GAD-7 scoring
Use the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) to support your clinical assessment. Enter the client’s responses below to calculate a total and review the severity band. This tool is for clinicians and supports, rather than replaces, a clinical interview.
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?
Answered 0 of 7
Running total: 0 / 21
Answer every scored item to see the result and copy it.
Answers stay in this browser. Nothing is saved or sent.
How to score the GAD-7
- Ask the client to consider the last two weeks and choose one answer for each of the 7 symptom items.
- Assign each answer its points: Not at all (0), Several days (1), More than half the days (2), Nearly every day (3).
- Add the scored answers for a total from 0 to 21. Do not add the optional difficulty question.
- Compare the complete total with the severity bands below, then review it with the client in a clinical interview.
GAD-7 severity bands
| Total score | Severity |
|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | minimal |
| 5 to 9 | mild |
| 10 to 14 | moderate |
| 15 to 21 | severe |
What the score means and what it does not
A total of 10 or more is the usual cut-off for further assessment. The GAD-7 is a screening measure, not a diagnosis. Confirm findings with a clinical interview, including symptoms, daily functioning, history, and other possible explanations. A low total does not rule out an anxiety disorder.
Using the GAD-7 over time
Use the GAD-7 at intake and every few weeks when clinically appropriate. Track change alongside the client’s daily functioning and clinical interview. Each response covers the last two weeks; use that same recall period when repeating it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good GAD-7 score?
Scores from 0 to 4 fall in the minimal range. Discuss the score alongside the client’s symptoms and daily functioning rather than treating a number as a universal target.
What does a GAD-7 score of 10 mean?
A score of 10 is in the moderate range and meets the usual cut-off for further assessment. Confirm findings with a clinical interview.
How often should I repeat the GAD-7?
Consider intake and every few weeks, depending on clinical need. Keep the same two-week recall period and discuss changes with the client.
Can clients fill in the GAD-7 themselves?
Yes. It is a self-report measure. Review the answers with the client and clarify anything unclear.
Does the GAD-7 diagnose anxiety?
No. It screens for symptoms and measures their severity. A diagnosis requires a clinical assessment; the total alone is not enough.
Is the difficulty question included in the GAD-7 total?
No. Only the seven symptom items contribute to the total of 0 to 21. The optional difficulty question helps you discuss daily functioning.
Sources
The GAD-7 was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute it.