What Is a Likert Scale? Definition, Types, and Examples 

Key Takeaways:

• A Likert scale is a survey rating scale, devised by Rensis Likert in 1932, that measures attitudes and opinions across a range of response options, usually 4-9 points.
• Likert scales are either odd (3-point, 5-point, 7-point) with a neutral midpoint, or even (2-point, 4-point) forced-choice scales without one.
• The 5-point scale is the most widely used format because it balances ease of answering with informativeness.
• Likert-derived data is usually treated as ordinal and summarized with the mode or median; it can be treated as interval data if that assumption is stated.

Glossary of Key Terms

Before diving in, here are the key terms used throughout this guide.

What Is a Likert Scale?

A Likert scale is a quantitative data collection tool used in cross-sectional surveys and research to measure attitudes, opinions, or perceptions. Respondents rate a statement on a predetermined scale, typically ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree, with varying degrees in between.

The scale was devised by American social scientist Rensis Likert in 1932 in his publication A Technique for the Measurement of Attitudes. Unlike simple yes/no questions, Likert scales capture opinions in more depth, which is why they remain the most widely used psychometric scale in survey research.

Most Likert scales comprise 4-9 response points with accompanying verbal anchors. Responses can be coded numerically for analysis; if so, the values must be defined for that specific study, for example, 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree. Likert scales are widely employed in psychology, sociology, healthcare, education, and market research.

What Are Likert Scale Questions?

Likert scale questions are survey items that present a statement or question and ask respondents to indicate their level of agreement, satisfaction, frequency, likelihood, or importance. Usually, 5 or 7 options are provided.

For example, the question “How satisfied are you with the results of the dental appliance?” could offer these response items:

• Very dissatisfied
• Dissatisfied
• Neutral
• Satisfied
• Very satisfied

Positive options appear on one side, negative options on the other, and the midpoint is typically neutral. The options at the extreme ends are called response anchors.

Image suggestion: a screenshot of a 5-point Likert scale question rendered with radio buttons, with alt text such as “5-point Likert scale question example measuring satisfaction.”

When Should You Use Likert Scale Questions?

Use Likert scale questions when you need nuanced, graded responses rather than binary yes/no answers. They are ideal for measuring subjective experiences such as attitudes, satisfaction, and perceptions, provided the questions are clear, unbiased, and relevant to your research objectives.

Common scenarios include:

• Psychological research: Measuring attitudes, personality traits, and emotional states.
• Social science research: Quantifying opinions on societal issues, political views, and cultural preferences.
• Healthcare research: Assessing patient satisfaction or treatment efficacy.
• Market research: Gauging consumer preferences, brand perceptions, and product satisfaction.

Education research: Evaluating course feedback, teaching effectiveness, and student engagement.

Likert Scale Examples

Here are 4 common 5-point Likert scale examples used in surveys and questionnaires. Each row shows the full response set for a different construct.

Types of Likert Scales

When designing a Likert scale survey, researchers must consider the categories of response and the size and direction of the scale. Broadly, there are 2 types of Likert scales: odd and even.

Odd Likert Scales

Odd scales (3-point, 5-point, or 7-point) include a neutral midpoint. The midpoint can be interpreted differently by different respondents, but it avoids forcing an artificial opinion. Odd scales for satisfaction typically run as follows:

• 3-point scale: Satisfied, Neutral, Dissatisfied.
• 5-point scale: Very satisfied, Satisfied, Neutral, Dissatisfied, Very dissatisfied.
• 7-point scale: Very satisfied, Moderately satisfied, Slightly satisfied, Neutral, Slightly dissatisfied, Moderately dissatisfied, Very dissatisfied.

Even Likert Scales

Even scales omit the central point, so respondents must lean positive or negative. This forced-choice format is used when a neutral option is not essential or when neutral clustering is expected. Even scales for satisfaction typically run as follows:

• 2-point scale: Satisfied, Dissatisfied.
• 4-point scale: Very satisfied, Satisfied, Dissatisfied, Very dissatisfied.

Odd vs. Even Likert Scales: Quick Comparison

3-Point vs. 5-Point vs. 7-Point Scales

Likert Scale vs. Other Rating Scales

Likert scales are often confused with other survey scales. The table below shows how they differ from 3 common alternatives.

Characteristics of Likert Scales

Several essential characteristics make the Likert scale a widely used and effective research tool:

• Clear labels: Every response option carries an unambiguous verbal label reflecting the intended level of agreement or disagreement.
• Ordinal structure: Response options have a clear rank order, with 2 extreme positions and gradation between them.
• Quantifiable: Responses can be assigned numerical values to facilitate statistical analysis.
• Symmetry: Scales usually offer an equal number of positive and negative options, which helps reduce response bias.
• Easy administration: Scales are simple to administer in surveys, making them practical even for large samples.
• Versatility: Scales adapt to many topics and fields, including psychology, sociology, business, and education.

