Self-Assessment
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
The most widely used measure of global self-esteem. Find out how you feel about yourself with this classic 10-question assessment developed by sociologist Morris Rosenberg.
Research-based tool · This is the original RSES (Rosenberg, 1965) in the public domain
What Is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is your overall sense of personal worth. It reflects how much you value, accept, and feel confident about yourself as a person. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale measures this global self-evaluation, not specific skills or abilities.
53-nation study: Researchers tested the RSES across 16,998 participants in 53 countries and found that all nations averaged above the scale midpoint, suggesting most people view themselves positively.
How to answer: For each statement, indicate how strongly you agree or disagree. Answer based on how you generally feel about yourself, not how you feel right now in this moment.
Your Self-Esteem Score
Based on your responses
Where Your Score Falls
Your Score on the Scale
What You Can Do
- No official cut-offs: The original scale does not define low, normal, or high categories. The ranges used here (0-15, 16-25, 26-30) are common conventions, not diagnostic thresholds.
- Self-esteem fluctuates: Your score can change based on life circumstances, recent experiences, and current mood. A single score is a snapshot, not a permanent label.
- Context matters: Someone going through a difficult time might score lower than usual. This doesn't define who they are.
The Research Behind This Scale
From the Research
"The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is a widely used self-report instrument for evaluating individual self-esteem. It is the most widely used measure of global self-esteem."
— Schmitt, D.P., & Allik, J. (2005). Simultaneous Administration of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in 53 Nations . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(4), 623-642.
What the RSES Measures
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was developed by sociologist Morris Rosenberg in 1965. It measures global self-esteem: your overall evaluation of your own worth as a person.
The scale captures how positively or negatively you view yourself in general. It does not measure:
- Specific abilities (academic, social, athletic)
- Self-confidence in particular situations
- Self-efficacy for specific tasks
Instead, it reflects your broad sense of self-acceptance and self-worth.
Original Source
"Self-esteem, as noted, is a positive or negative attitude toward a particular object, namely, the self."
— Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the Adolescent Self-Image. Princeton University Press.
Global Validation
The RSES has been tested in dozens of countries and consistently shows good reliability and validity across cultures.
From the Research
"The structure of the RSES was largely invariant across nations... In all nations, self-esteem was above the theoretical scale midpoint, suggesting that positive self-evaluation is a universal human tendency."
— Schmitt, D.P., & Allik, J. (2005). Simultaneous Administration of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale in 53 Nations . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Scale Reliability
Studies consistently report good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha around 0.88-0.89), meaning the items reliably measure the same underlying construct.
From the Research
"The internal consistency of the RSES-10 was .89, and the item-total correlations ranged from .57 to .75... The test-retest reliability over a 2-week interval was .85."
— Wongpakaran, T., & Wongpakaran, N. (2012). A Comparison of Reliability and Construct Validity . Psychiatry Investigation, 9(1), 54-58.
What the Research Shows
- Self-esteem tends to be higher in individualistic cultures than collectivistic ones
- Most populations score above the midpoint (positive self-view is common)
- The negatively worded items sometimes cause confusion, particularly across translations
- Self-esteem is linked to mental health outcomes, but correlation is not causation
How Scoring Works
The RSES contains 10 statements. Five are worded positively (e.g., "I feel I have good qualities") and five are worded negatively (e.g., "I feel I am a failure").
| Response | Positive Items | Negative Items |
|---|---|---|
| Strongly Agree | 3 points | 0 points |
| Agree | 2 points | 1 point |
| Disagree | 1 point | 2 points |
| Strongly Disagree | 0 points | 3 points |
Negative items are reverse scored so that disagreeing with "I am a failure" adds to your self-esteem score. Total scores range from 0 to 30.
Interpretation Ranges
There are no official cut-offs from the original author. However, these ranges are commonly used:
| Score | Level | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0-15 | Low | May indicate low self-esteem |
| 16-25 | Normal | Typical range for most people |
| 26-30 | High | Indicates high self-esteem |
Source: These cut-offs appear in Verywell Mind and other educational resources, though they are not from the original 1965 publication.
Public Domain Status
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is in the public domain. According to the York University reference, the scale may be used without explicit permission. We reproduce the original 10 items here for educational and self-reflection purposes.
Self-Esteem Around the World
Research across 53 nations found that people in all countries, on average, scored above the midpoint of the scale. Some variation exists by culture and region.
U.S. Average
Global Average
Scale Midpoint
Data from Schmitt & Allik (2005). Averages are approximate.
Common Questions
Generally, higher self-esteem is associated with better mental health outcomes. However, extremely high scores can sometimes reflect narcissism or unrealistic self-perception rather than healthy self-esteem. The goal is a stable, realistic positive view of yourself, not perfection.
Yes. Self-esteem tends to increase from adolescence through middle adulthood, then decline slightly in old age. It also fluctuates based on life events, relationships, and personal growth. A low score today doesn't mean low self-esteem forever.
A low score suggests you may be more critical of yourself than most people. This is worth paying attention to, as low self-esteem is associated with depression and anxiety. Consider whether recent events affected your responses. If low self-esteem persists and affects your life, speaking with a counselor can help.
About This Assessment
Public Domain Scale
This assessment uses the original 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965), which is in the public domain. The items are reproduced exactly as published. No modifications have been made to the wording.
Educational Purpose
- Not diagnostic: This scale measures self-reported self-esteem. It cannot diagnose depression, anxiety, or any mental health condition.
- Self-reflection tool: Use your score as a starting point for reflection, not as a definitive judgment of your worth.
- Unofficial cut-offs: The 0-15 / 16-25 / 26-30 ranges are commonly used but were not established by Rosenberg himself.
When to Seek Support
If you consistently feel worthless, hopeless, or like a burden, please talk to a healthcare provider or mental health professional. Low self-esteem can be addressed, and support is available.