The PHQ-2 is a two-item depression screening tool drawn from the full Patient Health Questionnaire. It asks how often you have experienced little interest or pleasure and feeling down, depressed, or hopeless during the past two weeks. This calculator totals your responses to estimate the likelihood that a depressive disorder may be present.
Each answer is scored from 0 to 3, giving a total between 0 and 6. A score of 3 or higher is considered a positive screening result and indicates the need for a more complete evaluation, such as the PHQ-9 or a clinical interview. The tool is intended for self-assessment and educational purposes only — it is not a diagnosis.
Anyone can use it: patients preparing for a primary care visit, healthcare trainees learning screening workflows, or individuals tracking their emotional health. Use the reset button to clear your answers and start fresh whenever you need.
🧭 PHQ-2 Depression Screening
Think about the past two weeks. For each problem, select how often you have been bothered by it.
📊 Screening Result
How the PHQ-2 Is Scored
Each of the two questions is answered on a 0–3 frequency scale: 0 = not at all, 1 = several days, 2 = more than half the days, and 3 = nearly every day. The two response values are simply added together to produce a total score ranging from 0 to 6. The PHQ-2 was designed as a fast first-step screener in primary care, not as a diagnostic instrument. Its official cut-point is 3: a total of 3 or higher is considered a positive screen and should prompt a more thorough evaluation with the PHQ-9 or a structured clinical interview. Most people complete both items in under a minute, which is why the two-question version is so widely used in busy clinic settings.
Step-by-Step Guide
Think back over the past 14 days — not your usual mood, not your worst day ever, and not the distant past. For each statement, choose the frequency option that best matches how often you were bothered by that problem during that two-week window. Press Calculate Score to see your total, the automated interpretation, and a suggested next step. Use Reset to clear the form, or tap one of the preset example buttons (Minimal, Moderate, High) to see how representative combinations are classified before entering your own answers.
Worked Examples
Example A — Negative screen (total 0): "Not at all" for both questions. A score of 0 makes major depressive disorder unlikely based on these two core symptoms, so no formal follow-up is required by the PHQ-2 itself. If low mood still lingers after a few weeks, it is worth re-screening or mentioning to a provider.
Example B — Borderline negative (total 2): "Several days" for both questions, or "not at all" plus "more than half the days." The total stays under 3, so the screen is technically negative. Because the score sits near the threshold, re-checking in a week or two — or simply sharing your responses with your doctor — is a reasonable, low-cost precaution.
Example C — Strongly positive (total 6): "Nearly every day" for both questions. This is the maximum score and indicates pervasive depressive symptoms throughout the past two weeks. Prompt evaluation by a mental health professional or your primary care provider is strongly recommended, and the PHQ-9 is the usual next instrument.
Reference Table
| Total Score | Screen Interpretation | Typical Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 | Negative screen; depressive disorder unlikely based on these two items. | No formal follow-up required by this instrument alone; re-screen if symptoms persist. |
| 3–6 | Positive screen; possible depressive disorder. | Administer the PHQ-9 and complete a clinical evaluation. |
The table follows the standard cut-point from the PHQ-2 validation literature. Keep in mind that screening scores express probability, not certainty: a positive result does not prove a depressive disorder, and a negative result does not rule out subthreshold mood difficulties, grief, or anxiety that may deserve attention in their own right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PHQ-2 enough for a diagnosis? No. It is a brief screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A positive result simply flags the need for a more complete assessment, which usually includes the PHQ-9, a clinical interview, and a review of how the symptoms affect daily function. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force similarly frames depression screening as a first step that leads to confirmatory evaluation and treatment. The Patient Health Questionnaire family is well documented; you can read more about it on Wikipedia.
How does the PHQ-2 relate to the PHQ-9? The PHQ-2 is literally built from the first two items of the PHQ-9, which asks about the same two core symptoms plus seven additional ones such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, poor appetite, and trouble concentrating. In primary care, the short version is used as a rapid gate: if it screens positive, the clinician expands to the full questionnaire to measure severity and to monitor response to treatment over time.
Can it be used for teenagers or the elderly? The PHQ-2 was validated primarily in adults in general medical settings. For adolescents, age-appropriate versions such as the PHQ-A are often preferred, while older adults generally complete the standard items without difficulty. In every age group, the final interpretation should be made by a qualified clinician familiar with the person.
How often should the PHQ-2 be repeated? In routine care, it is often administered at initial visits and then periodically to monitor treatment. For personal tracking, a weekly or monthly check is usually enough; daily retesting adds little information and can amplify worry.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Answer only for the past two weeks — not your lifetime pattern, not your "usual self," and not the worst two-week stretch you can remember.
- Do not overthink the frequency anchors. "More than half the days" means on roughly 8 or more of the 14 days; "several days" sits somewhere between a few days and half the time.
- Treat the items as questions about symptoms, not personality traits. "Little interest or pleasure" refers to a change in your usual level of interest, not to being an introvert.
- Do not use the PHQ-2 total as a severity scale for treatment planning. It is intentionally coarse — the PHQ-9 supplies the graded severity categories (minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe).
- Never let a negative screen override a strong clinical impression. If you or someone you care about is struggling, share that concern with a provider even when the score is low.
- If you have thoughts of self-harm, do not wait for a screening form to guide you — contact a crisis service or emergency department immediately. In the U.S., call or text 988.