21-item self-report inventory measuring severity of anxiety symptoms with focus on somatic symptoms. ≈ 5 min to complete. Free with attribution.
BAI (Beck Anxiety Inventory) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 21-item self-report inventory measuring severity of anxiety symptoms with focus on somatic symptoms.. It is most often used for 21-item self-report inventory measuring severity of anxiety symptoms with focus on somatic symptoms.. The instrument contains 21 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 5 min.
Source / attribution: Copyrighted; purchase from Pearson
21-item self-report inventory measuring severity of anxiety symptoms with focus on somatic symptoms. BAI is part of standard practice in this setting because it provides a structured, replicable assessment that can be tracked over time and compared across patients or visits.
Like all screening or assessment instruments, BAI is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.
Answer all 21 items below to see your BAI score and interpretation.
Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (0–3). Your score updates live as you answer.
All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.
Sum all 21 items scored 0-3. Total range 0-63.
Scoring notes: Sum all 21 items scored 0-3. Total range 0-63.
The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.
| Score range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–7 | Minimal | None |
| 8–15 | Mild | Watchful waiting |
| 16–25 | Moderate | Consider treatment |
| 26–63 | Severe | Active treatment |
This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.
Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.
| # | Item | Example response | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbness or tingling | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 2 | Feeling hot | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 3 | Wobbliness in legs | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 4 | Unable to relax | Not at all | 0 |
| 5 | Fear of worst happening | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 6 | Dizzy or lightheaded | Not at all | 0 |
| 7 | Heart pounding or racing | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 8 | Unsteady | Not at all | 0 |
| 9 | Terrified or afraid | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 10 | Nervous | Not at all | 0 |
| 11 | Feeling of choking | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 12 | Hands trembling | Not at all | 0 |
| 13 | Shaky or unsteady | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 14 | Fear of losing control | Not at all | 0 |
| 15 | Difficulty in breathing | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 16 | Fear of passing away | Not at all | 0 |
| 17 | Scared | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 18 | Indigestion | Not at all | 0 |
| 19 | Faint or lightheaded | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
| 20 | Face flushed | Not at all | 0 |
| 21 | Hot or cold sweats | Mildly — but it didn't bother me much | 1 |
Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.
1 + 1 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 0 + … (items 9–21 sum to 7) = 12
Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:
Total = 12 falls between 8 and 15 → Mild
Mild. Watchful waiting
A score is one input alongside history and examination. BAI supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.
Psychometric figures are drawn from the validation literature and may vary across clinical populations and translations.
If BAI doesn't fit your context, related instruments in anxiety include:
| Scale | Measures | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAD-2 | Ultra-brief anxiety screening based on first two GAD-7 items. | 2 | ≈ 1 min |
| STAI | Measures both temporary state anxiety and long-standing trait anxiety. | 20 | ≈ 10 min |
| HADS-A | 7-item anxiety subscale for hospital and clinical settings. | 7 | ≈ 2 min |
| PSWQ | 16-item measure of worry tendency as a stable personality trait. | 16 | ≈ 5 min |
| PHQ-9 | Severity of depression | 9 | ≈ 3 minutes |
| GAD-7 | Severity of generalized anxiety | 7 | ≈ 2 minutes |
| AUDIT | 10-item WHO screening tool for hazardous alcohol consumption and dependence. | 10 | ≈ 3 min |
| CHA2DS2-VASc | Annual stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation | 8 | — |
BAI (Beck Anxiety Inventory) is a validated instrument that assesses 21-item self-report inventory measuring severity of anxiety symptoms with focus on somatic symptoms.. Its primary clinical use is 21-item self-report inventory measuring severity of anxiety symptoms with focus on somatic symptoms..
BAI typically takes ≈ 5 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.
BAI contains 21 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.
Scores of 26–63 fall in the "Severe" band. Active treatment
Scores of 0–7 fall in the "Minimal" band. None
BAI has reported Cronbach's α of 0.92 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.75. Distinguishes anxiety from depression; focuses on somatic symptoms.
BAI is free to use with attribution. Copyrighted; purchase from Pearson
Beck, A. T., & Steer, R. A. (1993). Beck Anxiety Inventory Manual. Psychological Corporation.
No. BAI is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.
BAI is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: