Anxiety Severity Calculator
Score the full GAD-7 anxiety questionnaire: seven symptoms over the last 2 weeks, each rated 0–3, for a total of 0–21 with the official cut-offs (5, 10, 15). A screening aid to discuss with a clinician, not a diagnosis.
Last updated: September 2026
GAD-7 Total Score
0 points (0-21)
Formula below · 4 sources (nimh.nih.gov, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, apa.org, Wikipedia) · Updated Sep 2026
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About this calculator
This calculator scores the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7; Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams & Löwe, 2006). It asks how often, over the last 2 weeks, you have been bothered by: (1) feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge; (2) not being able to stop or control worrying; (3) worrying too much about different things; (4) trouble relaxing; (5) being so restless that it is hard to sit still; (6) becoming easily annoyed or irritable; (7) feeling afraid, as if something awful might happen. Each answer scores 0 (not at all), 1 (several days), 2 (more than half the days) or 3 (nearly every day), and the total is the simple sum, 0–21. Official severity cut-offs: 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–21 severe anxiety. A total of 10 or more is the recommended threshold for further evaluation; in the validation study it identified generalized anxiety disorder with 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity, and it also flags panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and PTSD reasonably well. The first two items alone form the GAD-2, which is positive at 3 or more. The GAD-7 is a screening tool, not a diagnosis; a clinician confirms an anxiety disorder with an interview that also considers duration (6 months for GAD) and impairment.
How to use
Answer each of the seven questions for the last 2 weeks. Example: nervous = 2, can't stop worrying = 3, worrying too much = 2, trouble relaxing = 2, restless = 1, irritable = 2, afraid something awful might happen = 1. Total = 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 13, in the moderate band (10–14). Because it is 10 or more, the GAD-7 recommends further evaluation by a doctor or mental health professional. All "Not at all" gives 0 and all "Nearly every day" gives the maximum of 21. The first two answers here add up to 5, so the GAD-2 short screen (positive at 3 or more) would also be positive.
Frequently asked questions
What does a moderate GAD-7 anxiety score mean and when should I seek help?
A moderate score indicates that anxiety symptoms are frequent enough and intense enough to likely interfere with daily life, relationships, or work performance. At this level, symptoms have typically moved beyond ordinary stress into patterns that feel difficult to control. Mental health guidelines recommend professional consultation when GAD-7 equivalent scores reach the moderate range, as early intervention with therapy or, if appropriate, medication significantly improves outcomes. You do not need to wait until symptoms are severe before asking for help — moderate anxiety is very treatable.
How is generalized anxiety disorder different from normal everyday worry?
Everyone worries, but GAD is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple areas of life (health, finances, work, relationships) that persists for at least six months and causes significant distress or functional impairment. The GAD-7 captures this by specifically asking whether worry is hard to stop or control, not just whether it occurs. Physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep disruption are also hallmarks that distinguish GAD from situational stress. A clinician evaluates not just symptom severity but also duration and the degree to which symptoms impair normal functioning.
Can anxiety severity scores fluctuate week to week and how often should I reassess?
Yes — anxiety scores can vary considerably based on life circumstances, sleep quality, physical health, and external stressors. A single high score during an exceptionally stressful week does not necessarily indicate a disorder, while consistently elevated scores over several weeks are more diagnostically meaningful. Clinicians typically use the GAD-7 at monthly intervals to track treatment response, and many people find weekly self-monitoring useful for spotting triggers and trends. If you notice your scores rising over two or more consecutive weeks without an obvious temporary cause, that pattern warrants professional review.