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Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Test

Understand how often you have felt depression symptoms over the past month in about 20 minutes. Get clear, easy-to-interpret results that can guide next steps and track changes over time.

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Questions: 2020 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025
Material has been updated

June 16, 2025
Material has been published

19,924 views

2,744 completions

2,068 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

30/60

Depression Level (DL)

Measures the overall frequency and intensity of depressive symptoms over the past month based on the CES-D total score.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 19: Low | 20 – 39: Moderate | 40 – 60: High

A score of 30 falls in the Moderate range, indicating a moderate level of depressive symptoms during the past month.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Feeling persistently low

41%OF USERS

People who have felt sad, empty, or unmotivated for weeks and want to check how often depression symptoms are showing up.

Tracking mood changes

34%OF USERS

People monitoring shifts in sleep, appetite, energy, and mood over the past month to see if things are improving or worsening.

Seeking a quick check-in

25%OF USERS

People who want a structured self-assessment to better describe what they’re experiencing before talking with a clinician or counselor.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Therapist

Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Depression level (Dl)

Average

27.4

Normal range

19.7 — 35.1

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures how often common symptoms of depressed mood and related difficulties have occurred over the past month.

How are responses scored?

Each of the 20 items is rated from 0 to 3 based on symptom frequency. Higher total scores indicate more frequent symptoms.

What time period should be used when answering?

Answers should reflect the past month. Select the option that best matches the typical frequency during that period.

How long does it take to complete and how many questions are included?

The questionnaire includes 20 items. Estimated completion time is about 20 minutes.

What if an item does not seem to fit the current situation?

Choose the response that comes closest to the past month, even if the item does not match exactly. Avoid leaving items blank when possible.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Test - Symptoms and Signs

depression

This self-report measure assesses the frequency of depressive symptoms experienced over a recent period. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is commonly used in clinical and research settings to characterize current symptom burden and to support screening and monitoring.

Developed by Radloff, L. S., it consists of 20 items and typically requires about 20 minutes to complete. Items are rated on a 4-point scale reflecting how often symptoms have occurred, covering affective, somatic, and interpersonal aspects of depression. Scores from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) should be interpreted in the context of presenting concerns and other clinical information and are not, by themselves, diagnostic.

Author: Radloff, L. S.

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