PHQ-8: Patient Health Questionnaire, Depression Scale
The PHQ-8 (Patient Health Questionnaire-8) is an 8-item self-report questionnaire that measures depression severity over the past two weeks. It is the PHQ-9 without the suicidality item, used in large surveys and in clinical settings where suicidal ideation is screened separately.
For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.
PHQ-8 Score Interpreter
PHQ-8 Score Calculator
Enter each of the 8 items (0–3) to total them and see the band. Items are numbered, not reproduced — enter them from the form in front of you. Scoring aid only; it does not diagnose.
0 of 8 items entered — 8 still blank. The total can only rise, so treat the range as provisional.
Each item scores 0–3.
Enter a total score to see its range.
8 items scored 0–3 each; total range 0–24. Higher scores indicate greater depression severity.
Total score Interpretation 20+ SevereScores in this range indicate severe depressive symptoms. Prompt clinical assessment is warranted. 15–19 Moderately SevereScores in this range suggest moderately severe depressive symptoms requiring clinical attention. 10–14 ModerateScores at or above 10 meet the standard cutoff for probable major depression; clinical follow-up is recommended. 5–9 MildMild depressive symptoms are present. Monitoring and supportive care may be appropriate. 0–4 None/MinimalScores in this range indicate none or minimal depressive symptoms. Kroenke K et al. J Affect Disord. 2009;114:163-173. Severity ranges per standard PHQ scoring convention (Kroenke & Spitzer, Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2010;32:345-359).
The PHQ-8 (Patient Health Questionnaire-8) is an 8-item self-report measure of depression severity over the past two weeks. It is the PHQ-9 without item 9 (thoughts of self-harm or suicide); totals run from 0 to 24, and 10 or more is the usual cutoff for current depression [1].
Why use the PHQ-8?
The PHQ questionnaires began as a self-report version of the PRIME-MD [4]. The PHQ-8 was studied by Kroenke and colleagues as a measure of current depression in a large population survey [1], and it suits large-scale surveys, epidemiological research and clinical settings where suicidality screening happens through a separate process.
The PHQ-8 and PHQ-9 use identical items for questions 1–8 and share the same scoring structure and cutpoints [2]. Without item 9, the PHQ-8 suits self-administered surveys and settings where clinicians prefer to ask about suicidal ideation in conversation rather than by questionnaire.
What does the PHQ-8 measure?
Both the PHQ-8 and PHQ-9 are built on the nine DSM criteria for major depressive disorder. The PHQ-8 covers eight of these:
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
- Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
- Feeling tired or having little energy
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Feeling bad about yourself
- Trouble concentrating
- Moving or speaking slowly (or the opposite, restless or fidgety)
How do you give the PHQ-8?
The PHQ-8 is a self-report questionnaire. Respondents rate each of the eight items themselves based on how often they have been bothered by the symptom over the past two weeks. No clinician administration is required, which makes it practical for large-scale surveys and routine outcome monitoring.
Each item is rated on a 0–3 frequency scale over the past two weeks:
- 0, Not at all
- 1, Several days
- 2, More than half the days
- 3, Nearly every day
How do you score and interpret the PHQ-8?
Totals run from 0 to 24: 0–4 none/minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe and 20–24 severe. Cutpoints of 5, 10 and 15 mark mild, moderate and severe symptom levels across the PHQ scales [2]. The scorer at the top of this page shows each range with its note.
A score of ≥10 is the standard cutoff for probable major depression: a systematic review found 10 the optimal cutpoint on the PHQ scales, with good sensitivity and specificity for the PHQ-8 [2].
When to use the PHQ-8 vs the PHQ-9
The PHQ-9 remains the standard for clinical measurement-based care, as it includes suicidal ideation screening. The PHQ-8 is preferred when:
- Suicidality is assessed separately or through clinical interview
- Population-based surveys need a measure that doesn't require clinical follow-up for all positive screens
- Comparing data to large epidemiological studies that used the PHQ-8
For monitoring an individual client in clinical practice, the PHQ-9 is generally recommended so suicidal ideation is not missed.
Psychometric properties
- General population. In 198,678 US survey respondents, the prevalence of current depression was similar whether defined by the PHQ-8 diagnostic algorithm or a score of 10 or more (9.1% vs. 8.6%); of respondents scoring 10 or more, only 3.5% had no evidence of depressive disorder or depressive symptoms [1].
- Accuracy. The PHQ-9 and its eight-item and two-item versions have good sensitivity and specificity for detecting depressive disorders [2].
- Across countries. In 258,888 participants from 27 European countries, the PHQ-8 showed high internal consistency in every country and measurement invariance across countries [3].
Limitations
- Screening, not diagnosis. A score at or above 10 indicates a need for further clinical assessment; diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation.
- No suicidality item. The PHQ-8 does not screen for thoughts of self-harm or suicide, so suicidal ideation must be assessed separately. For monitoring an individual client, the PHQ-9 is generally preferred.
- Criterion standard in the general-population study. The 2009 survey compared the cutoff with the PHQ-8 diagnostic algorithm rather than an independent structured psychiatric interview [1].
- Self-report. Scores depend on the respondent's recall over two weeks and willingness to disclose.
Functional impairment item
Both the PHQ-8 and PHQ-9 include a supplemental item asking how difficult the reported symptoms have made it to do work, handle home responsibilities, and get along with others (rated: Not difficult at all / Somewhat difficult / Very difficult / Extremely difficult). This item is not scored but aids clinical interpretation.
For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.
Billing
In the US, the PHQ-8: Patient Health Questionnaire, Depression Scale is usually billed under these CPT codes. Payer rules vary.
References
- 1.Kroenke K, Strine TW, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Berry JT, Mokdad AH. The PHQ-8 as a measure of current depression in the general population. J Affect Disord. 2009;114(1-3):163-173.View source
- 2.Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Löwe B. The Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptom Scales: a systematic review. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2010;32(4):345-359.View source
- 3.Arias de la Torre J, Vilagut G, Ronaldson A, et al. Reliability and cross-country equivalence of the 8-item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) for the assessment of depression: results from 27 countries in Europe. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2023;31:100659.View source
- 4.Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB. Validation and utility of a self-report version of PRIME-MD: the PHQ primary care study. JAMA. 1999;282(18):1737-1744.View source
- 1.
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FAQ
How does the PHQ-8 differ from the PHQ-9?
The PHQ-8 is identical to the PHQ-9 except that it omits item 9, which asks about thoughts of self-harm or suicide. It is used in population surveys and contexts where suicidality is screened separately. For monitoring an individual client in clinical practice, the PHQ-9 is generally preferred because it retains the suicidal ideation item.
What PHQ-8 score indicates probable depression?
A total score of 10 or above is the standard cutoff for probable major depression; a systematic review of the PHQ scales found the PHQ-8 has good sensitivity and specificity for depressive disorders, with 10 as the optimal cutpoint. Scores of 5–9 indicate mild depressive symptoms, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe, and 20–24 severe.
Is the PHQ-8 self-report or clinician-administered?
The PHQ-8 is a self-report questionnaire. Respondents rate each of the eight items themselves based on how often they have been bothered by the symptom over the past two weeks. No clinician administration is required, which makes it practical for large-scale surveys and routine outcome monitoring.
Can the PHQ-8 diagnose depression?
No. The PHQ-8 is a screening and severity measure, not a diagnostic tool. A score at or above the cutoff indicates a need for further clinical assessment. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a qualified professional.
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