What the PHQ-9 is
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is the most widely used questionnaire for measuring depression. It was developed by Drs. Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams and Kurt Kroenke and is free to use. Each of its nine questions matches one of the criteria for major depression in the DSM, and each is scored from 0 to 3 according to how often the symptom occurred over the last two weeks.
How it is scored
| Answer | Points |
|---|---|
| Not at all | 0 |
| Several days | 1 |
| More than half the days | 2 |
| Nearly every day | 3 |
The total ranges from 0 to 27.
| Score | Severity | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal | No action needed |
| 5–9 | Mild | Watchful waiting, repeat later |
| 10–14 | Moderate | Treatment plan: therapy, possibly medication |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe | Active treatment |
| 20–27 | Severe | Prompt treatment, often with a specialist |
Worked example
Someone answers “more than half the days” (2) to the first four questions and “several days” (1) to the next four, and “not at all” to question 9: 4 × 2 + 4 × 1 = 12, moderate symptoms. The first two items add up to 4, so the PHQ-2 screen is also positive.
The PHQ-2
The first two questions, on loss of interest and low mood, form the PHQ-2. A score of 3 or more out of 6 suggests that the full PHQ-9 is worthwhile. Many primary care offices use the PHQ-2 as a quick first screen.
Question 9
The last question asks about thoughts of death or self-harm. Any answer other than “not at all” needs attention right away, even if the total is low. It does not mean a person will act on those thoughts, but it is a signal to talk to someone today.
Tracking progress
Because the PHQ-9 covers two weeks, it is usually repeated every 2 to 4 weeks during treatment. A drop of 5 points or more is a meaningful improvement, and a score below 5 is considered remission.
Limits
The PHQ-9 measures symptoms; it does not make a diagnosis. Physical illness, medications, grief and other mental health conditions can raise the score. A doctor, psychologist or other licensed professional should interpret it with you.
If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 in the US, or call 911 in an emergency.
This calculator is for general information and education. It is not medical advice and does not replace the judgment of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist who knows the full clinical picture.