What's My Kinsey Scale Number?

Take this quiz to find out!

Sexuality is a spectrum, so where do you fall? The Kinsey Scale was made to answer this very question. It transcends common, limiting sexual identity labels and instead, helps you find your exact position on the sexual spectrum.

Learn more about your own sexual identity, and you might find yourself feeling empowered, comforted, and more excited to explore your own desires. Ready to discover your Kinsey Scale Number? Click “Start quiz” now.

Warning: The Kinsey Scale uses the gender binary and as a result, excludes people that fall outside of it, like nonbinary people. At wikiHow, we support and celebrate people of all gender identities. If this quiz doesn't feel like a good fit for you, you may prefer one of our other Sexuality Quizzes.

Quizzes Are More Fun With Friends

Share this quiz with your friends and compare results.

Questions Overview

1. When you’re out in public watching people pass you by, who do you feel attracted to?
  1. Only to people of the opposite gender.
  2. Mainly to people of the opposite gender, but sometimes to people of my gender.
  3. Mainly to people of my gender, but sometimes to people of the opposite gender.
  4. Only to people of my gender.
2. If someone asked you to define your sexual orientation, what would you say?
  1. I would feel totally comfortable saying I’m straight.
  2. I would feel comfortable saying I’m bisexual.
  3. This question would stress me out. I might say bisexual, but I’m honestly not sure where I fall.
  4. I would feel comfortable saying that I’m exclusively gay.
3. The idea of kissing someone of the opposite gender is:
  1. Desirable
  2. Interesting
  3. Tolerable
  4. Unappealing
4. The idea of kissing someone of the same gender is:
  1. Desirable
  2. Interesting
  3. Tolerable
  4. Unappealing
5. Do you have a sexual preference?
  1. I strongly prefer the opposite gender.
  2. I prefer the opposite gender, but really enjoy both genders.
  3. I strongly prefer the same gender.
  4. I prefer the same gender, but really enjoy both genders.
6. Who do you fantasize about sexually?
  1. I fantasize about the opposite gender.
  2. I fantasize about my same gender.
  3. I fantasize about both genders equally.
  4. I fantasize about both genders, but probably not equally…
7. With whom do you form strong emotional bonds?
  1. My same gender.
  2. The opposite gender.
  3. I feel equally capable of bonding deeply with both genders.
  4. I bond deeply with both genders, but I have a preference for one.
8. Who do you feel most comfortable socializing with?
  1. I feel much more comfortable socializing with my same gender.
  2. I prefer socializing with my gender, but I’m comfortable with both.
  3. I feel much more comfortable socializing with the opposite gender.
  4. I prefer socializing with the opposite gender, but I’m comfortable with both.
9. The idea of having sex with someone of the opposite gender as me is:
  1. Desirable
  2. Interesting
  3. Tolerable
  4. Unappealing
10. The idea of having sex with someone of the same gender as me is:
  1. Desirable
  2. Interesting
  3. Tolerable
  4. Unappealing
11. Which statement best describes you:
  1. I feel straight, but on super rare occasions, I experience confusing feelings for someone of my gender.
  2. I prefer the opposite gender, but sometimes I get feelings for people of my same gender.
  3. I’m never surprised by my feelings, because I’m open to dating anyone.
  4. I’m never surprised by my feelings, because I’ve only ever felt attracted to one gender.
12. Which frustration do you feel most about your sexual identity or journey?
  1. It was difficult to come out as gay. So when, on rare occasions, I’m attracted to the opposite gender instead, it’s confusing.
  2. I feel mainly gay, but I still regularly have feelings for the opposite gender. I wish there was a label for me…
  3. I think I’m in the middle of the spectrum, but I feel like people want me to “pick a side.”
  4. I’m rarely confused about my sexuality, because I’m exclusively attracted to one gender.

More Quizzes

Did you like this quiz?

Understanding more about your own sexual identity can be extremely useful, even comforting. When you get well acquainted with your sexual orientation and identity, you\u2019re empowered to go forth into the world and explore your interests! Go on dates, connect with new people, or play the field if that\u2019s what you\u2019re into. There\u2019s a big world out there\u2014and it\u2019s filled with awesome people!And remember: your sexuality is yours alone. You can choose to keep it a secret, express it proudly, or even observe it as it changes over time. As long as you\u2019re treating others with respect in the process, you should never feel ashamed about where you fall on the spectrum!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Non-Negotiables-in-a-Relationship"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Celebrate-LGBT-Pride-Month-As-a-Straight-Person"}],"link_data":[{"title":"A Guide to Finding Your Non Negotiables (And Your Perfect Partner)","id":13663729,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Non-Negotiables-in-a-Relationship","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Non-Negotiables-in-a-Relationship-Step-19.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Non-Negotiables-in-a-Relationship-Step-19.jpg","alt":"A Guide to Finding Your Non Negotiables (And Your Perfect Partner)"},{"title":"18 Practical Ways to Celebrate Pride as an Ally","id":13868595,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Celebrate-LGBT-Pride-Month-As-a-Straight-Person","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Celebrate-LGBT-Pride-Month-As-a-Straight-Person-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Celebrate-LGBT-Pride-Month-As-a-Straight-Person-Step-26.jpg","alt":"18 Practical Ways to Celebrate Pride as an Ally"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"You\u2019re a \u201c1\u201d (primarily heterosexual, but with incidental homosexual attractions).","meaning":"Looking at your results, you\u2019re primarily heterosexual, which makes you a \u201c1\u201d. That said, it seems like every once in a while, you do experience homosexual tendencies or desires. That\u2019s totally normal! Sexuality is a spectrum, and that\u2019s exactly what the Kinsey Scale seeks to measure. It seems like you\u2019re pretty far to the left of the spectrum, and so if you choose to identify as \u201cstraight,\u201d that makes total sense.That said, given you do experience occasional homosexual attractions, you might choose a label that reflects that, too. More power to you! If you\u2019re interested, read up on identities like \u201cqueer,\u201d \u201cbisexual,\u201d or \u201cpansexual\u201d and feel free to choose one that fits. Or, you might decide that your sexual identity is nobody\u2019s business but your own\u2014it\u2019s totally up to you!Understanding more about your own sexual identity can be extremely useful, even comforting. When you get well acquainted with your sexual orientation and identity, you\u2019re empowered to go forth into the world and explore your interests! Go on dates, connect with new people, or play the field if that\u2019s what you\u2019re into. There\u2019s a big world out there\u2014and it\u2019s filled with awesome people!And remember: your sexuality is yours alone. You can choose to keep it a secret, express it proudly, or even observe it as it changes over time. As long as you\u2019re treating others with respect in the process, you should never feel ashamed about where you fall on the spectrum!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Act-on-a-First-Date"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-First-Move"}],"link_data":[{"title":"16 First Date Tips to Help You Make a Good Impression","id":2071006,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Act-on-a-First-Date","image":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Act-on-a-First-Date-Step-16-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Act-on-a-First-Date-Step-16-Version-2.jpg","alt":"16 First Date Tips to Help You Make a Good Impression"},{"title":"How to Make the First Move","id":208419,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-the-First-Move","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Make-the-First-Move-Step-15.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-the-First-Move-Step-15.jpg","alt":"How to Make the First Move"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":3,"text":"You\u2019re a \u201c2\u201d (primarily heterosexual, but with occasional homosexual attractions).","meaning":"Looking at your results, you\u2019re primarily heterosexual. That said, it seems like you do also experience sexual or romantic attraction to people of your same gender sometimes\u2026but what does that mean exactly? On the Kinsey Scale, this means that you\u2019re a \u201c2\u201d.Sexuality is a spectrum\u2014that\u2019s exactly what the Kinsey Scale seeks to measure. For some people, labels like \u201cstraight\u201d and \u201cgay\u201d just don\u2019t tell the whole story. In your case, it seems like your preference is definitely toward people of the opposite gender, which might lead you to identify as \u201cstraight.\u201d That said, it\u2019s not unusual for you to feel attracted to your same gender as well, which means that labels like \u201cqueer,\u201d \u201cbisexual,\u201d and \u201cpansexual\u201d might also feel right to you. Or, you might decide that your sexual identity is nobody\u2019s business but your own\u2014it\u2019s totally up to you!Understanding more about your own sexual identity can be extremely useful, even comforting. When you get well acquainted with your sexual orientation and identity, you\u2019re empowered to go forth into the world and explore your interests! Go on dates, connect with new people, or play the field if that\u2019s what you\u2019re into. There\u2019s a big world out there\u2014and it\u2019s filled with awesome people!And remember: your sexuality is yours alone. You can choose to keep it a secret, express it proudly, or even observe it as it changes over time. As long as you\u2019re treating others with respect in the process, you should never feel ashamed about where you fall on the spectrum!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Learn-to-Accept-Yourself"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Talk-to-Your-Crush"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How Can I Accept Myself? 15 Different Strategies","id":194999,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Learn-to-Accept-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Learn-to-Accept-Yourself-Step-15.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Learn-to-Accept-Yourself-Step-15.jpg","alt":"How Can I Accept Myself? 15 Different Strategies"},{"title":"How to Talk to Your Crush","id":671765,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Talk-to-Your-Crush","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Talk-to-Your-Crush-Step-11-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Talk-to-Your-Crush-Step-11-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Talk to Your Crush"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":4,"text":"You\u2019re a \u201c3\u201d (bisexual).","meaning":"Looking at your results, it seems like you might be bisexual. Exciting! Bisexuality is about being attracted to both genders\u2014it\u2019s similar to pansexuality. Your answers indicate that you might be equally attracted to both genders, and you might not have a definite preference for one over the other.Understanding more about your own sexual identity can be extremely useful, even comforting. When you get well acquainted with your sexual orientation and identity, you\u2019re empowered to go forth into the world and explore your interests! Go on dates, connect with new people, or play the field if that\u2019s what you\u2019re into. There\u2019s a big world out there\u2014and it\u2019s filled with awesome people!And remember: your sexuality is yours alone. You can choose to keep it a secret, express it proudly, or even observe it as it changes over time. As long as you\u2019re treating others with respect in the process, you should never feel ashamed about where you fall on the spectrum!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Accept-Yourself-As-Bisexual"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Meet-Other-Bisexual-People"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Accept Being Bisexual","id":900463,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Accept-Yourself-As-Bisexual","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Accept-Yourself-As-Bisexual-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Accept-Yourself-As-Bisexual-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Accept Being Bisexual"},{"title":"12 Simple Ways to Find Other Bisexual People","id":1099459,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Meet-Other-Bisexual-People","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Meet-Other-Bisexual-People-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Meet-Other-Bisexual-People-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","alt":"12 Simple Ways to Find Other Bisexual People"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":5,"text":"You\u2019re a \u201c4\u201d (primarily homosexual, but with occasional heterosexual attractions).","meaning":"Looking at your results, you\u2019re primarily gay. Or to put it in \u201cKinsey Scale\u201d terms, you\u2019re \u201cprimarily homosexual, but with occasional heterosexual attractions.\u201d What does this mean for you? It seems like you have a preference for people of your own gender, but you still regularly experience attraction towards people of the opposite gender, which puts you at a \u201c4\u201d on the Kinsey Scale. 4\u2019s often prefer labels like \u201cgay,\u201d \u201cbisexual,\u201d \u201cqueer,\u201d or \u201cpansexual.\u201d The more you know!For some people, this is a confusing boat to be in. When you\u2019re on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, exploring your sexual identity can be a long\u2013sometimes difficult\u2013process. So to think that, at the end of that journey, you\u2019d still regularly experience confusing heterosexual feelings\u2014it can be a lot. But it doesn\u2019t have to be. Sexuality is a spectrum, and no matter where you fall, you should celebrate and express yourself for all that you are!And remember: your sexuality is yours alone. You can choose to keep it a secret, express it proudly, or even observe it as it changes over time. As long as you\u2019re treating others with respect in the process, you should never feel ashamed about where you fall on the spectrum!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-to-Know-the-Person-You%27re-Dating"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Questions-to-Ask-on-Dating-App"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Get to Know the Person You're Dating","id":12950767,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-to-Know-the-Person-You%27re-Dating","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Get-to-Know-the-Person-You%27re-Dating-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Get-to-Know-the-Person-You%27re-Dating-Step-13.jpg","alt":"How to Get to Know the Person You're Dating"},{"title":"Meaningful and Funny Questions to Get to Know Your Dating App Match Better","id":13540474,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Questions-to-Ask-on-Dating-App","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Questions-to-Ask-on-Dating-App-Step-30.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Questions-to-Ask-on-Dating-App-Step-30.jpg","alt":"Meaningful and Funny Questions to Get to Know Your Dating App Match Better"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":6,"text":"You\u2019re a \u201c5\u201d (primarily homosexual, but with incidental heterosexual attractions).","meaning":"Looking at your results, you\u2019re primarily gay. Or to put it in \u201cKinsey Scale\u201d terms, you\u2019re \u201cprimarily homosexual, but with incidental heterosexual attractions.\u201d What does this mean for you? It seems that you have a definite preference for people of your own gender. But on rare occasions, you still experience attraction towards people of the opposite gender, which puts you at a \u201c5\u201d on the Kinsey Scale. 5\u2019s often prefer labels like \u201cgay,\u201d \u201cbisexual,\u201d \u201cqueer,\u201d or \u201cpansexual.\u201d The more you know!For some people, this is a confusing boat to be in. When you\u2019re on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, exploring your sexual identity can be a long, sometimes difficult, process. So to think that, at the end of that journey, you\u2019d still sometimes experience confusing heterosexual feelings every once in a while\u2014it can be a lot. But it doesn\u2019t have to be! Sexuality is a spectrum, and no matter where you fall, you should celebrate and express yourself for all that you are!And remember: your sexuality is yours alone. You can choose to keep it a secret, express it proudly, or even observe it as it changes over time. As long as you\u2019re treating others with respect in the process, you should never feel ashamed about where you fall on the spectrum!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Find-Love"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Find-a-Queer-Relationship-in-High-School"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Find Love","id":854276,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Find-Love","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Find-Love-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Find-Love-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Find Love"},{"title":"How to Find a Queer Relationship in High School","id":1182008,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Find-a-Queer-Relationship-in-High-School","image":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Find-a-Queer-Relationship-in-High-School-Step-12.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Find-a-Queer-Relationship-in-High-School-Step-12.jpg","alt":"How to Find a Queer Relationship in High School"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":7,"text":"You\u2019re a \u201c6\u201d (exclusively homosexual).","meaning":"Looking at your results, you seem to be exclusively into your same gender. In short, you likely identify as \u201cgay,\u201d and it seems like you experience no (or very few) heterosexual attractions and romantic feelings.Understanding more about your own sexual identity can be extremely useful, even comforting. When you get well acquainted with your sexual orientation and identity, you\u2019re empowered to go forth into the world and explore your interests! Go on dates, connect with new people, or play the field if that\u2019s what you\u2019re into. There\u2019s a big world out there\u2014and it\u2019s filled with awesome people!And remember: your sexuality is yours alone. You can choose to keep it a secret, express it proudly, or even observe it as it changes over time. As long as you\u2019re treating others with respect in the process, you should never feel ashamed about where you fall on the spectrum!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Are-You-Looking-for-in-a-Relationship"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Accept-Yourself-as-LGBT"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Answer \u201cWhat Are You Looking For in a Relationship?\u201d","id":13252752,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Are-You-Looking-for-in-a-Relationship","image":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/What-Are-You-Looking-for-in-a-Relationship-Step-11.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-What-Are-You-Looking-for-in-a-Relationship-Step-11.jpg","alt":"How to Answer \u201cWhat Are You Looking For in a Relationship?\u201d"},{"title":"How to Accept Yourself as LGBT","id":6021624,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Accept-Yourself-as-LGBT","image":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Accept-Yourself-as-LGBT-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Accept-Yourself-as-LGBT-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Accept Yourself as LGBT"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Am<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Gay Quiz"},{"title":"Am I Pansexual Quiz","id":13816845,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Am-I-Pansexual","image":"\"Am<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Pansexual Quiz"},{"title":"Am I Asexual Quiz","id":13055533,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Am-I-Asexual-Quiz","image":"\"Am<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Asexual Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"I'm comfortable with it.","result":"Great! We have some quizzes focused on dating and relationships that you might like:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Am I Ready For A Relationship Quiz","id":13203019,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Am-I-Ready-For-A-Relationship-Quiz","image":"\"Am<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Ready For A Relationship Quiz"},{"title":"Do I Have a Crush Quiz","id":13890252,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Do-I-Have-a-Crush-Quiz","image":"\"Do<\/picture>","alt":"Do I Have a Crush Quiz"},{"title":"Am I Polyamorous Quiz","id":13363800,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Am-I-Polyamorous-Quiz","image":"\"Am<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Polyamorous Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

The Kinsey Scale, Sexual Spectrum, & Gender Identity

What is the Kinsey Scale? In 1948, the Kinsey Scale was founded on an idea that was radical at the time: people weren’t exclusively gay or straight. Rather, sexuality existed on a spectrum, and a person could fall anywhere within that spectrum. This idea accounted for gender preference and also allowed for more individual sexual freedom; this meant that a person might spend their whole life dating one gender, but then decide to switch things up. The Kinsey Scale’s logic could account for this behavior, and in that way, it was normalized.

Limitations of The Kinsey Scale: Popular and evidentiary support for a “sexual spectrum” has only grown over the years, but other assumptions made by the Kinsey Scale have become outdated. Specifically, the Kinsey Scale relies on a gender binary—or, the idea that only two genders exist, male and female. Today, we recognize and celebrate a gender spectrum, which means that a person’s gender identity can exist anywhere outside of those two specific categories.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but here are some key terms to help you get acquainted with the gender spectrum.

Agender: not identifying with any particular gender

Androgynous: presenting both masculine and feminine traits; or, presenting neither masculine nor feminine traits

Cisgender: identifying with the gender with which a person was assigned at birth

Gender Expansive: a term to describe an approach to gender identity that accounts for more complexity and flexibility than the gender binary

Gender Expression: an expression of gender that’s external—either in looks, behaviors, clothes, speech, etc.

Gender Fluid: an experience of gender that allows room to change over time; or perhaps, isn’t rooted in one specific gender identity

Gender Identity: a gender experience with which a person identifies internally (or, which matches their internal experience)

Nonbinary: a person who doesn’t identify with either of the genders described by the gender binary

Transgender: a person whose gender identity is different from that which they were assigned at birth

Want to learn more?

You Might Also Like

Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Oct 4

    "Uh, nice. But I am aroace... I still have lots of questions. The quiz is great, though."
More reader stories Hide reader stories
Share your story