Claustrophobia Test
A confidential self-assessment built on the validated Claustrophobia Questionnaire (CLQ), which measures the two fears that drive claustrophobia: suffocation and physical restriction. You rate how anxious each situation would make you feel, then get an instant total, a score for each subscale, and an optional in-depth personalized report or bring to a therapist.
Claustrophobia Test is a free, confidential 26-question self-assessment, based on the validated Claustrophobia Questionnaire (CLQ). It takes about 5 minutes, runs entirely in your browser, and gives you a plain-language score across 4 interpretation bands plus an optional in-depth report. It is an educational screening, not a diagnosis.
Two fears sit inside claustrophobia, not one
Claustrophobia is often described as fear of small spaces, but the research shows it runs on two separate fears that can rise independently. This test measures both, because knowing which one drives your anxiety changes what tends to help.
The validated CLQ
All 26 items of the Claustrophobia Questionnaire (Radomsky et al., 2001), reworded for readability, each rated for how much anxiety the situation would cause. This is the measure claustrophobia research is built on.
Suffocation vs restriction
Your two CLQ subscales side by side. Suffocation fear centers on not being able to breathe; restriction fear centers on not being able to move or get out. Most people lean toward one.
Fear versus phobia
Feeling uneasy in an MRI tube or a packed elevator is common. A phobia adds intensity out of proportion to the danger, active avoidance, and real interference with life. This test shows how strong your reaction is, not whether you meet that bar.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Uses the validated CLQ (26 items) | Rarely | Yes, faithful wording |
| Separates suffocation from restriction | No | Yes, both subscales scored |
| Explains why the two fears differ | No | Yes, and what each responds to |
| Evidence-based treatment guidance | Rarely | Yes, exposure research cited |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, reviewed |
| Optional in-depth personalized report | No | Yes, written to your exact scores |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
How scoring works
Answers are scored 0–104 in total. Your result falls into one of 4 bands:
| Score | Band | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 | Low claustrophobic anxiety | Enclosed and confining spaces cause you little anxiety. Most of these situations do not sound like a problem for you. |
| 21–45 | Moderate claustrophobic anxiety | Enclosed spaces cause you a noticeable amount of anxiety. Many people land here, and it is very workable. |
| 46–70 | High claustrophobic anxiety | Enclosed spaces cause you strong anxiety, and it is likely shaping some of your choices. This is worth taking seriously and gently. |
| 71–104 | Severe claustrophobic anxiety | Enclosed and confining spaces cause you severe anxiety across many situations. Support can make a real difference here. |
Methodology & sources
This test is based on the Claustrophobia Questionnaire (CLQ), a validated 26-item measure developed by Radomsky, Rachman, Thordarson, McIsaac and Teachman (2001). The CLQ was designed around the finding that claustrophobic anxiety is driven by two distinct fears, so it splits into two subscales: suffocation, which is the fear of not being able to breathe, and restriction, which is the fear of being physically confined or unable to move. Each situation is rated for how much anxiety it would cause from 0 (not at all anxious) to 4 (extremely anxious), giving a suffocation score out of 56, a restriction score out of 48, and a total out of 104. We reworded the items for readability while keeping their meaning, and we read the total in four educational bands rather than against a clinical cutoff.
This is provided for education and self-reflection, not diagnosis. Claustrophobia is classified in the DSM-5-TR as a situational specific phobia, and only a licensed clinician can decide whether your fear meets that bar, which requires that the fear be out of proportion to the actual danger, that you actively avoid the feared situations, and that this interferes with your life. A high CLQ score means your fear of enclosed spaces runs strong; it does not by itself mean you have a phobia. If you want to see how claustrophobia sits alongside other fears such as heights, flying, or needles, our broader <a href="/tests/phobia">phobia test</a> maps your fears across all five specific phobia types. Either way, the encouraging fact is that situational phobias like claustrophobia are among the most treatable conditions in mental health.
References
- Radomsky AS, Rachman S, Thordarson DS, McIsaac HK, Teachman BA. The Claustrophobia Questionnaire. J Anxiety Disord. 2001;15(4):287–297. doi.org/10.1016/S0887-6185(01)00064-0
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.
Cite this source
Psychology.com. (2026, August 28). Claustrophobia Test. Psychology.com. https://psychology.com/tests/claustrophobia
Claustrophobia Test FAQ
What are the symptoms of claustrophobia, and am I claustrophobic?
Claustrophobia is an intense fear of enclosed or confined spaces, such as elevators, MRI scanners, tunnels, crowded rooms, or tight clothing around the neck. The common symptoms are a racing heart, sweating, shortness of breath, and a strong urge to escape, along with avoidance of tight spaces. Research shows it runs on two fears working together: a fear of suffocating and a fear of being physically restricted. If those signs sound familiar, this test scores how strong your reaction is, though only a clinician can confirm a phobia.
What is the difference between suffocation fear and restriction fear?
Suffocation fear is about the air: the worry that you will not be able to breathe, that the space is stuffy, or that something is covering your face. Restriction fear is about the body: the worry of being trapped, pinned, or unable to get out. The CLQ measures both because they can rise separately, and people who lead with one often respond best to slightly different practice. Seeing which subscale is higher for you is one of the more useful things this test can show.
Is claustrophobia a phobia, and how is it different from other phobias?
Yes. Claustrophobia is a situational specific phobia, the same family as fear of flying or driving through tunnels. What sets it apart is its two-fear structure and the way an enclosed space can trigger both at once. If you want to see how your fear of enclosed spaces compares with other common fears like heights, animals, or needles, our broader phobia test maps all five specific phobia types and points you to the domain where your fear runs highest.
Can claustrophobia be treated?
Very effectively. Exposure-based therapy, which means facing enclosed spaces gradually and safely with support, has the strongest evidence, and claustrophobia is one of the best-studied targets for it. Many people improve within a handful of sessions. Cognitive techniques that test the frightening prediction, for example that you truly cannot breathe or cannot get out, add to the effect. Medication is sometimes used for severe cases, but exposure remains the core.
Why do MRI scans and elevators trigger it so strongly?
Both press on the exact two fears the CLQ measures. An MRI tube encloses your whole body and covers your face, so it hits suffocation and restriction at the same time, which is why scan-related claustrophobia is so common that many clinics offer open scanners or brief sedation. Elevators combine a small sealed box, other people, and the possibility of stopping between floors. If either has been a problem, telling the technician or radiographer in advance often unlocks simple accommodations that help.
Is this test confidential?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server, never stored, and never linked to you. No account is needed.
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