Free Anxiety Test (GAD-7 Clinical Screener)

The GAD-7 is the 7-question clinical screener doctors use for generalized anxiety. Answer the questions below about the past two weeks and get your severity score with evidence-based recommendations — free, private, no signup.

Free2 min100% Private

Quick answer

The GAD-7 is scored 0 to 21. 0-4 is minimal anxiety, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-21 severe. The standard clinical cutoff for further evaluation is 10 (Spitzer et al., 2006).

Take it yourself

Want to score yourself right now? Answer the questions below to see which band your total falls into.

Important: The GAD-7 is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool. Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose anxiety disorders.

GAD-7 Anxiety Assessment

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problems?

7 questions · Takes about 2 minutes

About the GAD-7 Assessment

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) is the most widely used brief measure of generalized anxiety in both clinical practice and research. Developed by Robert L. Spitzer, Kurt Kroenke, Janet B.W. Williams, and Bernd Lowe, it was first published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006.

The seven items assess the core symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder as defined by the DSM: nervousness, uncontrollable worry, excessive worry, trouble relaxing, restlessness, irritability, and a sense of dread. Each symptom is rated by frequency over the past two weeks, creating a snapshot of current anxiety severity.

This online version uses the identical questions and scoring algorithm as the clinical instrument. What it cannot replicate is the clinical judgment a healthcare provider applies when interpreting results — accounting for medical history, co-occurring conditions, medications, and life context. Use this as an informational starting point, not a clinical conclusion.

How It Works

Standardized 7-Item Scale

Seven items targeting the core DSM symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, each rated on a 0-3 frequency scale over the past 2 weeks.

Validated Severity Cutoffs

Scores of 5, 10, and 15 represent clinically established cutpoints for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety. The cutoff of 10 is the standard clinical threshold for further evaluation.

Psychometrically Sound

Cronbach's alpha of 0.92 (excellent internal consistency), 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity at the clinical cutoff, validated across multiple populations and languages.

Validity and Reliability of the GAD-7

The GAD-7 was validated in a study of 2,740 adult primary care patients published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2006). It demonstrated excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92 and strong test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.83).

At the recommended cutoff score of 10, the GAD-7 achieves 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for generalized anxiety disorder. This means it correctly identifies the vast majority of individuals with GAD while maintaining an acceptable false-positive rate. These psychometric properties make it one of the most reliable brief anxiety measures available.

While originally designed for generalized anxiety disorder, subsequent research has demonstrated the GAD-7's utility as a broader anxiety screener. Studies show acceptable sensitivity for panic disorder (74%), social anxiety disorder (72%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (66%), making it a practical first-line screening tool across anxiety subtypes.

The GAD-7 has been endorsed by major clinical organizations including the American Psychiatric Association, the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the World Health Organization. It has been translated into more than 100 languages and validated across diverse populations, age groups, and healthcare settings worldwide.

When to Use This Tool

-When you want a clinically validated measure of your anxiety severity
-Before discussing anxiety symptoms with your doctor or therapist
-To track your anxiety levels over time (retake every 2-4 weeks)
-When deciding whether your anxiety warrants professional evaluation
-To have an objective score to share with your healthcare provider
-When you want to understand whether your worry is within a typical range

GAD-7 vs. Other Anxiety Screening Tools

The GAD-7 is one of several validated anxiety self-report instruments. The right pick depends on what you want to measure, how much time you have, and whether you need a diagnostic-strength tool or a brief screener. Here's how the GAD-7 compares to the most common alternatives.

