Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
Answer 10 standardized EPDS questions to calculate your postnatal depression risk score (0–30) and see guidance on next steps.
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a 10-question screen for depression in pregnancy and after birth.
Use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
Please select the answer that comes closest to how you have felt in the past 7 days, not just how you feel today.
1.I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things.
2.I have looked forward with enjoyment to things.
3.I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong.
4.I have been anxious or worried for no good reason.
5.I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason.
6.Things have been getting on top of me.
7.I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping.
8.I have felt sad or miserable.
9.I have been so unhappy that I have been crying.
10.The thought of harming myself has occurred to me.
Answer all 10 questions and press Calculate Score to see your result.
Quick answer
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a 10-question screen for depression in pregnancy and after birth. Each answer scores 0 to 3, so totals run from 0 to 30. It is not a diagnosis: a high score means you should talk to your midwife, health visitor or doctor.
Examples
| EPDS result | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 0–9 | Below the usual cut-offs |
| 10–12 | Possible depression: talk to your care team |
| 13–30 | Probable depression: ask for a full assessment soon |
| Question 10 scored above 0 | Thoughts of self-harm: get help today, whatever the total |
Answer the 10 questions.
Summary
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a validated 10-item self-report questionnaire developed by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky (1987) to screen for depression in new mothers during the postnatal period and, more broadly, throughout pregnancy. Each item is scored 0–3, giving a total of 0–30. A score of 13 or above is commonly used as a clinical cut-off indicating likely depression, though lower thresholds (10–12) are sometimes applied during pregnancy. This tool calculates your score entirely in your browser — no data is sent to any server.
How it works
- Read each question carefully — they ask how you have felt over the past 7 days.
- Select the response that best describes how you have felt for each of the 10 items.
- Each answer is scored 0–3 (note: some items are reverse-scored by the scale).
- Press Calculate Score to see your total (0–30) and the corresponding risk category.
- If your score is elevated, use the guidance shown to contact a healthcare provider.
Use cases
- Screen for postnatal depression symptoms in the weeks after childbirth.
- Antenatal screening during the third trimester for perinatal depression risk.
- Help new mothers recognize symptoms before a midwife or GP appointment.
- Track symptom changes between routine postnatal check-ups.
- Support clinical conversations by providing a standardized baseline score.
- Health education and midwifery training on perinatal mental health assessment.