BDI-II · Depression (extended)
How depressed am I? Free Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) test
In-Depth Depression Self-Test
The Beck Depression Inventory - a deeper 21-item depression severity test.
Reviewed by Komel Kaur, Psychotherapist
Last reviewed 9 July 2026
21
Questions
~6
Minutes
Free
Always
What the BDI-II measures
The BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) measures the severity of depressive symptoms using 21 groups of statements. For each item you pick the statement that best describes how you have been feeling recently. Items cover mood, pessimism, sense of failure, loss of pleasure, guilt, self-dislike, self-blame, suicidal ideation, crying, irritability, social withdrawal, indecisiveness, self-image, work difficulty, sleep, fatigue, appetite, weight, health worry, and loss of libido.
Each item is scored 0-3, giving a total between 0 and 63. Higher scores indicate more severe depression across a broader range of cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms than shorter screeners capture.
Because the BDI covers more territory than the PHQ-9, it is often preferred in psychotherapy settings where a fuller picture of self-image, guilt, and cognitive symptoms matters, and less common in fast primary-care screening.
Where the BDI-II came from
The original Beck Depression Inventory was developed by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck and colleagues in 1961, based on his clinical observations of the specific thought patterns depressed patients described. It marked a turning point in psychiatry: the first depression measure derived from patients' own words rather than the observer's interpretation. It went through two major revisions - the BDI-IA in 1978 and the BDI-II in 1996 - to align with updated DSM criteria. It is one of the most cited and widely studied psychiatric instruments in history, with hundreds of validation studies across languages and populations.
How the BDI-II is scored
The BDI total score maps to four broad severity bands. The specific cut-offs below correspond to the original BDI; the BDI-II uses slightly different thresholds (14-19, 20-28, 29+).
| Score | Severity | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0-9 | Minimal depression | Symptoms within the normal range. |
| 10-18 | Mild to moderate depression | Depressive symptoms present - worth taking seriously, worth talking about. |
| 19-29 | Moderate to severe depression | Symptoms significant enough that structured treatment is typically recommended. |
| 30-63 | Severe depression | Active treatment strongly recommended, often with combined therapy and medication support. |
How the BDI-II is used in clinical practice
The BDI is often used in psychotherapy as a baseline measure at intake and repeated every few weeks to track how depression is shifting. Because it captures cognitive symptoms (self-blame, hopelessness, sense of failure) in more depth than the PHQ-9, it is particularly useful for cognitive-behavioural work.
It is also widely used in clinical research as an outcome measure for trials of psychotherapy and antidepressants, which is one reason it has such a large validation literature.
Some clinicians prefer the shorter PHQ-9 for busy primary-care use and the BDI for depth work in ongoing therapy - the two are not competitors; they measure the same construct with different resolution.
Limitations to keep in mind
- ·The BDI is a screen, not a diagnosis. A high score suggests significant depressive symptoms; only a clinician, considering your history and context, can diagnose major depressive disorder.
- ·The BDI (original 1961 version) asks about the past week; the BDI-II asks about the past two weeks. The version matters when comparing scores or reading the literature.
- ·Physical items (appetite, sleep, weight, fatigue) can be elevated for reasons other than depression - medical illness, pregnancy, medication effects - so scores in older adults or medically ill populations should be interpreted carefully.
- ·The BDI-II is copyrighted and clinical use in institutions typically requires purchase. Free online versions usually reproduce the original BDI, which is what is offered here.
Before you start
- · Find a quiet few minutes - answer honestly, not how you wish you felt.
- · There are no right or wrong answers. Pick what feels closest.
- · This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
- · If anything brings up something heavy, support is at the end.
Common questions about the BDI-II
What does BDI stand for?
BDI stands for Beck Depression Inventory, named after its creator, psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck.
How is the BDI different from the PHQ-9?
Both measure depression severity. The BDI has 21 items covering more cognitive symptoms (self-image, guilt, sense of failure) in depth; the PHQ-9 has 9 items mapped directly to DSM criteria and is faster. In therapy settings the BDI is often preferred; in primary care the PHQ-9 usually is.
What is a normal BDI score?
A total of 0-9 on the original BDI is considered within the normal range. Scores above 10 suggest depressive symptoms worth attention.
What does a high BDI score mean?
Scores in the 19-29 range suggest moderate to severe depression and are a strong indication to speak with a mental health professional. Scores of 30 or above suggest severe depression and warrant prompt professional support.
Is the BDI accurate?
The BDI is one of the most heavily validated psychiatric self-report measures in existence, with strong reliability and validity across languages and populations. Like any self-report tool, its accuracy depends on you answering honestly and thoughtfully.
Can the BDI diagnose depression?
No. The BDI is a screening and severity measure, not a diagnostic instrument. Diagnosis requires a clinical interview.
Reviewed by Komel Kaur, Psychotherapist
Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelson M, Mock J, Erbaugh J. An inventory for measuring depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1961;4:561-571.