Health

Happiness Calculator

Score your subjective happiness using the validated Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS).

1. In general, I consider myself: (1=Not very happy person — 7=Very happy person)

2. Compared to most of my peers, I consider myself: (1=Less happy — 7=More happy)

3. Some people are generally very happy. How well does this describe you? (1=Not at all — 7=A great deal)

4. Some people are generally not very happy. How well does this describe you? (1=Not at all — 7=A great deal) [reversed]

Formula: SHS = (Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + (8 − Q4)) ÷ 4

About the Subjective Happiness Scale

The Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) was developed by Sonja Lyubomirsky and Heidi Lepper in 1999 as a brief, 4-item global measure of subjective happiness. It has been validated across more than 30 populations and translated into dozens of languages, with strong test-retest reliability (r ≈ 0.7–0.9) and high internal consistency (α ≈ 0.86).

Score Interpretation

1.0 – 3.0 — Low happiness (lower than typical adult mean)
3.1 – 4.5 — Below-average happiness
4.6 – 5.5 — Average happiness (US adult mean ≈ 4.8)
5.6 – 6.5 — Above-average happiness
6.6 – 7.0 — Very high happiness

How to Improve Your Score

Lyubomirsky's research identifies twelve evidence-based happiness practices, including expressing gratitude, cultivating optimism, savoring positive experiences, practicing kindness, nurturing social relationships, exercising regularly, and committing to goals. Genetics accounts for ~50% of happiness, life circumstances ~10%, and intentional activities ~40% — meaning you can meaningfully influence your happiness through behavior.