BAI
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a 21-item measure of anxiety severity that emphasizes physical symptoms, which helps distinguish anxiety from depression. It's copyrighted — here's what it measures, plus free alternatives.
What the BAI measures
The BAI asks about 21 anxiety symptoms over the past week, weighted toward physical signs — racing heart, dizziness, trembling — which is part of why it separates anxiety from depression relatively well.
Who it's for
Adolescents and adults. It measures symptom severity, not a diagnosis.
Scoring
The 21 items are summed for a total of 0–63, with the standard severity bands above.
Severity bands
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0–7 | Minimal |
| 8–15 | Mild |
| 16–25 | Moderate |
| 26–63 | Severe |
How to access the BAI
The BAI is copyrighted and published by Pearson; it must be licensed for use, and its items cannot be reproduced freely. The free alternatives below measure anxiety severity and are available at no cost.
Free alternatives you can use today
These validated measures cover similar clinical ground, are free to use, and are built into Theracharts:
- GAD-7 — a free, 7-item generalized anxiety measure — the most common free alternative.
- DASS-21 — a free instrument with a validated anxiety subscale alongside depression and stress.
Interpreting a single score is only half the picture — knowing when a change is real matters too. See how assessment scoring works for severity bands, cutoffs, and reliable change.
Score and track it automatically
Theracharts auto-scores validated assessments, applies the severity bands, flags reliable change, and charts the trend across treatment. Free for up to 10 clients.
Get started freeAll assessmentsFrequently asked questions
Is the Beck Anxiety Inventory free?
No. The BAI is copyrighted and published by Pearson and must be licensed. Free alternatives for anxiety severity include the GAD-7 and the DASS-21 anxiety subscale.
What is a free alternative to the BAI?
The GAD-7 is the most common free, validated alternative for anxiety severity, and the DASS-21 includes a validated anxiety subscale. Both are free and built into Theracharts.
This page is educational. Validated measures are screening and monitoring tools, not diagnoses — interpret every score in clinical context.