Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Test for Cigarettes and Vapes with Instant Result

For: Smokers and vapers, about themselves · Takes 1 minute · Reviewed by Dr. Pichayut Kasempukdeepong (Psychiatrist), 7 September 2026

The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence is the standard tool used by stop-smoking clinics worldwide to measure how physically dependent you are on nicotine. The result tells you whether quitting on your own is realistic or whether medication under a doctor’s care is likely to be needed.

For vapers, the test uses the e-FTND wording, which counts the number of times a day you pick up the device rather than cigarettes, because vapes are usually used in short sessions rather than finished in one go. The result is not a diagnosis, and your answers are not stored.

Source: Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (Heatherton et al., 1991); the vape version follows the e-FTND (Piper et al., 2020; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7368344/)

How Nicotine dependence test (Fagerström) scores are interpreted

After you finish, your result is interpreted using the ranges below. The result is an initial screen, not a diagnosis.

Score	Level and what it means
0–2	Very low nicotine dependence Your nicotine dependence is very low. Quitting on your own has a good chance of success. Start by setting a quit date and avoiding your triggers.
3–4	Low nicotine dependence Your nicotine dependence is low. You can quit on your own, but having someone help you plan improves your chances.
5	Moderate nicotine dependence Your nicotine dependence is moderate. Cravings are usually clear when you stop. Quit medication combined with counselling helps a lot at this level.
6–7	High nicotine dependence Your nicotine dependence is high. We recommend quitting under a doctor's care, with medication to ease nicotine withdrawal.
8–10	Very high nicotine dependence Your nicotine dependence is very high. Quitting alone rarely works because withdrawal is severe. See a doctor to plan a quit attempt with medication and close follow-up.