What is the BDI-II?
The Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-II) is a widely used 21-item self-report questionnaire that measures the severity of depressive symptoms over the previous two weeks. Each item presents statements describing a symptom (such as sadness, pessimism, or loss of energy) ranked in intensity, and the respondent chooses the value that best fits, scored from 0 to 3. This calculator adds your 21 item scores and places the total within the standard severity bands.
Note: this tool is for educational and self-tracking purposes only. It does not diagnose depression and should not replace evaluation by a qualified clinician. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help immediately.
How to use it
For each of the 21 items, enter the number (0, 1, 2, or 3) corresponding to the statement you most agree with. Higher numbers indicate more severe symptoms. After filling all items, the calculator sums them into a total out of 63 and reports the matching severity category.
The formula explained
The score is a simple sum:
$$\text{Score} = \text{q}_1 + \text{q}_2 + \cdots + \text{q}_{21}$$where every \(q\) is between 0 and 3. The minimum possible total is 0 and the maximum is 63. Cut-offs are: 0–13 minimal, 14–19 mild, 20–28 moderate, and 29–63 severe depression.
Worked example
Suppose a respondent scores 2 on the first ten items and 1 on the remaining eleven items. The total is
$$(2 \times 10) + (1 \times 11) = 20 + 11 = 31$$A score of 31 falls in the 29–63 range, indicating severe depression.
FAQ
What is a normal BDI-II score? A total of 0–13 is considered the minimal range and is typical of people without significant depressive symptoms.
Can this calculator diagnose depression? No. The BDI-II is a screening and severity-tracking instrument. Only a licensed professional can make a clinical diagnosis.
What is the highest possible score? 63, which occurs when all 21 items are answered with the maximum value of 3.
