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Obsessive Compulsive Inventory – Revised (OCI-R)*
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Take this screener if…
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You experience distressing or repetitive thoughts you can’t seem to control.
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You find yourself repeating certain behaviors—like washing, checking, or organizing—until it “feels right.”
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You feel anxious or uncomfortable if things are out of order or tasks aren’t completed a certain way.
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You have difficulty discarding possessions, even if you don’t need or use them.
What This Screener Is
The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory–Revised (OCI-R) is a brief self-assessment designed to help adults explore patterns of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. It measures symptoms across six domains: washing, checking, neutralizing, obsessing, ordering, and hoarding.
While not a diagnostic tool, the OCI-R can offer insight into how OCD-related symptoms may be affecting your daily life, relationships, and well-being.
18 Questions
Who It’s For
Adults (18+) who experience intrusive thoughts, compulsive rituals, or strong discomfort when routines are disrupted—especially if these experiences cause distress or interfere with daily functioning.
Duration
Approximately 3-5 minutes
What It Measures
The questionnaire explores common OCD-related experiences, such as:
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Repetitive washing or cleaning to reduce contamination fears
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Checking locks, appliances, or tasks for reassurance
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Mental rituals or “undoing” behaviors to neutralize intrusive thoughts
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Persistent, distressing thoughts or images that are hard to control
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A strong need for order, symmetry, or precision
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Difficulty discarding possessions, even if they’re not needed
Score Interpretation
OCD Total Score Range: 0–60
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0–7: Typical range – Little to no interference from obsessive or compulsive patterns. Occasional intrusive thoughts or habits are within a typical range.
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8–11: Elevated (near threshold) – More frequent or distressing thoughts/behaviors than average, though not always disruptive.
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≥12: Screen-positive – Patterns may be time-consuming, distressing, or interfere with daily life. Further evaluation may be helpful.
Hoarding Score Range: 0–12
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0–3: Typical range – Minimal difficulty discarding items; clutter does not impact living spaces.
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4–5: Elevated (near threshold) – Some difficulty parting with possessions or mild clutter.
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≥6: Screen-positive – Difficulty discarding items or clutter that causes distress or impacts daily functioning.
OCD Symptom Domain Scores (Each 0–12)
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Washing
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Low: 0–2 - Washing habits align with typical hygiene needs.
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Moderate: 3–6 – Extra cleaning or washing beyond necessity.
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High: 7–12 – Frequent, time-consuming cleaning rituals.
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Checking
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Low: 0–2 – Little to no repeated checking.
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Moderate: 3–5 – Occasional reassurance-seeking checks.
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High: 6–12 – Frequent, time-consuming checking behaviors.
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Neutralizing
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Low: 0–1 – Few or no “undoing” rituals.
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Moderate: 2–4 – Occasional mental acts or behaviors to cancel thoughts.
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High: 5–12 – Regular reliance on mental rituals to reduce anxiety.
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Obsessing
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Low: 0–5 – Minimal intrusive thoughts.
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Moderate: 6–8 – Occasional distressing thoughts/images.
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High: 9–12 – Persistent, hard-to-ignore intrusive thoughts.
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Ordering
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Low: 0–2 – Little discomfort if items are out of place.
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Moderate: 3–5 – Preference for order with mild discomfort when disrupted.
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High: 6–12 – Strong need for symmetry or precision.
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Support for OCD-Related Symptoms
OCD symptoms exist on a spectrum and can fluctuate over time.
High scores don’t mean you’re “overreacting”—they reflect valid experiences of anxiety, distress, and the need for control or order.
If these patterns are affecting your daily life, you deserve support. A therapist who understands OCD can help you reduce symptom intensity, build coping skills, and reclaim time and mental space from compulsive cycles.
👉 Ready to explore your world with support? [Reach out through our contact form]—we’re here to help.
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Important disclaimer about scoring ranges:
These ranges are screening guides, not diagnoses.
“Typical” doesn’t mean symptom-free; it means your score is common in community samples.
“Elevated” means above typical but below the research-based cut score; monitor and consider follow-up.
“Screen-positive” means you’re at or above a cut score associated with clinically significant symptoms and should seek a proper evaluation.
More Background on Scoring Cut-offs for the OCD Total Score:
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The original OCI-R developers suggested 21 as a cutoff to help identify likely OCD cases (“case finding”). But at 21, the test only catches about 66% of people who actually have OCD (i.e., ~1 in 3 would be missed). That’s fine for confirming concern, but too insensitive for screening. PMC+1
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Different studies and translations propose different cutoffs (e.g., 18 in a German sample with ~84% sensitivity/82% specificity). Cutoffs are sample-dependent, not universal. NIH
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Because screening should prioritize sensitivity (don’t miss people who need help), we use a lower screen-positive threshold of 12 to flag possible OCD symptoms for follow-up—not as a diagnosis. A higher band (e.g., ≥21) signals a stronger likelihood and warrants clinical evaluation. (21 remains the classic “case-finding” threshold from the original paper.)
Domain bands (Low/Moderate/High) are relative to people with OCD and show where symptoms cluster—they don’t confirm a diagnosis by themselves.
Scores can shift with stress, sleep, health, or meds, and false positives/negatives happen.
Do not use these results alone to start/stop medication, determine work/school fitness, or make safety decisions. If symptoms are taking about an hour a day, causing distress/avoidance, or impairing life, book an evaluation; if you’re near a cutoff, re-screen in 2–4 weeks. For immediate danger, call 911; for mental-health crisis support in the U.S., call or text 988.