GAD-7 Calculator

Score the GAD-7 generalised anxiety disorder scale, with severity interpretation and clinician referral guidance for each score band.

Share this calculator

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

1. Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge

2. Not being able to stop or control worrying

3. Worrying too much about different things

4. Trouble relaxing

5. Being so restless that it is hard to sit still

6. Becoming easily annoyed or irritable

7. Feeling afraid, as if something awful might happen

Optional. If you checked off any problems, 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?

Answer all 7 questions to see your score.

Also in Mental Health

PHQ-9 Calculator

Health — Mental Health

GAD-7 Anxiety Screener

The Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is a validated self-report questionnaire for screening and measuring the severity of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Developed by Spitzer et al. (2006), it asks about seven anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks. Scores range from 0 to 21 across four severity bands.

Scoring and severity bands

Each item is scored 0–3 (not at all to nearly every day), giving a maximum of 21. Severity bands: 0–4 = minimal anxiety; 5–9 = mild; 10–14 = moderate; 15–21 = severe.

A cut-off score of 10 is commonly used as a threshold for possible GAD, with sensitivity and specificity both exceeding 89% at this level. A score of 15 or above is associated with significantly impaired functioning and a high likelihood of a diagnosable anxiety disorder.

GAD-7 score = sum of 7 items (0–3 each)

Total score range: 0–21

Beyond GAD: other anxiety disorders

The GAD-7 was originally developed for generalised anxiety disorder, but research has demonstrated utility as a screener for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, these conditions each have more specific validated tools (e.g. PCL-5 for PTSD, SPIN for social anxiety).

Comorbidity between anxiety and depression is common — consider administering the PHQ-9 alongside the GAD-7 in clinical settings for a more complete picture.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the GAD-7 to diagnose myself with GAD?

No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool. A diagnosis of GAD requires a clinical assessment by a qualified mental health professional, ruling out physical causes (e.g. thyroid dysfunction, caffeine excess) and confirming the duration and functional impact of symptoms.

 What treatments are available for generalised anxiety disorder?

Evidence-based treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and pharmacotherapy (SSRIs or SNRIs as first-line). Your GP or mental health specialist can discuss the best options for your situation.

Related

More from nearby categories

These related calculators come from the same leaf category, nearby sibling categories, or the same top-level topic.

PHQ-9 Calculator

Score the PHQ-9 patient health questionnaire for depression severity, with interpretation bands and recommended next steps for each score range.

Open calculator

Sleep Calculator

Plan bedtimes or wake-up times around 90-minute sleep cycles with easy-to-read nighttime options.

Open calculator

Sobriety Calculator

Calculate total days, weeks, months, and years of sobriety from a start date, with milestone tracking and the next upcoming milestone.

Open calculator

BMI Calculator

Check body mass index with metric or imperial units, then compare the result with standard adult BMI ranges and a height-based healthy weight estimate.

Open calculator

Privacy choices

If you allow analytics, we may use Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity to better understand how the site is used. Analytics remain off unless you accept.