Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
20-item depression screening (Radloff, 1977)
Assess depressive symptoms over the past week. The CES-D was developed by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health and is the most widely used depression screening tool for epidemiological research. 20 items, about 5-7 minutes. Suitable for the general population.
Scoring Guide
Total score 0-60. 0-15=Minimal, 16-21=Mild (cutoff ≥16: sensitivity 87%, specificity 70%), 22-25=Moderate, 26-60=Severe. Note: 4 reverse-scored items (Q4, Q8, Q12, Q16). Screening tool, not diagnostic.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 20 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed instantly on screen. No account, email, or login required.