DASS-21 Test Online — Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (21-Item)
Measure depression, anxiety, and stress in a single 21-item scale. 4 minutes, three scores, instant clinical bands. Free in the Mindtalk app.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Rangapriya Raghavan, CCT (Old Age Psychiatry), MRCPsych. Last reviewed 2026-09-25.
Important safety information
The DASS-21 includes a question about thoughts of self-harm (question 9). If you have had any such thoughts recently, please reach out for support before or instead of taking this assessment — you do not need to take a test to deserve help.
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The 21 DASS-21 items
The scale asks how much each statement applied to you over the past week. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale:
0 = Did not apply · 1 = Applied to some degree · 2 = Applied to a considerable degree · 3 = Applied very much or most of the time
The 21 items load onto three 7-item sub-scales:
- Depression (D): items 3, 5, 10, 13, 16, 17, 21 — hopelessness, anhedonia, devaluation of life, self-deprecation, lack of interest, inability to experience positive feelings.
- Anxiety (A): items 2, 4, 7, 9, 15, 19, 20 — autonomic arousal (dry mouth, breathing difficulty, trembling), situational anxiety, subjective experience of anxious affect.
- Stress (S): items 1, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 18 — difficulty relaxing, nervous arousal, easily agitated, irritable, over-reactive, impatient.
Each sub-scale total (0-21) is multiplied by 2 to give a final 0-42 score, which is compared against the severity bands.
How to score the DASS-21 (worked example)
- Add your ratings for the 7 Depression items, the 7 Anxiety items and the 7 Stress items separately. Do not add all 21 together.
- Multiply each of the three totals by 2. This puts the DASS-21 on the same scale as the original 42-item DASS.
- Look up each doubled score in its own column of the table below.
Example: Depression items total 6, Anxiety items total 7, Stress items total 11. Doubled, that is Depression 12 (Mild), Anxiety 14 (Moderate) and Stress 22 (Moderate). The Mindtalk app does this automatically.
DASS-21 severity band table
| Band | Depression | Anxiety | Stress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 0-9 | 0-7 | 0-14 |
| Mild | 10-13 | 8-9 | 15-18 |
| Moderate | 14-20 | 10-14 | 19-25 |
| Severe | 21-27 | 15-19 | 26-33 |
| Extremely Severe | 28+ | 20+ | 34+ |
The three scales are independent — you can be Normal on Depression and Severe on Anxiety, or vice versa. Read your result as three separate signals, not one composite. The bands come from the DASS manual and Australian norms; notice that the Anxiety bands start lower than the others.
How the DASS-21 was developed
The DASS was developed by Peter F. Lovibond and Sydney H. Lovibond at the University of New South Wales, with its first published validation in 1995. It emerged from factor-analytic work aimed at separating depression from anxiety, which overlap heavily on most self-report scales. The result was three factors: Depression, Anxiety, and a distinct third "Stress" dimension covering persistent, non-specific tension.
The DASS-21 is the short form of the original 42-item DASS, using 7 of the 14 items from each sub-scale.
Validation and evidence
In the 1995 study of 717 adults, the DASS showed satisfactory psychometric properties and its factor structure held up in both exploratory and confirmatory analysis. Its scales separated more cleanly than the Beck inventories, and the DASS Anxiety and Depression scales correlated 0.81 with the Beck Anxiety Inventory and 0.74 with the Beck Depression Inventory [1]. For the 21-item short form, a study of 1,794 UK adults found the best fit with a general psychological distress factor plus specific Depression, Anxiety and Stress factors, concluded that the sub-scales can validly be used, and provided population norms [2]. A 2025 Rasch analysis of population samples from Germany, Ghana, India (411 adults) and New Zealand found the three sub-scales and the full scale fitted the Rasch model after minor adjustments, supporting use across these countries [3].
References
- Lovibond PF, Lovibond SH. The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behav Res Ther. 1995;33(3):335-343. PubMed
- Henry JD, Crawford JR. The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21): construct validity and normative data in a large non-clinical sample. Br J Clin Psychol. 2005;44(Pt 2):227-239. PubMed
- Adu P, Popoola T, Iqbal N, Medvedev ON, Simpson CR. Validating the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21) across Germany, Ghana, India, and New Zealand using Rasch methodology. J Affect Disord. 2025;383:363-373. PubMed
Who should take the DASS-21
- You feel low, tense and on edge at once and are not sure which is the main problem.
