⚠ Educational Use Only — The GAD-7 is a self-report screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It does not provide a clinical diagnosis. If you score 10 or above, or are concerned about your mental health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
7Items
~3 minEst. Time
0–21Score Range
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Free GAD-7 Anxiety Test — Online Scoring & Instant Results

The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) is the most widely used anxiety screening tool in clinical and research settings. Developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams and Löwe (2006), it measures anxiety severity over the past two weeks across 7 items. Score 0–21. Complete the test, get instant results with score interpretation, and export a free printable PDF.

Free printable PDF — instant results, no account needed.

 GAD-7 Score Interpretation (Spitzer et al., 2006)

0 – 4Minimal anxiety — typical levels, no intervention indicated
5 – 9Mild anxiety — worth monitoring; consider self-care strategies
10 – 14Moderate anxiety — consider speaking with a healthcare provider
15 – 21Severe anxiety — professional support recommended
Cut-off score ≥10: sensitivity 89%, specificity 82% for GAD (Spitzer et al., 2006)
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GAD-7 Total Score

 GAD-7 Score Reference

0 – 4Minimal anxiety
5 – 9Mild anxiety
10 – 14Moderate anxiety
15 – 21Severe anxiety

GAD-7 Score Interpretation

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Functional impact rating: Not evaluated.

 Academic Citation

Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092

How to Use This Free GAD-7 Anxiety Test

Step 01

Answer 7 items

Rate how often each anxiety symptom has bothered you over the past two weeks — from "Not at all" (0) to "Nearly every day" (3). A GAD-2 filter checks the first two items for early completion.

Step 02

Get instant score

Your GAD-7 total score (0–21) is calculated immediately with severity level: minimal (0–4), mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), or severe (15–21) anxiety.

Step 03

Rate functional impact

The final item asks how much these problems have affected your work, home life, or relationships — providing context that goes beyond the raw score number.

Step 04

Export free PDF

Save your complete GAD-7 results as a formatted PDF — including your score, severity level, interpretation, and scoring reference — to share with a healthcare provider.

GAD-7 free to use: The GAD-7 is in the public domain — developed with an educational grant, no license or fees required. The cut-off score of 10 has sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 82% for generalized anxiety disorder. Scores of 5, 10, and 15 are the established cut-points for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety respectively (Spitzer et al., 2006). This tool also screens reasonably well for panic disorder (sensitivity 74%), social anxiety disorder (sensitivity 72%), and PTSD (sensitivity 66%).
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GAD-7 Anxiety Test: Score Interpretation & Thresholds Explained

The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) was developed by Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams and Löwe (2006) and is now the most widely used anxiety screening tool globally, used in primary care, research, and clinical settings across dozens of countries. It is in the public domain — developed with an educational grant, no permission or license required to use, reproduce, or translate. The GAD-7 measures how often seven anxiety symptoms have bothered you over the past two weeks, producing a score from 0 to 21.

GAD-7 Scoring: The Four Severity Levels

GAD-7 score interpretation follows four established cut-points based on Spitzer et al. (2006) validation research. A score of 0–4 indicates minimal anxiety — symptoms are present at typical background levels without causing significant distress or functional impairment. A score of 5–9 indicates mild anxiety — symptoms are present at a level worth monitoring, with self-care strategies often effective. A score of 10–14 indicates moderate anxiety — symptoms are causing meaningful distress and functional interference; further evaluation by a healthcare provider is recommended. A score of 15–21 indicates severe anxiety — symptoms are causing significant impairment across multiple domains of functioning; professional support is strongly recommended.

The Recommended Cut-Off: GAD-7 Score of 10

When used as a screening tool, a GAD-7 score of 10 or above is the established cut-off for probable generalized anxiety disorder. At this threshold, the GAD-7 achieves a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 82% for GAD. It also performs well as a screening tool for other anxiety disorders: panic disorder (sensitivity 74%, specificity 81%), social anxiety disorder (sensitivity 72%, specificity 80%), and PTSD (sensitivity 66%). A recent meta-analysis has also proposed the cut-off of 8 to optimize sensitivity in some settings.

The GAD-2: A Built-In Early Screen

The first two items of the GAD-7 — feeling nervous/anxious/on edge, and not being able to stop or control worrying — form the GAD-2, a validated two-item screen. If both items score 0 (not at all), it is statistically unlikely that significant anxiety symptoms are present across the remaining domains. This tool incorporates a GAD-2 filter that directs low scorers to the final functional item, allowing faster completion without losing clinical meaningfulness.

GAD-7 score interpretation: four severity levels (Spitzer et al., 2006)
GAD-7 ScoreSeverity LevelRecommended Action
0 – 4Minimal anxietyNo specific intervention indicated; routine monitoring
5 – 9Mild anxietyMonitor and consider self-care strategies; reassess in 2–4 weeks
10 – 14Moderate anxietyConsider further evaluation; discuss with a healthcare provider
15 – 21Severe anxietyActive treatment likely warranted; professional support recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GAD-7 test and how is it scored?

The GAD-7 is a validated 7-item self-report scale measuring anxiety severity over the past two weeks. Each item is scored 0–3, giving a total of 0–21. Score interpretation: 0–4 = minimal; 5–9 = mild; 10–14 = moderate; 15–21 = severe anxiety. A score of 10 is the recommended cut-off for probable GAD, with sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 82% (Spitzer et al., 2006).

Is this GAD-7 test free and available online?

Yes. The GAD-7 is in the public domain — developed with an educational grant, no license required. This free online GAD-7 test gives instant results including your total score, severity level, and a free printable PDF. No account or sign-up needed.

What does my GAD-7 score mean?

0–4: minimal anxiety. 5–9: mild — worth monitoring. 10–14: moderate — consider speaking with a provider. 15–21: severe — professional support recommended. The cut-off of 10 has 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity for generalized anxiety disorder.

What is the GAD-2 and how does it work?

The GAD-2 consists of items 1 and 2 of the GAD-7. If both score 0 (not at all), significant anxiety is unlikely and the remaining items are typically unnecessary. This tool uses a GAD-2 filter directing low scorers to the final functional item for faster completion.

How often should I take the GAD-7?

The GAD-7 measures the past two weeks, so retesting before 14 days reflects the same period. For tracking change — for example, monitoring treatment response — intervals of 2–4 weeks are typical.

Does this replace a formal professional evaluation?

No. The GAD-7 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It does not provide a clinical diagnosis. If your score is 10 or above, or you are concerned about your mental health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.