Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10)
A 10-item screening scale for non-specific psychological distress over the last 30 days. It asks about symptoms such as nervousness, hopelessness, restlessness, depression, effort, sadness, and worthlessness.
Who Is This Test For?
The K10 is for people who want a quick check of recent non-specific psychological distress.
- People feeling nervous, low, restless, exhausted, or overwhelmed
- Anyone wanting to monitor distress over the last 30 days
- People deciding whether extra support might be useful
- Anyone preparing to discuss recent distress with a health professional
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel each of the following?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel tired out for no good reason?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel nervous?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel so nervous that nothing could calm you down?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel hopeless?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel restless or fidgety?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel so restless you could not sit still?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel depressed?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel that everything was an effort?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel so sad that nothing could cheer you up?
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel worthless?
Turn self-test results into a clearer next step.
Save your results, watch changes over time, and find relevant tools when you need a next step.
- Save your history
- Track changes over time
- Find relevant tools
Retake tests over time to see what changes.
Good To Know
Treat the Score as a Signal
Use your result to decide whether to add support, reduce load, or talk with a professional. It is information for action, not a label.
Look for Patterns
Notice whether distress is tied to sleep loss, conflict, work pressure, isolation, substances, pain, or major life changes. Patterns make next steps clearer.
Reach Out Early
If symptoms are rising or staying high, contact someone you trust or a qualified professional before things become harder to manage.
Understanding the K10
T he Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) is a brief 10-item measure of non-specific psychological distress. It focuses on recent feelings linked with anxiety and depressive symptoms rather than diagnosing a specific condition.
Each item is scored from 1 to 5, using the response options from 'None of the time' to 'All of the time'. The total score ranges from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating higher recent distress.
This version uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics scoring groups: low, moderate, high, and very high. A score around 20 or above is often used in accessible clinical and population references as a practical marker of elevated distress; it is a reference threshold, not a population average or diagnosis.
The K10 is copyright Ronald C. Kessler, PhD. The official National Comorbidity Survey page states that use does not require formal permission, but the scale must be cited appropriately. This page provides attribution and should not be treated as a claim that the K10 is public domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the K10 measure?
The K10 measures non-specific psychological distress over the last 30 days. It includes experiences such as nervousness, hopelessness, restlessness, depressed mood, effort, sadness, and worthlessness.
Does the K10 diagnose anxiety or depression?
No. It is a screening and monitoring tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A clinician can consider your score alongside your history, current situation, risk, and functioning.
Why are the scores 10 to 50 instead of 0 to 40?
The ABS convention scores each of the 10 items from 1 to 5, giving a total range of 10 to 50. This test follows that convention.
What does the 20 marker mean?
The marker at 20 is used here as a practical reference point because accessible authoritative sources commonly cite 20 or higher as a clinically meaningful or elevated threshold. It is not presented as a population mean.
What should I do with a high or very high result?
Consider contacting a doctor, therapist, counselor, or local mental health service, especially if distress affects daily life. If you might harm yourself, feel unable to stay safe, or are in immediate danger, contact emergency services or a crisis line now.
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Sources & References
- Kessler RC, Andrews G, Colpe LJ, et al. Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychological Medicine. 2002;32(6):959-976.
- National Comorbidity Survey. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10/K6) scale information and use policy.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10 (K10), 2014-15 scoring groups.
This K10 self-test is a screening and reflection tool only. It does not diagnose anxiety, depression, or any other condition, and it cannot replace assessment by a qualified health professional. If your score is elevated, if symptoms are persistent, or if distress is affecting your life, consider professional support. If you feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, cannot stay safe, or are in immediate danger, contact emergency services or a local crisis line now. K10 copyright Ronald C. Kessler, PhD; use requires citation.