Question-type flow chart

Find out which type is right for your survey

It’s not always clear which type of question will yield the type of response you want. Luckily, this handy
flow chart will guide you to the right decision. Start at the top and follow the arrows through gray
decision points to get to green endpoints. Once you get to the question type you’re looking for, click the
green endpoint to find out more about it. Happy flowing!

So, you’re writing a

survey question...

Do you want people to

Yes No
answer in their own words?

I don’t know

Do you want to make

Use an open-ended Use a closed-ended
No charts and graphs with Yes
question! question! But which kind?
your survey data?

I don’t know

Does your question NEED

No to be easy to take on a Yes
mobile device?

Add an “Other (Please specify)”

One that still lets people
answer option to a
answer in their own words
multiple-choice question

Use a multiple-answer No! Let them

multiple choice question! give multiple

Do you want to limit responses

The simplest kind
to just one answer option?

Do you want to give answer options Yes! There can

in a dropdown menu format? be only one

Do you want people to rate Something a little

something on a scale? more special
Yes No

No Yes
Use a single-answer
multiple choice question!

Do you want people to rank Do you want to ask people how

each of the answer options much they agree or disagree
against each other? with a statement?

Use a dropdown question!

Yes No Yes Use a Likert scale question!

It’s probably best to just use

Use a ranking question! Use a simple rating
multiple choice questions. No
scale question

But wait! There’s more!

Do you want to use the more Do you want to get more specific?
serious option or something a Like rating the quality of a product
bit more fun? or service?

Serious Fun

Do you have several of these

questions, all using the same scale?
Use an NPS question Try a star rating question!

Yes

These question types are often hard to

Consider using a matrix
take on mobile devices, which as much as
of questions
50% of people use to take surveys

1
2
3

It’s probably best to just use

multiple choice questions.

Try these question types out in your survey!

Get started