How Do You Write Likert Scale Questions?

Write clear, unbiased, single-topic statements, mix positive and negative framing, and pair them with balanced, mutually exclusive response options. The checklists below cover both halves of the task.

Writing the Questions

• Include both questions and statements to keep the survey engaging.
• Mix positive and negative framing to avoid biasing responses in 1 direction.
• Write concisely; avoid complex syntax, double negatives, and jargon.
• Address only 1 topic per question; never combine different topics in a single item.

Writing the Response Options

• Decide the number of options by balancing ease of answering with informativeness; most researchers use 5.
• Choose between unipolar options, which measure 1 attribute such as importance, and bipolar options, which span 2 poles such as agreement and disagreement.
• Ensure options are mutually exclusive.
• Omit overlapping response items or items with similar meanings.

Sample Likert Scale Questionnaire Template

Copy and adapt this ready-to-use template for a customer or participant satisfaction survey. Each statement uses the same 5-point agreement scale: 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree.

Image suggestion: a downloadable template graphic showing this questionnaire in a survey tool, with alt text such as “free 5-point Likert scale survey template.”

How Do You Analyze Likert Scale Data?

First determine whether you will treat the data as ordinal or interval; then choose descriptive statistics to summarize it and inferential statistics to test hypotheses. Likert-derived data is typically treated as ordinal under the assumption of unequal distance between responses.

An ordinal scale is one where order matters but the difference between values does not, e.g., socioeconomic status or satisfaction rating. An interval scale is one where the difference between 2 values is meaningful, e.g., temperature or exam scores.

Analysis at the Ordinal Level

• Descriptive statistics: Use the mode or median for each question to summarize the sample.
• Visualization: Create bar charts displaying the frequency of each choice.
• Inferential statistics: Use Spearman’s correlation or a chi-square test of independence, e.g., to examine the link between social media use and awareness of current affairs.

Analysis at the Interval Level

• Descriptive statistics: Total the scores per participant, then calculate the mean and standard deviation across the sample.
• Inferential statistics: Use Pearson’s correlation or analysis of variance (ANOVA), e.g., to test whether overall Likert scores correlate with IQ; always state that data are being treated at the interval level.

Worked Example: A 5-Point Satisfaction Survey

Suppose 100 customers answered the statement “I am satisfied with the service” on a 5-point scale. The responses are tabulated below.

Treated as ordinal data, the mode is 4 (agree) and the median is 4, so the typical customer agrees with the statement. A bar chart of these frequencies would show a distribution skewed toward agreement. Treated as interval data, the mean is 3.7 with a standard deviation of about 1.1, indicating moderately positive satisfaction with some spread.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Likert Scales

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Likert scale ordinal or interval data?

Likert-derived data is usually treated as ordinal because equal distance between response options cannot be assumed. However, many researchers treat summed scores from multiple items as interval data for analysis, provided that assumption is explicitly stated.

What is a 5-point Likert scale with an example?

A 5-point Likert scale offers 5 graded response options for a statement. A typical agreement example is: strongly agree, agree, undecided, disagree, strongly disagree. It is the most commonly used format in academic and market research.

Why is it called a Likert scale, and how is it pronounced?

The scale is named after Rensis Likert, the American social scientist who introduced it in 1932. His surname is pronounced “LICK-ert,” not “LIE-kert,” although both pronunciations are common in practice.

Can you calculate the average of Likert scale data?

Yes, but only if you treat the data as interval-level and state that assumption. For a single ordinal item, the median or mode is more defensible; means are most appropriate for composite scores summed across several related items.

What is the difference between a Likert scale and a rating scale?

A Likert scale is a specific type of rating scale in which every option carries a verbal label and the options are symmetric around agreement or another attribute. Generic rating scales, such as 1-5 star ratings, often label only the endpoints.

How many points should a Likert scale have?

Most researchers use 5 points because the format balances ease of answering with informativeness. Use 7 points when you need finer precision and reliability; use 4 or 6 points when you want to force a positive or negative choice.

Should a Likert scale include a neutral midpoint?

Include a midpoint when genuinely neutral views are meaningful for your research question. Omit it, using an even forced-choice scale, when neutral clustering is expected or when a directional opinion is essential to the analysis.

How do you analyze Likert scale data in Excel or SPSS?

In Excel, use frequency counts, the MEDIAN and MODE functions, and bar charts for single items. In SPSS, run frequencies and nonparametric tests such as chi-square or Spearman’s correlation for ordinal data, or ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation for interval-level composite scores.

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This article was originally published on January 31, 2024, and updated on July 14, 2026.