Personality TestsDark triad test
27 short statements, about 4 minutes. You get a score from 0 to 100 for each of the three dark triad traits, Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, plus what that level tends to look like in daily life.
I like being the one people look at when I walk into a room.
Your answers are scored in your browser. They are not sent to our server.
How it works
- Read each statement and tap how much it sounds like you, from Disagree to Agree.
- Answer how you really act, not how you think you should. Nobody sees your answers but you.
- After the last one you see three bars, one per trait, with a short note on what your level means.
- Use the Share button to send your result, or take it again later to compare.
What the dark triad is
The dark triad is a set of three personality traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy. Psychologists Delroy Paulhus and Kevin Williams gave the group its name in a 2002 paper. They noticed the three overlap, since all of them involve putting yourself first, but each one also has its own flavor.
The key word is "subclinical". That means everyday levels of these traits in ordinary people, not a mental health condition. Everyone sits somewhere on each one. A coworker who always knows who to impress, a friend who loves the spotlight, a cousin who'll try any extreme sport: that's the range this quiz looks at.
This quiz can't diagnose anything. It is not a test for narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder or any other condition. Those are assessed by trained professionals over long interviews, not by 27 taps on a phone.
The three traits in plain words
Machiavellianism: a strategic, calculating style with people. It's named after Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian writer of The Prince, a 1500s book of blunt advice for rulers. High scorers plan their moves, read who has power, and keep their cards close. Low scorers say what they want and take people at their word.
Narcissism: wanting attention and admiration, and feeling a bit special. The name comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. High scorers are confident and like to be noticed. Low scorers are modest and happy to share credit.
Psychopathy: in research, this means a mix of impulsivity, thrill-seeking, bluntness and not feeling much guilt. It does not mean violence. High scorers get bored fast, take risks and stay calm when others panic. Low scorers think before they act and feel bad quickly when they've hurt someone.
How your score is worked out
Each trait has 9 statements, so 27 in total, mixed together. For each trait, 3 of the 9 are worded the other way round. For example, "I take people at their word" counts against Machiavellianism. That way, agreeing with everything doesn't push every score to the top.
Each answer is worth 0 to 4 points, from Disagree to Agree. For the reversed statements we flip it, so Agree gives 0. We take the average of a trait's 9 answers and turn it into a score from 0 to 100. Under 40 counts as low, 40 to 60 as middle, and over 60 as high.
You get three separate scores. We don't add them into one "dark" number, because the traits mean different things. This is also a raw score, not a ranking. A 65 means you agreed with most of that trait's statements, not that you scored higher than 65% of people.
Can these traits be useful?
Yes, in moderate amounts. A bit of Machiavellianism helps in a negotiation or when you need to plan around office politics. A bit of narcissism shows up as confidence, the kind that lets you pitch an idea or ask for a raise. A bit of psychopathy can look like staying cool under pressure and saying the hard thing nobody else will.
It's also common to be high on one trait and low on the others. Someone can be very confident (high narcissism) and still be honest and careful (low Machiavellianism and psychopathy). The three are related, but a high score on one doesn't mean a high score on all of them.
Problems tend to show up at the high end, and mostly in close relationships. Partners and friends may feel used, talked over or hurt by bluntness. That's why each result here describes how other people may experience the trait, plus one small thing you could try.
How much to trust the result
The statements were written for this site. They follow the dark triad model, but they are not the Short Dark Triad (SD3) or any other published scale, and they haven't been tested in studies. Treat your scores as a starting point for thinking, not a measurement.
Self-report has a built-in problem with these traits in particular. People high in them may not see themselves that way, or may answer to look good. Your mood today also moves the numbers. A friend's honest opinion can tell you more than any quiz.
Your answers can shift, too. A stressful month, a new job or a hard breakup can make you more guarded or more restless for a while. If you retake the quiz later, expect some movement.
If you worry that your own habits, or someone else's, are hurting your relationships, talk to a counselor or therapist. That's true whatever score you got here.
What each score means
Machiavellianism (Straightforward ↔ Strategic)
What is Machiavellianism? →- High:
- You think a few steps ahead with people. You notice who holds the power, pick your words with care and keep your cards close. That helps in negotiations and office politics. Others may sometimes feel handled rather than heard, even when you mean well. One idea: with people close to you, try saying what you want straight out and see how it lands.
- Low:
- You say what you want and expect others to do the same. People find you easy to read, and that builds trust. The flip side is that a hidden agenda can catch you off guard. One idea: before a big talk, like asking for a raise, jot down what the other person might want.
Narcissism (Modest ↔ Self-assured)
What is Narcissism (trait)? →- High:
- You feel confident, like being noticed and enjoy being admired. That energy can make you a strong speaker or leader. Others may sometimes feel there's little room for them in the conversation, or that criticism hits you hard. One idea: when you get feedback, pause for a beat and ask one question about it before you reply.
- Low:
- You don't need the spotlight. You share credit easily, and people find you easy to be around. The downside is that your good work can go unnoticed. One idea: when you've done something well, say so once, plainly. That isn't bragging.
Psychopathy (trait) (Careful ↔ Bold)
What is Psychopathy (trait)? →- High:
- You like excitement, get bored by routine, say things straight and don't dwell on guilt for long. You stay cool when others panic, which is handy in a crisis. Others may sometimes feel hurt by your bluntness or worried by your risk-taking. One idea: before you say something sharp, ask yourself how you'd want to hear it.
- Low:
- You think before you act, feel bad when you've hurt someone and soften hard news. People see you as considerate and safe to be around. The other side is that you may skip risks that could pay off, or avoid saying hard things. One idea: pick one small risk this month that you'd normally talk yourself out of.
Questions
Original statements written for this site, inspired by the dark triad model described by Delroy Paulhus and Kevin Williams (2002). This is not the Short Dark Triad (SD3) or any other official or clinical test.
FAQ
- Does a high score mean I'm a psychopath or a narcissist?
- No. This quiz measures everyday levels of traits that everyone has. It cannot diagnose a personality disorder or any other condition. A high score means you agreed with many statements about, say, risk-taking or liking attention. That's all.
- Is this the Short Dark Triad (SD3)?
- No. The SD3 is a published research scale. Our 27 statements are original, written for this site and based on the same three-trait idea from Paulhus and Williams (2002).
- What is the dark tetrad?
- Some researchers later suggested adding a fourth trait, everyday sadism, which means enjoying other people's discomfort. The four together are called the dark tetrad. This quiz sticks to the original three.
- How long does it take?
- About 4 minutes. There are 27 short statements and you tap one answer for each.
- Should I show my result to my partner?
- Only if you both see it as a conversation starter, not a verdict. Comparing how you each answered a few statements can be more useful than comparing the numbers.
- Do you save my answers?
- Your answers are scored in your browser and are not sent to our server. Your last result is kept in your own browser so you can see it again; clearing site data removes it.
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Last updated November 12, 2026