EPDS Calculator

Answer all 10 Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questions about the past 7 days to get your total score out of 30, a depression-likelihood category, and a safety flag for Question 10.

Quick Facts

Score range
0-30 points
Sum of 10 items, each scored 0-3 based on symptoms over the past 7 days.
Common cutoff
Score of 13 or higher
Widely used threshold for probable depression; 9-12 is often treated as borderline.
Question 10 override
Any score above 0
Thoughts of self-harm on Question 10 warrant prompt follow-up regardless of the total score.

Your Results

Calculated
Total EPDS Score
-
Sum of all 10 items, out of 30
Depression Likelihood
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Based on standard score bands
Question 10 Safety Flag
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Self-harm thoughts item
Suggested Next Step
-
Educational guidance, not a diagnosis

Ready

Answer all 10 questions about the past 7 days, then press Calculate.

How the EPDS Score Is Calculated

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a validated 10-item self-report questionnaire developed by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky (1987) to screen for depressive symptoms during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth. Each item asks how you have felt over the past 7 days, with four possible responses scored 0-3. This calculator sums all 10 item scores into a total from 0 to 30, then reports the standard likelihood band and a dedicated safety flag for Question 10.

Scoring each item and reading the total

Items 1, 2, and 4 are scored in ascending order (the least-symptomatic answer is 0, the most-symptomatic is 3). Items 3 and 5 through 10 are reverse-scored, so "yes, most of the time" or similarly severe answers are worth 3 points and "never"/"not at all" answers are worth 0 — this keeps the point value consistent with symptom severity across every question. Total score = sum of all 10 item scores, ranging from 0 (no reported symptoms) to 30 (maximum reported symptoms).

What the cutoff scores mean

A total of 0-8 is generally considered a low probability of depression. A score of 9-12 is borderline and often prompts a repeat screen in a few weeks or a conversation with a provider. A score of 13 or higher is the most widely cited cutoff for probable depression and typically warrants a clinical evaluation. These bands come from validation studies and vary slightly by country and population, so treat them as guidance for a conversation with a clinician, not a diagnosis.

Question 10 and safety

Question 10 asks specifically about thoughts of self-harm. Any answer other than "Never" (a score above 0) is flagged by this calculator as a safety concern that deserves prompt follow-up with a healthcare provider, regardless of the total score. If you are currently in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line right away (in the US, call or text 988). This tool is educational and intended to support — not replace — a conversation with a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EPDS and what does it measure?
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a validated 10-item questionnaire used to screen for depressive symptoms during pregnancy and in the year after childbirth. It asks about mood, anxiety, and enjoyment over the past 7 days and produces a total score from 0 to 30. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
How is the EPDS score calculated?
Each of the 10 questions is answered on a 4-point scale and scored 0-3, with several items reverse-scored so that 3 always reflects the response of greatest concern. The calculator adds all 10 item scores together for a total ranging from 0 to 30.
What EPDS score indicates possible postnatal depression?
A commonly cited cutoff is a score of 13 or higher, which suggests probable depression and typically warrants clinical evaluation. Scores of 9-12 are considered borderline and are often re-screened or discussed with a provider. These thresholds vary somewhat by study population, so treat them as guidance rather than a diagnosis.
What should I do if I have thoughts of harming myself (Question 10)?
Any response other than "Never" on Question 10 is treated as a safety flag regardless of the total score, and calls for prompt follow-up with a healthcare provider or mental health professional. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line (in the US, call or text 988) right away.

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