Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
Answer 10 questions about the past month, get a PSS-10 score (0–40), and see whether your stress level is low, moderate, or high.
Rate each item based on how often you felt or thought a certain way over the past month. There are no right or wrong answers.
1 In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?
2 In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?
3 In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and stressed?
4 In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems? (reverse-scored)
5 In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way? (reverse-scored)
6 In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things you had to do?
7 In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life? (reverse-scored)
8 In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things? (reverse-scored)
9 In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that were outside of your control?
10 In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?
Answer all 10 questions and click Calculate to see your score.
Score Breakdown
Summary
Answer 10 questions about the past month, get a PSS-10 score (0–40), and see whether your stress level is low, moderate, or high.
How it works
- Rate each of the 10 statements from 0 (Never) to 4 (Very Often) based on your experience in the last month.
- Four items (4, 5, 7, 8) measure positive coping and are reverse-scored: 0→4, 1→3, 2→2, 3→1, 4→0.
- The remaining six items are scored as answered.
- All 10 scores are summed into a total between 0 and 40.
- Your total is classified: 0–13 low stress, 14–26 moderate stress, 27–40 high perceived stress.
Use cases
- Screen yourself for stress levels before a doctor or counselor appointment.
- Track changes in perceived stress over time by retaking the scale monthly.
- Understand whether work or life changes have meaningfully shifted your stress level.
- Use as a self-check after starting a mindfulness, exercise, or therapy program.