ObjectiveTo compile the information overload severity scale in the situation of coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, and evaluate the reliability and validity.MethodsFrom February to March 2020, according to the procedures of literature analysis, semi-structured interview, and expert consultation, an initial scale was formed; and then the online scale was measured, and the scale items were screened based on the measured results of the scale. The reliability was evaluated by Cronbach’s α coefficient, and the validity was tested by exploratory factor analysis.ResultsThere were 8 items in the initial scale. The scale items were screened based on the degree of dispersion, the correlation coefficient with the total score, and the factor-load-related indicators, and finally a 7-item scale was formed. The factor analysis results of the scale showed that one component could be extracted from the scale, and the reliability analysis showed that the total Cronbach’s α coefficient of the scale was 0.863.ConclusionThe information overload severity scale has good reliability and validity, which can provide strong support for related research after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 and other major public events.