UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-3) - Free Online Test
Loneliness is one of the most common — and most under-recognized — experiences people face. This 3-question screening, based on the widely used UCLA Loneliness Scale, gives you a quick sense of how often you feel lacking in companionship, left out, or isolated from others.
About the UCLA Loneliness Scale
The UCLA Loneliness Scale is the most widely used research instrument for measuring loneliness. It originated with Russell, Peplau & Ferguson (1978); Version 3 (Russell, 1996) refined it into the modern 20-item measure, and a 3-item short form (Hughes et al., 2004), also known as the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (TILS), was later derived for large surveys.
Loneliness here is not the same as being alone: the scale measures the gap between the relationships you have and the ones you would like to have. That is why a socially active person can score high and a contented loner can score low — it asks about the subjective experience, not about your calendar.
How to read your result
The total score ranges from 3 to 12. Higher values reflect more frequent feelings of disconnection over the recent period. A single high score is not a verdict: loneliness is sensitive to circumstances, and scores usually move after meaningful changes in your social life.
If your score is high and the feeling persists, treat it as information worth acting on — reaching out to one person, joining one recurring activity, or talking to a counselor are all sensible starting points. This scale is a screening snapshot, not a diagnosis.
Show Details
About the Test
The UCLA Loneliness Scale, developed by Daniel Russell and colleagues, is one of the most widely used measures of subjective loneliness. This page offers both the 3-item short form (UCLA-3, Hughes et al., 2004) for a quick check and the full 20-item Version 3 (Russell, 1996) for a more thorough self-reflection.
Interpreting Results
The quick version (UCLA-3) scores each question from 1 (Hardly ever) to 3 (Often), for a total between 3 and 9; a total of 6 or higher is commonly used as a screening indicator of significant loneliness. The full version (20-item Version 3) scores each question from 1 (Never) to 4 (Always) with reverse-scored positive items, for a total between 20 and 80.
Disclaimer
This test is for educational and self-reflection purposes only. It is not a diagnostic tool. If you are experiencing persistent distress, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question? Let us know.
What is the UCLA Loneliness Scale?
It is the standard research questionnaire for measuring subjective loneliness, developed at UCLA and used in thousands of studies since 1978. This page uses the UCLA-3 short form.
What does the UCLA-3 consist of?
Three statements rated on a four-point frequency scale (from 'never' to 'often'). The brevity makes it easy to repeat and compare over time.
Is loneliness the same as being alone?
No. Loneliness is the distressing feeling that your relationships lack quality or quantity, while solitude can be pleasant and restorative. The scale measures the feeling, not the amount of social contact.
How long does the test take?
About one minute. There is no time limit, and the first honest answer is usually the most informative.
Is this the full 20-item version?
No — this is the UCLA-3 short form. It correlates well with the long version for quick screening, but the 20-item scale gives a finer picture for research purposes.
Is a high score bad?
A high score means you have been feeling disconnected more often than most people report. It is a signal to take your social needs seriously, not a verdict about your future.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. Chronic loneliness is a health-relevant experience, but this scale is an educational screening tool. If the feeling is persistent and painful, talking to a qualified professional is the reliable next step.
What can I do with a high score?
Start small and specific: one recurring contact, one shared activity, or one conversation about how you have been feeling. Quality of connection matters more than the number of acquaintances.
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