Self-Esteem Test — Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), 10 Items, Free
- Free
- 10 questions
- No sign-up
- Instant result
Check how positively you regard yourself with the 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). It takes 1–2 minutes and gives you a score, a plain-language reading of it, and a trend line against your earlier attempts.
What's included
- Questions
- 10 items
- Price
- Free
- Areas measured
- Self-Esteem Score
How the 10 Rosenberg statements work
This test uses the 10 statements written by sociologist Morris Rosenberg to look at your overall attitude toward yourself — the basic sense of whether you are a person of worth. For each statement you choose one of four answers, from “Strongly agree” to “Strongly disagree”, whichever is closest to how you usually see yourself, and the whole thing takes about 2 minutes. It does not ask about a particular skill or about your looks, but about the overall way you regard yourself.
Five of the 10 statements are worded negatively — for example, “I generally feel that I am a failure.” — and are scored in reverse. Answering “Strongly agree” to a positive statement and “Strongly disagree” to a negative one both earn 3 points, so every item adds up in the same direction. Soundary scores each item from 0 to 3 for a total of 0–30, and a higher total means higher self-esteem.
Reading your score in three self-esteem bands
A total of 0–14 is shown as “Low Self-Esteem”, 15–25 as “Average Self-Esteem” and 26–30 as “High Self-Esteem”. The low band suggests a tendency to judge yourself negatively, the average band points to a generally balanced attitude, and the high band reflects accepting yourself as a person of value. Unlike most of the symptom scales on the site, this is one where a higher score is the favorable direction.
Self-esteem scores are fairly sensitive to the day you are having. Right after a mistake in an exam or an interview, after a night of poor sleep, or after an argument, your total can come out lower than usual. That is why it helps to look past the single number at which statements you agreed with: if only “I sometimes feel that I am a useless person.” stands out, a recent experience may be weighing on you. The result is not a diagnosis; it is a mirror of how you see yourself right now.
A self-esteem scale in use since 1965
Rosenberg introduced the scale in 1965 in his book Society and the Adolescent Self-Image, a study of how adolescents see themselves. It has since become one of the most widely used self-esteem measures in research with both adolescents and adults. It is openly available for use with attribution to the Department of Sociology at the University of Maryland, so Soundary uses the original 10 statements, rendered in each language.
Self-esteem does not change overnight, but it is not fixed either. Retaking the scale after some time and comparing it with your previous result shows which way you are moving. For a class or a study group, a group link lets everyone take it anonymously without signing in and see where they stand within the group. If a low score persists for weeks and daily life feels heavy, talking with a mental health professional is a good next step.
How scores are interpreted
Self-Esteem Score
A scale indicating the overall sense of self-worth and acceptance (0-30 points, higher scores indicate higher self-esteem).
0–14pts · Low Self-Esteem
Your self-esteem is at a low level. You may have a tendency to evaluate yourself negatively. Since this is often accompanied by depression or anxiety, please consider consulting a professional.
15–25pts · Average Self-Esteem
Your self-esteem is within the typical range. You generally have a balanced attitude toward yourself.
26–30pts · High Self-Esteem
Your self-esteem is at a high level. You accept yourself as a valuable person and maintain a positive attitude.
Sample questions
- 1. I think I am a person of worth, just like other people.
- 2. I think I have good qualities.
- 3. I generally feel that I am a failure.
- 4. I am able to do things as well as most other people.
Please read the following statements carefully and select the answer that best reflects how you generally feel about yourself.
FAQ
How do I interpret my self-esteem score?
Each of the 10 items is scored 1–4, giving a total that usually falls between 10 and 40 (some versions rescale it to 0–30). Higher scores suggest you accept yourself fairly easily; lower ones often go with frequent self-criticism. The direction your score moves over time tells you more than any single number.
Does a low self-esteem score mean I'm depressed?
No. Low self-esteem often travels with depression or anxiety, but it isn't a diagnosis, and this scale isn't a diagnostic tool. If a low score persists for several weeks alongside low motivation or sleep problems, it's worth also taking a depression screener and talking to a professional if things feel heavy.
How often should I retake this test?
Self-esteem doesn't shift in a day or two, so every 2–4 weeks is a sensible rhythm. If you're starting therapy or a new routine, take a baseline now and repeat it a month later — the gap between the two is where the change shows. Treat results from an unusually rough day as rough guides only.
Can a low self-esteem score actually improve?
Yes. Self-esteem isn't a fixed trait — it moves with experience and with how you habitually interpret events. Writing down specific things you did well, rewriting self-critical thoughts in factual terms, and stacking small manageable wins all help, and they're standard material in therapy too.
Source
The items in this test are a self-check adaptation based on the original instrument and literature below: Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. Princeton University Press.
Related tests
This is a self-screening tool, not a medical diagnosis. If the result concerns you, please consult a mental health professional.