EPDS Calculator — Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Answer 10 questions about your mood over the past 7 days to calculate your EPDS score. Developed by Cox et al. (1987), the scale is widely used to screen for postnatal and antenatal depression. A score of 10 or above indicates a possible depressive disorder and warrants clinical follow-up.
1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things
3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong
4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason
5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason
6. Things have been getting on top of me
7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping
8. I have felt sad or miserable
9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying
10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me
Range 0–30; threshold ≥ 10 for further assessment
- 1
Q1–Q5 total
0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 0 - 2
Q6–Q10 total
0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 0 - 3
EPDS total score
0 + 0 = 0
How does this calculator work?
Add up 10 item scores (0–3 each, some reverse-scored) for a total of 0–30. EPDS ≥ 10 flags possible postnatal or antenatal depression (~86% sensitivity); ≥ 13 suggests probable major depression requiring clinical assessment. Question 10 (self-harm) is flagged separately regardless of total. The EPDS is a screening tool — not a diagnosis. (Cox et al., 1987.)
Formula
How this is calculated
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was originally developed and validated by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky in 1987 as a 10-item self-report questionnaire specifically designed for the postnatal period, though it is now also widely used antenatally and in fathers. Each item is scored 0 to 3, with some items reverse-scored (questions 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 present the highest-distress option first). The respondent is asked to consider their feelings during the past 7 days, not just the day of completion.
The total score ranges from 0 to 30. A commonly used screening cut-off of 10 or above has reported sensitivity of approximately 86% and specificity of 78% for major depressive disorder in the postnatal period, though optimal cut-offs vary by population and study. A score of 13 or above is often cited as indicative of probable major depression requiring urgent clinical assessment. Question 10, which asks about thoughts of self-harm, should be reviewed regardless of the total score; any response other than "Never" warrants immediate clinical attention.
The EPDS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A positive screen should be followed by a structured clinical interview and assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. The scale has been validated in many languages and across diverse cultural groups, making it one of the most widely used perinatal mental health screening tools internationally.
Frequently asked questions
A score of 10 or above is the most commonly used threshold for further clinical assessment (sensitivity ~86%, specificity ~78% for major depression). A score of 13 or above suggests probable major depressive disorder. However, the threshold can vary by clinical setting and guideline — always follow the advice of the administering clinician.
Yes. The EPDS has been validated for use in fathers and partners in the postnatal period, though the evidence base is smaller than for mothers. Paternal postnatal depression is recognised and the EPDS performs reasonably well in this group, typically with a slightly lower optimal cut-off score.
No. The PHQ-9 is a general depression screener based on DSM criteria, while the EPDS was specifically designed for the perinatal context and asks about feelings over the past 7 days. The EPDS excludes somatic symptoms (sleep, appetite, fatigue) that are common in the postnatal period and not necessarily indicative of depression, making it better calibrated for new parents.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). EPDS Calculator — Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/epds-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "EPDS Calculator — Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/epds-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "EPDS Calculator — Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/epds-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_epds_calculator, title = {EPDS Calculator — Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/epds-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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