ICD-10 codes for depression

The ICD-10-CM codes care teams use for depression, with the official FY2027 descriptor, when each code applies, and the screening measure that informs it. Codes with a full reference page are linked.

Reference only. Criteria summaries are for clinician orientation. A full clinical evaluation is required before any diagnosis is recorded.

Depression not yet specified

  • CodeOfficial ICD-10-CM descriptorWhen it appliesScale
    F32.ADepression, unspecifiedDepression documented without its type, episode count, or severity. Includes Depression NOS and Depressive disorder NOS.PHQ-9
    F39Unspecified mood [affective] disorderMood symptoms where it is not yet clear whether the disorder is depressive or bipolar.PHQ-9, MDQ

Major depressive disorder, single episode (F32)

  • CodeOfficial ICD-10-CM descriptorWhen it appliesScale
    F32.0Major depressive disorder, single episode, mildA first major depressive episode, rated mild.PHQ-9
    F32.1Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderateA first major depressive episode, rated moderate.PHQ-9
    F32.2Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychotic featuresA first episode, rated severe, with no psychotic features.PHQ-9
    F32.3Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe with psychotic featuresA first episode, rated severe, with psychotic features.PHQ-9
    F32.4Major depressive disorder, single episode, in partial remissionA first episode now in partial remission.PHQ-9
    F32.5Major depressive disorder, single episode, in full remissionA first episode now in full remission.PHQ-9
    F32.9Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecifiedA major depressive episode whose severity is not documented. Includes Major depression NOS.PHQ-9

Major depressive disorder, recurrent (F33)

  • CodeOfficial ICD-10-CM descriptorWhen it appliesScale
    F33.0Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mildAt least one prior episode; the current episode is rated mild.PHQ-9
    F33.1Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderateAt least one prior episode; the current episode is rated moderate.PHQ-9
    F33.2Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic featuresCurrent episode rated severe, with no psychotic features.PHQ-9
    F33.3Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic symptomsCurrent episode rated severe, with psychotic symptoms.PHQ-9
    F33.40Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in remission, unspecifiedRecurrent depression in remission, partial or full not documented.PHQ-9
    F33.41Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remissionRecurrent depression in partial remission.PHQ-9
    F33.42Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in full remissionRecurrent depression in full remission.PHQ-9
    F33.9Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecifiedRecurrent depression whose current state is not documented. Includes Monopolar depression NOS.PHQ-9

Other depressive codes

  • CodeOfficial ICD-10-CM descriptorWhen it appliesScale
    F34.1Dysthymic disorderLong-lasting depression. Includes Dysthymia and Persistent depressive disorder.PHQ-9
    F32.81Premenstrual dysphoric disorderPremenstrual dysphoric disorder. Excludes premenstrual tension syndrome (N94.3).PHQ-9
    F32.89Other specified depressive episodesA documented depressive presentation with no specific code. Includes Atypical depression.PHQ-9
    F53.0Postpartum depressionDepression after childbirth. Includes Postnatal depression NOS and Postpartum depression NOS.EPDS, PHQ-9
    F43.21Adjustment disorder with depressed moodLow mood in response to an identifiable stressor, within the adjustment disorder time frame.PHQ-9
    F43.23Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed moodLow mood and anxiety, both prominent, after an identifiable stressor.PHQ-9, GAD-7
    F06.31Mood disorder due to known physiological condition with depressive featuresDepressive features caused by a medical condition.PHQ-9
    F06.32Mood disorder due to known physiological condition with major depressive-like episodeA major depressive-like episode caused by a medical condition.PHQ-9

How to choose a depression code

    • Code to what is known at the encounter. The ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines accept unspecified codes such as F32.A when the record is insufficient for a more specific code, and say a specific code should not be chosen without documentation to support it.
    • Single or recurrent. A prior major depressive episode moves the code from F32 to F33; F32 excludes F33.
    • Rule out bipolar disorder. F32 and F33 both exclude bipolar disorder (F31.-) and manic episode (F30.-). When it is unclear whether the presentation is depressive or bipolar, F39 is the unspecified mood code.
    • Look for a stressor. F32 carries an Excludes2 note for adjustment disorder (F43.2); low mood that follows an identifiable stressor may fit F43.21 or F43.23.
    • Measure, then update. Repeating the PHQ-9 over the course of care documents severity and change, which supports moving from an unspecified code to a specific one, or to a remission code. For anxiety codes, see ICD-10 codes for anxiety.

Measurement-based care

…starts with what we measure, and how long.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the ICD-10 code for depression?

    In the FY2027 ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index, "Depression" with no further detail points to F32.A (Depression, unspecified). When the record documents more, a more specific code applies: F32.0 to F32.5 for a single major depressive episode by severity or remission, F33.0 to F33.42 for recurrent major depressive disorder, or F34.1 for persistent depressive disorder.

  • What is the difference between F32 and F33?

    F32 codes a single (first) major depressive episode; F33 codes recurrent major depressive disorder, with at least one prior episode. Category F32 carries an Excludes1 note for recurrent depressive disorder (F33.-), so the two are not reported together. Both carry an Excludes1 note for bipolar disorder (F31.-) and manic episode (F30.-).

  • What is the ICD-10 code for major depressive disorder?

    Major depressive disorder is coded by episode and severity: F32.0 to F32.5 for a single episode, F33.0 to F33.42 for recurrent episodes. In the Alphabetic Index, "Depression, major" without severity points to F32.9, and the tabular list includes "Monopolar depression NOS" under F33.9.

  • What is the ICD-10 code for chronic depression?

    The FY2027 Alphabetic Index has no entry for "chronic depression". Long-lasting depression is usually persistent depressive disorder, coded F34.1 (Dysthymic disorder); the tabular list includes "Dysthymia" and "Persistent depressive disorder" under it.

  • Which screening measure informs the depression codes?

    The PHQ-9 is the common choice. In its validation study, a score of 10 or higher had 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity for major depression, and scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 marked mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression (Kroenke et al., 2001). Scores inform the clinician's evaluation; they do not diagnose, and the code follows that evaluation.

  • What is the ICD-10 code for postpartum depression?

    F53.0 (Postpartum depression), which includes "Postnatal depression NOS" and "Postpartum depression NOS". Category F53 carries an Excludes1 note for mood disorders with psychotic features, such as F32.3 and F33.3, and for postpartum dysphoria (O90.6).

Sources & Citations

    1. 1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2026). ICD-10-CM Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries, Index, and Order File, FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026).
    2. 2.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2026). ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2027, Sections I.A.9 and I.B.18.
    3. 3.Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x