- You want a baseline before starting therapy, so you can track change on all three sub-scales.
- Stress is the main complaint. The Stress sub-scale captures tension and irritability that depression and anxiety scales miss; read more about stress-related conditions.
What the DASS-21 does not tell you
- It is not a diagnosis. It measures symptom intensity over one week, not how long symptoms have lasted or whether criteria for depression or an anxiety disorder are met.
- It does not screen for self-harm, mania or psychosis. Use the PHQ-9 and a clinical conversation for safety questions.
- One week is a snapshot. A single bad week can raise scores; retaking after 2-4 weeks shows whether the pattern persists.
DASS-21 vs other combined-symptom scales
| Test | Items | Time | What it measures | Indian validation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DASS-21 | 21 | 4 min | Depression + Anxiety + Stress, three separate scores | Yes |
| K10 | 10 | 2 min | Non-specific distress, single score | Yes |
| GHQ-12 | 12 | 3 min | General psychological distress, single score | Yes |
| PHQ-9 + GAD-7 | 16 | 5 min | Depression + Anxiety, separately | Yes |
| DASS-42 | 42 | 8 min | Same three factors as DASS-21, longer form | Yes |
Use the DASS-21 when you want three separate signals (Depression, Anxiety, Stress) in one short test. Use PHQ-9 + GAD-7 when depression or anxiety is your specific focus and you want the strongest treatment-monitoring instruments. Use K10 or GHQ-12 when a single distress score is enough (e.g. large-scale screening).
When to act on your result
- All three Normal: No action needed. Retake in 4-6 weeks if life circumstances change.
- Any sub-scale Mild: Behavioural activation, sleep hygiene, mindfulness. The CBT Thought Record and Progressive Muscle Relaxation are evidence-based for this band. Retake in 2-4 weeks.
- Any sub-scale Moderate: Clinical evaluation recommended. Book a Mindtalk psychologist or psychiatrist. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is first-line for Depression and Anxiety; stress-management approaches help with elevated Stress.
- Any sub-scale Severe or Extremely Severe: Clinical evaluation needed within the week. Combination therapy is often indicated for Depression and Anxiety. Consider the 90-day Depression-Anxiety-Stress journey or Emotional Reset programme.
- Any Extremely Severe result: Urgent clinical evaluation. If mood is very low, take the PHQ-9 to check for self-harm risk (DASS-21 does not screen this).
After the DASS-21
- Track over time. Retake every 2-4 weeks during treatment. The three sub-scores can respond at different rates, so watch each one separately.
- Pair with condition-specific scales. Pair a high Depression score with the PHQ-9 for treatment monitoring and self-harm screening. Pair a high Anxiety score with the GAD-7.
- Start a structured programme. The 90-day Emotional Reset programme suits sub-clinical DASS-21 profiles (Mild-Moderate on any scale). The Anxiety Loop Breaker suits Moderate-Severe Anxiety.
- Book a specialist. Mindtalk's psychologists and psychiatrists treat depression, anxiety, and stress-related presentations across Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mysore, and online for anywhere in India.
How to take the DASS-21
- 1
Open the DASS-21 in the Mindtalk app
Tap "Take the DASS-21" to open the assessment. You will need a free Mindtalk account — sign-in takes under a minute.
- 2
Answer the 21 statements
Rate how much each statement applied to you over the past week (0 = Did not apply, 3 = Applied very much or most of the time). Answer quickly — the DASS is designed for first-impression response.
- 3
Get three scores and severity bands
You receive three sub-scores (Depression, Anxiety, Stress), each mapped to one of five severity bands, plus a personalised next-step recommendation. If any sub-scale hits Severe or Extremely Severe, the app surfaces same-week clinical booking.
Related assessment guides
PHQ-9
A quick 3-minute self-check for depression using the PHQ-9 — the global clinical standard. Instant score, severity band, and next-step recommendation. Free in the Mindtalk app.
Read the guide →BDI-II (explained) → PHQ-9 (alternative)
The Beck Depression Inventory — the classic 21-item depression measure. Learn what it is, when to use it, and take the free PHQ-9 alternative in the Mindtalk app.
