About the PHQ-9

The PHQ-9 was developed in the late 1990s by Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, and Kurt Kroenke as part of the Patient Health Questionnaire, and has become the most widely used depression screener in primary care and mental health. Its nine questions mirror the nine diagnostic criteria for major depression, each rated by frequency over the last two weeks. It is free to reproduce, available in dozens of languages, and sensitive to change, which is why clinicians use it to track treatment rather than just to screen. The ninth question asks about thoughts of death or self-harm; any answer above “not at all” on this site opens the crisis lines on your result and in your email.

What is a normal PHQ-9 score?

0 to 4 is minimal, 5 to 9 mild, 10 to 14 moderate, 15 to 19 moderately severe, and 20 to 27 severe. Ten or more is where clinicians usually take a closer look.

How often should I take the PHQ-9?

It asks about the last two weeks, so every one to two weeks is the natural rhythm. A single score is a snapshot; a line over several weeks is information.

Is the PHQ-9 a diagnosis of depression?

No. It is a screening tool. A high score means it is worth talking with a clinician, who can assess properly.

Developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute. Page reviewed by Michael RoBards, LCSW, September 2026.