DASS-21 scoring: subscales, doubled scores, and cutoffs
Which questions belong to each DASS-21 scale?
Use the item numbers from the standard DASS-21 form. Each question appears in exactly one of the three groups below. There are no reverse-scored items.
| Scale | DASS-21 item numbers |
|---|---|
| Depression | 3, 5, 10, 13, 16, 17, 21 |
| Anxiety | 2, 4, 7, 9, 15, 19, 20 |
| Stress | 1, 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 18 |
Why are DASS-21 scores multiplied by two?
Doubling places the short-form scale scores on the conventional full-DASS metric used by the table below. It is a reporting conversion, not an increase in the symptoms you reported.
Some services show raw 0-to-21 scale scores with corresponding raw-score thresholds instead. A result is interpretable only when you know which convention is used. Label the score format clearly when saving or sharing it.
What are the conventional severity ranges?
This table is for doubled DASS-21 scale scores, not raw scores. The labels describe reported symptom severity. “Normal” is the conventional table label, not a statement about a person’s worth or a guarantee of health.
| Conventional label | 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 | 28–42 | 20–42 | 34–42 |
Worked example: three scales, three calculations
The following fictional responses demonstrate the arithmetic. Each row lists the seven response values in that scale’s item order. The labels follow the doubled-score table above; they are not diagnoses or personalized recommendations.
For example, the anxiety responses sum to 8. Multiplying once gives 16. Comparing the raw 8 with the doubled-score table would use the wrong metric and produce a different label.
| Scale | Seven response values | Raw sum | Doubled score | Table label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depression | 1 + 0 + 1 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 1 | 5 | 10 | Mild |
| Anxiety | 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 | 8 | 16 | Severe |
| Stress | 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 | 12 | 24 | Moderate |
Why do some thresholds include odd numbers?
A complete DASS-21 scale sum is a whole number. Doubling it produces an even number, so a complete doubled short-form score cannot be 15, 21, or 27.
The conventional table also serves the full-length metric, which can include odd scores. For example, the severe depression interval begins at 21; the first complete doubled DASS-21 score in that interval is 22. Do not round a valid even total to the nearest boundary.
Can I add all 21 answers into a single total?
A combined score may be used in research as a measure of general distress. It is not inherently meaningless, but it answers a different question from the three separate scales.
Do not apply a depression, anxiety, or stress severity column to an all-item total. If a report uses a composite, check its calculation, reference data, and interpretation. The three-scale calculation here does not supply a separate diagnostic cutoff for the combined result.
What should I check if two websites disagree?
First check the version and whether the scores are raw or doubled. Then check item grouping, missing answers, and the table used. A different number may reflect a conversion rather than different responses.
For a fictional example, one report might show anxiety 8/21 and another 16/42 for the same responses. These can be equivalent when the second is doubled. They are not equivalent if one has been doubled twice or uses a different instrument.
If the scoring explanation remains unclear, bring the form and report to the professional helping you interpret it. Avoid averaging labels or choosing the result that feels most reassuring.
This page is educational. A questionnaire score cannot establish a diagnosis or explain the cause of your symptoms. If you are struggling, speak with a counselor or healthcare professional, whatever your score.
Read how to ask for support or find a helpline in your country.