OCI-R · Obsessive-compulsive symptoms
Do I have OCD? Free OCI-R self-test
OCD Self-Test
The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Revised - a free OCD self-test.
Reviewed by Komel Kaur, Psychotherapist
Last reviewed 9 July 2026
18
Questions
~4
Minutes
Free
Always
What the OCI-R measures
The OCI-R (Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory - Revised) measures how much, over the past month, you have been distressed by 18 obsessive-compulsive experiences grouped into six symptom dimensions: washing, checking, ordering, obsessing (unwanted intrusive thoughts), hoarding, and mental neutralising.
Each item is scored 0-4, giving a total between 0 and 72. The dimensional structure means the OCI-R can flag which type of OCD symptoms are most prominent, not only overall severity.
Because OCD often looks very different from one person to the next - contamination fears in one, checking rituals in another, unwanted taboo thoughts in a third - the OCI-R's multi-dimensional design makes it more informative than a single-total measure.
Where the OCI-R came from
The OCI-R was published in 2002 by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan D. Huppert, Susanne Leiberg and colleagues in the journal Psychological Assessment, as a shorter, more reliable revision of the original 42-item OCI. The revision reduced item overlap between subscales, dropped the frequency scale (keeping only distress), and retained only three items per symptom dimension. Validation showed strong internal consistency and a screening cut-off of 21 producing sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 64% for OCD. It has since been translated into more than 20 languages.
How the OCI-R is scored
The OCI-R gives a total score and six subscale scores (washing, checking, ordering, obsessing, hoarding, neutralising). The conventional screening cut-off is a total of 21.
| Score | Severity | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0-20 | Below OCD screening cut-off | Symptoms unlikely to reflect OCD. Mild versions of these experiences are common and not diagnostic. |
| 21-35 | Probable OCD | Meets the standard OCI-R screening threshold. Formal evaluation and consideration of ERP therapy is recommended. |
| 36-72 | High symptom load | Substantial OCD-consistent symptoms. Specialist evaluation and evidence-based OCD treatment strongly recommended. |
How the OCI-R is used in clinical practice
The OCI-R is used in OCD specialty clinics as a screener at intake and as a repeat measure to track change during exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy - the first-line evidence-based treatment for OCD.
Its subscale structure helps clinicians tailor ERP hierarchies. A person scoring high on washing may need different exposures than one scoring high on obsessing.
It is also used alongside the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), which is the clinician-administered gold standard. The OCI-R gives quick self-report data; the Y-BOCS gives a structured clinical rating.
Limitations to keep in mind
- ·The OCI-R is a screen, not a diagnosis. Some people with OCD - particularly those with 'pure O' presentations dominated by intrusive thoughts without visible compulsions - can score below the cut-off.
- ·Symptoms overlap with other conditions: hoarding can occur in isolation, contamination fears can occur in anxiety, unwanted intrusive thoughts occur in almost everyone occasionally.
- ·It measures the past month. Presentations that wax and wane may look milder if the past month has been a quieter period.
- ·The cut-off of 21 has moderate specificity, meaning some people above the cut-off do not have OCD. A clinical interview is needed to sort this out.
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 OCI-R
What does OCI-R stand for?
OCI-R stands for Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory - Revised. It is an 18-item self-report measure of OCD symptoms across six dimensions.
What is a positive OCI-R score?
A total score of 21 or higher is the standard screening threshold for probable OCD. Higher scores indicate more severe or more widespread OCD symptoms.
Can the OCI-R diagnose OCD?
No. It is a screening tool. OCD is diagnosed via clinical interview, ideally using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) as the reference measure.
What is the difference between the OCI-R and the Y-BOCS?
The OCI-R is a short self-report screener you can complete on your own. The Y-BOCS is a longer, clinician-administered interview that is considered the gold-standard measure of OCD severity.
Can the OCI-R detect 'pure O' OCD?
Partly. The 'obsessing' subscale captures intrusive thoughts without compulsions, but pure obsessional presentations sometimes score below the total-score cut-off. If intrusive thoughts are the main problem, look at the obsessing subscale specifically.
Is the OCI-R free to use?
The OCI-R is copyrighted by its authors but is freely available for individual and non-commercial clinical use.
Reviewed by Komel Kaur, Psychotherapist
Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Foa EB, Huppert JD, Leiberg S, et al. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory: development and validation of a short version. Psychol Assess. 2002;14(4):485-496.