Likert scale questions ask people how much they agree with a statement, on a scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. A grid of 4 or 5 statements measures several things at once, in the time one open question takes. This guide is ideal for beginners and for teams writing their first survey. We share how to write fair statements, whether to use 5 or 7 points, example statements, and how to read the averages in Echo Forms, in about 20 minutes.
The short version
- Write each statement about one thing, in plain words.
- Use a 5 point scale for most surveys; 7 only for fine distinctions.
- Keep a grid to 4 to 6 statements, so it fits a phone.
- Read the average per statement, and compare it over time.
What is a Likert scale?
It is a rating scale named after the psychologist Rensis Likert, who described it in 1932. People rate each statement on the same agree disagree scale, usually with 5 points: strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree. Because every statement uses the same scale, the answers line up and can be averaged, which makes trends easy to spot. Wikipedia’s article on the Likert scale covers its history and variations.
How do you write good Likert statements?
Make each one about a single idea, positive or neutral in tone, and easy to judge from experience.
| Weak statement | Why it is weak | Better statement |
|---|---|---|
| The staff were friendly and fast | Two ideas in one | The staff were friendly |
| You did not dislike the food | A double negative | I enjoyed the food |
| Our amazing app is easy to use | Leading | The app is easy to use |
| The process was optimal | Vague jargon | I found what I needed quickly |
A 5 point scale works for most surveys, because people can tell 5 levels apart quickly, and a grid of 5 statements takes about 1 minute to answer. A 7 point scale adds nuance, but on a phone it can crowd the screen.
How to add a Likert survey, step by step
- In Echo Forms with Signature, start from a survey template such as Customer Satisfaction or Employee Pulse, or add a Likert scale field to any form.
- Write 4 to 6 statements, one per row.
- Check the scale labels: Strongly disagree to Strongly agree.
- Add one open question after the grid, such as What is one thing we could do better?
- Preview it on a phone, where the grid stacks into rows.
- Send it, then open Entries, pick the form and press See results.
The choices and ratings guide shows the field, and survey results shows each statement’s average, with what the numbers mean.
How should you read the results?
Look at the average for each statement on the 1 to 5 scale, then compare it with the last survey. A move from 3.6 to 4.1 over 6 months means more than any single number, as long as at least 30 people answered each time. Statements that score under 3 are your clearest fixes. Survey results in Echo Forms can show the last 7, 30 or 90 days, so you can compare periods without exporting anything.
Should there be a neutral middle point?
Usually yes. Forcing people to agree or disagree when they honestly feel neither adds noise. Leave it out only when you need a decision, such as I would recommend this course, and even then, consider a 4 point scale with a clear not sure option.
Likert scale questions are one of the fastest ways to measure how people feel about several things at once. Write 5 clear statements, run the survey every 3 months, and act on the lowest score first. Our customer satisfaction survey questions have more examples.
Likert grids with averages built in
Likert scales and survey results come with Echo Forms Signature, from $49.99 a year.
