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BDI-II — Beck Depression Inventory

Beck, Steer & Brown, 199621 items · single scale5–10 min (self-report)Self-report · score calculatorRU · EN
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CalculatorAboutCut-offsClinical useSourcesFAQ

What the BDI-II measures

The Beck Depression Inventory–II (Beck, Steer & Brown, 1996) is one of the most widely used self-report measures of depressive symptom severity in adults and adolescents (from age 13). Revised to align with DSM-IV criteria, its 21 items rate affective, cognitive, and somatic features of depression over the past two weeks.

Unlike PHQ-9 (9 items, mapped to the DSM criteria and convenient for a quick screen), the BDI-II grades severity in more detail on a 0–63 scale and gives fuller weight to the cognitive component (self-criticism, pessimism, guilt). It is completed by the respondent.

Research identifies cognitive-affective and somatic factors within a general depression factor; the platform computes and shows the total score only (0–63).
BDI-II item wording is copyrighted (Pearson). This page is a calculator and reference: it does not reproduce the question text. To complete the questionnaire, use an official licensed BDI-II form. The result reflects symptom severity and is a guide, not a diagnosis; it does not replace a clinician's judgment. If scores are high or you have thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help.

Severity cut-offs

BDI-II — total-score severity bands (Beck, Steer & Brown, 1996)
Score rangeSeverityClinical meaning
0–13MinimalMinimal level of depressive symptoms
14–19MildMild level of depressive symptoms
20–28ModerateModerate level of depressive symptoms
29–63SevereHigh level of depressive symptoms

Use in clinical practice

The BDI-II is used to gauge baseline depression severity and to monitor change over time (repeat measurements at intervals). It is a severity measure, not a diagnostic test.

Baseline severity

The total score on its own does not establish a depressive-disorder diagnosis, which a clinician makes from a full clinical assessment. Somatic items can inflate the score in people with physical illness.

Monitoring and risk

Item 9 concerns suicidal ideation: any positive response calls for a direct suicide-risk assessment (the BDI-II is not a risk-assessment tool). At high (severe) scores, prioritise clinical assessment and a safety check.

The optimal screening cut-off varies by population (medical / psychiatric / general samples); treat the standard bands as severity grades, not a universal diagnostic threshold.

Sources

  • Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown GK. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation; 1996.
  • Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelson M, Mock J, Erbaugh J. An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry. 1961;4:561–571.
  • Wang Y-P, Gorenstein C. Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-II: a comprehensive review. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. 2013;35(4):416–431.
  • Huang C, Chen J-H. Meta-analysis of the factor structures of the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Assessment. 2015;22(4):459–472.
  • Vanheule S, Desmet M, Groenvynck H, Rosseel Y, Fontaine J. The factor structure of the Beck Depression Inventory-II: an evaluation. Assessment. 2008;15(2):177–187.
BDI-II calculator

Enter the BDI-II total score (0–63):

/ 63

Clinical use of the BDI-II

Questions about scoring, severity bands, and the scale's limits

Add the scores of all 21 items (each 0–3); the total ranges 0–63. There are no multipliers or reverse items. Here you can enter either a ready total or per-item scores.
Standard severity bands: 0–13 minimal, 14–19 mild, 20–28 moderate, 29–63 severe. These are severity bands, not a diagnostic threshold; the optimal screening cut-off varies by population.
PHQ-9 is shorter (9 items), maps directly to the 9 DSM depression criteria and suits quick screening; BDI-II is longer (21 items, 0–63), grades severity in more detail and emphasises cognitive content. Both are self-reports and neither replaces diagnosis.
BDI-II (1996) revised the original BDI (1961/1978) to align with DSM-IV: several items were changed (e.g., agitation, loss of energy, concentration added) and the timeframe extended to two weeks (one week in BDI-I). Severity bands differ — do not apply BDI-I norms to BDI-II.
No. The BDI-II indicates symptom severity as a guide; a depressive-disorder diagnosis requires clinical assessment by a professional. Seek help if scores are high.
The BDI-II item wording is copyrighted (Pearson). This page therefore works as a score calculator: you enter your total or per-item scores and we compute the severity band and interpretation. Use the official licensed form for the questionnaire itself.
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BDI-II — one of 44 instruments in your practice

Record BDI-II totals, get the severity band automatically, and track session-to-session change without manual entry.

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Used together with the BDI-II

Depression · self-report
PHQ-9

A short depression screen (0–27) mapped to the DSM criteria; a quick alternative for screening and monitoring.

Open
Anxiety / Depression
HADS

A self-report scale without somatic items; useful when physical symptoms would distort a depression rating.

Open
Depression · clinician-rated
HAM-D

A clinician-rated severity scale from a structured interview; complements the self-report BDI-II from the observer's side.

Open
Hopelessness
BHS

A related Beck-family scale measuring hopelessness as a suicide-risk factor; relevant when item 9 of the BDI-II is positive.

Coming soon
This tool is intended for mental-health professionals. BDI-II item wording is copyrighted (Pearson) and is not reproduced here; use an official licensed form to administer the questionnaire. The assessment period is the past two weeks. Results reflect symptom severity, are informational, do not replace clinical judgment, and are not a diagnosis. If scores are high or there are thoughts of self-harm, seek professional help.
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