Complete the 10-question Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to screen drinking patterns and understand the standard risk zone.
AUDIT alcohol screening questionnaire
Choose the answer that best describes the past 12 months. This screening result is not a diagnosis.
About the AUDIT score
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, usually shortened to AUDIT, is a 10-question screening instrument developed by the World Health Organization. It looks beyond the number of drinks consumed and asks about frequency, loss of control, consequences, injuries, and concerns raised by other people. That broader view helps identify patterns ranging from lower-risk drinking to hazardous use, harmful use, and possible dependence. The questionnaire is intended for screening, not for making a diagnosis on its own.
Each response contributes points to a total from 0 to 40. Questions one through eight score from 0 to 4. Questions nine and ten use scores of 0, 2, or 4 depending on whether a harmful event or concern never occurred, occurred before the last year, or occurred during the last year. This calculator adds the selected values exactly as the standard instrument specifies. A total of 0 to 7 is commonly interpreted as lower risk, 8 to 15 as increasing risk, 16 to 19 as high risk, and 20 or more as a signal that alcohol dependence may be present.
Cutoffs are guides rather than universal diagnoses. Age, sex, pregnancy, medications, medical conditions, local standard-drink definitions, and national guidance can change what is considered safe. Some clinical programs use lower thresholds for women, older adults, or people with particular health risks. A low score also does not make drinking safe before driving, while operating machinery, during pregnancy, or when alcohol interacts with medicine.
Answering honestly gives the most useful result. Think about the full previous 12 months rather than only recent days, and use the standard-drink size common in your country. If the result concerns you, share it with a doctor, counselor, or alcohol support service. Urgent medical care is appropriate for severe withdrawal symptoms, confusion, seizures, unconsciousness, or suspected alcohol poisoning. The AUDIT score is a starting point for a constructive conversation and should never replace individualized professional assessment.
AUDIT score examples
Response pattern
Score and zone
Meaning
All ten responses score 0
0, low risk
No points are added, so the total remains in the 0 to 7 zone.
Eight frequency items score 1; final two score 0
8, increasing risk
Eight points reach the usual threshold for brief advice.
Four items score 4; all others score 0
16, high risk
Sixteen points enter the high-risk assessment range.
Five items score 4; all others score 0
20, possible dependence
Twenty points reaches the zone associated with possible dependence.
How to use the AUDIT calculator
Consider your alcohol use across the entire past 12 months.
Choose one response for each of the 10 questions.
Select Calculate AUDIT score to add the response values.
Read the risk zone and discuss a concerning result with a qualified professional.
AUDIT score FAQ
What does an AUDIT score of 8 mean?
A score of 8 reaches the commonly used increasing-risk threshold. It suggests that brief advice or a conversation with a health professional may be worthwhile.
Does a high AUDIT score diagnose alcohol dependence?
No, AUDIT is a screening test rather than a diagnostic interview. A trained professional must consider symptoms, health history, and circumstances before making a diagnosis.
What period should I consider when answering?
The standard questions refer to the previous 12 months. Thinking across the whole year gives a more representative result than focusing on one recent week.
What is a standard drink?
A standard drink is a country-specific amount of pure alcohol, not necessarily one glass or container. Check local health guidance because serving sizes and definitions vary.
Can I use the calculator for someone else?
The questions are designed for self-report and work best when answered honestly by the person concerned. A professional assessment is more appropriate when you are worried about another person's safety.