How are BDI-II scores interpreted?

0–13: Minimal depression. 14–19: Mild depression. 20–28: Moderate depression. 29–63: Severe depression. A change of 5+ points is generally considered clinically significant. Item 9 (suicidal thoughts) should always be reviewed regardless of total score.

How does the BDI-II compare to the PHQ-9?

The BDI-II has 21 items (takes 5–10 min) vs 9 items for the PHQ-9 (2–3 min). The BDI-II provides finer-grained severity measurement and is more common in research. The PHQ-9 is briefer, freely available, and more common in primary care screening. Both are well-validated for depression assessment.

Online Medical Tools — BDI-II Score

Printed on 2/13/2026

For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.

Mental Health

BDI-II Score

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is a 21-item self-report measure of depression severity in adults and adolescents aged 13+. Each item is scored 0–3, giving a total of 0–63. It was developed by Aaron Beck in 1996 as a revision of the original BDI to align with DSM-IV criteria. The BDI-II is one of the most cited depression instruments in psychiatric research. Severity bands: 0–13 minimal, 14–19 mild, 20–28 moderate, 29–63 severe. Note: the BDI-II is a copyrighted instrument — this tool interprets the total score only.

Compare with PHQ-9

Formula: Sum of 21 items (each 0–3). Total: 0–63. Minimal ≤13, Mild 14–19, Moderate 20–28, Severe 29–63.

Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.

Key References

Beck AT, Steer RA, Brown GK. Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation; 1996.

Related Tools

Mental Health

PHQ-9

Screen for depression severity using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Score ranges from 0 to 27 across five severity categories.

Mental Health

MDI Depression Scale

Screen for depression using the WHO-endorsed Major Depression Inventory (MDI). A 10-item self-report questionnaire scoring 0–50.

Mental Health

GAD-7

Screen for generalized anxiety disorder using the GAD-7. Score ranges from 0 to 21 across four severity categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

The BDI-II is a 21-item self-report questionnaire developed by Aaron Beck to measure depression severity. Each item has 4 statements (scored 0–3) reflecting increasing symptom severity. Items cover sadness, pessimism, past failure, loss of pleasure, guilty feelings, punishment feelings, self-dislike, self-criticalness, suicidal thoughts, crying, agitation, loss of interest, indecisiveness, worthlessness, energy loss, sleep changes, irritability, appetite changes, concentration, fatigue, and loss of interest in sex.