PCL-5: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5PCL-5
Professional Recommended
~8 min · 20 questions · Free partial report
This test contains sensitive content. Results are private and not shared with employers unless you explicitly consent.
A 20-item self-report measure that assesses the severity of PTSD symptoms according to the DSM-5 criteria. Measures four symptom clusters: Intrusion (re-experiencing), Avoidance, Negative Alterations in Cognition and Mood, and Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity. The PCL-5 is the current standard for PTSD screening and monitoring.
The current standard PTSD screening instrument based on DSM-5 criteria, measuring all four symptom clusters with 20 items.
- Screen for PTSD symptoms across all four DSM-5 symptom clusters. Track symptom severity and monitor changes over time. Professional follow-up is recommended for elevated scores.
No signup required to start. The Partial Report is free at the end. The Complete costs $0.00, if and when you want it.
What this test measures
T
Total Severity
I
Intrusion
Measures re-experiencing symptoms in which the traumatic event is persistently relived through intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional or physiological distress in response to trauma-related cues.
A
Avoidance
Measures persistent effortful avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, including both internal cues (distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings) and external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities).
C
Cognition & Mood
Measures negative changes in thoughts and feelings that began or worsened after the traumatic event, including dissociative amnesia, persistent negative beliefs, distorted blame, negative emotional states, diminished interest, detachment, and emotional numbing.
A
Arousal & Reactivity
Measures marked changes in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event, including irritable or aggressive behavior, reckless or self-destructive behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, concentration problems, and sleep disturbance.
Discover where you stand on each dimension.
Start for free →No prior signup. Free partial result immediately.
From first click to report.
The process is simple: you respond, the system calculates, and the result appears. No prior signup, no form, no waiting.
- 1
Click "Start for free"
No signup required to start. You identify yourself at the end, when you want to save the result. The test opens immediately.
- 2
Answer the questions
One at a time, scale of 1 to 5. Visible progress bar. You can pause and resume from any device after identifying yourself.
- 3
Get the Partial Report
Immediate and free. A text summary of each dimension, with indication of high, medium, or low.
- 4
Decide if you want the Complete
The Partial already delivers value. The Complete adds percentiles, norm comparison, charts, applied recommendations, and a verifiable Certificate.
- 5
Explore in the Integrative Chat
Talk to an AI about your results. Ask how your profile applies to your career, what a high score means, or compare with other tests.
The Partial is yours right away. The Complete, when it makes sense.
| Free and paid, side by side | Partial Report (free, always) | Complete Report ($0.00) |
|---|---|---|
| Interpretive text per dimension, generated from your answers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Raw score for each dimension | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-paragraph overview reading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Everything in the Partial, expanded to 3–5 paragraphs per dimension | — | ✓ |
| Percentile per dimension, compared to reference norms | — | ✓ |
| Inter-dimensional chart with accessible data table | — | ✓ |
| Applied recommendations: career, relationships, self-care | — | ✓ |
| Certificate with public verification and PDF download | — | ✓ |
- ✓Everything in the Partial, expanded to 3–5 paragraphs per dimension
- ✓Percentile per dimension, compared to reference norms
- ✓Applied recommendations: career, relationships, self-care
- ✓Certificate with public verification and PDF download
You only pay after completing the test, if you want to go beyond the Partial.
- ✓Interpretive text per dimension, generated from your answers
- ✓Raw score for each dimension
- ✓One-paragraph overview reading
Payment via PIX (instant) or credit card. Access for 1 year. After that, the report stays visible in read-only mode.
What you receive.
Radar chart with percentiles. Illustrative example.
Executive Summary
"You present a profile marked by high intellectual curiosity and above-average conscientiousness, with moderate extraversion and balanced emotional reactivity. This combination suggests someone who seeks novelty in a disciplined way."
Illustrative example.
Scale analysis
The Complete Report details the practical meaning of each score in 3 to 5 paragraphs, personalized by your combined profile. It is not a generic text by range; the analysis crosses all dimensions to generate specific observations about you.
Applied recommendations
Practical recommendations by area (career, relationships, studies, self-care), based on your combined profile. Certificate with verifiable QR and PDF download.
Why trust this instrument.
