PCL-5 PTSD Checklist Calculator

Score the 20-item PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).

Get your 0-80 total, the 31-33 cutoff comparison, and DSM-5 cluster subscores B, C, D, and E.

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How the PCL-5 is scored

The PCL-5 lists the 20 symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in DSM-5. You keep your worst stressful event in mind and rate how much each problem bothered you in the past month, from 0 (Not at all) to 4 (Extremely). Adding the 20 ratings gives a total from 0 to 80.

The items map onto the four DSM-5 symptom clusters, and this calculator shows each subtotal:

  • Cluster B, intrusions (items 1-5, max 20): unwanted memories, nightmares, flashbacks, and reactions to reminders.
  • Cluster C, avoidance (items 6-7, max 8): avoiding thoughts or external reminders.
  • Cluster D, negative changes in mood and thinking (items 8-14, max 28).
  • Cluster E, arousal and reactivity (items 15-20, max 24): irritability, risk-taking, hypervigilance, startle, concentration, and sleep.

The National Center for PTSD also describes a symptom-pattern rule: treat any item rated 2 (Moderately) or higher as endorsed, then check for at least 1 B item, 1 C item, 2 D items, and 2 E items.

What a score of 31 to 33 means

Validation studies by Blevins and colleagues (2015) and Bovin and colleagues (2016) found that a total between 31 and 33 best separated people with and without probable PTSD, and the National Center for PTSD cites that range. A score above it is a reason to seek a full evaluation, usually a structured clinical interview such as the CAPS-5.

A cutoff is a trade-off. A lower threshold catches more people who have PTSD but flags more who do not, and the best cutoff can differ between veterans, civilians, and primary-care patients. That is why the result here is phrased as a screen, never a diagnosis.

The PCL-5 is also used to track treatment. The National Center for PTSD notes that a 10-point drop suggests a meaningful response to treatment, so retaking it every few weeks during therapy can show whether things are moving.

Common mistakes with the PCL-5

Rating general stress instead of one event. The questions refer to a specific stressful experience. If you answer about life in general, avoidance and intrusion items lose their meaning.

Using the wrong time frame. This version asks about the past month. A single bad week can inflate the score, and a good few days can hide ongoing symptoms.

Reading the total as a diagnosis. PTSD also requires that symptoms last more than a month and cause real distress or impairment, and that they are not better explained by a medical condition or substance use. Only a clinician can confirm that.

Pushing through distress. Thinking about trauma can bring up strong feelings. It is fine to pause, and if you feel unsafe, contact 988 in the US (press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line) or a local helpline.

About the instrument and its licensing

The PCL-5 was developed by Frank Weathers, Brett Litz, Terence Keane, Patrick Palmieri, Brian Marx, and Paula Schnurr at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD in 2013, updating the older PCL for DSM-IV.

The National Center for PTSD states that the PCL-5 is in the public domain and not copyrighted. The item wording on this page matches the official standard past-month form. The center intends it for use by health professionals and researchers, so bring your result to a qualified clinician rather than acting on it alone.

This calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are not saved, logged, or sent anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the PCL-5 PTSD Checklist Calculator

There is no single normal score, but totals below 31 are below the range that suggests probable PTSD. Many people with no PTSD score in the single digits or teens after a stressful event. A lower score does not mean your distress is unimportant, and a professional can still help.

Sources & References

Weathers FW, Litz BT, Keane TM, Palmieri PA, Marx BP, Schnurr PP (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD.

Official PCL-5 item wording, 0-80 scoring, 31-33 cutoff, DSM-5 cluster rule, public-domain status
→Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD

Blevins CA et al. (2015). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress.

PCL-5 development and psychometric validation
→Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress

Bovin MJ et al. (2016). Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) in veterans. Psychological Assessment.

PCL-5 validation in veterans supporting the 31-33 cutoff
→Source: Psychological Assessment

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