Charts & Graphs

The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire

Just how happy are you?

This tool for quantifying individual happiness was published in 2002 as a “compact” version of the exhaustive Oxford Happiness Inventory. The highest possible score is 6; most people score slightly above 4.

Below are a number of statements about happiness. Would you please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each by entering a number alongside it according to the following code:

1=strongly disagree • 2=moderately disagree • 3=slightly disagree • 4=slightly agree • 5=moderately agree • 6=strongly agree

Items marked (–) should be scored in reverse, where 1=strongly agree and 6=strongly disagree.

There are no “right” or “wrong” answers and no trick questions. The first answer that comes into your head is probably the right one for you. Your happiness score is the sum of the numbers you have entered divided by 29.

  • I don’t feel particularly pleased with the way I am (–)
  • I am intensely interested in other people
  • I feel that life is very rewarding
  • I have very warm feelings toward almost everyone
  • I rarely wake up feeling rested (–)
  • I am not particularly optimistic about the future (–)
  • I find most things amusing
  • I am always committed and involved
  • Life is good
  • I do not think the world is a good place (–)
  • I laugh a lot
  • I am well satisfied about everything in my life
  • I don’t think I look attractive (–)
  • There is a gap between what I would like to do and what I have done (–)
  • I am very happy
  • I find beauty in some things
  • I always have a cheerful effect on others
  • I can fit in everything I want to
  • I feel that I am not especially in control of my life (–)
  • I feel able to take anything on
  • I feel fully mentally alert
  • I often experience joy and elation
  • I do not find it easy to make decisions (–)
  • I do not have a particular sense of meaning and purpose in my life (–)
  • I feel I have a great deal of energy
  • I usually have a good influence on events
  • I do not have fun with other people (–)
  • I don’t feel particularly healthy (–)
  • I do not have particularly happy memories of the past (–)