The PCL-5 (Weathers et al., 2013; Blevins et al., 2015) assesses the 20 DSM-5 PTSD symptoms organized into four clusters: Intrusion, Avoidance, Negative Alterations in Cognition and Mood, and Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity. Each item is rated 0-4, yielding total scores from 0 to 80. A preliminary cutoff of 31-33 is used for probable PTSD. The instrument shows excellent internal consistency (alpha = 0.94) and strong convergent validity with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5).
- Authors:
- Weathers, Litz, Keane, Palmieri, Marx, & Schnurr
- Year:
- 2013
- Origin:
- US
- Range
- α 0.94 – 0.94(1 scales)
- Average
- α 0.94(excellent)
Cronbach's alpha. Values above .70 are acceptable; above .80, good.
- Blevins, C. A., Weathers, F. W., Davis, M. T., Witte, T. K., & Domino, J. L. (2015). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and initial psychometric evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(6), 489-498.
The theory behind this test.
DSM-5 Four-Cluster PTSD Model
Four-cluster model of post-traumatic stress disorder as defined in DSM-5: intrusion (Cluster B), avoidance (Cluster C), negative alterations in cognition and mood (Cluster D), and alterations in arousal and reactivity (Cluster E).
Learn more about this theory →Target Audience
Adults (18+) who have experienced traumatic events and want to screen for PTSD symptoms
Recommended ages: 18+
Questions the report answers.
- I
Do you re-experience the traumatic event involuntarily?
High scores indicate frequent intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, or intense emotional/physical reactions to trauma reminders. Low scores suggest minimal re-experiencing symptoms.
- A
Do you actively avoid reminders of the trauma?
High scores indicate active efforts to avoid trauma-related thoughts, feelings, or external reminders (people, places, activities). Low scores suggest minimal avoidance behavior.
- C
Has the trauma negatively changed your thoughts and mood?
High scores indicate persistent negative beliefs, distorted blame, negative emotions, loss of interest, detachment, or inability to experience positive emotions. Low scores suggest intact cognitive and emotional functioning.
- A
Are you experiencing hyperarousal or reactivity?
High scores indicate irritability, reckless behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, concentration difficulties, or sleep disturbance. Low scores suggest normal arousal levels.
Who benefits most.
Trauma survivors
Individuals who have experienced traumatic events and want to assess whether they may be experiencing PTSD symptoms that warrant professional attention.
Treatment participants
People currently in or considering trauma-focused therapy who want to track their PTSD symptom severity over the course of treatment.
Veterans and first responders
Military veterans and emergency workers who may have occupational trauma exposure and want a validated self-assessment tool.
Frequently asked questions
What does this test measure?
It measures the severity of PTSD symptoms across four clusters: Intrusion (flashbacks, nightmares), Avoidance (avoiding reminders), Negative Cognition and Mood (guilt, detachment), and Arousal/Reactivity (hypervigilance, startle response).
How long does it take?
About 5-10 minutes for 20 items.
Is this test scientifically validated?
Yes. The PCL-5 has excellent psychometric properties with internal consistency alpha of 0.94 and test-retest reliability of 0.82 (Blevins et al., 2015). It is the standard PTSD screening tool recommended by the VA/NCPTSD.
Should I take this test without professional support?
This test asks about traumatic experiences and PTSD symptoms, which can be distressing. Professional guidance is recommended, especially when interpreting results or if you experience strong emotional reactions during the assessment.
What score indicates possible PTSD?
A total score of 31-33 is commonly used as the preliminary cutoff for probable PTSD, though clinical diagnosis requires professional evaluation. The PCL-5 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument.
Combine instruments for a fuller profile.
Each test measures different dimensions. The Integrative Chat crosses the results of all tests you complete, revealing connections no single instrument can show.
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Start for free →PCL-5: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
No signup, no time limit. The Partial is free at the end.
The Complete costs $0.00, if and when you want it.
This test is a self-knowledge tool for informational purposes. It does not constitute a psychological or clinical diagnosis and does not replace evaluation by a qualified professional. The report indicates the AI model used in text generation.
The PCL-5 was developed by the National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It is in the public domain and freely available for clinical and research use.