Interactive Interpreter

Empathy Quotient (EQ)

The EQ (Empathy Quotient) is a 60-item self-report questionnaire (40 scored items) developed by Baron-Cohen and Wheelwright (2004) that measures empathy as a continuous trait in adults of normal intelligence, capturing both cognitive empathy (understanding others’ thoughts and feelings) and affective empathy (responding emotionally to another’s experience). Designed by the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Cambridge.

Only 40 items contribute to scoring, yielding a total range of 0–80, with higher scores reflecting stronger empathic tendencies. Although commonly used in autism assessment contexts, the EQ is not diagnostic and should not be used to determine ASD status.

  • Once, for trait evaluation, as empathy tends to remain relatively stable
  • Every 1–2 years if used in longitudinal research or personal development contexts
  • Not recommended for routine clinical monitoring due to trait-based stability

For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.

EQ Score Interpreter

  • Enter a total score to see its range.

  • 40 empathy items each score 2, 1 or 0; the 20 filler items are not scored. Higher scores indicate greater self-reported empathy.

    Total scoreInterpretation
    31+Above the 30-point reference pointMost controls in the original study (88%) scored above 30.
    0–30At or below 30 (low empathy range)81% of autistic adults in the original study scored here. A low score is not specific to autism and does not confirm any diagnosis.

    Baron-Cohen & Wheelwright (2004): 81% of adults with autism without intellectual disability scored 30 or below, compared with 12% of controls. A research reference point, not a diagnostic cutoff.

The EQ (Empathy Quotient) is a self-report questionnaire for adults of normal intelligence that measures empathy as a single trait score. It has 40 empathy items and 20 filler items, for a total from 0 to 80 [1].

Why was the EQ developed?

The EQ was developed to quantify empathy in adults, especially to explore differences between autistic and non-autistic groups. In the original study, autistic adults without intellectual disability scored significantly lower than age-matched controls, and women in a general-population sample scored higher than men [1]. Empathy is multidimensional, though, and influenced by culture, mental health, masking, personality traits, and trauma history.

The EQ includes 40 scored items; the remaining 20 filler items are there so that the questionnaire is not purely about empathy, which makes response patterns less obvious [1]. For a measure of autistic traits themselves, see the AQ; the EQ-10 is a short form for quick screening.

What does the EQ measure?

The EQ evaluates self-reported tendencies related to:

  • Cognitive empathy: Understanding another person’s emotions, thoughts, or intentions.
  • Affective empathy: Emotional responsiveness to others’ experiences.
  • Social sensitivity: Awareness of subtle social signals and social comfort.
  • Perspective-taking: Ability to imagine or predict what others might feel.

Although the measure touches on multiple domains, scoring produces one global empathy score rather than subscales.

How do you give the EQ?

The EQ is a self-report questionnaire completed by the individual being assessed; it requires no specialist administration. It contains 60 items: 40 empathy items and 20 filler/control items.

  • Best suited for neurodevelopmental evaluations, personality assessment, or research
  • Can be used as a supplementary tool when exploring autistic traits
  • Not intended for high-stakes clinical decision-making
  • Should be interpreted with sensitivity; low empathy scores can evoke self-stigma
  • May be influenced by mood, alexithymia, burnout, or masking strategies

How do you score and interpret the EQ?

On each of the 40 empathy items a person can score 2, 1, or 0; the 20 filler items are not scored. Total score range: 0–80 [1].

Research reference point [1]:

  • ≤30: Low empathy range. In the original study, 81% of adults with autism without intellectual disability scored 30 or below, compared with 12% of controls [1].
  • Above 30: Higher scores indicate more self-reported empathy; the original study did not set further bands.

Interpretation notes:

  • The EQ is not a diagnostic tool for autism or any other condition
  • Low empathy scores may reflect:
  • Autistic traits
  • Alexithymia
  • Social anxiety
  • Trauma or attachment patterns
  • Depression or emotional blunting
  • Cultural/socialization differences
  • High empathy does not rule out autism; many autistic individuals show strong affective empathy but difficulties with cognitive empathy or social prediction
  • Interpretation should always consider the individual’s context and lived experience

Psychometric properties

Reliability

  • Test-retest reliability over approximately one year was good [2]
  • The Dutch version appeared reliable and valid in 685 healthy adults and 42 autistic men without intellectual disability [3]

Validity

  • Convergent validity with other empathy measures: moderate associations with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) subscales [2]
  • Discriminant validity between autistic and non-autistic groups: autistic adults without intellectual disability scored significantly lower than controls [1]
  • EQ scores were associated with a non-verbal mental-state inference test (the Eyes Task), and only three items correlated with social desirability [2]
  • Principal components analysis identified three factors: cognitive empathy, emotional reactivity and social skills [2]

Limitations

  • Self-report may underestimate empathy in autistic individuals who experience emotional empathy differently
  • Cultural norms strongly influence empathic behaviour and reporting; cross-cultural stability is lower in Asian samples [3]
  • Does not distinguish between cognitive and affective empathy in final scoring
  • Not validated for individuals with significant intellectual disability or low literacy

For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.

Related

FAQ

  • Is the Empathy Quotient a self-report measure or clinician-administered?

    The EQ is a self-report questionnaire completed by the individual being assessed. It requires no specialist administration. Because it relies on introspective ratings, scores may be influenced by factors such as mood, alexithymia, or a tendency to mask social difficulties.

  • How is the EQ scored?

    The EQ contains 60 items, but only 40 contribute to the total score; the remaining 20 are filler items included to reduce response patterning. Each of the 40 scored items is answered on a 4-point agree–disagree scale and scores 2, 1 or 0, yielding a total possible range of 0–80. Higher scores indicate greater self-reported empathy.

  • What does a low EQ score mean?

    In the original 2004 study, 81% of adults with autism spectrum conditions scored at or below 30, compared with 12% of controls, making ≤30 a commonly cited research reference point for low empathy range. A low score does not confirm an autism spectrum condition diagnosis, and it can also reflect alexithymia, depression, emotional blunting, social anxiety, or cultural factors. Clinical interpretation always requires broader context.

  • Can the EQ diagnose autism spectrum conditions?

    No. The EQ is not a diagnostic tool. It was designed to measure empathy as a continuous trait and to explore group-level differences in research contexts. A low score is consistent with, but not specific to, autistic traits, and the measure should not be used alone to determine or rule out any diagnosis.

References

    1. 1.Baron-Cohen S, Wheelwright S. The empathy quotient: an investigation of adults with autism spectrum conditions and normal sex differences. J Autism Dev Disord. 2004;34(2):163-175.
    2. 2.Lawrence EJ, Shaw P, Baker D, Baron-Cohen S, David AS. Measuring empathy: reliability and validity of the Empathy Quotient. Psychol Med. 2004;34(5):911-919.
    3. 3.Groen Y, Fuermaier ABM, Den Heijer AE, Tucha O, Althaus M. The Empathy and Systemizing Quotient: The Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Version and a Review of the Cross-Cultural Stability. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015;45(9):2848-2864.

    © Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge. Free for research and non-commercial clinical use with acknowledgement of ARC; commercial use requires permission through Cambridge Enterprise.

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