Dark Triad test (SD3)
See what each of the three traits means, how the test is scored, and how a result is read against the population that actually fits you.
The Dark Triad describes three related but distinct personality tendencies - Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy - that sit on a continuum everyone falls somewhere along. These are normal-range traits, not a diagnosis: a higher score points to a leaning, not a label, and the test is for self-understanding rather than judgement.
The model
What it measures
Select a trait to see the everyday tendencies it draws together. Each trait is the average of nine short statements rated on a 5-point agree-disagree scale, with a few statements reverse-keyed so the scale does not simply reward agreeing with everything.
The three traits share a cool, self-interested core but differ in flavour: Machiavellianism is strategic and calculating, narcissism is grandiose and admiration-seeking, and psychopathy is impulsive and low in empathy. They correlate modestly, so most people are higher on some than others. A higher score describes a tendency, not destiny, and says nothing about your worth as a person.
A strategic, calculating approach to people - planning ahead and keeping your own interests in view.
- MMachiavellianism
A strategic, calculating approach to people - planning ahead and keeping your own interests in view.
Facets: Strategy, Cynicism, Manipulation, Coalition-building.
- NNarcissism
A grandiose, admiration-seeking self-image - feeling special and wanting to stand out.
Facets: Grandiosity, Leadership, Admiration-seeking, Entitlement.
- PPsychopathy
Impulsivity and low empathy - thrill-seeking and a cool, unsentimental view of others.
Facets: Impulsivity, Callousness, Thrill-seeking, Low remorse.
The evidence
Science and validity
The Short Dark Triad gives each of the three traits equal-length, psychometrically balanced coverage, improving on earlier ultra-brief measures. The three-factor structure has been confirmed across many samples and translations, internal consistency is solid, and the traits correlate in expected ways with low Honesty-Humility on the HEXACO model and with manipulative or counterproductive behaviour. Machiavellianism and psychopathy are the most correlated pair.
You rate each statement from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). A few items are reverse-keyed. Each trait is the mean of its nine items - higher means more of that tendency. There are no pass/fail cut-offs and no clinical diagnosis; the result is norm-referenced, read as where your self-reported tendency sits relative to other adults.
Where you stand
How a score becomes a percentile
A raw score only means something against a comparison group. For example, a Machiavellianism score of 3.4 on the 1-5 metric sits a little above the typical adult average (near 3.1), placing it around the 65th percentile - a somewhat more strategic leaning than most adults, not a verdict on character. Drag the slider to see how a score on each trait maps to a percentile; your real result is matched to the population that fits you when you take the test.
Your result, visualised across every dimension
Take the test once and see a full profile like this example, each dimension placed against the population most relevant to you, with plain-language interpretation.
See my full profile →Example profile shown for illustration.
The reference data
Benchmarked against the population that fits you
We benchmark your result against the population that actually resembles you, across 25 reference groups.
Each reference group is used as its own benchmark, not to rank one country against another.
How it works
What the questions feel like
Illustrative statements showing the style of the items. These are examples, not the official scored items.
It is worth thinking a few steps ahead before showing your hand.
Illustrative Machiavellianism-style example, not an official scored item.
People often tell me I have a presence that fills a room.
Illustrative narcissism-style example, not an official scored item.
I am drawn to situations most people would find a bit too risky.
Illustrative psychopathy-style example, not an official scored item.
I would feel awkward if someone made a fuss over me.
Illustrative reverse-worded example, not an official scored item.
Honest strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Covers all three Dark Triad traits in one short, balanced, well-validated measure.
- Framed for self-understanding, not judgement - everyone falls somewhere on each trait.
- Strong, well-replicated three-factor structure with solid internal consistency.
Limitations
- These are normal-range personality traits, not a clinical diagnosis; a high score is not a diagnosis of any condition and a low score is not a clean bill of health.
- Like all self-reports, it can be shaped by self-presentation and mood; it describes a current tendency, not a fixed verdict.
- The nine-item traits are brief, and the published reference data come largely from student samples, so percentiles are a guide rather than a precise rank.
See your full profile
A complete report, matched to the population that fits you, with plain-language interpretation of every trait.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Dark Triad test measure?
Three related but distinct personality traits: Machiavellianism (a strategic, calculating style), narcissism (a grandiose, admiration-seeking self-image) and psychopathy (impulsivity and low empathy). Each is scored from nine items as a separate trait, not combined into a single label.
Does a high score mean something is wrong with me?
No. These are normal-range personality tendencies that everyone has to some degree, not a diagnosis. A higher score points to a leaning, not a disorder, and the test is meant for self-understanding rather than judgement. If you are concerned about your wellbeing, a qualified professional can help in ways a questionnaire cannot.
How is the Dark Triad test different from a Big Five or HEXACO test?
The Big Five and HEXACO map broad, mostly neutral personality dimensions; the Dark Triad zooms in on three socially aversive tendencies that the broad models touch only indirectly. On HEXACO in particular, all three Dark Triad traits relate to lower Honesty-Humility, so the two views complement each other.
How long does it take?
About five minutes - 27 statements on a 5-point scale, nine per trait.
Related tests
- Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Introducing the Short Dark Triad (SD3): A brief measure of dark personality traits. Assessment, 21(1), 28-41.
- Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. (2002). The Dark Triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 36(6), 556-563.
The Short Dark Triad (SD3) is the work of Daniel N. Jones and Delroy L. Paulhus (2014) and is free for research use with attribution; the Dark Triad construct originates with Paulhus and Williams (2002). This independent informational page describes the instrument.