Likert Scale
3 min read
Definition
A Likert scale (pronounced "LICK-urt") is a psychometric response scale used in surveys to measure attitudes, opinions, or perceptions. Named after psychologist Rensis Likert who developed it in 1932, it presents respondents with a statement and asks them to indicate their level of agreement on a symmetric scale.
How It Works
“The onboarding process was easy to follow.”
1
Strongly Disagree2
Disagree3
Neutral4
Agree5
Strongly AgreeEach response is assigned a numeric value, allowing you to calculate averages, track trends, and perform statistical analysis on subjective opinions.
Scale Variations
| Points | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3-point | Quick pulse checks | Low granularity but very fast. |
| 5-point | General surveys | Most common. Good balance of speed and detail. |
| 7-point | Academic research | More granular. May cause decision fatigue. |
| 10-point | NPS, detailed ratings | High granularity. Used for satisfaction benchmarks. |
Why It Matters for Surveys
- Quantify opinions: turn subjective feelings into measurable data.
- Easy to answer: respondents can complete Likert items quickly, improving response rates.
- Statistically robust: widely accepted in research and benchmarking.
- Versatile: measure agreement, satisfaction, importance, likelihood, and frequency.
Related Terms