Stress Level Calculator
Assess your stress level using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaire. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed by Rahul Singh, Health & Wellness Specialist
Formula
PSS-10 = ฮฃ(positive items) + ฮฃ(4 - reversed items)
Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Items 4,5,7,8 are reverse-scored. 0-13=Low, 14-26=Moderate, 27-40=High perceived stress.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Moderate stress
Problem:Mixed responses averaging ~2
Solution:Total โ 20 โ Moderate stress
Result:PSS-10 = 20 (Moderate)
Example 2: High Stress After a Layoff
Problem:Someone recently laid off answers mostly 3s and 4s on negative items (upset, no control, nervous, couldn't cope, angered, piling up) and mostly 0s and 1s on the positive items (confident, going your way, controlling irritations, on top of things).
Solution:Negative items: roughly 6 x 3.5 = 21. Reversed positive items (4 minus each low score): roughly 4 x 3.5 = 14. Total โ 35/40.
Result:PSS-10 โ 35 (High Stress) โ consider professional support alongside job-search stress management
References
Reviewed by Rahul Singh, Health & Wellness Specialist ยท Editorial policy