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EPDS Postnatal Depression Screening Calculator

Health

Score the 10-question Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) instantly. A quick self-check tool for new and expecting parents, not a diagnosis.

Reviewed by the thecalcu.com team · Last updated July 15, 2026

EPDS Total Score

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This calculator computes your EPDS Total Score from the values you enter.

Inputs
I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of thingsI have looked forward with enjoyment to thingsI have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrongI have been anxious or worried for no good reasonI have felt scared or panicky for no good reasonThings have been getting on top of meI have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleepingI have felt sad or miserableI have been so unhappy that I have been cryingThe thought of harming myself has occurred to me
Outputs
EPDS Total Score

What is a EPDS Score?

The EPDS Postnatal Depression Screening Calculator scores the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a widely used 10-question self-report tool designed specifically for new and expecting parents. It asks about mood-related experiences over the past 7 days and is one of the most referenced brief screening tools for postnatal depression worldwide.

This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If the thought of harming yourself has occurred to you, please reach out immediately to a healthcare provider, crisis helpline, or emergency services. For persistent low mood, talk to your doctor, midwife, or a mental health professional. See also the Pregnancy Due Date Calculator for related pregnancy tools.

Why Use an EPDS Calculator?

Postnatal mood changes are common, and the EPDS is specifically designed to capture experiences unique to the postnatal period that general mood questionnaires may miss. This calculator lets you score it instantly and privately, entirely in your browser, using the same format many healthcare providers reference at postnatal check-ups.

Who Should Use This Calculator?

  • New parents wanting a private self-check-in on their mood since giving birth.
  • Expecting parents researching what postnatal mood screening involves ahead of time.
  • Students of healthcare learning about validated postnatal screening instruments.
  • Partners and family members wanting to understand what the EPDS measures to better support a new parent.

What Insights Does the EPDS Calculator Give You?

The EPDS Total Score (0-30) is the sole output, reflecting the sum of your ten answers about mood-related experiences over the past 7 days. Higher totals indicate more symptoms; this calculator does not label the score with a clinical interpretation, any concerns about your score, and especially any thoughts of self-harm, should be discussed with a healthcare professional right away.

How to use this EPDS Score calculator

  1. Answer each of the ten questions based on how you've felt over the past 7 days, not just today.
  2. Read your EPDS Total Score instantly.
  3. Use the result as a prompt for reflection or as a conversation starter with a healthcare professional, and seek immediate support if you have any thoughts of self-harm, regardless of your total score.
Show formula & methodology ↓Show less ↑

Formula & Methodology

Each question is scored 0-3 based on the response option selected, following the standard EPDS scoring convention (some items are reverse-scored based on question wording).

Total Score = Sum of all 10 item scores (range: 0-30)

Worked example, a set of answers summing to 2+1+2+1+2+2+1+2+1+0:

Total Score = 2+1+2+1+2+2+1+2+1+0 = 14

As with any screening score, interpretation and next steps should always be discussed with a healthcare professional rather than relying on the number alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EPDS?
The EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) is a widely used 10-question self-report screening tool designed specifically for new and expecting parents, asking about mood-related experiences over the past 7 days. It's one of the most referenced brief screening tools for postnatal depression worldwide.
Is the EPDS a diagnosis of postpartum depression?
No, the EPDS is a screening tool only, not a diagnostic instrument. A higher score suggests it may be worth discussing your mood with a healthcare professional, but only a qualified clinician can make an actual diagnosis.
How is the EPDS score calculated?
Each of the ten questions is scored from 0 to 3 based on how you've been feeling over the past 7 days, and the ten scores are added together for a total ranging from 0 to 30.
What does the EPDS ask about?
The ten items cover enjoyment, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, sleep disruption from unhappiness, sadness, crying, and thoughts of self-harm, all recognized as relevant to postnatal mood changes.
What should I do if I have thoughts of self-harm?
If the thought of harming yourself has occurred to you, please reach out immediately to a healthcare provider, a crisis helpline, or emergency services in your area, this is important regardless of your total score, and support is available.
Is the EPDS only for postpartum mothers?
The EPDS was designed and validated for postnatal mothers, though it has also been used in research with expecting mothers and, less commonly, with partners experiencing similar mood changes around the time of a birth.
How soon after birth can I take the EPDS?
The EPDS is commonly used any time from a few weeks after birth through the first year postpartum, and is often included as part of routine postnatal check-ups.
Is my EPDS answer data stored anywhere?
No, this calculator runs entirely in your browser and does not transmit, store, or share your answers anywhere.
What should I do if I score high on the EPDS?
Consider speaking with your doctor, midwife, health visitor, or a mental health professional about how you've been feeling, postnatal mood changes are common and support is available, and the EPDS is designed to prompt that conversation, not replace it.
How is the EPDS different from the PHQ-2?
The [PHQ-2 Calculator](/phq-2-calculator/) is a general two-question depression screen used across many contexts, while the EPDS is a ten-question scale specifically designed and validated for the postnatal period, covering mood experiences unique to new parenthood.
Also known as
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression ScaleEPDS score calculatorpostpartum depression screeningpostnatal depression test