Free PHQ-9 Depression Test
9 questions, under two minutes, instant scoring with a plain-language result.
Start the PHQ-9 test9
questions
0–27
score range
Free
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The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is the most widely used depression screening tool in primary care. It asks about nine symptoms over the past two weeks and produces a score clinicians use to gauge severity and track change.
Araam's PHQ-9 test is free, needs no signup, and shows your raw score, severity band and a clear explanation right away. Sign in and each result is saved so you can watch the trend over weeks rather than guessing from memory.
What this test measures
- Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities
- Low mood, hopelessness and emptiness
- Sleep disruption (too little or too much)
- Fatigue and low energy
- Appetite and weight changes
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Trouble concentrating and making decisions
- Psychomotor slowing or restlessness
- Thoughts of self-harm
How the questionnaire is built
- 9 items covering the last two weeks
- Each item scored 0–3: “not at all”, “several days”, “more than half the days”, “nearly every day”
- Total score ranges from 0 to 27
- Item 9 asks about self-harm; a positive answer surfaces crisis resources immediately
How to read your PHQ-9 score
| Score | Severity | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal | No meaningful depressive symptoms. Preventive habits like journaling and breathing are enough. |
| 5–9 | Mild | Worth monitoring. Behavioral activation and better sleep routines usually help most here. |
| 10–14 | Moderate | Consider speaking with a therapist, and start structured thought records and activity planning. |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe | Professional assessment is recommended; therapy and sometimes medication are discussed at this level. |
| 20–27 | Severe | Please contact a clinician soon. In a crisis call your local emergency line — 988 in the US, 116 123 in the UK, 1480 in Iran. |
How to take the test
- 1Find a quiet moment and think about the last two weeks, not just today.
- 2Answer all nine questions as honestly as you can.
- 3Read your score, severity band and the explanation that follows.
- 4Retake it every two to four weeks to see a real trend.
The evidence behind it
The PHQ-9 maps directly onto the DSM criteria for major depressive disorder, and validation studies report sensitivity and specificity around 88% for major depression at a cut-off of 10.
It is used across primary care, psychiatry and clinical research to monitor change; a five-point drop is generally treated as a clinically meaningful improvement.
What does my score mean?
3·Minimal
A score of 3 sits in the normal range. Mood dips like this are part of ordinary life — keeping regular sleep, movement and a short daily check-in is all that's needed.
7·Mild
Seven means mild depressive symptoms. Medication is rarely the answer here; behavioral activation — scheduling one enjoyable and one meaningful activity a day — plus fixing sleep usually makes a visible difference.
10·Moderate
Ten is the standard clinical cut-off. From this score up it's worth speaking to a therapist and retaking the test every two weeks to see whether things are moving.
12·Moderate
Twelve sits mid-band, which usually means symptoms are already touching your work, relationships or energy. Cognitive behavioral therapy has its strongest evidence in exactly this range.
15·Moderately severe
Fifteen means symptoms are persistent and heavy. A professional assessment is warranted, and combined treatment — therapy, sometimes with medication — is commonly recommended.
20 and above·Severe
Twenty or higher calls for prompt action. Please contact a clinician soon; in a crisis use your local emergency line (988 in the US, 116 123 in the UK).
Ordinary sadness or depression?
Sadness is a normal reaction to loss or disappointment. It comes in waves, eases with comfort and time, and rarely wipes out your ability to enjoy anything at all. Depression is flatter and more constant: most days for two weeks or more, with numbness and loss of interest that spread across the whole week.
The two symptoms the PHQ-9 leads with are low mood and loss of pleasure. If neither is present most days, major depression is unlikely — even when you're exhausted or sleeping badly for other reasons.
PHQ-9 vs the Beck Depression Inventory
The PHQ-9 is short and maps one-to-one onto the DSM criteria, which makes it ideal for quick screening and for tracking change over time. The Beck Depression Inventory has 21 items and leans more towards the cognitive and emotional texture of depression.
For personal use and repeated check-ins, the PHQ-9 is the simpler tool. Clinicians sometimes use both. Don't compare scores between them — the scales and ranges are different.
When you should definitely talk to a professional
If your score is 10 or above and has lasted more than two weeks, if work, study or family life is suffering, or if you answered anything other than “not at all” to item 9 (thoughts of self-harm), a professional assessment is the right next step.
Physical signs matter too. Rapid weight loss, severe insomnia or noticeable slowing deserve a medical check to rule out physical causes such as an underactive thyroid or anaemia.
What to do after you see your score
Record the score so you have a baseline. Then choose one small, genuinely doable step: schedule one pleasant activity a day, take a short walk, or write down a single negative thought and reframe it.
Retake the test in two to four weeks. A five-point drop on the PHQ-9 is generally treated as a clinically meaningful improvement. If the number stays flat or rises, that's the signal to get professional help rather than to try harder alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PHQ-9 a diagnosis?
No. The PHQ-9 is a validated screening questionnaire, not a diagnosis. It helps you understand symptom severity and gives a clinician a useful starting point.
How long does it take?
Under two minutes — nine short questions with four answer options each.
Is it free?
Yes. Araam's PHQ-9 test is completely free and you can take it without creating an account.
What does a score of 12 mean?
A score of 12 falls in the moderate depression band. Talking to a therapist is recommended, alongside behavioral activation and thought records.
How often should I retake it?
Every two to four weeks. Daily retesting mostly captures normal mood fluctuation rather than real change.
Is my data private?
Yes. Results are stored privately under your account and never sold or shared. In guest mode they stay only on your device.
What does a score of 10 mean on a depression test?
Ten is the standard clinical cut-off on the PHQ-9. Symptoms are significant enough that a conversation with a therapist is recommended, and it's worth retaking the test every two weeks.
How is the PHQ-9 different from the Beck Depression Inventory?
The PHQ-9 has nine items mapped directly onto DSM criteria, which suits quick screening and tracking change. The Beck inventory has 21 items and focuses more on cognitive aspects. Their scores are not interchangeable.
Can I show the result to my therapist?
Yes, and it's a good idea. Your score and its trend give a clinician a concrete starting point, even though it doesn't replace a proper assessment.
How do I tell ordinary sadness from depression?
Sadness comes in waves and eases with time, while depression persists most days for two weeks or more, removes your ability to enjoy things, and disrupts everyday functioning.
Can depression and anxiety show up together?
Very often. Roughly half of people with depression also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder, so taking the GAD-7 alongside the PHQ-9 gives you a fuller picture.
Related tools
This screening tool is educational and does not replace professional diagnosis or treatment. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency service immediately.