# Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Calculator (EPDS) URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/health/epds/ Last updated: 2026-10-30 > The EPDS calculator scores the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a 10-question screen for depression during pregnancy and after birth. Choose the answer closest to how you have felt in the past 7 days to get a score from 0 to 30. ## Inputs - 1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things - 2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things - 3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong - 4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason - 5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason - 6. Things have been getting on top of me - 7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping - 8. I have felt sad or miserable - 9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying - 10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me ## Results - EPDS score - Interpretation - Thoughts of self-harm (question 10) ## Formula ``` Score = sum of the points for each item ``` ## Explanation Up to one in seven women experience depression in pregnancy or the year after birth. The EPDS was developed in Edinburgh in 1987 and is recommended worldwide for routine screening; it can also be used by partners. ### How to use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Calculator - **1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things** - **2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things** - **3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong** - **4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason** - **5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason** - **6. Things have been getting on top of me** - **7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping** - **8. I have felt sad or miserable** - **9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying** - **10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me** Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu. ### How it works Each answer carries the points shown in the published score. The calculator adds them up and maps the total to the published interpretation. ### Scoring table ItemAnswers and points1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of thingsAs much as I always could = 0; Not quite so much now = 1; Definitely not so much now = 2; Not at all = 32. I have looked forward with enjoyment to thingsAs much as I ever did = 0; Rather less than I used to = 1; Definitely less than I used to = 2; Hardly at all = 33. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrongYes, most of the time = 3; Yes, some of the time = 2; Not very often = 1; No, never = 04. I have been anxious or worried for no good reasonNo, not at all = 0; Hardly ever = 1; Yes, sometimes = 2; Yes, very often = 35. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reasonYes, quite a lot = 3; Yes, sometimes = 2; No, not much = 1; No, not at all = 06. Things have been getting on top of meYes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope at all = 3; Yes, sometimes I haven't been coping as well as usual = 2; No, most of the time I have coped quite well = 1; No, I have been coping as well as ever = 07. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleepingYes, most of the time = 3; Yes, sometimes = 2; Not very often = 1; No, not at all = 08. I have felt sad or miserableYes, most of the time = 3; Yes, quite often = 2; Not very often = 1; No, not at all = 09. I have been so unhappy that I have been cryingYes, most of the time = 3; Yes, quite often = 2; Only occasionally = 1; No, never = 010. The thought of harming myself has occurred to meYes, quite often = 3; Sometimes = 2; Hardly ever = 1; Never = 0 ### Tips - Answer based on the last two weeks, as the questionnaires ask. - Screening scores are a starting point for a conversation with a professional. - Repeat the questionnaire every few weeks to track change. - If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact a crisis line or emergency services now. ### Common mistakes to avoid - Treating a screening score as a diagnosis. - Answering for how you want to feel rather than how you have felt. - Waiting for a "high enough" score before asking for help. ### Inputs explained FieldWhat to enter1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of thingsChoose one: As much as I always could, Not quite so much now, Definitely not so much now, Not at all2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to thingsChoose one: As much as I ever did, Rather less than I used to, Definitely less than I used to, Hardly at all3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrongChoose one: Yes, most of the time, Yes, some of the time, Not very often, No, never4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reasonChoose one: No, not at all, Hardly ever, Yes, sometimes, Yes, very often5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reasonChoose one: Yes, quite a lot, Yes, sometimes, No, not much, No, not at all6. Things have been getting on top of meChoose one: Yes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope at all, Yes, sometimes I haven't been coping as well as usual, No, most of the time I have coped quite well, No, I have been coping as well as ever7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleepingChoose one: Yes, most of the time, Yes, sometimes, Not very often, No, not at all8. I have felt sad or miserableChoose one: Yes, most of the time, Yes, quite often, Not very often, No, not at all9. I have been so unhappy that I have been cryingChoose one: Yes, most of the time, Yes, quite often, Only occasionally, No, never10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to meChoose one: Yes, quite often, Sometimes, Hardly ever, Never *Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.* ## Worked example Inputs — 1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things: As much as I always could; 2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things: As much as I ever did; 3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong: Not very often; 4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason: Hardly ever; 5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason: No, not at all; 6. Things have been getting on top of me: No, I have been coping as well as ever; 7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping: No, not at all; 8. I have felt sad or miserable: No, not at all; 9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying: No, never; 10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me: Never. Results — **EPDS score = 2 / 30**; Interpretation = Depression unlikely; Thoughts of self-harm (question 10) = None reported. ## Key terms - **Postnatal (postpartum) depression**: Depression in the year after childbirth. ## FAQ **What EPDS score suggests depression?** 13 or more suggests probable depression; 10–12 possible depression. **When should the EPDS be done?** At least once in pregnancy and again after birth, commonly at 6–8 weeks. **What if I scored on question 10?** Please seek help today – postnatal depression is common and treatable. ## Sources - [Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression: the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry, 1987](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3651732/)