PHQ-9 Depression Test Online

The PHQ-9 Depression Test Online helps you check how often depression-related symptoms have affected you over the past 2 weeks and gives you a score from 0 to 27. It is based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a widely used and validated depression screening tool, but it cannot diagnose depression by itself. Use your result as a starting point for understanding your symptoms and deciding whether to talk with a doctor, therapist, counselor, or another qualified health professional.

PHQ-9 Depression Test Online

Answer 9 questions about how you have felt over the last 2 weeks.

This PHQ-9 test adds your answers and estimates the severity of depression symptoms. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. A qualified health professional can help you understand what your result means for your situation.

If you may hurt yourself, feel unsafe, or cannot stay safe, call or text 988 now in the U.S. and Canada, call emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department. Outside the U.S. and Canada, contact your local emergency number or crisis line.

Based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a validated 9-item depression screening tool. Scores range from 0 to 27, with higher scores usually meaning more frequent depression symptoms.

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What is the PHQ-9?

The PHQ-9 is a short depression screening questionnaire used in primary care, mental health care, research, and wellness settings. It looks at common depression symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest, sleep changes, tiredness, appetite changes, concentration problems, feelings of worthlessness, slowed or restless movement, and thoughts of self-harm.

The test is useful because it gives a simple score that can help describe symptom severity. It can also be repeated later to see whether symptoms are improving, staying the same, or getting worse.

How PHQ-9 scoring works

Each answer is scored from 0 to 3, and the 9 answers are added together. The total score ranges from 0 to 27. A higher score usually means symptoms are happening more often.

PHQ-9 score	Usual meaning
0 to 4	None or minimal depression symptoms
5 to 9	Mild depression symptoms
10 to 14	Moderate depression symptoms
15 to 19	Moderately severe depression symptoms
20 to 27	Severe depression symptoms

What your result can and cannot tell you

Your PHQ-9 score can show whether your answers fall into a minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, or severe symptom range. It can help you notice patterns, explain symptoms more clearly, and start a conversation with a healthcare professional.

A PHQ-9 result does not confirm that you have depression. Symptoms can also be affected by stress, grief, sleep problems, medical conditions, medication effects, substance use, burnout, anxiety, trauma, or major life changes. A professional can look at the full picture.

When to consider getting help

Consider talking with a healthcare professional if your score is 10 or higher, if symptoms are affecting work or relationships, or if symptoms are lasting longer than a couple of weeks. You should also consider support if your score is lower but you still feel stuck, numb, exhausted, hopeless, or unlike yourself.

Mild symptoms: Track how you feel, protect sleep and routine, and reach out if symptoms continue or worsen.
Moderate symptoms: Consider making an appointment with a doctor, therapist, counselor, or clinic.
Moderately severe or severe symptoms: Seek professional support soon, especially if daily life feels hard to manage.
Any self-harm thoughts: Treat this as important, even if the total score is not high.

What to do with your PHQ-9 result

You can save your score and bring it to a medical or mental health appointment. It may help to write down when symptoms started, what has changed recently, what makes symptoms worse or better, and whether sleep, appetite, focus, work, school, or relationships have been affected.