How to Use the PHQ-9 Depression Score Calculator
If a low mood or lack of motivation has lingered for weeks, this calculator can help you gently take stock of how you're doing. The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) was developed in the United States and is one of the most widely used depression screening tools in hospitals and primary care worldwide. This calculator uses the original 9 questions unchanged.
Over the past two weeks, it asks about loss of interest, low mood, sleep problems, fatigue, appetite changes, negative self-perception, concentration difficulty, changes in movement or speech, and thoughts of death or self-harm — nine items each scored 0-3 and summed. A total of 0-4 is minimal, 5-9 is mild, 10-14 is moderate, 15-19 is moderately severe, and 20-27 is severe.
This score is a reference self-screening result only, and a high score does not by itself confirm a depression diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis can only come from an evaluation with a mental health professional, so if your score is elevated or your daily life is affected, please reach out to one. If item 9 (thoughts of death or self-harm) applies to you at all, regardless of your total score, please tell someone you trust or a professional right away and ask for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
A high score doesn't automatically mean a depression diagnosis. The PHQ-9 is a screening tool that estimates symptom severity, and an accurate diagnosis can only come from an evaluation with a mental health professional. If your score is high, consider reaching out to one.
Yes — the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) was developed in the U.S. and is a widely used international standard depression screening tool in hospitals and primary care. This calculator uses the original 9 questions unchanged.
If that item applies to you at all, regardless of your total score, it matters that you talk to someone you trust or a professional right now. You can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) 24/7 for immediate support.