PHQ-9 calculator
Result
0/27
Minimal (0–4)
How to use it
- 1
Covers last 2 weeks. Self-administered or clinician-administered.
- 2
Score ≥10 = probable major depression. Sensitivity ~88%, specificity ~88% for MDD.
- 3
Q9 critical. Any score > 0 on Q9 = immediate suicide risk assessment.
When to use it
- Primary care depression screening
- PHQ-9 widely adopted in GP/primary care annual reviews.
- Treatment response monitoring
- Score improvement ≥5 points = minimal clinically important difference.
- Step-care decisions
- PHQ-9 ≥10: initiate SSRI or structured psychological therapy (Step 3 NICE).
A reference for clinicians and students, not medical advice. A score supports a decision; it does not make one. Check every result against the patient in front of you and your local protocol.
At a glance
- Specialty
- Psychiatry
- Inputs
- 9
- Type
- Points score
