What this EPDS calculator does
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a short, 10‑question screening questionnaire used worldwide during pregnancy and after birth.
This page helps you total your EPDS score (0–30) from your answers and shows a plain‑language interpretation based on commonly used screening ranges.
It is designed for screening and conversation—not diagnosis.
The EPDS focuses on how you have been feeling recently, including enjoyment, worry, fear, sleep difficulty related to unhappiness, sadness, crying, and thoughts of self‑harm.
Many people find it easier to start a conversation with a clinician when they have a concrete score and can point to specific items that felt most true.
If you are completing the EPDS for yourself, consider sharing the results with a trusted healthcare professional, especially if your score is elevated or you feel unsafe.
Who this tool is for (and who it is not for)
This calculator can be used by postpartum parents, pregnant people, partners, and other caregivers who want a structured way to reflect on mood symptoms.
It can also be used by clinicians or support workers as a quick scoring aid.
However, it is not intended to replace a clinical interview, and it cannot assess every important factor such as psychosis, mania, substance use,
domestic violence, or medical conditions that can affect mood.
If you are in immediate danger, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, do not wait for a score.
Seek urgent help through local emergency services, a crisis line, or an emergency department.
If you are not sure what to do, contacting a primary care clinician, midwife, obstetric team, or local perinatal mental health service is a reasonable first step.
When the EPDS is used
Clinicians often use the EPDS at more than one time point (for example, during pregnancy and again postpartum). You may also repeat it if your mood changes,
if you are starting treatment, or if you and your clinician are tracking symptoms over time. A single score is a snapshot; trends and context matter.
Many services screen at routine visits such as around 6–8 weeks postpartum, but symptoms can appear earlier or later.
Some people experience depression during pregnancy (antenatal depression), and others develop symptoms months after birth.
Repeating the EPDS every few weeks can help you notice whether things are improving, staying the same, or getting worse.
If you are tracking scores, write down the date and any major changes (sleep, feeding challenges, return to work, relationship stress, illness, or loss).
How to answer the questions
- Timeframe: answer based on how you have felt in the past 7 days.
- One option per question: each question has four choices scored from 0 to 3.
- Be honest: the tool works best when you choose the option that fits most closely, even if it feels uncomfortable.
- Safety note: question 10 asks about self‑harm thoughts. Any answer other than “Never” should be treated as urgent.
If you are unsure between two options, choose the one that reflects how you felt for most of the week.
Try not to overthink a single day; the EPDS is meant to capture a general pattern.
Also note that some items are phrased positively (for example, laughing and looking forward to things) while others are phrased negatively.
The scoring is already built into the answer choices, so you do not need to reverse‑score anything yourself.
Each question contributes a score from 0 (least symptoms) to 3 (most symptoms). The total EPDS score is the sum of all 10 question scores:
The minimum possible score is 0 and the maximum is 30.
This calculator also checks whether question 10 is greater than 0 and, if so, displays urgent guidance.
In other words, the calculator does not “predict” depression; it simply totals the points and shows a typical screening category.
The meaning of that category depends on your situation and local clinical practice.
Some clinics use different thresholds for pregnancy versus postpartum, and some use different cut‑offs for different languages or populations.
If you are completing the EPDS as part of care, follow the instructions given by your clinic.
Typical EPDS score ranges (screening guidance)
Cut‑offs vary by guideline and setting. The ranges below are commonly used for screening and follow‑up planning.
Your clinician may interpret the score differently based on your history, support, sleep, medical recovery, and other factors.
| EPDS score |
Typical interpretation |
Suggested next step |
| 0–9 |
Lower symptom range for many people. |
Monitor how you feel. Seek support if symptoms persist or interfere with daily life. |
| 10–12 |
Borderline / mild elevation; may indicate increased risk. |
Arrange follow‑up with a healthcare professional and consider repeating the EPDS soon. |
| 13 or higher |
Higher symptom range in many guidelines; further evaluation is recommended. |
Contact a clinician or perinatal mental health service as soon as you can. |
| Any score with self‑harm thoughts |
Urgent safety concern regardless of total score. |
Seek immediate help (emergency services, crisis line, or emergency department). |
A helpful way to use ranges is to treat them as a signal for next steps rather than a label.
For example, a borderline score may mean “check in again soon and talk about support,” while a higher score may mean “schedule a prompt assessment.”
Even with a low score, you may still want help if you feel persistently anxious, numb, detached, or unable to function.
Worked example (complete 10‑item total)
Example question scores: Q1=1, Q2=2, Q3=1, Q4=2, Q5=1, Q6=2, Q7=1, Q8=2, Q9=1, Q10=0.
