AUDIT Score Calculator - WHO Alcohol Use Test
The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) is the gold-standard screening questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization. Answer all ten questions honestly - each reflects drinking behaviour over the past year. Your total score (0-40), risk zone, AUDIT-C consumption subscore, and domain breakdown appear immediately. Scores are interpreted the same way for all adults; results are for informational use only and do not replace a clinical assessment.
What is the AUDIT?
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item screening questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization in the 1980s and validated across six countries. It is the most widely used brief alcohol screening instrument in primary care worldwide, recommended by the WHO, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the NHS, and many national health authorities. Unlike the older CAGE questionnaire, the AUDIT detects a full spectrum of alcohol problems - from hazardous drinking that has not yet caused harm, through harmful use, to probable dependence - rather than focusing only on severe dependency. It takes roughly two to five minutes to complete and can be self-administered or given by a clinician.
The three AUDIT domains
The ten questions are grouped into three clinically meaningful domains. Questions 1-3 form the consumption domain, measuring drinking frequency, typical quantity per session, and heavy drinking occasions. These three items also make up the AUDIT-C, a shorter validated version used in many primary care settings (positive screen: 3 or more for women, 4 or more for men). Questions 4-6 measure dependence symptoms - specifically loss of control over drinking, failure to meet normal expectations the next day, and morning drinking to relieve withdrawal. Any score above zero in this domain warrants clinical attention. Questions 7-10 cover harmful consequences: guilt or remorse after drinking, alcohol-related memory blackouts, injury to self or others, and concern expressed by others. Questions 9 and 10 are scored differently, using a 0 / 2 / 4 scale because they ask about lifetime events, not frequency over the past year.
How to interpret your score
A total of 0-7 is in the low-risk zone. This does not mean drinking is without any risk - current evidence suggests the safest level is the lowest possible - but it does mean your pattern is unlikely to cause significant harm. Scores of 8-15 indicate hazardous or risky drinking that increases your chance of harm over time, even without obvious current consequences. Brief counselling from a healthcare provider is highly effective at this level. Scores of 16-19 reflect harmful drinking, meaning alcohol is already causing physical or psychological damage. A score of 20 or above suggests possible alcohol dependence. Withdrawal from heavy alcohol use can be medically dangerous, so anyone in this range should seek professional guidance before attempting to cut down or stop.
Limitations and when to seek help
The AUDIT is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. A high score does not confirm a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder, and a low score does not guarantee that drinking is harmless. The questionnaire relies on self-reported behaviour, and people often underestimate their intake. Results can be affected by recent changes in drinking pattern, so the AUDIT reflects the past year rather than current behaviour. Certain groups - pregnant women, people on medications that interact with alcohol, older adults, and those with liver or mental health conditions - may face risks at levels that do not trigger a high AUDIT score. If your score is 8 or above, or if you have any concerns about your drinking regardless of your score, speaking with a GP or addiction specialist is the most important next step.
AUDIT Score Zones and Recommended Actions
| Score Range | Risk Zone | Interpretation | Recommended Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-7 | Low Risk | Alcohol use within low-risk guidelines | Alcohol education; reinforce positive behaviour |
| 8-15 | Hazardous / Moderate Risk | Hazardous or harmful consumption pattern | Simple brief advice from a clinician |
| 16-19 | Harmful / High Risk | Harmful drinking; likely consequences already present | Brief counselling and monitoring |
| 20-40 | Possible Dependence | Alcohol use disorder / dependence likely | Referral for specialist assessment and treatment |
Based on WHO AUDIT guidelines. The full AUDIT score ranges from 0 to 40. Scores for questions 9 and 10 use a 0/2/4 scale, so those items can only contribute 0, 2, or 4 points each.
Frequently asked questions
What is a "standard drink" for the purposes of the AUDIT?
The WHO defines one standard drink as a drink containing 10 grams of pure alcohol. In practice this is roughly one 330 ml can of regular beer (5%), one 150 ml glass of wine (12%), or one 40 ml measure of spirits (40%). Definitions vary slightly between countries - the UK unit is 8 g, the US standard drink is 14 g - so use the WHO figure when answering question 2 for the most accurate AUDIT score.
What is the AUDIT-C and how does it differ from the full AUDIT?
The AUDIT-C is a three-item shortened version of the AUDIT, consisting of questions 1, 2, and 3 only (total score 0-12). It screens quickly for hazardous or heavy drinking and is widely used in general practice and hospitals where time is limited. A positive screen is generally a score of 3 or more for women and 4 or more for men. Because it covers only the consumption domain, it misses dependence symptoms and harmful consequences, so a positive AUDIT-C result is typically followed by the full 10-question AUDIT.
Why do questions 9 and 10 have different answer options?
Questions 9 and 10 ask about injury and concern from others, events that may have happened at any point in someone's life rather than on a regular frequency. The response options are therefore "No" (0 points), "Yes, but not in the last year" (2 points), and "Yes, during the last year" (4 points). This 0/2/4 scale means each of those questions contributes a maximum of 4 points, the same as a daily-or-almost-daily response to the other questions.
Can I use this calculator instead of seeing a doctor?
No. The AUDIT is a screening tool designed to identify people who may benefit from further assessment, not a diagnostic instrument. If your score is 8 or above, or if you are worried about your drinking at any score level, you should discuss your results with a healthcare professional. Sudden cessation of heavy alcohol use can cause serious withdrawal symptoms including seizures, so medical supervision is strongly recommended before attempting to stop if you drink heavily.
Does a low AUDIT score mean my drinking is safe?
A low score means your drinking pattern is unlikely to cause significant harm in the near term based on the AUDIT's criteria, but it does not mean alcohol is risk-free. Current evidence from large epidemiological studies suggests that any amount of alcohol carries some level of health risk, including a small increase in certain cancer risks. The AUDIT helps identify people at meaningful risk; it is not an endorsement of drinking at any level.
What should I do if I score 20 or above?
A score of 20 or above suggests a high likelihood of alcohol dependence. It is important to seek professional help before trying to stop drinking on your own. Alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous, causing symptoms such as tremors, hallucinations, and seizures in people who are dependent. A doctor can provide medically supervised detoxification and connect you with treatment services. In the US, you can call SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Sources
- Babor TF, Higgins-Biddle JC, Saunders JB, Monteiro MG. AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Guidelines for Use in Primary Care. 2nd ed. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2001.
- Bush K, Kivlahan DR, McDonell MB, Fihn SD, Bradley KA. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C): an effective brief screening test for problem drinking. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(16):1789-1795.