Depression Calculator: PHQ-9 Symptom Severity Assessment

Use the Depression Calculator (PHQ‑9)

Answer nine short items about the last two weeks to see your PHQ‑9 total and a plain‑English severity band.

How to Use Depression Calculator: PHQ-9 Symptom Severity Assessment

1. Step 1: Answer Each Question

   For the last two weeks, choose how often each symptom applied to you (Not at all → Nearly every day).

2. Step 2: Complete All 9 Items

   PHQ-9 requires answers for all nine questions to calculate a valid score.

3. Step 3: Add Functional Impact

   Optionally note how difficult the problems made life at work, home, or with others. This context is not scored.

4. Step 4: View Score & Severity

   See your total (0–27) and severity band (minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe) with plain-English guidance.

5. Step 5: Review Next Steps

   Consider the suggestions. If symptoms are moderate or higher, consider talking with a licensed professional.

Key Features

• Validated PHQ-9 questionnaire
• Color-coded severity band summary
• Optional functional impact context (not scored)
• Copy/printable results summary
• Mobile-first, tap-friendly design

Understanding Results

Formula

The PHQ-9 is scored by adding your answers across nine items. Each item has four choices scored 0, 1, 2, or 3 based on how often you experienced that symptom over the last two weeks (Not at all → Nearly every day). Your total can range from 0 to 27. A higher total generally means more frequent symptoms and a greater likelihood that they are affecting daily life. The ninth item asks about thoughts of self-harm; it is part of the total like the others, but it also deserves immediate attention if present.

Reference Ranges & Interpretation

A commonly used interpretation is: 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe, and 20–27 severe. These bands are a practical way to summarize how often symptoms were present in the past two weeks. If your score is moderate or higher, consider talking with a licensed professional. If any item includes thoughts of self-harm, seek support right away. Screening results are conversation starters — not final answers — and are best understood alongside your history, current stressors, and goals.

Assumptions & Limitations

PHQ-9 is a self-report screen, not a diagnosis. It reflects a two-week window and may shift with short-term stress, sleep changes, medications, or health issues. People can share the same score yet have very different experiences and needs. Treat the number as helpful information to guide next steps and discussions with a qualified professional.

Complete Guide: Depression Calculator: PHQ-9 Symptom Severity Assessment

Use our depression calculator to score the PHQ-9 in minutes. Answer nine questions about the last two weeks to estimate symptom severity and get clear guidance.

The depression calculator: phq-9 symptom severity assessment is a practical way to check where your mood symptoms fall today. In a few taps, it totals your answers from the nine questions of the validated PHQ‑9 and shows a clear score with a severity band. The aim is clarity you can use: a number you can track, words that make sense, and next steps you can consider without wading through dense manuals.

What PHQ‑9 is and why it's used

PHQ‑9 stands for Patient Health Questionnaire, 9‑item version. It is among the most widely used self‑report screening questionnaires for depressive symptoms over the last two weeks. Each item covers a common symptom, such as low interest or pleasure, feeling down, sleep changes, fatigue, appetite changes, low self‑worth, trouble concentrating, psychomotor changes, and thoughts of self‑harm. You choose one of four options for each item: Not at all (0), Several days (1), More than half the days (2), or Nearly every day (3). The sum produces a score from 0 to 27. Higher scores generally indicate more frequent symptoms and greater impact on daily life.

Because it is brief, understandable, and well‑studied, PHQ‑9 is used in many settings: personal check‑ins, primary care screening, and therapy sessions. It is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. That distinction matters: screening helps you gauge whether your symptoms may warrant a deeper conversation, while diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed professional who considers your history, functioning, medical factors, and differential causes.

How the depression calculator works

Our calculator mirrors the standard PHQ‑9 items and scoring. As you select answers, your total updates automatically and a severity band appears. You will also see an optional functional impact question that is not scored but adds helpful context about how difficult the symptoms have made life at work, at home, or with others.

The interface is designed for phones first: large tap targets, clear labels, and simple actions like “Set all to Not at all,” “Reset,” “Copy,” and “Print.” Nothing is saved to our servers; your answers remain on your device.

PHQ‑9 scoring and severity bands

PHQ‑9 is scored by adding the nine item values (0–3 each). The total ranges from 0 to 27. A common interpretation is:

• 0–4: Minimal
• 5–9: Mild
• 10–14: Moderate
• 15–19: Moderately severe
• 20–27: Severe

These ranges provide a practical shorthand for communicating how often symptoms have been present. They do not replace clinical judgment. Two people with the same score may experience very different impacts depending on context, supports, and co‑occurring conditions. That is why the optional impact question can be useful: it adds texture to the number without changing it.

Interpreting your result responsibly

Treat your score as information you can use, not a label. If your result is minimal or mild, you might focus on routine‑building and gentle changes in sleep, activity, and social connection. If your result is moderate or higher, consider speaking with a licensed professional who can recognize patterns, rule out medical mimics, and help you map out next steps. If any item includes thoughts of self‑harm, prioritize safety and seek help immediately.

Screening tools aim to make conversations easier. They cannot capture everything that matters to you: recent stresses, meaningful events, or strengths you want to build on. Combining a simple number with your lived experience often leads to the best decisions.

Using your PHQ‑9 result to take the next step

Make one change you can sustain this week. If your PHQ‑9 suggests mild symptoms, schedule a short daily walk or a consistent bedtime and check again in two weeks. If your score is moderate or higher, consider sharing the result with a clinician or therapist—bringing numbers often makes the first conversation easier. The depression calculator is a starting point; steady routines, social support, and professional care when needed turn insight into progress.

PHQ‑2 vs PHQ‑9: when to use each

PHQ‑2 uses just the first two items of the PHQ‑9 (interest/pleasure and low mood). It is an ultra‑brief screen sometimes used as a first pass. If your PHQ‑2 is elevated or if you want a more complete picture, the PHQ‑9 adds the remaining seven items to provide a fuller view and a more granular total score. If you prefer a rapid screen first, try the GAD‑2 Calculator for anxiety and the PHQ‑2 for mood before taking the longer measures.

Tracking progress over time

Many people check weekly or monthly to notice patterns. Small changes—better sleep, a few more minutes of daylight, or renewed social contact—can shift scores even when life is busy. Consider jotting down a short note for each result: what helped that day, what felt hard, and one thing to try next time. Over a few weeks, these notes can become a personal guide.

If your scores trend upward or stay in the moderate or higher range, that is useful information to share with a clinician. Bring your recent results and any context about sleep, stress, and activities. If you track sleep as well, you might compare your PHQ‑9 with your sleep quality from the sleep efficiency calculator or cumulatively with the sleep debt calculator.

Small daily steps that can help

While screening results are not a treatment plan, many people find that modest, doable changes improve how they feel. A few ideas: aim for consistent wake‑up and wind‑down times, get some outside light most days, add a short walk or gentle stretch, plan one simple, enjoyable activity, and connect with someone you trust. Keep the bar low. Consistency beats intensity at first.

If your result suggests both mood and anxiety symptoms, exploring tools across both areas can be helpful. For anxious stress, try the anxiety calculator. If your energy varies with sleep, the bedtime calculator and sleep score calculator can provide a simple structure to work from. If stressors are piling up, the stress calculator can help you identify patterns and brainstorm coping steps.

Sleep, activity, and mood patterns

Sleep and mood influence each other. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep can amplify fatigue, low motivation, and low mood; in turn, low mood can make it harder to keep a consistent schedule. If your PHQ‑9 rises when your sleep drops, consider shifting the basics first: light exposure earlier in the day, lower light and screens close to bedtime, and a calm wind‑down routine. Small, steady improvements compound.

Activity also matters, not as punishment but as a way to generate energy and momentum. Even a 10‑minute walk counts. If you are already using fitness‑related tools, pair them with mood check‑ins to see how they work together.

When to seek professional support

If your symptoms persist, are moderate or higher, or interfere with work, school, relationships, or self‑care, consider reaching out to a licensed professional. Screening results are best understood in context, including your history and goals. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, seek immediate help through local emergency services or established crisis lines in your region.

Preparing for an appointment? Bring your recent PHQ‑9 scores, note any items that felt most relevant, and list strategies you have tried. A clinician can help confirm what’s happening and co‑create a plan that fits your life.

Limitations and responsible use

PHQ‑9 reflects the last two weeks and relies on self‑reporting. Short‑term stress, temporary sleep loss, changes in medication, or physical health issues can influence how you answer. Scores are not a diagnosis and should not be used to make medical decisions without professional guidance. If something does not feel right, trust your judgment and consult a qualified professional.

More tools to explore

Helpful internal tools related to mood, anxiety, sleep, and stress:

• Anxiety (GAD‑7) Calculator — anxiety symptom check.
• GAD‑2 Calculator — 2‑item ultra‑short screen.
• Sleep Efficiency Calculator — time in bed vs asleep.
• Sleep Debt Calculator — shortfall and recovery plan.
• Bedtime Calculator — plan consistent routines.
• Stress Calculator — identify triggers and coping ideas.
• Happiness Calculator — reflect on well‑being inputs.

Sources and further reading

For background on depression and screening tools, see resources from established health organizations:

• National Institute of Mental Health — Depression
• USPSTF — Depression Screening Recommendations

This article is informational and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions