Audit Score Calculator

Add up the three AUDIT-C consumption questions to get a 0-12 alcohol-use screening score, then compare it against the sex-specific cutoff for hazardous drinking.

Quick Facts

Formula
Score = Q1 + Q2 + Q3, each 0-4 (range 0-12)
The AUDIT-C is the consumption subset of the WHO AUDIT. Positive screen: 4+ for men, 3+ for women.

Your Results

Calculated
AUDIT-C score
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Sum of the three items (0-12)
Screen result
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Compared to your cutoff
Your cutoff
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Sex-specific positive threshold
Risk level
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Interpretation band

Ready

Answer the three questions, choose sex, then calculate your AUDIT-C score.

About the AUDIT-C alcohol screening score

This calculator scores the AUDIT-C, the three-question consumption subset of the World Health Organization's Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Each question is scored from 0 to 4, and the three answers are added to give a total from 0 to 12. It is a screening aid for educational and informational use, not a diagnosis. A positive screen means a conversation with a healthcare professional is worthwhile, not that a disorder is present.

How the AUDIT-C is scored

The score is a simple sum of three items: Q1 (how often you drink) plus Q2 (how many drinks on a typical drinking day) plus Q3 (how often you have six or more drinks on one occasion), each answered on a 0-4 scale. Higher totals reflect heavier or more frequent drinking. In the AUDIT-C, one standard drink means roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol - about a 12 oz regular beer, a 5 oz glass of wine, or a 1.5 oz shot of spirits.

Interpreting your score

  • The standard positive-screen cutoff is 4 or more for men and 3 or more for women. At or above that threshold, the screen is considered positive for hazardous drinking or a possible alcohol use disorder.
  • Higher scores carry more concern: totals of 8 or more (either sex) are strongly associated with active alcohol use disorders in the research that validated the tool.
  • A screen is a starting point, not a diagnosis. It does not account for medications, pregnancy, other health conditions, or the reasons behind your drinking.

Important disclaimer

This tool does not constitute medical advice and cannot diagnose an alcohol use disorder. Use it to reflect on your drinking, and discuss a positive screen or any concerns with a licensed healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AUDIT-C and what does it measure?
The AUDIT-C is the three-item consumption portion of the World Health Organization AUDIT questionnaire. It asks how often you drink, how many drinks you have on a typical drinking day, and how often you have six or more drinks at once. Each answer scores 0 to 4, for a total of 0 to 12 that reflects how risky your drinking pattern is.
What AUDIT-C score is considered a positive screen?
The standard cutoff is 4 or more for men and 3 or more for women. A total at or above your cutoff is a positive screen for hazardous drinking, and scores of 8 or higher are strongly linked to alcohol use disorders. A positive screen is not a diagnosis.
How is the AUDIT-C different from the full AUDIT?
The full AUDIT has 10 questions and scores 0 to 40, adding items about dependence symptoms and alcohol-related harm. The AUDIT-C uses only the first three consumption questions and scores 0 to 12 as a faster screen. A positive AUDIT-C is often followed up with the full AUDIT.
What should I do if my screen is positive?
A positive screen means it is worth talking with a doctor or other healthcare professional, who can ask more questions and, if needed, complete the full AUDIT. It does not by itself mean you have an alcohol use disorder.

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