Decision Maker
Name your options and what matters, score each one, and see the weighted totals ranked with the working shown. For a single yes-or-no choice, weigh the pros and cons.
Scores
Score each option from 0 (poor) to 10 (excellent) on each criterion, in whole numbers.
Weighted totals
Score each option on each criterion to see the weighted totals.
Each total is importance × score, added up over the criteria. The totals come from your own scores and weights; they aren’t advice.
List the points for and against, and weight each from 1 (minor) to 5 (major). The weights are your own judgment.
The tally
Add a pro or a con to see the tally.
This is a tally of the weights you chose, not advice. A single point can matter more than any total.
Nothing is saved: closing the page clears it, so copy, download or print your decision first.
Weigh a choice by what matters to you
Choosing between a few good options, such as two laptops, three cities for a holiday in Europe or a shortlist of team names, is hard when each one wins on something different. This tool makes the trade-offs visible: you say what matters and how much, score each option, and it adds everything up with the working shown. The decision stays yours.
How to use it
- Write the decision at the top if you like, then list your options.
- Under What matters, add each criterion, such as weather or battery life, and give it an importance from 1 to 5.
- Score every option from 0 to 10 on every criterion.
- Read the ranked totals, then print, copy or download the result. CSV gives the whole matrix for a spreadsheet.
How the totals work
Each score is multiplied by its criterion’s importance, and the results are added up. Choosing a city for a long weekend with weather (importance 5), things to do (3) and travel time (2), Lisbon, scored 8, 9 and 6, gets 5 × 8 + 3 × 9 + 2 × 6 = 79 out of a possible 100. Vienna, scored 6, 9 and 8, gets 73, so Lisbon comes first by 6. Equal totals share a place and are marked as a tie.
Pros and cons, for one yes-or-no choice
For a single question, such as whether to repaint the living room this spring, switch to Pros and cons. Weight each point from 1 to 5 and the tally says which side is heavier and by how much.
Tips for a fair comparison
- Pick criteria that differ between the options. One they all score the same on adds the same to every total, so it changes nothing.
- Score one criterion at a time across all the options, so the scores stay comparable.
- Count each thing once. “Close to the beach” and “near the sea” say the same thing twice.
- If the winner surprises you, look at which scores you’d want to change. That often tells you more than the totals.
Good to know
- Not advice: the totals reflect only your own scores and weights, and one dealbreaker can outweigh any total.
- Nothing is saved: closing the page clears it, so keep a copy first.
- Rather leave it to chance? For a weekend plan you don’t mind either way, spin the Spinner Wheel or use the Coin Flip and Dice Roller.
Frequently asked questions
Does it tell me what to decide?
How is the weighted total worked out?
What happens when two options tie?
Is my decision saved?
This adds up the scores and weights you choose. It’s a tally of your own judgment, not advice.