GAD-7 Anxiety Calculator
The GAD-7 is a validated seven-item screening questionnaire for generalized anxiety disorder. Answer each item for how often it bothered you over the last two weeks, and this tool sums the points into a 0 to 21 total, maps it to a severity band, calculates the GAD-2 ultra-brief subscale from the first two items, and factors in an optional functional impairment question. Results are a screening estimate only and do not replace evaluation by a qualified clinician.
Formula
Worked example
Suppose the seven item scores are 2, 3, 2, 1, 0, 2, 1. Their sum is 11. A total of 11 falls in the moderate anxiety band (10 to 14), and because 11 is at or above both 8 and 10 it screens positive under both cutoffs. The GAD-2 subscale from items 1 and 2 is 2 + 3 = 5, which places it in the "Possible GAD" range and would normally prompt a full GAD-7 assessment.
How the GAD-7 is scored
The GAD-7 lists seven symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. For each one you rate how often it has bothered you over the past two weeks: not at all scores 0, several days scores 1, more than half the days scores 2, and nearly every day scores 3. Adding the seven responses gives a total between 0 and 21. The total is then matched to a severity band, with higher scores reflecting more frequent and more disruptive anxiety symptoms. The scale was developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, and Lowe (2006) and validated in large primary care samples.
Reading your severity band and the screening cutoffs
The validated severity bands are minimal (0 to 4), mild (5 to 9), moderate (10 to 14), and severe (15 to 21). Two cutoff scores are in clinical use. The most commonly cited is 10 or greater, at which the GAD-7 has 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for generalized anxiety disorder. A lower cutoff of 8 or greater is sometimes preferred when missing cases matters more than avoiding false positives; at this threshold sensitivity rises to 92% with a specificity of 76%. The GAD-7 also shows reasonable performance for screening panic disorder (sensitivity 74%, specificity 81%), social anxiety disorder (sensitivity 72%, specificity 80%), and PTSD (sensitivity 66%, specificity 81%) at the 10-point cutoff. A higher score does not by itself confirm a diagnosis: it signals that a fuller clinical evaluation is worthwhile.
The GAD-2 ultra-brief subscale
The first two items of the GAD-7 (feeling nervous or anxious, and not being able to stop or control worrying) form the GAD-2, a two-item screening tool that takes less than a minute to complete. The GAD-2 score ranges from 0 to 6; a score of 3 or higher has been proposed as a threshold that warrants a full GAD-7 assessment. This calculator automatically computes the GAD-2 subscale from whatever you enter for items 1 and 2, so you can see both results at once.
Functional impairment: the optional item 8
The original GAD-7 publication included an eighth question that is not scored toward the 0 to 21 total but captures real-world impact: "How difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?" The four responses are "not difficult at all," "somewhat difficult," "very difficult," and "extremely difficult." Reporting impairment that is at least "somewhat difficult" alongside a positive screen strengthens the clinical significance of the result and is often requested in healthcare settings. Enable item 8 with the toggle above to add it to your report.
What to do with your result
A GAD-7 score is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your total is 10 or higher, or 8 or higher under the alternate threshold, share the score with a doctor or mental health professional. They will assess whether symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, rule out medical causes such as thyroid dysfunction or cardiovascular conditions that can mimic anxiety, and discuss evidence-based options. Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which has the strongest research base, and medication such as SSRIs or SNRIs for moderate to severe presentations.
GAD-7 severity bands and screening performance
| Score | Severity | Common cutoff action | Sensitivity (GAD) | Specificity (GAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | Minimal | No action typically needed | - | - |
| 5 to 7 | Mild | Monitor; consider lifestyle and psychoeducation | - | - |
| 8 to 9 | Mild (upper) | Alternate threshold: further evaluation often warranted | 92% | 76% |
| 10 to 14 | Moderate | Primary threshold: further evaluation warranted | 89% | 82% |
| 15 to 21 | Severe | Active treatment and specialist referral often recommended | 89% | 82% |
Sensitivity and specificity are for GAD at the stated cutoff in a primary care sample (Spitzer et al., 2006; Kroenke et al., 2007).
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal GAD-7 score?
A total of 0 to 4 is the minimal band and is considered within the normal range for most people. Scores of 5 to 9 indicate mild anxiety, 10 to 14 moderate, and 15 to 21 severe. These bands describe symptom frequency and do not constitute a formal diagnosis.
What GAD-7 score means I should see a doctor?
A score of 10 or higher is the standard screening threshold for probable generalized anxiety disorder, and a score of 8 or higher meets a more sensitive alternate cutoff. At any score, if anxiety is interfering with your work, home responsibilities, or relationships, that functional impact is reason enough to speak with a clinician.
Is the GAD-7 a diagnosis of anxiety?
No. The GAD-7 is a validated screening and severity tool, not a diagnostic test. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose generalized anxiety disorder, using a full history and clinical assessment alongside screening scores like this one.
What is the GAD-2 and how does it differ from the GAD-7?
The GAD-2 is a two-item ultra-brief screener made up of the first two GAD-7 questions: feeling nervous or anxious, and not being able to stop or control worrying. Its score ranges from 0 to 6, and a score of 3 or more is typically used as the threshold to recommend a full GAD-7 assessment. The GAD-2 is faster but less precise; the GAD-7 provides finer severity grading and better diagnostic performance. This calculator shows both scores automatically.
What does the functional impairment question (item 8) add?
The optional 8th question asks how much the anxiety symptoms have interfered with work, home responsibilities, and relationships over the past two weeks. It is not scored toward the 0 to 21 total but gives important context: someone with a moderate score and severe impairment may need more urgent follow-up than someone with the same score but minimal impairment. Enable it with the toggle to include it in your result.
Can the GAD-7 screen for disorders other than generalized anxiety?
Yes, though it was designed primarily for GAD. Research shows it has reasonable sensitivity for panic disorder (74%), social anxiety disorder (72%), and PTSD (66%) at the 10-point cutoff. It is not a replacement for disorder-specific tools but can flag a need for broader anxiety evaluation in primary care settings.
What is the difference between the 8-point and 10-point cutoffs?
At a cutoff of 10 or higher, the GAD-7 has 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for generalized anxiety disorder. Lowering the cutoff to 8 raises sensitivity to 92% (catching more true cases) but reduces specificity to 76% (accepting more false positives). Clinicians choose based on context: a 10-point cutoff is standard in most settings, while an 8-point cutoff may be preferred when missing a case is especially harmful.
Sources
- Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Lowe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(10):1092-1097.
- Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, et al. Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(5):317-325.
- National HIV Curriculum, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) screening tool