PHQ-9 depression self-test
The PHQ-9 is a 9-question screening tool for depression. It takes about two minutes, your answers stay in your browser, and it cannot diagnose you.
Last updated 8 November 2026
What the PHQ-9 measures
The PHQ-9 asks about the nine symptoms used to recognise a major depressive episode: low mood, loss of interest, sleep, energy, appetite, feelings of worthlessness, concentration, restlessness or slowing, and thoughts of death or self-harm. Each is scored from 0 to 3 for how often it has bothered you over the last two weeks, and the total runs from 0 to 27. Doctors and nurses around the world use it to notice depression early and to track whether treatment is working.
What this test cannot do
A score is not a diagnosis. The PHQ-9 can be high when you are grieving, ill, exhausted or going through a hard time that will pass, and it can be low when someone hides how they feel. It does not tell the difference between depression and bipolar disorder, thyroid problems, anaemia or the effects of alcohol and some medicines. Only a clinician who talks with you, and sometimes orders tests, can decide what is going on and what would help.
Your PHQ-9 answers stay in this browser. They leave it only if you choose, after seeing your result, to send it to our team with your contact details. Otherwise they disappear when you close the page.
Take the PHQ-9
About the PHQ-9
The PHQ-9 grew out of a longer primary-care questionnaire and was published in 2001 by Kroenke, Spitzer and Williams. Its nine questions mirror the nine symptoms used to diagnose major depression, which is why doctors in many countries use it to check how someone has been over a fortnight and to follow change over time. It is a questionnaire, not a test of any kind of ability, and a person's answers can shift from week to week with sleep, stress and illness.
How to read your score
The PHQ-9 gives a total from 0 to 27, and a higher total means more of the problem described in the questions. This page shows your total and one main marker. The detail that makes a score meaningful, such as which answers drove it, belongs in a conversation with our team.
| Score | Main marker |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | Minimal or none |
| 5-9 | Mild |
| 10-14 | Moderate |
| 15-19 | Moderately severe |
| 20-27 | Severe |
What to do next
A PHQ-9 score is a snapshot of the last two weeks, and it cannot say why you feel the way you do or what would help most. If the marker concerns you, or you simply want to understand it, reach out to our team. They can talk it through and, if you wish, arrange a free pre-consultation call with a psychiatrist. If you marked anything above zero on the last question, which asks about thoughts of being better off dead or of hurting yourself, please speak to someone today: call 112 or Tele-MANAS on 14416.
Related reading and care
- Depression: signs and treatment
- Hindi-speaking clinicians for depression
- Kannada-speaking clinicians for depression
- Tamil-speaking clinicians for depression
- Helplines and resources in India
- All self-tests
The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were developed by Drs Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues and are free to use.
Book your free pre-consultation call
What you share is confidential. See our Privacy Policy.
Common questions
Is the PHQ-9 accurate?
It is one of the most widely used depression screeners and has been tested in many countries. It is a screening tool, so some people with a high score are not depressed and some with a low score are. A clinician makes the diagnosis.
What does a score of 10 mean?
Ten or more is commonly used as the point at which depression becomes likely enough to merit a proper assessment. It does not mean that you have depression.
What if I answer above zero on the last question?
Thoughts of death or self-harm should always be taken seriously, even if they come and go. Please speak to someone today, and call 112 or Tele-MANAS on 14416 if you feel unsafe.
Why does the result show only a score and a marker?
A questionnaire score cannot tell you what is going on without a conversation. To get the full picture, please reach out to our team, who can talk it through with you.
Will Mindly see my answers?
Only if you choose to share it. The questions are scored in your browser, and nothing is sent unless you tick the consent box and send your result, with your name and contact details, to our team after you see it. If you do not, nothing is saved or tracked.
References
Mindly Health is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.