OCI-R Screening
OCD test
This is the OCI-R (Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory–Revised), an 18-item screening for the distress caused by obsessions and compulsions over the past month. A score at or above 21 suggests a fuller evaluation is worth pursuing — it is not a diagnosis.
Over the past month, how much has this experience distressed or bothered you:
OCI-R Your result
Your OCI-R score
0 / 72
What this means
Sensible next steps
Read what the numbers mean in the OCI-R scoring guide. Curious how reliable it is? See how accurate the OCI-R is.
By the numbers Context
How common is OCD?
OCD is widely misunderstood as a love of neatness. In reality it is a distressing cycle: intrusive, unwanted thoughts spike anxiety, and repetitive acts or mental rituals are performed to relieve it — briefly, before the loop tightens again. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates about 1.2% of U.S. adults have OCD in a given year and 2.3% at some point in their lives.
One of the cruelest features of OCD is how long it hides. People often wait years — studies frequently cite around a decade — between symptoms starting and getting an accurate diagnosis, partly because the intrusive thoughts feel too shameful to describe. The OCI-R measures how much these experiences have distressed you over the past month, and gives that hidden struggle a number you can bring to a professional.
1.2%
of U.S. adults with OCD in the past year
NIMH
2.3%
lifetime prevalence among U.S. adults
NIMH
≈11 yrs
often-cited average delay before an accurate diagnosis
Clinical literature
Sources: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); Foa et al., Psychological Assessment, 2002.
Score guide Interpretation
What your OCI-R score means
| Score | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 0–20 | Below the clinical cutoff |
| 21–40 | At or above the clinical cutoff |
| 41–72 | Well above the clinical cutoff |
For what to do at each level, see the full OCI-R scoring guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is this OCD test accurate?
It uses the OCI-R, a validated 18-item questionnaire with a well-established cutoff. It reliably flags likely OCD for further assessment, but like any screen it does not diagnose.
What OCI-R score indicates OCD?
A total score of 21 or higher is the validated cutoff suggesting probable OCD that warrants a professional evaluation.
Does having intrusive thoughts mean I have OCD?
Not on its own — almost everyone has occasional intrusive thoughts. In OCD, the thoughts are unwanted and distressing, and they drive compulsions (physical or mental rituals) done to relieve the anxiety. Context and that loop are what matter.
Can an online test diagnose OCD?
No. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose OCD. The OCI-R indicates whether your symptoms reach the level where an evaluation is worthwhile.
What is "Pure O" OCD?
"Pure O" describes OCD where the compulsions are largely mental — reviewing, praying, counting, or reassuring — rather than visible. It is not obsessions without compulsions; the compulsions are just hidden.
How is OCD different from OCPD?
They sound alike but differ in one key way. In OCD, the thoughts and rituals feel unwanted and distressing — you wish they would stop. In OCPD (obsessive-compulsive personality disorder), the perfectionism and need for control feel right to the person, and it is usually others who find it difficult. OCD centres on specific obsessions and compulsions; OCPD is a pervasive personality style.
Is the OCD test free and private?
Yes — free, no sign-up, and scored in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.