Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Score Ranges
The GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) is a 100-point clinician-rated scale that measures overall psychological, social and occupational functioning, rated for the lowest level in the past week. DSM-IV Axis V standard. Scores of 50 or below indicate serious impairment. Anchor text © American Psychiatric Association; licensing terms apply.
For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.
GAF Score Interpreter
Enter a total score to see its range.
A single clinician-assigned rating from 1 to 100 (0 = inadequate information), describing the lowest level of psychological, social and occupational functioning in the rating period. Band labels below are short paraphrases of the DSM-IV-TR anchors, not the APA wording.
GAF rating Interpretation 91+ Superior functioning91-100. Thriving across many areas of life, without symptoms. 81–90 Absent or minimal symptoms81-90. Few or no symptoms; doing well overall. 71–80 Transient symptoms71-80. Short-lived reactions to stress, with only slight effect on daily life. 61–70 Mild symptoms61-70. Mild symptoms or minor difficulties; managing well overall. 51–60 Moderate symptoms51-60. Moderate symptoms or moderate problems at work, school or socially. 41–50 Serious symptoms41-50. Serious symptoms or serious problems at work, school or socially. 31–40 Major impairment31-40. Problems with reality testing or communication, or major problems across several areas. 21–30 Severe impairment21-30. Psychotic symptoms drive behaviour, or the person cannot function in most areas. 11–20 Some danger to self or others11-20. Some risk of harm to self or others, or lapses in basic self-care. 1–10 Persistent danger1-10. Ongoing risk of serious harm, or unable to manage basic self-care. 0 Inadequate information0. Not enough information to assign a rating. American Psychiatric Association. DSM-IV-TR (2000), Axis V Global Assessment of Functioning Scale: ten 10-point anchor ranges from 1-10 to 91-100, with 0 for inadequate information. Clinician rating only, not a diagnosis.
The GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) is a 100-point clinician-rated scale measuring overall psychological, social, and occupational functioning [1]. It was introduced in DSM-III-R as Axis V, retained in DSM-IV and DSM-IV-TR, and is still used in clinical documentation, treatment planning, and insurance.
What does the GAF measure?
The GAF is a clinician-administered rating scale that assesses an individual's overall level of psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a hypothetical continuum from severe impairment to superior functioning. It was developed for the DSM-III-R (1987) as Axis V and was a required component of DSM-IV multiaxial diagnosis. The scale ranges from 1 to 100, divided into 10-point anchor bands [1].
The GAF is designed to exclude impairment due to physical or environmental limitations: it rates only psychological, social, and occupational functioning. A clinician gives a single score by identifying the band that best describes the client's lowest level of functioning in the past week.
Scores of 50 or below indicate serious to severe impairment. GAF scores are used in treatment planning, progress notes, insurance documentation, disability determinations, and research.
The GAF was removed from DSM-5 (2013), which points to the WHODAS 2.0 (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule) instead; it measures functioning across six specific life domains. Despite this change, the GAF remains in use in clinical practice, electronic health records, and insurance systems.
How do you give the GAF?
The GAF is clinician-administered. A trained mental health professional or physician assigns a single score from 1 to 100 based on clinical observation, interview and collateral information; it is not a questionnaire and cannot be self-scored.
The clinician identifies the 10-point anchor band that best describes the client's lowest level of functioning in the past week, excluding impairment due to physical or environmental limitations. Even brief rater training can yield satisfactory reliability [3].
Educational reference only. The GAF is a clinician-assigned rating: scores must be determined by a licensed mental health professional or physician.
How do you score and interpret the GAF?
The rating follows DSM-IV-TR Axis V [1]:
- Period. The clinician rates the lowest level of functioning during the past week.
- Exclusions. Impairment due to physical or environmental limitations is left out.
- Scope. The score reflects psychological, social, and occupational functioning only.
