DASS-21 Test

DASS-21 is a self-report scale measuring depression, anxiety, and stress, with 21 items across three dimensions.

This test will help you understand your current mental health status and identify areas that might need attention.

How this test works

Method notes for the instrument used on this page: source, scoring, how we run it online, and what the result cannot tell you.

Instrument: Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21-item version (DASS-21)
Source: Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335-343. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U
Items and scoring: 21 items, each rated 0 (did not apply to me at all) to 3 (applied to me very much, or most of the time) over the past week. Three 7-item subscales: depression, anxiety, stress.
Score bands: Depression subscale: 0-9 normal, 10-13 mild, 14-20 moderate, 21-27 severe, 28+ extremely severe
Anxiety and stress subscales use their own published bands
How we run it online: Each subscale is the sum of its 7 items, doubled so that scores are comparable to the 42-item DASS.
The page reports the three subscale scores separately with their severity bands; it does not collapse them into a single total.
Scoring runs in your browser during a single session; no account is required.
Limitations: This is a self-report screening measure, not a diagnostic interview; a band does not establish a diagnosis.
The bands are screening thresholds, not population norms for a general online audience.
Responses come from a self-selected online sample, so no population norms are claimed.
How to cite: Kuakua. (2026). DASS-21 Test. https://kuakua.app/test/dass-21 — instrument: Lovibond & Lovibond (1995), doi:10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U

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Introduction

What is the DASS-21?

The DASS-21 is a 21-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. This assessment is widely used in clinical and research settings to help identify and understand emotional difficulties.

Introduction

This assessment is widely used in clinical and research settings to help identify and understand emotional difficulties.

Depression / Anxiety / Stress

The DASS-21 consists of three subscales:

Depression

Depression scale assesses dysphoria, hopelessness, devaluation of life, self-deprecation, lack of interest/involvement, anhedonia, and inertia.

I couldn't seem to experience any positive feeling at all
I was unable to become enthusiastic about anything
I felt down-hearted and blue
I felt I wasn't worth much as a person
I felt that life was meaningless

Anxiety

Anxiety scale assesses autonomic arousal, skeletal muscle effects, situational anxiety, and subjective experience of anxious affect.

I was aware of dryness of my mouth
I experienced breathing difficulty (for example, excessively rapid breathing, breathlessness in the absence of physical exertion)
I experienced trembling (for example, in the hands)
I was worried about situations in which I might panic and make a fool of myself
I felt I was close to panic

Stress

Stress scale assesses difficulty relaxing, nervous arousal, being easily upset/agitated, irritable/over-reactive, and impatient.

I found it hard to wind down
I tended to over-react to situations
I felt that I was using a lot of nervous energy
I found myself getting agitated
I found it difficult to relax

What do these scores mean?

The DASS-21 scores are calculated by summing the scores for the relevant items and multiplying by 2 to get comparable scores to the full DASS-42. The severity ratings are as follows:

Depression

Normal: 0-9
Mild: 10-13
Moderate: 14-20
Severe: 21-27
Extremely Severe: 28+

Anxiety

Normal: 0-7
Mild: 8-9
Moderate: 10-14
Severe: 15-19
Extremely Severe: 20+

Stress

Normal: 0-14
Mild: 15-18
Moderate: 19-25
Severe: 26-33
Extremely Severe: 34+

Note:

These results are not a clinical diagnosis. Scores on each scale can range from 0 to 42.

If your scores indicate moderate to severe levels, consider consulting with a mental health professional for a proper assessment.

Self-Care Strategies

Regardless of your scores, here are some general self-care strategies that can help improve mental well-being:

Regular physical activity
Adequate sleep
Balanced nutrition
Mindfulness and relaxation practices
Maintaining social connections
Limit alcohol and avoid drugs
Set realistic goals and priorities
Seek professional help when needed

References & Resources

Lovibond, S.H. & Lovibond, P.F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. (2nd. Ed.) Sydney: Psychology Foundation.
Henry, J. D., & Crawford, J. R. (2005). The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21): Construct validity and normative data in a large non-clinical sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44(2), 227-239. doi: https://doi.org/10.1348/014466505X29657
Antony, M. M., Bieling, P. J., Cox, B. J., Enns, M. W., & Swinson, R. P. (1998). Psychometric properties of the 42-item and 21-item versions of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales in clinical groups and a community sample. Psychological Assessment, 10(2), 176-181. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.10.2.176

Where to Get Help

If you're experiencing significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress, consider reaching out to:

Your primary care physician
A mental health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor)
National mental health helplines
Local mental health services
Online therapy platforms

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Many effective treatments are available for depression, anxiety, and stress-related conditions.

This test is for educational and self-reflection purposes only. It is not a diagnostic tool. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

References

Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335-343. 10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U
Henry, J. D., & Crawford, J. R. (2005). The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21): Construct validity and normative data in a large non-clinical sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44(2), 227-239. 10.1348/014466505X29657

Frequently Asked Questions

Have another question? Let us know.

What is the DASS-21?

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) is a 21-item self-report measure that separates three negative emotional states — depression, anxiety, and stress/tension — into three subscales of seven items each.

How is the DASS-21 scored?

Each item is rated 0-3 for how much it applied over the past week. Subscale sums are multiplied by two (to stay comparable with the original 42-item version), then read against published severity bands from normal to extremely severe.

Is the DASS-21 a diagnostic tool?

No. The DASS-21 quantifies emotional distress over the past week and is widely used in research and for tracking change. It does not by itself diagnose depression or an anxiety disorder.

How does DASS-21 differ from PHQ-9 or GAD-7?

The PHQ-9 targets depressive symptoms against clinical criteria and the GAD-7 targets generalized anxiety. The DASS-21 additionally measures the stress/tension dimension and covers the past week rather than two weeks.

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