PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
Self-report measure of the 20 DSM-5 symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
Last reviewed: May 2026
The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure developed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD (Weathers et al. , 2013).
Scoring & Interpretation
Each of the 20 items is rated 0 (Not at all) to 4 (Extremely) for the past month, summed to a total severity score from 0 to 80. A total of 31 to 33 or above suggests provisional PTSD; ClientForms applies a cutoff of 33 and surfaces severity bands above that threshold. An alternative DSM-5 cluster method treats any item rated 2 (Moderately) or higher as endorsed and requires at least 1 intrusion (items 1 to 5), 1 avoidance (items 6 to 7), 2 cognitions and mood (items 8 to 14), and 2 arousal items (items 15 to 20). Four cluster sub-scores are reported alongside the total to show where symptoms concentrate.
| Score Range | Severity | Clinical Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0-20 | Minimal | Below clinical threshold - no PTSD action indicated on this measure |
| 21-32 | Mild | Sub-threshold symptoms - consider monitoring and repeat administration |
| 33-48 | Moderate | At or above the 33 cutoff - provisional PTSD; consider structured assessment (CAPS-5) |
| 49-64 | Moderately Severe | Marked symptom burden - prioritise structured assessment and treatment planning |
| 65-80 | Severe | Very high symptom burden - structured assessment and review of risk indicated |
Development and initial validation (Blevins et al., 2015) reported strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.82). Bovin et al. (2016) found good diagnostic utility against the CAPS-5, with scores of 31 to 33 optimally efficient for identifying probable PTSD. The cutoff is population-dependent: higher thresholds have been suggested in some veteran samples. Figures cite the published development studies; local cut-offs should be applied with clinical judgement.
When to Use This vs Alternatives
Use DASS-21 when…
You want to screen general depression, anxiety, and stress rather than trauma-specific symptoms, or to gauge co-occurring distress alongside the PCL-5.
View DASS-21 →Use K10 when…
You need a brief, non-specific distress screen for triage before deciding whether a trauma-specific measure such as the PCL-5 is warranted.
View K10 →Use CORE-10 when…
You want a short session-by-session measure of global psychological distress and risk to track progress in therapy across presentations.
View CORE-10 →See It in Action
- 1Total severity score out of 80 with a provisional-PTSD badge at the 33 cutoff
- 2Four DSM-5 cluster sub-scores: Intrusion, Avoidance, Cognitions & Mood, and Arousal
- 3Individual item responses scored 0 to 4 with colour-coded severity badges
- 4One-click PDF export and email delivery of the scored result
What It Measures
The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure developed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD (Weathers et al. , 2013). It assesses each of the 20 DSM-5 symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, mapped to the four diagnostic clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. The patient rates how much each symptom bothered them over the past month, from 0 (Not at all) to 4 (Extremely), giving a total severity score from 0 to 80. It is a symptom-severity and screening measure: it supports a provisional impression, it does not establish a diagnosis.
When to Use the PCL-5
Use the PCL-5 to screen for probable PTSD and to track symptom severity over the course of treatment. It is well suited to repeat administration: a reduction across sessions gives a clear picture of response to therapy. Establish that the patient has experienced a qualifying traumatic event before interpreting the score, since the items ask about a specific stressful experience. The measure informs the clinical picture; it does not replace a structured diagnostic interview.
Who It's For
Adults aged 18 and over who have experienced a traumatic event. Validated in veteran, primary care, and community trauma-exposed samples. The items reference a single index trauma, so the measure is most informative once an event has been identified, for example alongside the Life Events Checklist. Self-report format; clinician review of the index event and of any risk responses is advised before drawing conclusions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the PCL-5 scored?
Each of the 20 items is rated 0 (Not at all) to 4 (Extremely) for the past month and summed to a total severity score from 0 to 80. Four DSM-5 cluster sub-scores are also reported to show where symptoms concentrate.
What is the PCL-5 cutoff for probable PTSD?
A total score of 31 to 33 or above suggests provisional PTSD; 33 is the commonly used cutoff. This indicates the score warrants further assessment, not a diagnosis.
Is the PCL-5 free and in the public domain?
Yes. The PCL-5 was developed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD and is in the public domain, so no permission or licence fee is required to use it.
How long does the PCL-5 take to complete?
Most adults complete the 20 items in around 5 to 7 minutes. ClientForms scores the responses against the cutoff and the DSM-5 cluster method automatically once the patient submits.
Can the PCL-5 diagnose PTSD on its own?
No. The PCL-5 supports a provisional impression of probable PTSD; the gold standard for diagnosis is a structured clinical interview such as the CAPS-5, and the clinician owns that decision.
Use the PCL-5 in your practice
Available on the Free plan. No credit card required. Patients complete it on their phone or computer. Scored the moment they hit submit.