Rosenberg Scale — how to interpret your self-esteem score?
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is the gold standard for measuring self-worth. Learn what scores from 0 to 40 mean and when to seek support.
What is the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale?
Morris Rosenberg developed his scale in 1965 during research on adolescent self-esteem. Today it is the most widely used measure of self-esteem in the world — translated into over 30 languages and used in tens of thousands of studies.
The scale consists of just 10 statements, rated on a scale from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 4 ("strongly agree"). Five items are worded positively (e.g., "I feel that I have a number of good qualities"), five negatively (e.g., "I feel I do not have much to be proud of").
Score Interpretation
The maximum score is 40 points. A typical breakdown:
| Score | Interpretation |
| 30–40 | High self-esteem — healthy sense of self-worth |
| 25–29 | Average self-esteem — within normal range, but with some doubts |
| 15–24 | Low self-esteem — worth examining your self-beliefs |
| 0–14 | Very low self-esteem — consider consulting a specialist |
Note: The scale measures global self-esteem — an overall sense of self-worth regardless of context. Your score may vary depending on your life situation.
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