About the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a 10-question self-report screen for depression during pregnancy and the year after birth. It was developed by Cox, Holden and Sagovsky in 1987 in health centres in Edinburgh and Livingston, and is now used by midwives, health visitors, obstetricians and paediatricians worldwide. Each answer scores 0–3, and seven of the questions are reverse-scored — this calculator handles that automatically and gives a total from 0 to 30.
It is meant for new and expectant mothers (and is increasingly used with fathers and partners) who want to check how they have been feeling over the past seven days, and for professionals who need a quick, correctly scored result. Answer how you have felt in the past 7 days, not just today.
The EPDS deliberately avoids physical symptoms like tiredness and poor sleep that are normal after a baby arrives. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis: a score of 13 or more suggests probable depression, 10–12 possible depression, and any answer other than "Never" on question 10 should be raised with a health professional straight away.
With the default inputs, the epds total score is 0 / 30. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the edinburgh postnatal depression scale
- 1Think about how you have felt over the past 7 days, not just today.
- 2Choose the answer closest to how you have felt for each of the 10 questions.
- 3Read your total score — reverse scoring is applied automatically.
- 4Check the question 10 result separately.
- 5Share the result with your midwife, health visitor or doctor, especially if it is 10 or more.
Formula and method
Each question has four responses scored 0–3 according to symptom severity. For questions 1, 2 and 4 the first printed response scores 0, while for questions 3 and 5–10 the first printed response scores 3 — this reverse ordering discourages answering on autopilot. The calculator assigns the correct score to every response and adds them.
In the original validation, a cut-off of 12/13 identified mothers with major depression, and a lower threshold of 9/10 is widely used to avoid missing milder cases. Question 10 is reviewed separately because any positive answer about self-harm warrants immediate follow-up.
- item n
- Score for question n after applying the scoring direction (0–3)
- EPDS-3A
- Sum of questions 3, 4 and 5 — anxiety-related items
Worked examples
Mostly well, some worry
Answering "not very often" to self-blame (1), "yes, sometimes" to worry (2), "no, not much" to panic (1) and "not very often" to sleep trouble (1) gives 5 — below the screening threshold. The anxiety items 3–5 subtotal is 4.
Probable postnatal depression
The item scores 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 0 add to 15, above the 13-point threshold for probable depression. Question 10 is "never", so there is no self-harm flag, but a clinical assessment is advised.
Possible depression with a self-harm flag
The total of 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 10 is in the possible-depression range. Because question 10 is answered "hardly ever" (1), the self-harm item is positive and should be discussed with a professional the same day.
Frequently asked questions
What EPDS score indicates postnatal depression?+
A total of 13 or more suggests probable depression and should lead to a clinical assessment. Scores of 10–12 suggest possible depression, and many services repeat the screen in 2–4 weeks.
Why are some EPDS answers scored in reverse?+
For questions 3 and 5–10 the most severe response is printed first, while for questions 1, 2 and 4 the mildest is first. Mixing the order discourages ticking the same column every time; the calculator applies the scoring for you.
Can the EPDS be used during pregnancy?+
Yes. Although designed for the postnatal period, the EPDS has been validated for antenatal use and is recommended for screening during pregnancy as well as after birth.
Can fathers or partners take the EPDS?+
It is increasingly used with fathers and partners. Some studies suggest a lower cut-off (around 10) for men, so any concerning score should be discussed with a professional.
What if I answered anything other than "Never" to question 10?+
Any positive answer to the self-harm question needs prompt attention, regardless of the total. Contact your doctor, midwife or a crisis line today, or emergency services if you feel unsafe.
Is the EPDS a diagnosis?+
No. It is a screening questionnaire. A diagnosis of perinatal depression requires a clinical interview that considers symptoms, duration, other conditions and your circumstances.
For healthcare professionals and education only. This calculator implements a published formula or score but is not a diagnosis and does not replace clinical judgment. Verify inputs and results against the original source before using them in patient care.