Dark Triad Test
A confidential self-assessment informed by the Short Dark Triad (SD3), one of the most widely used research measures of the three so-called dark personality traits. See your profile across narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, each shown as a bar, with a plain-language interpretation and a professional PDF report.
Three related traits, measured together
The Dark Triad describes three overlapping but distinct personality tendencies. Everyone sits somewhere on each of them; this is about degree, not a switch that is on or off. The test scores all three so you see your full profile, not a single label.
Narcissism
A tendency toward grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a sense of being special or entitled. In its everyday form it shows up as confidence and self-focus, not necessarily a clinical disorder.
Machiavellianism
A strategic, calculating approach to people: a willingness to manipulate, a focus on self-interest, and a somewhat cynical view of others' motives. Named after the political writer Machiavelli.
Psychopathy
A tendency toward low empathy, impulsivity, thrill-seeking, and a flat emotional response to others' distress. The everyday trait is far milder and more common than the clinical construct.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Based on a research measure | Rarely | Yes, informed by the SD3 |
| Scores all three traits | Often one number | Yes, three separate bars |
| Frames traits, not labels | Sensationalized | Yes, dimensional and careful |
| Balanced item wording | Often leading | Yes, agreement format |
| Clinician-reviewed language | Rarely | Yes, MD reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
Methodology & sources
This test is informed by the Short Dark Triad (SD3), a 27-item research instrument developed by Jones and Paulhus (2014) that measures narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy with nine items each. Our items are written in the spirit of the SD3 subscales, reworded for readability and a respectful tone while preserving the meaning of each trait, and they use a standard agreement format. The engine scores the three traits separately and presents them side by side, because the Dark Triad is best understood as a profile across three correlated dimensions rather than a single score.
This is provided for education and self-reflection, not as a clinical or diagnostic instrument. The three traits exist on a continuum and everyone has some of each; a higher bar reflects a stronger everyday tendency, not a personality disorder. These traits are not the same as the clinical diagnoses of narcissistic personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder, which only a qualified professional can assess. Please read your result with curiosity rather than alarm.
- Jones DN, Paulhus DL. Introducing the Short Dark Triad (SD3): A Brief Measure of Dark Personality Traits. Assessment. 2014;21(1):28–41.
- Paulhus DL, Williams KM. The Dark Triad of Personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy. J Res Pers. 2002;36(6):556–563.
- Furnham A, Richards SC, Paulhus DL. The Dark Triad of Personality: A 10 Year Review. Soc Personal Psychol Compass. 2013;7(3):199–216.
Dark Triad Test FAQ
What is the Dark Triad?
The Dark Triad is a term from personality psychology for three related traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. They share a core of self-interest and reduced concern for others, but each is distinct. Everyone has some level of each, and the traits are studied as normal-range dimensions, not just extremes.
Does a high score mean I am a bad person?
No. These are personality tendencies, not moral verdicts, and a higher bar simply means a trait is more pronounced in how you currently see yourself. Many people with elevated traits live ethical, productive lives. The value of seeing them is self-awareness, which is the starting point for choosing how you act.
Is this the same as having a personality disorder?
No. The everyday traits measured here are much milder and more common than the clinical diagnoses they resemble, such as narcissistic or antisocial personality disorder. Those diagnoses involve specific criteria, significant impairment, and a qualified clinician's assessment. This test cannot and does not diagnose anything.
Why measure all three instead of one score?
Because the three traits are distinct and can occur in different combinations. Someone can be high in narcissism but low in psychopathy, or the reverse. Showing all three as separate bars gives a far more accurate and useful picture than collapsing them into a single number.
Can these traits change?
Personality traits are relatively stable but not fixed. Self-awareness, feedback, motivation, and therapy can all shift how the traits show up in behavior over time. If patterns in this area are causing problems in your relationships or work, a therapist can help you work on them.