The score interpreter above lists the ten 10-point anchor ranges (1-10 through 91-100, plus 0 for inadequate information) as short paraphrases; the full anchor descriptions are in DSM-IV-TR [1].
What does a GAF score of 50 mean?
A GAF of 50 sits at the top of the 41-50 band, which describes serious symptoms or serious problems at work, school or in relationships. Because the clinician rates the LOWEST level of functioning in the period, a single score reflects the worst functioning observed, not an average.
GAF vs. WHODAS 2.0
DSM-5 (2013) dropped the GAF and points to the WHODAS 2.0 for measuring disability. The GAF continues to be required by many insurers, EHR systems, and state mental health agencies. Check each copyright holder's terms before clinical or commercial use.
Psychometric properties
- Origins. The GAF was adapted from the Global Assessment Scale (GAS), which showed good reliability across five studies, greater sensitivity to change than other overall severity ratings, and predicted hospital readmission for former inpatients rated below 40 [2].
- Severe mental illness. In 103 adults with severe mental illness rated monthly for 6 months, total, symptom and disability GAF scores showed satisfactory reliability and were associated with support needs [3].
- Routine outpatient care. In 432 outpatients with major depressive disorder, clinician and test-nurse ratings correlated only weakly (r = 0.26), indicating poor inter-rater reliability in routine practice [4].
- Children and adolescents. GAF reliability has ranged from fair to substantial depending on raters, training and diagnostic group [5].
Limitations
- Not a diagnosis. The GAF reflects overall functional severity and does not diagnose any condition.
- Rater dependence. Reliability varies with rater training and setting; routine-practice inter-rater agreement can be poor [4].
- Symptoms and disability combined. A single score mixes symptom severity with functioning, one reason DSM-5 moved to the WHODAS 2.0.
- Lowest level only. The score reflects the worst functioning in the period, not an average.
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.
Related
Billing
In the US, the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Score Ranges is usually billed under these CPT codes. Payer rules vary.
- Publisher
- American Psychiatric Association
- Terms
- Licensing terms apply.
Assessments
FAQ
What does a GAF score of 50 or below mean?
A GAF score of 50 or below indicates serious impairment in psychological, social, or occupational functioning. Scores in the 41–50 range describe serious symptoms or serious problems at work, school or in relationships. Scores of 1–10 represent the most severe end of the scale.
Is the GAF self-report or clinician-administered?
The GAF is clinician-administered. A trained mental health professional or physician assigns a single score based on clinical observation, interview, and collateral information. It cannot be self-scored by clients and is not a questionnaire.
Can the GAF diagnose a mental disorder?
No. The GAF reflects overall functional severity but does not diagnose any condition. It was one component of the DSM-IV multiaxial system (Axis V) and is intended to support clinical decision-making, not to replace a full diagnostic evaluation.
Why was the GAF removed from DSM-5?
DSM-5 (2013) de-emphasized the multiaxial structure and recommended the WHODAS 2.0 (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule) in place of the GAF, citing limitations in reliability and concerns about conflating symptoms with disability. Despite this, many insurers, electronic health record systems, and state agencies continue to require GAF scores.
References
- 1.American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale, Axis V.
- 2.Endicott J, Spitzer RL, Fleiss JL, Cohen J. The global assessment scale: a procedure for measuring overall severity of psychiatric disturbance. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1976;33(6):766-771.
- 3.Jones SH, Thornicroft G, Coffey M, Dunn G. A brief mental health outcome scale — reliability and validity of the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). Br J Psychiatry. 1995;166(5):654-659.
- 4.Grootenboer EM, Giltay EJ, van der Lem R, et al. Reliability and validity of the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale in clinical outpatients with depressive disorders. J Eval Clin Pract. 2012;18(2):502-507.
- 5.Schorre BE, Vandvik IH. Global assessment of psychosocial functioning in child and adolescent psychiatry. A review of three unidimensional scales (CGAS, GAF, GAPD). Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2004;13(5):273-286.
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