Free self-tests · 3 min · 9 questions
PHQ-9 depression questionnaire: a private self-check
The PHQ-9 is a short questionnaire about how often you have been bothered by common signs of low mood over the last two weeks. Doctors and researchers use it widely, and it was designed for adults.
It is a screening questionnaire. It can give you a rough sense of how heavy things have been lately, but it cannot diagnose depression or tell you what is causing how you feel.
Your answers stay on your device. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere, and you can close the page at any time.
Free, no sign-up. Your progress is saved only in this browser on this device, so you can stop and come back later. Nothing is sent to anyone.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
You answered that you have had thoughts of being better off dead or of hurting yourself. Thank you for being honest about that. It matters.
If you are in immediate danger, call 112 (anywhere in the EU) or 999 (UK) now.
In the UK and Ireland you can call Samaritans on 116 123, free, any time of day or night. If you live elsewhere, the helplines for your country are listed in the helpline register.
Booking counselling sessions is not the right first step right now. Please talk to a crisis line, your GP or emergency services first. You deserve support today, not in a week.
Your results
This is a self-report questionnaire, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can assess you properly.
Talk it through: book a session
The PDF is created on your device. Your saved answers stay in this browser until you start again or clear them.
A PHQ-9 score is a snapshot of the last two weeks. It can show how much low mood has been getting in the way, and it can be useful to repeat it later to see whether things are shifting. It cannot tell you whether you have depression, what is behind how you feel, or what will help.
If your score was moderate or higher, or if you have felt this way for more than a couple of weeks, please talk to a GP or another qualified health professional. They can check for physical causes, such as thyroid problems or anaemia, and talk you through the options. You can take your score with you if that makes the conversation easier.
Counselling is one place where some people choose to talk about how they are feeling, alongside medical care rather than instead of it. I am a trainee person-centred counsellor, and I don't diagnose or treat depression. What I can offer is time to talk at your own pace, especially if things like feeling stuck, family expectations or life abroad are part of the picture. You can read more about how I work or look at the other free tools.
How the PHQ-9 score works
9 questions, scored by adding up your answers. These are the score ranges this page uses to describe your result. Where the questionnaire's authors publish official cut-offs, the ranges follow them; the sources are listed below.
| Score | Range |
|---|---|
| Minimal | 0 to 4 |
| Mild | 5 to 9 |
| Moderate | 10 to 14 |
| Moderately severe | 15 to 19 |
| Severe | 20 to 27 |
About this questionnaire
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) by Kurt Kroenke, Robert L. Spitzer and Janet B. W. Williams (2001).
Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x
Used in line with the published terms of use.
Questions people ask
Can the PHQ-9 tell me if I have depression?
No. The PHQ-9 is a screening questionnaire, so it shows how often you have had certain symptoms over the last two weeks. A diagnosis needs a conversation with a qualified health professional, who will ask about your history, your health and what else is going on in your life.
What does a PHQ-9 score of 10 mean?
A score of 10 to 14 falls in the band the questionnaire's authors describe as moderate. It is often used as the point at which it is sensible to speak to a GP or another qualified health professional. It is a signal to check in, not a label for who you are.
Are my answers saved anywhere?
No. The questionnaire is scored in your browser. Your answers are not stored, not sent to me and not sent to anyone else. If you close or refresh the page, they are gone. You can take a screenshot if you want to keep your result for yourself.
How often can I take the PHQ-9?
It asks about the last two weeks, so repeating it every two weeks or so makes the most sense. Some people find it useful to see whether things are lifting or getting heavier over time. A single score on a hard day is only one piece of information.