PSS-10 scoring Stress test
PSS-10 scoring: what your score means
The PSS-10 is scored from 0 to 40: you add up the points from each answer, and the total lands in one of the severity bands below. A higher score means more frequent or intense symptoms over the period the test asks about — it’s a guide to whether a conversation with a professional is worth having, not a diagnosis.
| Score | Severity band | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0–13 | Low perceived stress | Scores of 0–13 suggest you are experiencing relatively low perceived stress. Whatever you are doing to stay balanced, it is working — this is a good baseline to notice and protect. |
| 14–26 | Moderate perceived stress | Scores of 14–26 suggest a moderate level of perceived stress — common, and usually responsive to changes in routine, boundaries, and rest. If this has been your normal for a long time, it is worth paying attention to. |
| 27–40 | High perceived stress | Scores of 27–40 suggest a high level of perceived stress. Running at this level for a sustained period wears on both body and mind — this is a reasonable point to bring in support rather than push through alone. |
Get your PSS-10 score
How to read your result
Treat the band as a starting point, not a label. Two people with the same score can be in very different places, which is exactly why the PSS-10 is a screen and not a diagnosis. If your score suggests moderate symptoms or higher — or if a lower score still doesn’t match how you feel — bring it to a clinician. Re-taking in two weeks shows the trend, which often matters more than a single snapshot.