CES-D
The CES-D measures depressive symptomatology in the general population over the past week. Developed for community and research use, it's a brief, free self-report scale with a well-known cutoff.
What the CES-D measures
The CES-D asks how often a person experienced 20 depression-related feelings and behaviors over the past week, from mood and guilt to appetite and sleep. It was developed by the NIMH for epidemiologic research and is widely used as a free screening measure.
Who it's for
Adults in community, primary-care, and research settings. It is a screening measure of symptom level, not a diagnostic instrument.
Scoring
Each of the 20 items is scored 0–3 (four are reverse-scored), for a total of 0–60. A score of 16 or above is the standard cutoff suggesting clinically significant depressive symptoms that warrant further assessment.
Severity bands
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0–15 | Below cutoff |
| 16+ | Significant depressive symptoms |
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Start freeAll assessmentsFrequently asked questions
What is a high CES-D score?
A total of 16 or above is the conventional cutoff for clinically significant depressive symptoms. Higher scores indicate greater symptom burden, up to a maximum of 60.
Is the CES-D a diagnosis of depression?
No. The CES-D measures the level of depressive symptoms over the past week. A score above the cutoff indicates further evaluation is warranted, not a diagnosis.
In crisis? Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) — free, confidential, 24/7. This page is educational and is not a diagnostic tool or a substitute for professional evaluation.