20-item measure of subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation. ≈ 5 min to complete. Free with attribution.
UCLA-LS (UCLA Loneliness Scale) is a validated clinical instrument used to assess 20-item measure of subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation.. It is most often used for 20-item measure of subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation.. The instrument contains 20 items. Typical administration time is ≈ 5 min.
Source / attribution: Free to use with citation
20-item measure of subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation. UCLA-LS is part of standard practice in this setting because it provides a structured, replicable assessment that can be tracked over time and compared across patients or visits.
Like all screening or assessment instruments, UCLA-LS is a structured aid — not a diagnostic test in isolation. Results should be interpreted alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Where a score crosses an actionable threshold, the next step is typically a more detailed clinical evaluation rather than a definitive diagnosis.
Answer all 20 items below to see your UCLA-LS score and interpretation.
Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (4–1). Your score updates live as you answer.
All scoring runs in your browser. No data is sent anywhere — close the tab and the answers are gone.
Sum all 20 items scored 1-4. Total range 20-80. Higher scores = greater loneliness.
Scoring notes: Sum all 20 items scored 1-4. Total range 20-80. Higher scores = greater loneliness.
The cutoffs below are drawn from the published validation literature. Always interpret in clinical context.
| Score range | Band | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 20–34 | Low loneliness | None |
| 35–49 | Moderate loneliness | Monitor |
| 50–80 | High loneliness | Social support intervention |
This is an illustrative walkthrough, not a real patient. Follow the same four steps with your own answers — or use the live calculator at the top of this page.
Read each question and choose the response that best fits. Each response has a number next to it — that number is the item's score. The example below uses illustrative answers.
| # | Item | Example response | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How often do you feel that you are 'in tune' with the people around you? | Sometimes | 2 |
| 2 | How often do you feel that you lack companionship? | Rarely | 2 |
| 3 | How often do you feel that there is no one you can turn to? | Rarely | 2 |
| 4 | How often do you feel alone? | Rarely | 2 |
| 5 | How often do you feel part of a group of friends? | Sometimes | 2 |
| 6 | How often do you feel that you have a lot in common with the people around you? | Sometimes | 2 |
| 7 | How often do you feel that you are no longer close to anyone? | Rarely | 2 |
| 8 | How often do you feel that your interests and ideas are not shared by those around you? | Rarely | 2 |
| 9 | How often do you feel outgoing and friendly? | Sometimes | 2 |
| 10 | How often do you feel close to people? | Sometimes | 2 |
| 11 | How often do you feel left out? | Rarely | 2 |
| 12 | How often do you feel that your relationships with others are not meaningful? | Rarely | 2 |
| 13 | How often do you feel that no one really knows you well? | Rarely | 2 |
| 14 | How often do you feel isolated from others? | Rarely | 2 |
| 15 | How often do you feel you can find companionship when you want it? | Sometimes | 2 |
| 16 | How often do you feel that there are people who really understand you? | Sometimes | 2 |
| 17 | How often do you feel shy? | Rarely | 2 |
| 18 | How often do you feel that people are around you but not with you? | Sometimes | 3 |
| 19 | How often do you feel that there are people you can talk to? | Rarely | 3 |
| 20 | How often do you feel that there are people you can turn to? | Sometimes | 2 |
Add up all the item scores you noted in Step 1.
2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + … (items 9–20 sum to 26) = 42
Find the row in the interpretation table whose range contains your total:
Total = 42 falls between 35 and 49 → Moderate loneliness
Moderate loneliness. Monitor
A score is one input alongside history and examination. UCLA-LS supports clinical judgment — it does not replace it.
Psychometric figures are drawn from the validation literature and may vary across clinical populations and translations.
If UCLA-LS doesn't fit your context, related instruments in social support include:
| Scale | Measures | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| OSSS-3 | 3-item brief measure of perceived social support. | 3 | ≈ 1 min |
| MSPSS | 12-item measure assessing perceived social support from family, friends, and significant other. | 12 | ≈ 3 min |
| UCLA-LS-3 | Ultra-brief 3-item version of UCLA Loneliness Scale for large surveys. | 3 | ≈ 1 min |
| PHQ-9 | Severity of depression | 9 | ≈ 3 minutes |
| GAD-7 | Severity of generalized anxiety | 7 | ≈ 2 minutes |
| AUDIT | 10-item WHO screening tool for hazardous alcohol consumption and dependence. | 10 | ≈ 3 min |
| CHA2DS2-VASc | Annual stroke risk in non-valvular atrial fibrillation | 8 | — |
| Glasgow Coma Scale | Level of consciousness after head injury | 3 | — |
UCLA-LS (UCLA Loneliness Scale) is a validated instrument that assesses 20-item measure of subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation.. Its primary clinical use is 20-item measure of subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation..
UCLA-LS typically takes ≈ 5 min to administer. Time can vary slightly depending on whether it is self-administered or clinician-led.
UCLA-LS contains 20 items. Items are summed to produce a total score.
Scores of 50–80 fall in the "High loneliness" band. Social support intervention
Scores of 20–34 fall in the "Low loneliness" band. None
UCLA-LS has reported Cronbach's α of 0.91 in validation samples and test–retest reliability of 0.73. Most widely used loneliness measure; validated across cultures.
UCLA-LS is free to use with attribution. Free to use with citation
Russell, D., Peplau, L. A., & Cutrona, C. E. (1980). The revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39(3), 472-480.
No. UCLA-LS is a structured assessment aid. A score is one input alongside history, examination, and clinical context. Treatment decisions should never rest on a screening score alone.
UCLA-LS is supported by the following peer-reviewed sources: