How the Kink Test Is Scored
The kink test turns your answers to 30 questions about 25 common kinks into six theme scores from 0 to 100, using fixed rules that are the same for everyone. This page lists those rules and what the scores cannot tell you.
What does the kink test measure?
It measures how much each named kink appeals to you today, on a five-point scale from Not me to Very me. It does not measure experience, skill, how often you do anything, or what you would agree to.
Which kinks does each theme cover?
Each theme is built from five questions. Leadership and Surrender ask about the same five kinks from opposite sides: leading or following.
| Theme | Result name | What it covers | Kinks in the questions |
|---|---|---|---|
 Leadership | The Guide | Interest in the leading side of power exchange: directing, being deferred to, restraining. | |
 Surrender | The Receptive Explorer | Interest in the following side of power exchange: being directed, deferring, being restrained. | |
 Sensation | The Sensory Observer | Interest in physical sensation: texture, temperature, sensory deprivation, materials and impact. | |
 Structure | The Ritual Keeper | Interest in agreed structure: rituals, rules, tasks, rewards and consequences. | |
 Exploration | The Curious Explorer | Interest in stories, play and being seen: fantasy talk, dress-up, roleplay, primal play and exhibitionism with consent. | |
 Connection | The Attentive Connector | Interest in words and attention: praise, voice, dirty talk, eye contact and aftercare. |
How is each theme scored?
Each answer counts from 1 (Not me) to 5 (Very me). A theme needs at least four answered questions out of five; skipped questions are left out rather than counted as low.
The score is (sum of answers − number of answers) ÷ (4 × number of answers) × 100, rounded to a whole number. So all Not me gives 0, all Very me gives 100, and all Unsure gives 50.
Unsure counts as the midpoint only so the arithmetic works. Your result also shows how many Unsure answers you gave, because a middle score can mean uncertainty rather than moderate interest.
Five answers on one theme:
- Mostly me (4)
- Very me (5)
- Unsure (3)
- Mostly me (4)
- skipped
Scored answers: 4 Sum: 16
Score = (16 − 4) ÷ (4 × 4) × 100 = 75
How is the result name chosen?
A theme gives the result its name when it is your single highest score, reaches at least 60, and sits at least 15 points above your lowest theme. Ties, close scores and lower ratings give The Open Sketch, which is a complete result in its own right. If a theme has fewer than four answers, the result is A Partial Sketch, and you can go back to fill it in. If every answer is Unsure, the result is “It’s okay to be unsure.” rather than a name.
Why can Leadership and Surrender both be high?
They are scored separately. Enjoying the leading side of a kink does not subtract from enjoying the following side, so both can be high, both low, or one higher than the other. For named roles such as Switch, take the BDSM test.
What can’t the scores tell you?
The scores describe your answers today. They are not a percentile, a comparison with other people or a diagnosis. They do not measure pain tolerance, consent skills, relationship health or compatibility, and they never recommend an activity. The rules are editorial choices, not validated cutoffs.
Who reviewed the questions?
The site’s owner reviewed and approved all 30 questions and the result copy written for version 2 on 11 November 2026. No clinician, researcher or sex educator has reviewed them, and there are no population norms. If you spot a problem, email hello@kinkweave.com.
What changed in version 2?
Version 1 (September 2026) asked 30 broad statements about themes. Version 2 (11 November 2026) asks about named kinks from the kink list and adds a list of the kinks you rated highest. The scoring rules did not change.
Read how to read your kink test results · Take the kink test