PHQ-9 Calculator

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

Share this calculator

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

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things

2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

4. Feeling tired or having little energy

5. Poor appetite or overeating

6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down

7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television

8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite — being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual

9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way

Optional. If you checked off any problems above, 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 9 questions to see your score.

Also in Mental Health

GAD-7 Calculator

Health — Mental Health

PHQ-9 Depression Screener

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a validated nine-item self-report instrument for screening and monitoring depressive symptoms. Developed by Kroenke, Spitzer and Williams (2001), it asks how often nine DSM-IV depression criteria have bothered the patient over the past two weeks. Scores range from 0 to 27 and map to five severity bands.

Scoring and severity bands

Each of the nine items is scored 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), giving a total score from 0–27. Score bands: 0–4 = minimal; 5–9 = mild; 10–14 = moderate; 15–19 = moderately severe; 20–27 = severe.

The ninth item asks about thoughts of self-harm or being better off dead. A score above zero on this item is clinically significant regardless of the overall total and always warrants immediate follow-up.

PHQ-9 score = sum of 9 items (0–3 each)

Total score range: 0–27

Clinical use and limitations

The PHQ-9 has a sensitivity of ~88% and specificity of ~88% for major depressive disorder at a cut-off of 10. It is widely used in primary care as an initial screening tool and to monitor treatment response over time.

A PHQ-9 score is a screening result, not a diagnosis. False positives occur with other conditions such as hypothyroidism, anaemia, or chronic pain. False negatives can occur in individuals who minimise symptoms. Clinical judgement is always required.

Frequently asked questions

Is the PHQ-9 validated across different populations?

The PHQ-9 has been validated in many cultures and languages, including in primary care, hospital inpatient, and community settings. However, cut-off scores and factor structures may vary slightly across populations. Always use validated translations for non-English speakers.

How often should I retake the PHQ-9?

In clinical practice, the PHQ-9 is commonly repeated every 4–8 weeks when monitoring treatment response, or more frequently in acute settings. For self-monitoring purposes, monthly use is reasonable, but use of the tool does not replace regular clinical review.

PHQ-9 Calculator

PHQ-9 Depression Screener

Scoring and severity bands

Clinical use and limitations

More from nearby categories

GAD-7 Calculator

Sobriety Calculator

Sleep Calculator

BMI Calculator