PHQ-9 scoring: what your 0–27 score means
CareOps editorial team · · 5 min read
Mental wellness information and service guidance published by CareOps.
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The CareOps editorial team publishes these guides. Sources are linked at the end of each article; examples are illustrative, not customer stories. Product descriptions refer to CareOps Maeumi. Publication and revision dates appear above.
Read our full editorial standards →The PHQ-9 is one of the most widely used depression questionnaires in the world: nine questions about the past two weeks. It is quick to finish, but the number at the end can be hard to read on its own. This guide explains how it is scored, what each range means, and what to do next.
At a glance
- The PHQ-9 has nine questions, each scored 0 to 3, so the total runs from 0 to 27.
- Scores of 5, 10, 15 and 20 mark the start of the mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe ranges; 10 or more is the commonly used screening threshold.
- It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Question 9 deserves attention on its own, whatever the total.
What is the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-9 is the depression part of the Patient Health Questionnaire. It was published in 2001 by Kurt Kroenke, Robert Spitzer and Janet Williams. Each of its nine questions matches one of the nine symptoms used to define major depression, such as low interest, low mood, sleep changes, tiredness and trouble concentrating, and each asks about the past two weeks.
In the original study, 6,000 patients in 8 primary care and 7 obstetrics-gynecology clinics completed it. In a group of 580 who were also interviewed by a mental health professional, a score of 10 or more picked up major depression with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 88%. As scores rose, people also reported more difficulty with daily functioning.
How is the PHQ-9 scored?
Each question has four answers about how often it has bothered you, and each answer has a point value:
- Not at all scores 0.
- Several days scores 1.
- More than half the days scores 2.
- Nearly every day scores 3.
- Add all nine answers together. The total is your PHQ-9 score, from 0 to 27.
PHQ-9 score interpretation
| Total score | Range | A reasonable next step |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 | Minimal | Keep noticing how your mood changes; retake if it shifts |
| 5–9 | Mild | Watch the pattern over a few weeks and look after sleep, activity and contact with people |
| 10–14 | Moderate | Worth talking over with a professional |
| 15–19 | Moderately severe | Reach out to a doctor or mental health professional soon |
| 20–27 | Severe | Reach out to a doctor or mental health professional soon |
These five ranges come straight from the 2001 paper, which described scores of 5, 10, 15 and 20 as mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe depression. A score of 10 or more is the threshold most often used for screening. It suggests symptoms have been frequent enough that a fuller conversation with a professional makes sense.
The total is not the whole story. Two people can both score 12 for different reasons: one mostly from poor sleep and tiredness, another mostly from low mood and losing interest. Looking at which questions you scored highest on often tells you more about where to start.
About question 9
The last question asks about thoughts of being better off dead or of hurting yourself. Any answer other than “not at all” matters, even when the total is low. It is a signal to talk to someone you trust and to a professional, not something to carry alone.
If you are thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line right away (in the US, call or text 988).
PHQ-9 vs PHQ-2 and PHQ-4
The PHQ-2 is the first two PHQ-9 questions, about low interest and low mood, and is often used as a quick first step. The PHQ-4 pairs those two with the two GAD-2 anxiety questions. If a short check flags something, the PHQ-9 gives a fuller picture. See PHQ-4 scoring and depression tests compared for more.
Take the PHQ-9 now
You can take the PHQ-9 here for free, without signing up. Your score appears right away, along with what the range means.
Try a self-assessment without signing inDepression screen (PHQ-9)Recent mood, interest and daily changes. Answer the app’s questionnaire and see your result right away.Start the check →What to do with a high score
A high score is information, not a verdict. It helps to notice when your mood is lowest, what has changed in your routine, and which symptoms weigh on you most. Small, planned activities can help when energy is low; self-help for depression covers some places to start.
CareOps Maeumi is an AI counseling app that starts with short self-checks like this one and remembers earlier sessions, so each conversation builds on the last. You can talk by voice or text. Sign-up and initial self-checks are free; check your account’s session offer and pricing before payment. You can use it alongside care from a licensed professional.
Frequently asked questions
- How is the PHQ-9 scored?
- Each of the nine questions is scored 0 (not at all), 1 (several days), 2 (more than half the days) or 3 (nearly every day). Add them together for a total from 0 to 27.
- What does a PHQ-9 score of 10 mean?
- 10 is the start of the moderate range and the threshold most often used for screening. In the original study, a score of 10 or more had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% for major depression. It is a screening result, not a diagnosis.
- What are the PHQ-9 score ranges?
- 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe and 20–27 severe, following the 2001 paper by Kroenke and colleagues.
- Why does question 9 matter on its own?
- Question 9 asks about thoughts of death or self-harm. Any answer other than “not at all” is worth talking about with someone you trust and a professional, whatever the total score.
Sources
This guide shares mental wellness information. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services where you are. Support and contact information.