When should I use a rating scale?

Rating scale asks people to score something on a numeric scale. It answers any “how much” question, like “How clear was the next step?” or “How likely are you to recommend this?”.

When to reach for it

Reach for a rating scale when the answer is a number. If the answer is a label you can list, like a role or a tool, Multiple choice is the better pick. To learn why someone scored the way they did, follow the rating with an Open text question. To rate several statements on the same scale at once, use a Matrix.

Good to know

You choose the scale and the labels for the low and high ends, such as “Confusing” and “Crystal clear”. A shorter scale reads quickly. A longer one picks up finer differences but takes longer to answer. For “how likely to recommend” questions, use a 0-to-10 scale.

Results show the average score and the spread across the scale. The spread often tells you more than the average.