TAS-20

Toronto Alexithymia Scale

Anxiety & relatedSelf-reportAges 16+20 statements~4 min

Validated by Bagby, Parker & Taylor (1994) · View paper

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Jaye Turrietta, PsyD, BCBA-D, AEP

A 20-item self-report measure of alexithymia across three subscales.

For each statement, select the response that best describes you. Answer based on how you generally experience things.

20 statements · ~4 min · Auto-saved

About the TAS-20

The Toronto Alexithymia Scale is the most widely used clinical measure of alexithymia — difficulty identifying, describing, and processing emotions. Developed by Bagby, Parker, and Taylor (1994), it assesses three facets: difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty describing feelings (DDF), and externally-oriented thinking (EOT).

20 items on a 5-point Likert scale. Designed for adults (16+). Takes 5–10 minutes. Available in 30+ languages.

Scoring

Items are scored 1–5 (five items are reverse-scored: 4, 5, 10, 18, 19). The total range is 20–100. Scores of 51 or below indicate no alexithymia; 52–60 indicate possible alexithymia; 61 or above indicate alexithymia is likely present.

Alexithymia & autism

Research suggests 40–65% of autistic individuals have clinically significant alexithymia. Recent work indicates that alexithymia — not autism itself — drives many of the emotional processing differences historically attributed to autism, including reduced affective empathy and difficulty reading facial expressions.

Reliability

The TAS-20 demonstrates good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Its three-factor structure has been replicated across clinical and non-clinical populations in multiple cultures.

Important: Individuals with high alexithymia may find it difficult to accurately self-report their emotional awareness, which is a known limitation of all self-report alexithymia measures. Consider clinical interview for a fuller picture.

Bagby, R. M., Parker, J. D. A., & Taylor, G. J. (1994). The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale — I. Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 38(1), 23–32.

TAS-20 FAQs

The most common questions about the TAS-20 (Toronto Alexithymia Scale).

What is the TAS-20?

The TAS-20 (Toronto Alexithymia Scale) is a 20-item statement self-report screener for alexithymia (difficulty identifying / describing emotions). A 20-item measure of alexithymia across three subscales — Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF), Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF), and Externally Oriented Thinking (EOT). It was developed by Bagby, Parker & Taylor (1994).

Who can take the TAS-20?

The TAS-20 is designed for adults age 16 and up to complete themselves.

How long does the TAS-20 take?

Most people complete the TAS-20 in about 4 minutes. You can pause at any time — your answers are saved in your browser, so you can resume on the same device.

Is the TAS-20 diagnostic?

No. The TAS-20 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It is a validated screener that can suggest whether further evaluation is warranted, but only a licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can make a formal diagnosis. NeuroClarity offers PSYPACT-licensed telehealth autism and ADHD evaluations via telehealth — a doctoral-level psychologist conducts a comprehensive evaluation, with reports typically delivered within days.

Is the TAS-20 free to take here?

Yes. The TAS-20 is free to take on this page. We don't require a sign-up, and we don't collect or share your responses — your answers are saved locally in your browser. You can also export your results as a PDF for your own records or to share with a clinician.

What does my TAS-20 score mean?

After you complete the TAS-20, you'll see your total score broken into the validated severity / likelihood bands published for this instrument, along with a plain-language interpretation. Specific cutoffs vary by tool — for the TAS-20, the scoring ranges and band descriptions are shown directly on the results page.

What if my TAS-20 score is elevated?

An elevated score on the TAS-20 is one signal — not a diagnosis. The recommended next step is a comprehensive clinical evaluation. NeuroClarity offers PSYPACT-licensed telehealth autism and ADHD evaluations starting at $950 flat fee with no waitlist; reports are typically delivered within days and include the diagnostic documentation needed for IEPs, ABA prior authorization, and other downstream services.

If your TAS-20 score suggests further evaluation may be warranted, book a comprehensive evaluation with one of our PSYPACT-licensed clinical psychologists. Reports typically delivered within one week.

How the TAS-20 compares to related screeners

Most screeners measure similar constructs but vary in length, target audience, and emphasis. Here's how the TAS-20 relates to the most commonly-paired alternatives.

TAS-20 vs CBI

The TAS-20 and the CBI both measure alexithymia (difficulty identifying / describing emotions) at a similar length (20 vs 19 statements). They originated from different research groups (1994 and 2005 respectively) and emphasize slightly different facets of the construct. Taking both and comparing your scores can be more informative than either one alone.

Take the CBI →

TAS-20 vs PAQ

The TAS-20 and the PAQ both measure alexithymia (difficulty identifying / describing emotions) at a similar length (20 vs 24 statements). They originated from different research groups (1994 and 2018 respectively) and emphasize slightly different facets of the construct. Taking both and comparing your scores can be more informative than either one alone.

Take the PAQ →

TAS-20 vs PHQ-9

The TAS-20 and the PHQ-9 both measure alexithymia (difficulty identifying / describing emotions) at a similar length (20 vs 9 statements). They originated from different research groups (1994 and 2001 respectively) and emphasize slightly different facets of the construct. Taking both and comparing your scores can be more informative than either one alone.

Take the PHQ-9 →

Add this free screener to your site

Educators, clinicians, and organizations are welcome to embed the TAS-20 for free. Copy the snippet below. It keeps a small link back to NeuroClarity.