PHQ-9 Screening
Depression test
This is the PHQ-9 — the same nine-question screening your doctor would hand you on a clipboard. It asks how often certain experiences have come up over the last two weeks. There are no right answers, only accurate ones.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:
PHQ-9 Your result
Your PHQ-9 score
0 / 27
What this means
Sensible next steps
Read what the numbers mean in the PHQ-9 scoring guide. Curious how reliable it is? See how accurate the PHQ-9 is.
By the numbers Context
How common is depression?
Depression is one of the most common health conditions in the world. The World Health Organization estimates about 280 million people live with it globally, and in the United States roughly 21 million adults — 8.3% — have at least one major depressive episode in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It is diagnosed about twice as often in women as in men, and is most common in young adults aged 18 to 25.
Yet only around three in five adults with a major depressive episode receive any treatment. A screening like the PHQ-9 exists to close that gap — to turn a vague sense that something is wrong into a concrete number you can act on. The depression test on this page reproduces the PHQ-9 exactly; if your result concerns you, the next step is a conversation with a professional, not a search bar.
21M
U.S. adults with a major depressive episode in the past year
NIMH
8.3%
of U.S. adults affected each year
NIMH
≈88%
sensitivity of the PHQ-9 at the standard cutoff of 10
Kroenke, 2001
61%
of adults with major depression who received treatment
NIMH
Sources: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) prevalence data; World Health Organization; Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams, Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2001.
Score guide Interpretation
What your PHQ-9 score means
| Score | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal or no depression range |
| 5–9 | Mild depression range |
| 10–14 | Moderate depression range |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe depression range |
| 20–27 | Severe depression range |
For what to do at each level, see the full PHQ-9 scoring guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is this depression test accurate?
It uses the PHQ-9, one of the most validated depression screeners in the world. At the standard cutoff of 10, it correctly identifies about 88% of people with major depression and correctly clears about 88% of those without it. That makes it a reliable screen — but a screen, not a diagnosis.
What is a normal PHQ-9 score?
Scores of 0 to 4 are considered minimal or no depression and are the typical range for someone without significant symptoms. Scores of 5 to 9 suggest mild symptoms worth keeping an eye on.
What are the common signs of depression?
The two core signs are a persistent low or empty mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy, present most of the day nearly every day for at least two weeks. Others include fatigue, sleep and appetite changes, trouble concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts that you would be better off not here. The PHQ-9 asks about exactly these.
What PHQ-9 score indicates depression?
A score of 10 or higher is the usual threshold for possible major depression and the point at which a professional evaluation is recommended. Scores of 15–19 suggest moderately severe, and 20–27 severe symptoms.
Can an online depression test diagnose me?
No. No questionnaire — online or on paper — can diagnose depression. Only a qualified clinician can, by weighing your symptoms against your history, physical health, and circumstances. The PHQ-9 tells you whether that conversation is worth having.
How often should I take a depression test?
Clinicians often re-administer the PHQ-9 every two weeks to track change, because the trend over time usually matters more than a single snapshot. Retaking it after a couple of weeks is a reasonable way to see whether things are improving or worsening.
Is the depression test free and private?
Yes. It is completely free, needs no sign-up, and is scored entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server or stored anywhere — close the tab and they are gone.
What should I do if I score high?
Save or screenshot your result and share it with a doctor or therapist — it gives the conversation a head start. If you answered anything other than “not at all” to the question about self-harm, or you ever feel unsafe, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) right away.
What is the difference between the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2?
The PHQ-2 is the first two questions of the PHQ-9, used as an ultra-quick first pass. If the PHQ-2 is positive, the full PHQ-9 is given. This page uses the complete nine-question PHQ-9.