When to use it
- You want degree or intensity, not just a category.
- You’ll trend the same measure over time and need a stable metric.
- You want a mean and a distribution you can compare across segments.
- The concept is one-dimensional — a single “more vs. less” axis.
When to reach for something else
- You’re rating many items on the same scale — a matrix is more compact.
- You need agree/disagree specifically — a Likert scale reads more naturally.
- The answer is a category, not a degree — use multiple choice.
Sample question
“On a scale of 1 to 5, how satisfied were you with your most recent support experience?”
Best practices
- Pick one scale length and reuse it across the survey for comparability.
- Label at least the endpoints; labeling every point removes ambiguity.
- Decide deliberately on an odd scale (true midpoint) vs. even (forces a lean).
- Keep polarity consistent — high always “good” — so respondents don’t misread.
- Anchor the meaning in the prompt so 3 means the same thing to everyone.
Data & reporting
Each response stores the selected number. Exports write that number into one column. Reports compute the mean, minimum, maximum, and the full distribution across scale points, so you can track the average and see how opinion is spread — not just where it centers.
Accessibility
Scale points render as a labeled radio group navigable by Tab and arrow keys, with each point’s value and any text label exposed to screen readers so the scale isn’t conveyed by position alone.
Compared to SurveyMonkey
Both handle basic rating scales; Surveti reports the mean and distribution inline and lets you significance-test differences between groups without exporting to another tool first.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use a 5-point or 10-point scale?
Five points is easy to label fully and quick to answer; ten points captures finer gradations and more variance. Pick one and use it consistently so results stay comparable over time.
Should the scale have a midpoint?
An odd-numbered scale gives a true neutral midpoint, which is honest when neutrality is a real answer. An even scale forces a lean either way. Choose based on whether “neither” is a valid response for your question.
How does Surveti summarize scale answers?
It reports the mean along with the minimum, maximum, and the distribution across every scale point, so you see both the average and how divided or unified the responses are.