GAD-7 Anxiety Calculator

GAD-7 Anxiety Calculator for Psychiatry. A commonly used screening cut point is not certainty. In the primary-care study, a threshold of 10 had imperfect sensitivity and specificity. Do not apply study accuracy as an individual probability.

For shared guidance on choosing a tool and documenting results, read the clinical calculator workflow.

How this calculator works

The page accepts a finalized total and reports symptom bands, not a diagnosis. The original study's Table 3 uses 0-4, 5-9, 10-14 and 15-21: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/410326.

When to use this calculator

Discuss an anxiety screen after confirming it is GAD-7 rather than GAD-2. Review duration and functional effects alongside the total.

Inputs used

  • Completed GAD-7 integer total, 0-21
  • Assessment version and timeframe

Clinical interpretation

A commonly used screening cut point is not certainty. In the primary-care study, a threshold of 10 had imperfect sensitivity and specificity. Do not apply study accuracy as an individual probability.

Worked example

A score of 10 is in the moderate symptom range; 9 is mild. The one-point boundary does not mean the person abruptly acquired or lost a disorder. Scores 14 and 15 similarly cross a band, not a diagnostic boundary.

Limitations and safety notes

The score concerns recent symptoms, not the full duration and differential diagnosis needed for generalized anxiety disorder. Other anxiety disorders and medical contributors need clinical assessment. No questionnaire is reproduced.

Frequently asked questions

Can I enter a mean of 1.4?

No. This field takes the complete integer total. Do not transform an average into a total unless the source scoring workflow supports it.

References

  • Spitzer et al., 2006, primary validation and Tables 1/3. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/410326

Editorial review and citation methodology

Maintained by the Quick Medical Calculator Editorial Team. Content record date: September 9, 2026. A content date is not evidence of independent clinical review. Individual clinical sign-off is not recorded on this page.

  • Prefer original validation studies for scoring systems and prediction tools.
  • Use current specialty society guidance, transplant allocation policy, public health guidance, or regulator resources when they govern clinical use.
  • Include limitations and safety notes when a calculator is population-specific, context-dependent, or unsuitable as a standalone decision tool.

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