Likert Scale: The Complete Guide to Survey Rating Scales
The Likert scale is the most widely used approach for measuring attitudes, opinions, and perceptions in survey research. Named after psychologist Rensis Likert, this rating scale allows respondents to express their level of agreement or satisfaction along a symmetric agree-disagree continuum.
Key Takeaways
- •Likert scales measure attitudes by asking respondents to rate their agreement on a symmetric scale
- •5-point and 7-point scales are most common, each with distinct advantages
- •Always use balanced scales with equal positive and negative options
- •Consider whether to include a neutral midpoint based on your research goals
- •Likert data can be analyzed as ordinal or interval depending on your approach
What Is a Likert Scale?
A Likert scale is a psychometric scale commonly used in questionnaires and survey research. It measures respondents' attitudes or opinions by asking them to rate their level of agreement with a statement.
The classic format presents a declarative statement followed by response options ranging from "Strongly Disagree" to "Strongly Agree."
Types of Likert Scales: 5-Point vs 7-Point
The two most common Likert scale formats are 5-point and 7-point scales. Each has specific use cases and trade-offs.
5-Point Scale: Offers simplicity, ideal for general surveys. Options: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neutral, Agree, Strongly Agree.
7-Point Scale: Provides more granularity, preferred in academic research. Adds "Somewhat Disagree" and "Somewhat Agree" options.
Likert Scale Best Practices
Follow these guidelines: Use clear, specific statements. Keep scales balanced. Be consistent throughout your survey. Avoid double-barreled questions. Label all points clearly.
How to Analyze Likert Scale Data
Likert scale data analysis depends on whether you treat responses as ordinal or interval data. For ordinal analysis, use median and mode. For interval analysis, means and standard deviations are acceptable when combining multiple items.
Put this into practice for $9
You just read about likert scale. Now test your own idea with predicted market data. Results in about 1 hour.
Get Likert Scale Results in Hours
Traditional surveys require recruiting hundreds of respondents. Inqvey delivers AI-powered results with the same accuracy—in a fraction of the time.
Try Your First SurveyFrequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Survey Question Types
Master every survey question type: multiple choice, Likert scale, open-ended, ranking, and more. Includes examples and w...
Read more TemplateCustomer Satisfaction Survey Template
Free customer satisfaction survey template with proven questions. Measure CSAT effectively with this ready-to-use templa...
Read more GuideSurvey Bias
Learn about survey bias types including response bias, selection bias, and question bias. Practical tips to improve surv...
Read more