DASS-21

Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale

The DASS-21 measures three types of negative emotions: depression, anxiety, and stress. It has 21 questions in total, split into three groups of 7 that match these areas. The DASS-21 is a shorter version of the original DASS-42.

Simple Explanation

You’ll see 21 statements.

  • For each statement, think about how often it applied to you in the past week.

  • You choose from 0 to 3:

    • 0 = Never or not at all.

    • 1 = Sometimes.

    • 2 = Quite often.

    • 3 = Almost always.

Answer as honestly as you can without overthinking.

Important Disclaimer

  1. This is only a screening tool, not a medical diagnosis.

  2. If you have concerns or a high score, please see a mental health professional.

  3. If you put this on a website, ensure you follow privacy laws and make it clear you don’t collect sensitive data without consent.

Next Steps & Resources

  • Talk with a counselor, psychologist, or GP if you’re worried about your results.

  • If you need a medical cert online for mental health leave, Doctors Note can help connect you with qualified Australian doctors.

  • If you need immediate support, call Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).

DASS-21 Auto Calculation Form

DASS-21 Auto Calculation Form

Rate each statement based on your experience over the past week:

0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Almost always

Question 0 1 2 3

Severity Levels

Depression :

  • 0–9 = Normal

  • 10–13 = Mild

  • 14–20 = Moderate

  • 21–27 = Severe

  • 28+ = Extremely Severe

Anxiety :

  • 0–7 = Normal

  • 8–9 = Mild

  • 10–14 = Moderate

  • 15–19 = Severe

  • 20+ = Extremely Severe

Stress :

  • 0–14 = Normal

  • 15–18 = Mild

  • 19–25 = Moderate

  • 26–33 = Severe

  • 34+ = Extremely Severe