20-item self-report measure of DSM-5 PTSD symptom severity. ≈ 5 min to complete. Free with attribution.
PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 20-item self-report measure of dsm-5 ptsd symptom severity.. It is most often used for 20-item self-report measure of dsm-5 ptsd symptom severity.. The instrument contains 20 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 5 min.
Source / attribution: Free to use with citation
20-item self-report measure of DSM-5 PTSD symptom severity. PCL-5 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, PCL-5 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 20 items below to see your PCL-5 score and interpretation.
Each item is scored on a 5-point scale (0–4). 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 20 items scored 0-4. Total range 0-80. Score >= 33 suggests probable PTSD.
Scoring notes: Sum all 20 items scored 0-4. Total range 0-80. Score >= 33 suggests probable PTSD.
The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.
| Score range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–32 | Below cutoff | Monitor |
| 33–80 | Probable PTSD | Further evaluation |
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 | Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 2 | Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 3 | Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (as if you were actually back there reliving it) | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 4 | Feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 5 | Having strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the stressful experience (for example, heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating) | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 6 | Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 7 | Avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (for example, people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations) | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 8 | Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 9 | Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 10 | Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 11 | Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 12 | Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 13 | Feeling distant or cut off from other people | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 14 | Trouble experiencing positive feelings (for example, being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you) | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 15 | Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively | Moderately | 2 |
| 16 | Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 17 | Being superalert or watchful or on guard | Moderately | 2 |
| 18 | Feeling jumpy or easily startled | Quite a bit | 3 |
| 19 | Having difficulty concentrating | Moderately | 2 |
| 20 | Trouble falling or staying asleep | Quite a bit | 3 |
Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + … (items 9–20 sum to 33) = 57
Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:
Total = 57 falls between 33 and 80 → Probable PTSD
Probable PTSD. Further evaluation
A score is one input alongside history and examination. PCL-5 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 PCL-5 doesn't fit your context, related instruments in trauma include:
| Scale | Measures | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES-R | 22-item self-report measure of post-traumatic stress symptoms. | 22 | ≈ 5 min |
| PCL-C | 17-item civilian version of PTSD Checklist based on DSM-IV. | 17 | ≈ 5 min |
| LEC-5 | 17-item self-report measure of exposure to potentially traumatic events. | 17 | ≈ 3 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 | — |
| Glasgow Coma Scale | Level of consciousness after head injury | 3 | — |
PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) is a validated instrument that assesses 20-item self-report measure of dsm-5 ptsd symptom severity.. Its primary clinical use is 20-item self-report measure of dsm-5 ptsd symptom severity..
PCL-5 typically takes ≈ 5 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.
PCL-5 contains 20 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.
Scores of 33–80 fall in the "Probable PTSD" band. Further evaluation
Scores of 0–32 fall in the "Below cutoff" band. Monitor
PCL-5 has reported Cronbach's α of 0.96 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.84. Excellent psychometric properties; aligned with DSM-5 criteria.
PCL-5 is free to use with attribution. Free to use with citation
Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Keane, T. M., Palmieri, P. A., Marx, B. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD.
No. PCL-5 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.
PCL-5 is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: