Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
How much stress have you felt in the past month?
How stressed have you felt over the past month? The PSS-10 measures perceived stress - not how many things are on your plate, but how much of it feels out of control. 10 items, about 3 minutes.
How much stress is too much?
Stress is unavoidable. But when stress becomes chronic — when you feel overwhelmed, unable to cope, and constantly on edge — it takes a real toll on both mind and body.
The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) measures how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded you've felt over the past month. It doesn't ask about specific events — instead, it captures your subjective experience of stress.
What the scores mean
- 0–13: Low stress
- 14–26: Moderate stress
- 27–40: High perceived stress
About this scale
Sheldon Cohen developed the PSS in 1983. The 10-item version (PSS-10) is the most widely used, though a 4-item version (PSS-4) exists for brief screenings.
- Internal consistency: α = 0.84–0.86
- Test-retest reliability: r = 0.85
- Score range: 0–40
- Completion time: 3–5 minutes
Scoring Guide
PSS-10 reverse scoring: Items 4, 5, 7, 8 are reverse-scored (0→4, 1→3, 2→2, 3→1, 4→0). Total = sum of direct items + sum of reversed items. Range: 0-40.Result Interpretation
After completing the 10 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 on screen. No account or login needed.