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Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence

Health

Score the standard 6-question Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) instantly. A quick self-check based on the validated FTND scale.

Reviewed by the thecalcu.com team ยท Last updated July 28, 2026

FTND Total Score

0

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

Inputs
How soon after waking do you smoke your first cigarette?Do you find it difficult to refrain from smoking where it's forbidden?Which cigarette would you hate most to give up?How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?Do you smoke more frequently in the first hours after waking?Do you smoke even when ill in bed most of the day?
Outputs
FTND Total Score

What is a Fagerstrom Score?

The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence Calculator scores the validated 6-question FTND, widely used to assess the intensity of physical nicotine dependence. It's a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument.

For related smoking-related tools, see the Cigarette Calculator and Pack Year Calculator.


Why Use a Fagerstrom Test Calculator?

The FTND is one of the most widely referenced tools for assessing nicotine dependence, and this calculator lets you score it instantly and privately, entirely in your browser, using the same structure many healthcare providers reference.


Who Should Use This Calculator?

  • Smokers curious about their level of physical nicotine dependence.
  • People preparing to discuss cessation options with a healthcare provider.
  • Students of public health or medicine learning the FTND structure.
  • Healthcare educators demonstrating how the FTND is scored.

What Insights Does the Fagerstrom Test Calculator Give You?

The FTND Total Score (0-10) is the sole output, reflecting your combined answers across all six questions. Higher totals generally indicate stronger physical dependence; this calculator does not provide a clinical interpretation, any specific concerns are best discussed with a healthcare professional.


How to use this Fagerstrom Score calculator

  1. Answer how soon after waking you smoke your first cigarette.
  2. Answer whether it's difficult to refrain from smoking where forbidden.
  3. Answer which cigarette you'd hate most to give up.
  4. Answer how many cigarettes per day you smoke.
  5. Answer whether you smoke more frequently in the morning.
  6. Answer whether you smoke even when ill in bed.
  7. Read your FTND Total Score instantly.

Show formula & methodology โ†“Show less โ†‘

Formula & Methodology

Time to first cigarette and cigarettes per day are each scored 0-3; the remaining four questions are scored 0-1.

Total Score = Sum of all 6 item scores (range: 0-10)

Worked example, smoking within 5 minutes of waking (3), difficulty refraining (1), hating to give up the first cigarette (1), 15 cigarettes per day (1), no to the remaining two:

Total Score = 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 6

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence?
The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) is a validated 6-question tool used to assess the intensity of physical dependence on nicotine, widely referenced in smoking cessation research and clinical practice.
Is the FTND a diagnosis?
No, the FTND is a screening and assessment tool only, not a diagnostic instrument. It's designed to give a general sense of nicotine dependence level, not a formal diagnosis.
How is the FTND score calculated?
The six questions use different scoring scales, some are 0-3, others are 0-1, and all six scores are summed for a total ranging from 0 to 10.
What does a higher FTND score mean?
Higher totals generally reflect a stronger physical dependence on nicotine; this calculator does not provide a clinical interpretation, this information may be useful context for a conversation with a healthcare provider about cessation support.
Why does time to first cigarette matter so much in this test?
Smoking soon after waking is widely considered one of the strongest indicators of physical nicotine dependence, which is why this question carries a higher maximum score (3 points) compared to some of the other yes/no questions.
Is my FTND answer data stored anywhere?
No, this calculator runs entirely in your browser and does not transmit, store, or share your answers anywhere.
How is FTND different from the Cigarette Calculator?
The [Cigarette Calculator](/cigarette-calculator/) estimates financial cost of smoking, while the FTND assesses physical nicotine dependence level, the two provide different lenses on a smoking habit.
Can FTND help with quitting smoking?
Understanding your dependence level can help inform conversations with a healthcare provider about appropriate cessation support options, such as nicotine replacement therapy, though the FTND itself doesn't provide a treatment plan.
Who developed the Fagerstrom Test?
The Fagerstrom Test was developed as a validated tool to quantify nicotine dependence and has become one of the most widely used and referenced instruments in smoking cessation research and clinical practice.
What should I do if I want to quit smoking?
Speaking with a healthcare provider about cessation support options, which may include counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, or medication, is generally recommended, and support resources like national quitlines are also widely available.
Also known as
FTND calculatornicotine dependence testFagerstrom score calculatorsmoking dependence questionnaire