Read the guide →EPDS
The gold-standard postnatal depression screener. 10 questions, 3 minutes, instant score with clinical context. Free in the Mindtalk app.
Read the guide →HAM-D / HDRS-17
The clinician-administered depression severity gold standard since 1960. 17 items, 8 minutes, instant score bands. Free in the Mindtalk app.
Read the guide →MADRS
The clinician-administered depression scale designed to detect medication response — 10 items, 5 minutes, instant clinical bands. Free in the Mindtalk app.
Read the guide →MDQ
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire — the standard 13-item screener for bipolar spectrum. 3 minutes, instant screen result. Free in the Mindtalk app.
Read the guide →Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the DASS-21 designed to measure?
- Three distinct-but-related emotional states: depression (hopelessness, anhedonia, devaluation of life), anxiety (autonomic arousal, situational anxiety, subjective fear), and stress (persistent non-specific arousal, tension, impatience). Factor analyses, including a UK study of 1,794 adults, support three specific factors plus a general distress factor. This makes it distinct from single-construct scales like the PHQ-9 (depression only) or GAD-7 (anxiety only).
- What are the DASS-21 severity bands?
- Bands differ per sub-scale (final scores after the ×2 multiplier). 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+. Anxiety cut-offs are lower because the scale focuses on physical-arousal symptoms, which are more discriminating at lower levels.
- DASS-21 vs PHQ-9 and GAD-7 — which should I take?
- Take the PHQ-9 if depression is your only concern and you want the global gold-standard for treatment monitoring. Take the GAD-7 if generalised anxiety is your only concern. Take the DASS-21 if depression, anxiety, and stress overlap, which is common. Many Mindtalk clinicians use PHQ-9 + GAD-7 for treatment tracking (because each has stronger response sensitivity) and DASS-21 at intake (because it maps the whole emotional-symptom landscape in one 4-minute test).
- Is the DASS-21 validated in India?
- It is widely used in Indian research and clinical practice, including by Cadabams' clinicians at intake. A 2025 Rasch analysis that included 411 adults from India, alongside samples from Germany, Ghana and New Zealand, found the depression, anxiety and stress sub-scales worked as unidimensional scales after minor adjustments. The severity bands themselves come from Australian norms, so treat them as a guide.
- Why does the DASS-21 have no self-harm question?
- The DASS-21 was designed as a research and screening instrument focused on the core dimensions of depression, anxiety, and stress — not as a comprehensive risk assessment. It does not screen for self-harm, suicidal ideation, psychosis, or mania. If suicide safety is a concern, pair it with the PHQ-9 (Question 9 screens for self-harm) or the C-SSRS (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale). The Mindtalk app routes users showing high DASS-21 Depression to a follow-up C-SSRS if flagged by their clinician.
- How is the DASS-21 different from the DASS-42?
- The DASS-21 is the short form of the original 42-item DASS. Scores on the 21-item version are multiplied by 2 to align severity bands with the 42-item scale — this preserves comparability with the older literature. Both versions produce equivalent factor structures and severity classifications in published validation studies. The 21-item version is standard in clinical use because it takes half the time with no meaningful loss of information.
- How do I take the DASS-21?
- Click 'Take the DASS-21'. Complete the 21 items (2-3 minutes), receive three sub-scores and severity bands instantly, and get a personalised next-step recommendation. Free in the Mindtalk app — same account works across all Mindtalk assessments, worksheets, and consult booking.
- Is the DASS-21 free to use?
- Yes. The DASS questionnaire is in the public domain, so it can be used without a licence fee. The Mindtalk app offers it free, scores it automatically, including the doubling step, and keeps your past results so you can see whether each sub-scale is improving.
- Can the DASS-21 diagnose depression or anxiety?
- No. The DASS-21 measures how intense depression, anxiety and stress symptoms have been over the past week. A high score is a signal to see a clinician, who will consider how long symptoms have lasted, how they affect your life and whether anything else explains them before making a diagnosis.
Need a clinician's read on your results?
A high score is a signal, not a diagnosis. Mindtalk's psychiatrists and clinical psychologists can interpret your results and recommend next steps — same-day appointments available.