Free PHQ-9 Depression Test
Clinically Validated Screening + Personality Insight
The PHQ-9 is the most widely used depression screening tool in primary care worldwide. Answer 9 questions about how you have felt over the past two weeks and get instant, confidential results — plus learn how your personality traits may influence your risk.
9 questions · 3 min · free & anonymous
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, help is available right now:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 (US, 24/7)
- Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
- International helplines — Befrienders Worldwide or Find a Helpline
This screening is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Clinically Validated
Based on the PHQ-9, validated in a study of 6,000 patients with 88 % sensitivity and 88 % specificity for major depression
3 Minutes
Just 9 straightforward questions about how you have been feeling over the past two weeks
Private & Anonymous
No account, no email, no data stored. Your answers are processed in your browser and never leave your device
Instant Results + Personality Insight
Get your severity score, personalised guidance, and learn how your personality traits relate to depression risk
How This Online Screening Works
The PHQ-9 evaluates nine core symptom domains of depression as defined by the DSM-5. Each item is scored 0–3 based on how often you have experienced the symptom over the past two weeks, producing a total score from 0 to 27.
Loss of interest or pleasure
Little interest or pleasure in doing things you normally enjoy
Persistent low mood
Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless most of the day
Sleep disturbance
Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
Fatigue or low energy
Feeling tired or having little energy even after rest
Appetite changes
Significant changes in appetite — eating too little or too much
Negative self-image
Feeling bad about yourself, or that you are a failure or have let people down
Difficulty concentrating
Trouble focusing on tasks like reading, watching TV, or making decisions
Psychomotor changes
Noticeably moving or speaking more slowly, or being unusually restless and fidgety
Thoughts of self-harm
Recurring thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself
What is the PHQ-9?
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was developed by Drs. Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams and first published in 2001. It was validated in a study of 6,000 patients across 8 primary care and 7 obstetrics clinics, achieving 88 % sensitivity and 88 % specificity for detecting major depressive disorder at a cut-off score of 10 (Kroenke et al., 2001).
The PHQ-9 is recommended by the APA, AAFP, and VA/DoD clinical guidelines. It is in the public domain and used in primary care, emergency departments, and research settings in over 100 countries.
Scoring & Reliability
Each of the 9 items is rated from 0 ("not at all") to 3 ("nearly every day"). The total score maps to five severity bands that healthcare professionals use to guide treatment decisions. The PHQ-9 also has strong test-retest reliability and is sensitive to change over time, making it useful for monitoring treatment response.
Understand Your Results
PHQ-9 Severity Bands
- 0–4Minimal or no depression
Re-screen annually; maintain wellness habits
- 5–9Mild depression
Watchful waiting; self-help CBT, stress-management
- 10–14Moderate depression
Primary-care evaluation; consider guided I-CBT or brief psychotherapy
- 15–19Moderately severe depression
Combined psychotherapy + SSRI first-line; safety plan for any Q9 > 0
- 20–27Severe depression
Psychiatry referral; combined therapy + medication; crisis plan if suicidality present
A score of 10 or higher is widely used as the clinical threshold for further evaluation. Beyond the total score, any score above 0 on question 9 (thoughts of self-harm) warrants immediate attention regardless of the total.
Severity bands and guidance adapted from VA/DoD & AAFP clinical practice guidelines.
Depression vs. Normal Sadness
One of the most common questions people ask before taking this test. Understanding the clinical difference is an important first step.
Everyone feels sad sometimes. Sadness is a normal, healthy response to loss, disappointment, or difficult life events. It is usually short-lived (days, not weeks) and connected to a specific situation.
Clinical depression is different. The DSM-5 defines a major depressive episode as having 5 or more of the following symptoms — including depressed mood or loss of interest — persisting for at least 2 weeks and causing clinically significant impairment in daily functioning:
- Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
- Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or most activities
- Significant weight loss or gain, or change in appetite
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation
Unlike ordinary sadness, clinical depression often has no single obvious cause, affects multiple areas of life simultaneously, and does not lift on its own. The PHQ-9 helps distinguish between normal emotional responses and symptom patterns that may indicate a depressive episode by measuring both frequency and duration across a standardised 2-week window.
If you have been feeling "off" and are not sure whether it is normal sadness or something more, taking the screening is a good first step. Whatever your score, the results can help you have a more informed conversation with a healthcare provider.
Depression affects approximately 280 million people worldwide (WHO) and 21 million U.S. adults experienced a major depressive episode in 2021 (NIMH).
What to Do After Taking This Test
0–4 Minimal: Self-Care Tips
Your score suggests few or no symptoms. Continue self-care habits — regular exercise, quality sleep, social connection — and consider re-screening annually or if your mood changes.
5–9 Mild: When to Monitor
Watchful waiting is appropriate. Try evidence-based self-help (CBT workbooks, mindfulness apps, stress management). Re-screen in 2–4 weeks. If symptoms persist beyond 6–8 weeks, consult your doctor.
10–14 Moderate: Talk to a Professional
A score in this range warrants a conversation with a healthcare provider. They can conduct a full evaluation and discuss options such as guided internet-based CBT (I-CBT), brief psychotherapy, or lifestyle changes.
15–19 Moderately Severe: Treatment Options
Active treatment is strongly recommended. First-line approaches include combined psychotherapy and SSRI medication. Create a safety plan if question 9 is scored above 0. Your provider may monitor progress with monthly PHQ-9 re-assessments.
20–27 Severe: Urgent Care & Crisis Plan
Please reach out to a healthcare provider or psychiatrist promptly. Treatment typically involves combined therapy and medication, with possible augmentation strategies (TMS, ECT). If you have thoughts of self-harm, call 988 now.
Guidance adapted from VA/DoD and AAFP clinical practice guidelines for depression management.
Personality & Depression — The Neuroticism Link
Your Big Five personality profile can help contextualise your depression risk and resilience.
A landmark meta-analysis by Kotov et al. (2010), synthesising 175 studies, established that Neuroticism (also called Emotional Reactivity) is the strongest personality predictor of depressive disorders, with a correlation of r ≈ 0.47. People who score high on Neuroticism experience emotions more intensely and are more sensitive to stress, which increases vulnerability to depressive episodes.
The same meta-analysis found that higher Extraversion and Conscientiousness are associated with lower depression risk. Extraverts tend to seek social connection — a powerful buffer against isolation — while conscientious individuals are more likely to maintain healthy routines, seek help proactively, and follow through with treatment plans.
This is a unique angle that no other depression screening site offers. Understanding your personality profile does not replace clinical assessment, but it provides valuable context that can inform your self-care and treatment strategy.
Related Free Assessments
Depression rarely exists in isolation. These complementary tests can give you a fuller picture of your mental health and wellbeing.
Stress Test
Measure your perceived stress levels and coping capacity with a validated screening tool.
Optimism Test
Assess your explanatory style and tendency toward optimism or pessimism — a factor linked to depression resilience.
Big Five Personality Test
Understand how your personality traits — especially Neuroticism — relate to your emotional health and depression risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the PHQ-9 online for free?
Yes. The PHQ-9 is in the public domain and free to use. Our implementation uses the exact same 9 questions and scoring used in clinical settings worldwide. No signup, no payment, and no data is stored.
Is an online depression test accurate?
The PHQ-9 was validated in a study of 6,000 patients and achieves 88 % sensitivity and 88 % specificity at a cut-off score of 10 (Kroenke et al., 2001). That makes it one of the most reliable self-report depression measures available. However, it is a screening tool — not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can diagnose clinical depression.
What is considered a high PHQ-9 score?
A score of 10 or above is generally considered the clinical threshold for further evaluation. Scores of 15–19 indicate moderately severe depression, and 20–27 indicate severe depression. However, even at lower scores, if symptoms are affecting your daily life, speaking with a healthcare provider is recommended.
How can I tell if I'm depressed or just sad?
Sadness is usually short-lived (days, not weeks) and linked to a specific event. The DSM-5 defines major depression as having 5 or more symptoms — including depressed mood or loss of interest — persisting for at least 2 weeks and causing clinically significant impairment in daily functioning. The PHQ-9 helps distinguish between the two by measuring both frequency and duration of specific symptoms over a 2-week window.
What should I do after taking the PHQ-9 test?
For scores 0–4, continue self-care and re-screen periodically. For 5–9, monitor your symptoms and consider self-help strategies. For 10 or above, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or a mental health professional — share your PHQ-9 results with them. For any score with thoughts of self-harm (question 9 > 0), contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.
Is this the same test my doctor uses?
Yes. The PHQ-9 presented here uses the identical questions and scoring system used in primary care, emergency departments, and mental health clinics globally. It was developed by Drs. Kroenke, Spitzer, and Williams and is recommended by the APA, AAFP, and VA/DoD clinical guidelines.
Does personality affect depression risk?
Yes. A landmark meta-analysis by Kotov et al. (2010) analysed 175 studies and found that high Neuroticism is the strongest personality predictor of depression (correlation r ≈ 0.47). Conversely, higher Extraversion and Conscientiousness are associated with lower depression risk. You can explore your own personality profile with our free Big Five Personality Test.
How often should I retake the PHQ-9?
Clinical guidelines recommend re-screening every 2–4 weeks when monitoring symptoms, and monthly if you are in active treatment. This helps track whether your symptoms are improving, stable, or worsening over time. If you score in the moderate-to-severe range, your healthcare provider may use the PHQ-9 at each visit to measure treatment response.
Will my results be stored or shared?
No. Your responses are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server, stored in any database, or shared with anyone. We do not require any identifying information. Your privacy is absolute.
How common is depression?
Depression affects approximately 280 million people worldwide (WHO). In the United States, 21 million adults (8.3 %) experienced a major depressive episode in 2021, with the highest rates (18.6 %) among adults aged 18–25 (NIMH). Despite being highly treatable, over 75 % of people with depression in low- and middle-income countries receive no treatment.
About This Screening
Instrument
This page uses the PHQ-9, developed by Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams (2001). The PHQ-9 is in the public domain and is the most widely used depression screening tool in clinical practice worldwide.
How This Content Was Prepared
All clinical information on this page is based on peer-reviewed literature, WHO/CDC/APA/AAFP/VA-DoD guidelines, and analysis of clinical best practices. Statistics are sourced from WHO, NIMH, and published meta-analyses with direct citations provided above.
This screening tool is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a diagnostic instrument and does not replace professional medical evaluation. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Ready to understand how you are feeling?
The PHQ-9 takes about 3 minutes. Your answers are completely private, processed in your browser, and never stored.