What does my BDI-II score mean?

Scores of 0–13 indicate minimal depression, 14–19 mild depression, 20–28 moderate depression, and 29–63 severe depression. Higher scores reflect more frequent or intense depressive symptoms over the past two weeks.

Is this tool a clinical diagnosis?

No. The BDI-II is a validated screening instrument, not a diagnostic test. Only a licensed mental health or medical professional can diagnose depression. Use your score as a starting point for a conversation with your provider.

What should I do if I score 20 or higher?

Scores of 20 or above suggest moderate-to-severe depression. Contact a healthcare or mental health professional promptly. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, call a crisis helpline immediately (e.g., 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the US).

Who developed the BDI-II?

The BDI was originally developed by Dr. Aaron T. Beck in 1961. The revised BDI-II version was published in 1996 to align with DSM-IV depressive disorder criteria.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. All scoring happens entirely in your browser. Your answers are never transmitted to any server and are cleared when you close or refresh the page.

How is this different from the PHQ-9?

The PHQ-9 uses 9 items aligned directly to DSM criteria and is widely used in primary care. The BDI-II uses 21 items and provides a finer-grained measure of symptom severity. Both are validated screens; the BDI-II captures a broader range of cognitive and somatic symptoms.

How often should I retake the BDI-II?

Clinicians often administer it every 1–2 weeks to monitor treatment progress. For personal tracking, a bi-weekly or monthly assessment is reasonable.

Beck Depression Inventory Helper

Name: Beck Depression Inventory Helper
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Answer the 21 BDI-II items, each scored 0–3, to get a total score (0–63) and a severity classification: minimal, mild, moderate, or severe depression.

This questionnaire consists of 21 groups of statements. For each group, select the statement that best describes how you have been feeling over the past two weeks including today.

Answer all 21 items and press Calculate Score to see your result.

Summary

Answer the 21 BDI-II items, each scored 0–3, to get a total score (0–63) and a severity classification: minimal, mild, moderate, or severe depression.

How it works

Read each of the 21 groups of statements describing a symptom over the past two weeks including today.
Select the statement that best describes how you have been feeling (scored 0–3).
Your total score updates automatically as you answer each item.
Press "Calculate Score" to see your total (0–63) and severity category.
A progress bar shows where your score falls on the full 0–63 scale.
Review the per-item breakdown and suggested next steps in the results panel.

Use cases

Prepare for a psychiatry or primary-care visit by quantifying depressive symptoms.
Track depression severity over time during or after treatment.
Clinicians use the BDI-II to screen patients and monitor treatment response.
Research studies requiring a standardized, validated depression measure.
Corporate wellness programs offering confidential mental health check-ins.
Use alongside the GAD-7 for a combined depression and anxiety screen.
Evaluate whether symptoms have improved since a last assessment.
Screen for depression following a major life event or medical diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-22 · Reviewed by Nham Vu