching.
- 10-14: Moderate. A noticeable level of symptoms.
- 15-19: Moderately severe. Significant symptoms.
- 20-27: Severe. A high level of symptoms.
Take the PHQ-9 self-assessment
Over the last two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? Choose one answer per question.
0 of 9 answered
What your PHQ-9 score band means
These plain-language explanations describe symptom levels, not diagnoses. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose depression.
- 0-4 (Minimal): Few or no depressive symptoms in the last two weeks. Nothing here points to a problem, but noticing how you feel over time is always worthwhile.
- 5-9 (Mild): Some symptoms are present. They can be worth watching, and discussing with a clinician if they persist or start bothering you.
- 10-14 (Moderate): A noticeable level of symptoms. Consider speaking with a clinician about how you have been feeling.
- 15-19 (Moderately severe): Significant symptoms. It is a good idea to talk with a clinician soon about support or treatment options.
- 20-27 (Severe): A high level of symptoms. Please speak with a clinician promptly about support and treatment options.
Why we built this tool
Screening questionnaires only work if people trust what is behind them. My own research includes psychometric validation of the PHQ-9 and DASS-21, published in BMC Psychology (doi:10.1186/s40359-026-05332-5). That work tested whether these instruments actually measure what they claim to measure. This PHQ-9 self-assessment calculator uses the standard, unmodified PHQ-9 items and scoring, exactly as validated in the literature.
Reference: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606-613.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PHQ-9 a diagnosis?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening instrument. It flags symptom levels that deserve a clinician’s attention, but a diagnosis of depression requires a clinical interview and judgement. A high score means “talk to someone qualified”, not “you have depression”.
How often should I retake the PHQ-9?
Clinicians often repeat it every two to four weeks to track change over time, for example while starting treatment. For personal tracking, retaking it no more often than every two weeks makes sense, since each set of questions covers the previous two weeks.
Who should use the PHQ-9?
It is designed for adults and is used in primary care, mental health services, and research worldwide. Adolescents can use an adapted version (PHQ-A) under professional guidance. If you are completing it for someone else, such as a family member, interpret the results with a clinician rather than alone.