Measure Your Happiness—And Learn How to Build More of It
Discover what truly drives your well-being through a science-based self-assessment from Harvard professor and bestselling author Arthur Brooks.
Take the Happiness ScaleWhat is the Happiness Scale?
Happiness isn’t random—it’s measurable, understandable, and changeable.
The Happiness Scale is a quick, research-based tool that shows you how you experience emotions day to day, and how those patterns influence your happiness. In just 10 minutes, you’ll get a personalized report revealing your emotional strengths, challenges, and practical ways to grow.
What you'll discover:
- Your personalized Well-Being Score: See how your happiness stacks up against the broader population, and get a clear picture of your levels of Enjoyment, Satisfaction, and Meaning—the three “macronutrients” of happiness.
- Insights into your emotional patterns—both positive and negative.
- A data-backed roadmap to increase your well-being.
Each report includes clear explanations and step-by-step recommendations, drawn from decades of social science and Arthur’s research.
Discover my profile
How it works
1. Take the 10-minute online assessment.
2. Instantly receive your personalized report.
3. Explore your results with Arthur’s practical insights and Well-being To-Dos.
You’ll walk away knowing exactly where to focus to increase happiness in your everyday life.
It's time to stop guessing and start building. Take control of your emotional life and take the Happiness Scale today!
Give Me My Personalized ResultsWhy it works
The Happiness Scale draws from decades of behavioral science on emotional well-being, using measures proven to predict long-term happiness and life satisfaction.
Arthur Brooks has distilled the research into something practical and personal: an easy-to-understand snapshot of your emotional patterns—and how to improve them.
It's time to stop guessing and start building. Take control of your emotional life and take the Happiness Scale today!
Access My ProfileWhat if you could understand your emotional tendencies in a single, clear snapshot?
Your report will assign you one of four powerful "Affect Profiles," a groundbreaking typology created by Dr. Brooks.
This profile will give you a name for your unique way of navigating the world, and it is the key to knowing whether your path to greater happiness should focus on increasing joy or decreasing unhappiness.
You’ll discover if you are:
The Cheerleader
The Cheerleader (a person who feels positive emotions more intensely than the average person, but negative emotions less intensely than the average person—“high highs, few lows”)
The Mad Scientist
The Mad Scientist (a person who feels positive emotions more intensely than the average person, and negative emotions more intensely than the average person—“high highs, low lows”)
The Judge
The Judge (a person who feels positive emotions less intensely than the average person, and negative emotions less intensely than the average person—“few highs, few lows”)
The Poet
The Poet (a person who feels positive emotions less intensely than the average person, but negative emotions more intensely than the average person—“few highs, low lows”)
You'll also receive a comprehensive breakdown of your profile, with information on:
- Your strengths, personally and professionally
- Your weaknesses, personally and professionally
- Advice on how to lean into your strengths
- The best social science on how to manage your weaknesses, which will help you in all domains of life
- Your complementary Affect Profile—across romance, friendship, and work
- A quick primer on the science of why are happiness and unhappiness distinct phenomena can occur simultaneously
- Whether you should focus on increasing your happiness, or decreasing your unhappiness
- Details on how (and if) your Affect Profile can change over time
The Happiness Scale is more than a survey—it's the first step in a powerful journey toward a more joyful and fulfilling life.
Get My Customized ReportFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Happiness Scale?
The Happiness Scale is a 40-question, scientifically-backed well-being survey created by Dr. Arthur C. Brooks and his research team. It's designed to give you a clear, personalized look at your emotional profile and key happiness levels.
How is the survey scientifically reliable?
The survey was rigorously tested and validated on a large, representative sample of adults aged 18 to 75. This means your results are assessed against a broad population, ensuring they are statistically sound and trustworthy.
How long does the survey take?
It takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
What information will I receive in my report?
Your detailed report will provide:
- Overall Well-Being Score: See how you compare to the broader population.
- Happiness Macronutrient Scores: Discover your personal levels of Enjoyment, Satisfaction, and Meaning.
- Your Affect Profile: You'll be assigned one of four unique emotional profiles (The Cheerleader, The Mad Scientist, The Judge, or The Poet), which will tell you whether your main challenge is a lack of happiness or too much unhappiness.
- Personalized Advice: You'll get a breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses, along with practical advice on how to improve your well-being.
Can I take the survey more than once?
No. To ensure the scientific reliability of the results, you can only complete the Happiness Scale once. The survey was designed and tested with a single administration, and taking it multiple times would make your results less accurate.
Why should I take this survey?
This survey provides the self-knowledge that is essential for getting happier. Instead of guessing what might work, you'll get a clear, data-driven understanding of your emotional state. This information will empower you to focus your efforts in the areas that will make the biggest difference in your life.