Home›Calculators›Health›AUDIT-C Calculator

AUDIT-C Calculator

Health

Score the 3-question AUDIT-C alcohol screening questionnaire instantly. A quick self-check tool, based on the validated abbreviated AUDIT scale.

Reviewed by the thecalcu.com team · Last updated July 4, 2026

AUDIT-C Total Score

0

This calculator computes your AUDIT-C Total Score from the values you enter.

Inputs
How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?How many drinks do you have on a typical day when drinking?How often do you have 6+ drinks on one occasion?
Outputs
AUDIT-C Total Score

What is a AUDIT-C Score?

The AUDIT-C Calculator scores the 3-question abbreviated Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, a widely used quick screening tool for alcohol consumption patterns. It's commonly used in primary care as a fast initial screen before considering the longer full AUDIT.

This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If you're concerned about your drinking patterns, please talk to a doctor. See also the AUDIT Score Calculator for the full 10-question version.

Why Use an AUDIT-C Calculator?

AUDIT-C is one of the most widely referenced quick alcohol screening tools, and this calculator lets you score it instantly and privately, entirely in your browser. It's a fast way to structure a self-check-in using the same format many healthcare providers use.

Who Should Use This Calculator?

  • Anyone doing a quick private self-check-in on their drinking patterns.
  • Students of public health or medicine learning about brief alcohol screening tools.
  • People preparing for a doctor's visit who want a structured way to describe their drinking habits.
  • Healthcare educators demonstrating how AUDIT-C is scored.

What Insights Does the AUDIT-C Calculator Give You?

The AUDIT-C Total Score (0-12) is the sole output, reflecting the sum of your three answers about drinking frequency, typical quantity, and binge drinking frequency. Higher totals indicate higher-risk patterns based on these figures; this calculator does not label the score with a clinical interpretation.

How to use this AUDIT-C Score calculator

  1. Answer how often you have a drink containing alcohol.
  2. Answer how many drinks you typically have on a drinking day.
  3. Answer how often you have six or more drinks on one occasion.
  4. Read your AUDIT-C Total Score instantly.
  5. Use the result as a prompt for reflection or as a conversation starter with a healthcare professional.
Show formula & methodology ↓Show less ↑

Formula & Methodology

Each question is scored 0-4 based on the response option selected.

Total Score = Sum of all 3 item scores (range: 0-12)

Worked example, answers of 2 (frequency), 1 (typical drinks), 1 (binge frequency):

Total Score = 2 + 1 + 1 = 4

As with any screening score, interpretation and next steps are best discussed with a healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AUDIT-C?
AUDIT-C is a 3-question abbreviated version of the full 10-question AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), used as a quick screening tool for alcohol consumption patterns. It's widely used in primary care settings as a fast initial screen.
Is AUDIT-C a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder?
No, AUDIT-C is a screening tool only, not a diagnostic instrument. A higher score suggests it may be worth discussing your drinking patterns with a healthcare professional, but only a qualified clinician can make an actual diagnosis.
How is the AUDIT-C score calculated?
Each of the three questions is scored from 0 to 4 based on your selected answer, and the three scores are added together for a total ranging from 0 to 12.
What questions does AUDIT-C ask about?
The three questions cover how often you drink, how many drinks you typically have, and how often you have six or more drinks on one occasion (binge drinking frequency).
What is the difference between AUDIT-C and the full AUDIT?
AUDIT-C uses only the first three consumption-focused questions from the full 10-question [AUDIT Score Calculator](/audit-score-calculator/), making it faster to complete, while the full AUDIT also covers dependence symptoms and alcohol-related problems in more depth.
What does a higher AUDIT-C score mean?
Higher scores generally reflect higher-risk drinking patterns based on frequency and quantity; this calculator does not provide a clinical interpretation, any concerns about your score should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Is my AUDIT-C answer data stored anywhere?
No, this calculator runs entirely in your browser and does not transmit, store, or share your answers anywhere.
How often should I take the AUDIT-C?
There's no fixed schedule, it can be used as an occasional self-check-in, and in clinical settings it's sometimes repeated periodically as part of routine screening.
What should I do if I score high on the AUDIT-C?
Consider speaking with a doctor about your drinking patterns, the AUDIT-C is designed to prompt that conversation, not replace it, and support is available if you have concerns.
How does this relate to the Alcohol Unit Calculator?
The [Alcohol Unit Calculator](/alcohol-unit-calculator/) computes the precise unit count for a specific drink, while AUDIT-C screens broader drinking patterns and frequency, the two tools complement each other for understanding alcohol consumption.
Also known as
AUDIT-C score calculatoralcohol screening testabbreviated AUDIT calculatordrinking screening questionnaire