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Trauma & PTSD · ~7 min · 20 items · Printable form

PCL-5: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5

The 20-item self-report checklist of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms from the US National Center for PTSD, with scoring guide.

Medical disclaimer: this is a validated screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic test. Only a qualified health professional can diagnose a condition. Your answers are processed in your browser and are never sent or stored.

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Below is a list of problems that people sometimes have in response to a very stressful experience. Please indicate how much you have been bothered by each problem in the past month.

  1. 1.Repeated, disturbing, and unwanted memories of the stressful experience?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  2. 2.Repeated, disturbing dreams of the stressful experience?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  3. 3.Suddenly feeling or acting as if the stressful experience were actually happening again (as if you were actually back there reliving it)?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  4. 4.Feeling very upset when something reminded you of the stressful experience?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  5. 5.Having strong physical reactions when something reminded you of the stressful experience (e.g., heart pounding, trouble breathing, sweating)?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  6. 6.Avoiding memories, thoughts, or feelings related to the stressful experience?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  7. 7.Avoiding external reminders of the stressful experience (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, or situations)?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  8. 8.Trouble remembering important parts of the stressful experience?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  9. 9.Having strong negative beliefs about yourself, other people, or the world?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  10. 10.Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  11. 11.Having strong negative feelings such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  12. 12.Loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  13. 13.Feeling distant or cut off from other people?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  14. 14.Trouble experiencing positive feelings (e.g., being unable to feel happiness or have loving feelings for people close to you)?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  15. 15.Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, or acting aggressively?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  16. 16.Taking too many risks or doing things that could cause you harm?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  17. 17.Being "superalert" or watchful or on guard?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  18. 18.Feeling jumpy or easily startled?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  19. 19.Having difficulty concentrating?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)
  20. 20.Trouble falling or staying asleep?
    Not at all (0)A little bit (1)Moderately (2)Quite a bit (3)Extremely (4)

PCL-5 scoring guide

ScoreInterpretationSuggested action
0–30Below provisional cut-pointMonitor; re-administer if symptoms change.
31–80Probable PTSD (provisional)Confirm with a structured clinical interview such as the CAPS-5.

Clinical background

What it measures

The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure of the DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD, published by the US National Center for PTSD. Items group into four clusters: intrusion (1–5), avoidance (6–7), negative changes in mood and thinking (8–14) and arousal/reactivity (15–20).

How it is scored

Items are summed for a total of 0–80. A cut-point of 31–33 suggests probable PTSD and warrants a structured interview such as the CAPS-5. A change of 10 points is considered clinically meaningful when tracking treatment.

Reference: Weathers FW, Litz BT, Keane TM, et al. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD, 2013. Public domain.