Skip to main content

PHQ-9 Depression Test

The PHQ-9 is a nine-item depression screening tool scored 0 to 27 and used in primary care and VA mental health settings. Its standard score bands label the severity of self-reported symptoms, not a diagnosis. Item nine asks about thoughts of being better off dead or of self-harm and requires separate safety assessment when endorsed.

If you are in crisis

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Call or text 988 (US, 24/7)
  • Crisis Text Line, Text HOME to 741741 (free, 24/7)
  • SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7)
Start the PHQ-9 self-check

Published by MindCheck Tools

Published: Last reviewed:

Quick answer

What is this?
The PHQ-9 is a published nine-question self-report screener for depression-related symptoms during the past two weeks.
Who is it for?
Adults who want to summarize recent symptoms before deciding whether to discuss them with a qualified healthcare professional.
Bottom line
The result is a symptom-range score you can share with a clinician. It does not diagnose depression or determine treatment.
ValidatedPublic Domain

PHQ-9 Depression Self-Check

A widely used, validated screening questionnaire that helps you reflect on depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. Your answers and score are processed locally and are not intentionally sent to MindCheck Tools.

🔒 Answers Stay Local⏱ ~2 Minutes📋 9 Questions

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Reviewed by Jason Ramirez, CADC-II with 11 years of clinical experience in substance use counseling.

Review covers source alignment, scoring, limitations, and safety language within the reviewer's stated credential scope; it is not diagnosis or individual care.

Last reviewed: March 2026

Before you begin

This self-check uses the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a validated screening instrument developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, and Kroenke and placed in the public domain.

Please understand:

  • This is not a diagnosis and does not replace professional evaluation.
  • Results are educational only, they describe symptom levels, not clinical conditions.
  • Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose or treat conditions.
  • Your answers are processed entirely in your browser and are not sent to MindCheck Tools. Pages that offer optional local saving say so before use.
  • If you are in immediate danger or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact emergency services or a crisis hotline now.

What the PHQ-9 Measures

The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) was developed by Drs. Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, and Kurt Kroenke and released into the public domain for unrestricted clinical and research use. Each of the nine questions corresponds to one DSM diagnostic criterion for major depressive disorder, asking how often you have experienced that symptom over the past two weeks.

The nine symptoms assessed are: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, sleep disturbance, fatigue, appetite changes, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, psychomotor changes, and thoughts of death or self-harm. The original 2001 validation study (Kroenke et al., Journal of General Internal Medicine) reported 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity for major depressive disorder at a cutoff score of 10.

PHQ-9 Scoring Ranges

Total scores range from 0 to 27. Each item is scored 0 (not at all), 1 (several days), 2 (more than half the days), or 3 (nearly every day). The five severity ranges used in clinical practice are:

0–4
Minimal depressive symptom range, few or no reported symptoms
5–9
Mild depressive symptom range, consider professional evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, or interfere with daily life
10–14
Moderate depressive symptom range, consider professional evaluation; treatment decisions require individual clinical context
15–19
Moderately severe depressive symptom range, seek professional evaluation; treatment decisions require individual clinical context
20–27
Severe depressive symptom range, seek prompt professional evaluation; treatment decisions require individual clinical context

Question 9: Thoughts of Self-Harm

Question 9 asks about thoughts of being better off dead or of hurting yourself. Any positive response triggers additional clinical assessment for suicide risk. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or reach the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7).

What Your Score Means and When to Seek Help

The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. A score of 10 or higher is widely used as a clinical threshold to prompt further evaluation, but context always matters more than the number. Symptoms lasting two or more weeks, difficulty functioning at work or in relationships, or hopelessness at any score level are reasons to speak with a healthcare provider. The National Institute of Mental Health provides comprehensive depression information including treatment options and how to find professional support.

For a deeper explanation of how clinicians interpret PHQ-9 scores, what the instrument can and cannot tell you, and how to bring results to a healthcare appointment, see our PHQ-9 clinical guide.

Clinical References

Related Screening Tools & Guides

PHQ-9 Score Guide

Understand what your depression score means

GAD-7 Score Guide

Anxiety screening interpretation and next steps

PHQ-4 Quick Screen

Brief combined depression and anxiety screening

Talk to Your Doctor

How to start a conversation about mental health

PHQ-9 vs. GAD-7

Key differences between depression and anxiety screens

PHQ-2 to PHQ-9 Escalation

When a 2-question screen triggers the full PHQ-9