The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is a 10-item questionnaire developed by Cohen and colleagues (1983) to measure how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded your life feels. It asks about feelings and thoughts over the past month using a 0-4 frequency scale. Total scores range from 0 to 40. Source: Cohen et al., 1983 (PubMed).
How to use it: Answer each item for the last month, not just today. There are no right or wrong answers; it is a snapshot of perceived stress.
Reading your score: The bands are general guides. Higher scores mean more perceived stress lately; they describe frequency, not a diagnosis.
Limitations: The PSS is a self-report screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Scores shift with recent events, sleep, and mood, and are not a substitute for professional evaluation.
When to seek help: If stress feels constant or affects sleep, focus, or relationships, consider a mental health professional. If you ever feel you might harm yourself, contact a crisis line such as 988 (US) right away.
Related: Our WHO-5 Well-Being Index and Mental Health Help (US).