Printed on 3/17/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is the gold standard screening tool for depression, used by clinicians worldwide. Answer 9 questions about symptoms over the past 2 weeks to receive your severity score (0–27) with clinical interpretation. The PHQ-9 is recommended by the USPSTF for routine depression screening in adults. For rapid 2-question screening, use [PHQ-2](/tools/phq2). For comorbid anxiety assessment, see [GAD-7](/tools/gad7). Alcohol use often co-occurs with depression — screen with [AUDIT](/tools/audit). Depression is associated with poor metabolic health — track physical wellness with [BMI Calculator](/tools/bmi-calculator).
Formula: Total score = sum of all 9 items (each 0-3). Range 0-27.
Rate how often you've experienced each symptom over the past 2 weeks: not at all (0), several days (1), more than half the days (2), or nearly every day (3).
Your responses are summed to produce a score from 0–27. The score maps to five severity categories: minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe depression.
Review what your score means and recommended next steps. Scores of 10+ suggest clinical evaluation is warranted. Any positive response to question 9 requires attention.
Family physicians & internists
The USPSTF recommends depression screening for all adults. PHQ-9 is the most widely used tool, taking under 3 minutes and providing actionable severity stratification.
Psychiatrists & therapists
Serial PHQ-9 scores every 2–4 weeks track treatment response objectively. A 5-point change is clinically meaningful; 50% reduction indicates treatment response.
Researchers
PHQ-9 is a primary outcome measure in depression trials. Its standardization and validation enable comparison across studies and meta-analyses.
Employee assistance programs
EAPs use PHQ-9 to identify employees who may benefit from mental health resources. Early screening reduces long-term disability and improves productivity.
University counseling centers
Depression is common among college students. PHQ-9 helps counseling centers triage students efficiently and track outcomes across the academic year.
Individuals self-monitoring
If you're wondering whether what you're feeling might be depression, PHQ-9 provides an evidence-based starting point for self-reflection before seeking professional help.
The PHQ-9 asks about the last 2 weeks specifically. Don't include symptoms from months ago or worry about how you usually feel — focus on the recent period.
Answer how things actually are, not how you wish they were or how you think you should feel. The tool is only useful if you're truthful with yourself.
Any positive response to question 9 (thoughts of death or self-harm) warrants attention and a conversation with a professional, even if your total score is low.
While any score can prompt further evaluation, 10+ is the widely used cutoff for 'clinically significant' depression that may benefit from treatment.
Taking the PHQ-9 periodically (monthly or after treatment changes) lets you see trends. A 5-point improvement is clinically meaningful; 50% reduction indicates response.
A high PHQ-9 score suggests you may have depression, but diagnosis requires a clinical interview. Use this as a starting point for a conversation with a provider.
Depression and anxiety often co-occur. If you score elevated on PHQ-9, the GAD-7 anxiety screen can provide additional useful information for your provider.
Fatigue, sleep problems, and appetite changes also occur in many medical conditions (thyroid disorders, anemia, chronic pain). Consider whether physical health factors may be contributing.
Bringing a completed PHQ-9 to your appointment saves time and gives your provider objective data. It also makes it easier to discuss sensitive symptoms you might otherwise not mention.
If you're struggling but scored low, trust your experience. The PHQ-9 captures common depression symptoms but may miss atypical presentations. Seek help if you need it.
The PHQ-9 was developed and validated by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, and Kroenke (2001). At a cutoff of 10, sensitivity is 88% and specificity is 85% for major depression. The USPSTF recommends depression screening for all adults, and PHQ-9 is one of the most widely used instruments globally, with over 10,000 citations.
Your PHQ-9 score falls into one of five severity categories: minimal (0–4), mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), moderately severe (15–19), or severe (20–27). A score of 10 or higher is commonly used as the clinical threshold that warrants further evaluation and possible treatment.
Beyond the total score, pay attention to question 9 (thoughts of self-harm or death). Any positive response to this item — even "several days" — should prompt a direct conversation with a healthcare provider about safety, regardless of the overall score. The PHQ-9 is also useful for tracking changes over time; a decrease of 5 or more points generally indicates clinically meaningful improvement.
The PHQ-9 is appropriate for initial depression screening in primary care, behavioral health, and community settings. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends depression screening for all adults, and the PHQ-9 is one of the most widely used instruments for this purpose.
It is also valuable for monitoring treatment response — repeating the PHQ-9 every 2–4 weeks after starting or adjusting antidepressant therapy provides an objective measure of whether the patient is improving. Many clinical practices and research trials use serial PHQ-9 scores as a primary outcome measure.
The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A high score does not confirm a diagnosis of major depressive disorder — formal diagnosis requires a clinical interview assessing DSM criteria, duration, functional impairment, and exclusion of other causes (e.g., hypothyroidism, substance use, grief).
The questionnaire relies on self-report over the past two weeks, which introduces recall bias. Patients may minimize or exaggerate symptoms depending on their comfort level, cultural background, or the setting. Somatic symptoms of depression (fatigue, appetite changes, sleep problems) overlap with many medical conditions, which can inflate scores in medically ill patients.
The PHQ-9 has been validated across many populations but performs less reliably in certain groups, including adolescents (for whom the PHQ-A is preferred), older adults with cognitive impairment, and patients with limited health literacy.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Free GAD-7 anxiety screening questionnaire. Take the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale to assess anxiety severity with instant scoring and interpretation. Also screen for depression with [PHQ-9](/tools/phq9).
Mental HealthQuick two-question depression screen using the PHQ-2. A score of 3 or higher suggests further evaluation with the full [PHQ-9](/tools/phq9).