Instrument	Measures	Length	Range	Cutoff	Best for	Vs. this tool
GAD-7	Generalized anxiety severity	7 items	0-21	≥10 (moderate)	Brief screening + symptom tracking; the most widely used anxiety instrument in primary care	This page.
GAD-2	Generalized anxiety (ultra-brief)	2 items	0-6	≥3 (screen positive)	Ultra-brief initial screen — items 1-2 of the GAD-7, used when even 7 items is too many	Shorter version of the same instrument. Use GAD-2 to triage, GAD-7 to actually measure.
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)	Anxiety severity (somatic focus)	21 items	0-63	≥16 (moderate)	Deeper assessment emphasizing physical/somatic anxiety symptoms (heart pounding, dizziness, etc.)	BAI is longer and weighted toward physical symptoms. Use BAI if your anxiety presents mostly somatically; use GAD-7 if it presents cognitively (worry, rumination).
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)	Anxiety severity (clinician-administered)	14 items	0-56	≥18 (moderate)	Clinical research and trial outcomes — administered by a trained clinician, not self-report	HAM-A is clinician-administered and used primarily in research. The GAD-7 is the self-report equivalent for everyday use.
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)	Distinguishes situational vs. dispositional anxiety	40 items (20+20)	20-80 per scale	Varies by population	Research and detailed clinical assessment when you need to separate 'anxiety right now' from 'anxiety as a personality trait'	STAI is longer and more nuanced. Use STAI when you need state-vs-trait distinction; use GAD-7 for routine severity measurement.
PHQ-9	Depression severity	9 items	0-27	≥10 (moderate)	Depression screening from the same research team (Kroenke, Spitzer, Williams) — commonly administered alongside the GAD-7	Different condition. Anxiety and depression frequently co-occur, so most clinicians administer both. See our [PHQ-9 page](/tools/phq-9).

Honest summary: for most people, the GAD-7 is the right anxiety self-assessment. It's brief, free, validated, and the same instrument your doctor uses. If your anxiety presents primarily as physical symptoms (palpitations, dizziness, breathlessness), the Beck Anxiety Inventory is a useful complement. If you're scoring above 10 on the GAD-7, the next step is a healthcare conversation — not another self-assessment.

Honest Disclosure

This is the exact GAD-7 instrument used in clinical practice — same 7 items, same 0-21 scoring, same severity cutoffs from Spitzer et al. 2006. It is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test: only a licensed clinician can diagnose generalized anxiety disorder. ILTY hosts this calculator as a free public resource; we do not store your answers or score, and we are not affiliated with the original authors or copyright holders of the GAD-7 (Pfizer Inc. holds the copyright but has released the instrument for non-commercial use). If you score at or above the clinical threshold of 10, the evidence-based next step is to share that score with a healthcare provider, not to take a different self-assessment.

Limitations & Disclaimer

- The GAD-7 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument
- Only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose anxiety disorders
- Scores can be influenced by current mood, recent stressors, and situational factors
- The GAD-7 is optimized for generalized anxiety and may underdetect other anxiety subtypes
- It does not assess medical conditions (thyroid disorders, cardiac issues) that can mimic anxiety
- Self-report measures are inherently limited by self-awareness and honesty
- If you're in crisis, contact 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or emergency services

The GAD-7 is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool. A score above the clinical threshold does not mean you have an anxiety disorder — only a qualified mental health professional can make that determination. If you're in crisis, contact 988.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GAD-7?

The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) is a brief, validated screening tool developed by Drs. Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, and Lowe in 2006. It measures the severity of generalized anxiety symptoms over a two-week period and is used by clinicians worldwide.

How is the GAD-7 scored?

Each of the 7 items is scored 0 to 3 based on symptom frequency: not at all (0), several days (1), more than half the days (2), nearly every day (3). Total scores range from 0 to 21. Standard severity cutoffs are: 0-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-14 moderate, 15-21 severe anxiety.

Is this the same GAD-7 used in clinical settings?

Yes. These are the exact 7 questions and the same scoring system used by doctors, therapists, and researchers. However, a clinical assessment includes professional interpretation, patient history, and clinical context that an online tool cannot provide.

What does a GAD-7 score of 10 or higher mean?

A score of 10 is the standard clinical cutoff that triggers further evaluation in healthcare settings. It doesn't mean you have generalized anxiety disorder — it means your symptoms warrant a professional conversation. The GAD-7 has 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity at this threshold.

How often should I take the GAD-7?

Clinicians typically recommend retaking the GAD-7 every 2-4 weeks when monitoring symptoms. Since the questions ask about the past two weeks, taking it more frequently than that isn't clinically meaningful.

Can the GAD-7 diagnose an anxiety disorder?

No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool that measures symptom severity — it cannot diagnose any condition. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed mental health professional that considers your full medical and psychological history.