The total is:
1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 0 = 13
In many settings, 13 suggests a higher symptom range and is a strong reason to talk with a healthcare professional.
It does not confirm a diagnosis by itself.
To make the example more practical, imagine the person also reports poor sleep, frequent worry, and reduced enjoyment.
A clinician might ask follow‑up questions about duration, functioning, support at home, past mental health history, and safety.
The EPDS score helps prioritize that conversation and can guide whether additional screening for anxiety or trauma is appropriate.
How to interpret your result responsibly
When you see your total score, it can be tempting to focus only on the number. A more useful approach is to look at both the total and the pattern of answers.
For example, two people can have the same total score but very different experiences: one may have high anxiety items, while another may have high sadness and crying items.
Sharing the pattern with a clinician can help them tailor support.
- Look for change over time: repeating the EPDS can show whether symptoms are improving, stable, or worsening.
- Consider functioning: are symptoms affecting sleep, appetite, bonding, work, or daily tasks?
- Consider support and stressors: isolation, financial stress, relationship conflict, and medical complications can increase risk.
- Do not ignore safety items: any self‑harm thoughts require urgent attention even if the total score is low.
If you are using this tool outside of a clinic, you can still take meaningful action: talk to a trusted person, schedule a check‑in with a healthcare provider,
and ask specifically about postpartum mental health resources (therapy, peer support, medication options, and crisis planning).
Limitations, assumptions, and safety
- Screening only: EPDS results are not a diagnosis and do not replace professional assessment.
- Context matters: sleep deprivation, pain, anxiety, trauma, and social support can affect how you feel and how you answer.
- Urgent symptoms: if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, seek immediate help regardless of score.
- Differences across people: culture, language, and personal circumstances can influence how symptoms are experienced and reported.
The EPDS is intentionally brief, which is one reason it is widely used. The trade‑off is that it cannot capture every symptom or situation.
Some people experience intrusive thoughts, panic, or trauma symptoms that are not fully reflected in the total score.
Others may minimize symptoms due to stigma, fear of judgment, or worry about what will happen if they disclose how they feel.
If any part of your experience feels severe, frightening, or out of control, it is appropriate to seek help even if the score seems “not high enough.”
Practical next steps you can take today
If your score is elevated or you are concerned, consider these concrete actions. They are not medical advice, but they can help you prepare for care and reduce isolation.
- Share the result: bring your total score and the items that felt most true to a clinician or trusted support person.
- Ask for a plan: request a follow‑up appointment, referral, or a check‑in schedule (for example, repeat EPDS in 1–2 weeks).
- Prioritize sleep support: if possible, arrange a protected sleep block and ask for help with night feeds or household tasks.
- Reduce barriers: if childcare, transport, or cost makes appointments hard, ask about telehealth, community programs, or sliding‑scale services.
- Know emergency options: if self‑harm thoughts are present, identify local emergency numbers and crisis resources in advance.
Many people recover with the right support. Early recognition and timely care can make a meaningful difference for the parent, baby, and family.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the EPDS?
The EPDS is widely studied and useful for screening, but it is not perfect. False positives and false negatives can occur.
A clinician should interpret results alongside a full history and, if needed, further assessment.
Can partners or fathers use the EPDS?
Yes. Although developed for mothers, it is often used for partners and other caregivers. Interpretation and cut‑offs may vary by setting.
What if I feel unwell but my score is low?
You can still need support with a low score. If you feel persistently low, anxious, disconnected, or unable to cope, contact a healthcare professional.
Why does question 10 matter so much?
Question 10 asks whether the thought of harming yourself has occurred to you. Any response other than “Never” is treated as urgent because safety comes first.
Even if you do not intend to act on the thought, it is a sign that you deserve prompt support and a safety assessment.
Can anxiety show up even if my depression score is not high?
Yes. Some people experience prominent anxiety, panic, or intrusive thoughts postpartum. The EPDS includes some anxiety‑related items, but it may not capture every anxiety symptom.
If worry, fear, or panic is interfering with daily life, bring that up directly with a clinician.
Sources and further reading
The EPDS was developed by Cox, Holden, and Sagovsky (1987). For local guidance and support options, consult your national health service,
perinatal mental health services, or a qualified clinician.
If you are reading this page because you are worried about yourself or someone you care about, consider looking up postpartum mental health resources in your region.
Many countries have perinatal mental health teams, community health visitors, and parent support organizations that can help you access care.
If you are in crisis, use local emergency services.
