How to Score K10: Step-by-Step Guide

This guide explains how to score the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), a 10-item questionnaire that measures non-specific psychological distress. You will learn how to assign points to each response, sum the total, and interpret the result. No special tools are needed—just the questionnaire responses and a calculator if you prefer.

What You’ll Need

• The K10 questionnaire responses (each of the 10 items answered)
• A pen and paper, or a calculator/spreadsheet for adding numbers
• This guide for the scoring rules

Step-by-Step

1. Identify the 10 items. The K10 asks: “In the past 4 weeks, how often did you feel…” followed by items like tired out for no good reason, nervous, so nervous that nothing could calm you down, hopeless, restless or fidgety, so restless you could not sit still, depressed, so depressed that nothing could cheer you up, that everything was an effort, and worthless.
2. Check each response is answered. Every item must have exactly one response. If any item is missing, the score cannot be computed reliably—ask the person to complete it or treat the questionnaire as invalid.
3. Assign a numeric value to each response. The standard K10 uses a 5-point scale:
   • None of the time = 1
   • A little of the time = 2
   • Some of the time = 3
   • Most of the time = 4
   • All of the time = 5
4. Write the numeric value next to each item. For example, if the person answered “Some of the time” to item 1, write 3.
5. Sum all 10 values. Add the numbers together. The minimum possible total is 10 (all “none”), and the maximum is 50 (all “all of the time”).
6. Record the total score. This sum is the K10 score. It is a continuous measure, but it is often grouped into categories for interpretation.
7. Interpret the total using standard cut-offs. Commonly used ranges are:
   • 10–19: likely to be well (low distress)
   • 20–24: mild distress
   • 25–29: moderate distress
   • 30–50: severe distress

   Note that these cut-offs are guidelines; clinical interpretation should consider the individual’s context.

Common Mistakes

• Reversing the scoring. Some versions of the K10 use 0–4 instead of 1–5. Always confirm which version you have. The original K10 uses 1–5, but if you have a modified version, adjust accordingly.
• Leaving an item blank. Missing responses invalidate the total. Do not average the remaining items to fill in a blank—that is not standard practice.
• Mixing up response labels. “Most of the time” is 4, not 3. Double-check each item against the response key.
• Adding incorrectly. Simple arithmetic errors are common when doing it by hand. Use a calculator or spreadsheet to verify the sum.

Tips

• Use a spreadsheet (e.g., Excel) to automate scoring: put responses in column A and use a formula like =SUM(A1:A10) to get the total.
• If you are scoring for research, follow the specific scoring instructions provided by your study protocol—some studies use different cut-offs or weighting.
• Keep the questionnaire and scoring sheet together to avoid transcription errors.
• When reporting the score, include the date the questionnaire was completed and the version used.

Troubleshooting

• If the total seems too high or too low: Recheck each item’s numeric value. A common error is assigning 5 to “none” and 1 to “all.”
• If an item is unanswered: Ask the respondent to answer it. If that is not possible, do not calculate a total—report the questionnaire as incomplete.
• If you are unsure which scoring version you have: Look for a header or instructions on the form. The original K10 always uses 1–5, but some adapted versions (e.g., for children) may differ.
• If the sum is not a whole number: That should not happen. If you get a decimal, you likely entered a value incorrectly—check your inputs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the K10 used for?

The K10 is a screening tool for psychological distress, often used in primary care and population surveys to identify people who may need further assessment.

Can I score the K10 if one item is missing?

No. The total score requires all 10 items. Some researchers may use imputation methods, but that is not part of the standard scoring.

Is a higher score always worse?

Yes. Higher scores indicate greater distress. The range is 10–50, with higher totals reflecting more severe symptoms.

What is the difference between K10 and K6?

The K6 is a shorter 6-item version of the same scale. Scoring is similar: each item is 1–5, and the total ranges from 6 to 30.

Can I use the K10 to diagnose a mental health condition?

No. The K10 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It indicates the level of distress, but a clinical interview is needed for diagnosis.

How long does the K10 take to complete?

It typically takes 2–3 minutes. Scoring takes less than a minute once you have the responses.

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