Stress Test (PSS-10)
This is a stress test based on the PSS-10 (Perceived Stress Scale), the most widely used and validated self-assessment of perceived stress, made up of 10 questions about the last month. Answer them and get your score from 0 to 40 straight away, with the matching band (low, moderate or high stress). The calculation happens entirely in your browser: we do not collect, store or send anything, and there is no need to sign up. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis: for a reliable assessment, speak to a professional.
- Free and anonymous
- No data saved or sent
- 10 questions, under 4 minutes
- Scored in your browser
Take the test
The questions below ask about your feelings and thoughts during the last month. For each one, indicate how often you felt or thought a certain way.
You are not alone
High, prolonged stress can weigh heavily. If you feel overwhelmed or need to talk to someone right now, here are some free listening lines. They are not a medical emergency service: if you are in immediate danger, call 999.
- Samaritans — 116 123 Free, 24/7, for anyone in distress
- SHOUT — text SHOUT to 85258 Free 24/7 text support if you would rather not call
- Mind Infoline — 0300 123 3393 Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, information and signposting
If you need to catch your breath and find some calm, you can also use our free SOS app.
What the PSS-10 is and how to read the score
The PSS-10 (Perceived Stress Scale, 10-item version) measures how stressful a person finds their life over the last month: how much they feel situations are unpredictable, uncontrollable or overloading. Each question is worth from 0 (never) to 4 (very often); the total runs from 0 to 40.
Four questions (numbers 4, 5, 7 and 8) are worded positively and are reverse-scored: a high answer means less stress, so it is flipped (0 becomes 4, 4 becomes 0) before adding up. Our test does this automatically. The reference bands are:
- 0-13 low perceived stress
- 14-26 moderate perceived stress
- 27-40 high perceived stress
The PSS-10 contains no questions about self-harm: it measures perceived stress. A high score is not a diagnosis, but a valid reason to look after yourself and, if the stress has lasted a while, to talk it through with a professional.
Source of the questionnaire
The items and the response scale are the original English wording of the PSS-10 by Sheldon Cohen. Original scale: Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R, A global measure of perceived stress, Journal of Health and Social Behavior 1983;24:385-396; the 10-item version in Cohen S, Williamson G, Perceived Stress in a Probability Sample of the United States (1988). Copyright © Sheldon Cohen; the scale is free for non-profit academic, educational and research use.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PSS-10 stress test reliable?
The PSS-10 is the most widely used and validated perceived stress scale in the world, both in research and in practice. It is reliable as a screen of your perceived stress level, but it remains a first-orientation tool: it does not replace an assessment by a professional.
Why are some answers reverse-scored?
Four questions (numbers 4, 5, 7 and 8) are worded positively: they ask how in control or confident you felt. For these, a high frequency means less stress, so the score is flipped before adding up. This is the official scoring method of the scale, and our test applies it automatically.
Is my data safe?
Yes. The score is worked out entirely in your browser. We do not collect, store or send your answers anywhere: there are no accounts, emails or cookies tied to the test. If you reload the page, your answers disappear.
Read more
To understand stress, anxiety and what you can do: