Narcissism Test (NPI-16)
The NPI-16 (Narcissistic Personality Inventory, 16-item) is a 16-item self-report questionnaire that measures grandiose narcissistic traits on a spectrum, scored 0–16. This page also covers vulnerable narcissism, the DSM-5-TR NPD criteria, and why a high score is not a diagnosis.
For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.
A narcissism test such as the NPI-16 (Narcissistic Personality Inventory, 16-item) is a short self-report questionnaire that measures grandiose narcissistic traits on a spectrum, scored 0 to 16 [2].
The word "narcissist" gets thrown around a lot, often to describe anyone who's difficult, self-centred, or hard to deal with. The reality is more detailed: narcissistic traits exist on a spectrum, and the NPI-16 measures where someone falls.
What does the NPI-16 measure?
Narcissism isn't just arrogance. At its core, it's a set of traits organized around an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a tendency to prioritize one's own interests, sometimes at the expense of others.
Narcissistic traits are on a spectrum everyone shares. Having some narcissistic characteristics is normal and even adaptive: high self-confidence, ambition, and assertiveness often show up in NPI scores. The question is degree and context.
The NPI-16 measures narcissistic traits in the general population. It was designed to measure subclinical narcissism, not Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Those are different things, and the distinction matters.
How do you give the NPI-16?
The NPI-16 is a self-report questionnaire with 16 items, and each item presents two statements.
For each item, the respondent chooses the statement that better describes them, even if neither fits perfectly. There's no right answer, so honest answers give the most useful result.
How do you score and interpret the NPI-16?
Total scores range from 0 to 16; higher scores reflect more grandiose narcissistic traits. The NPI-16 was designed to measure subclinical narcissism in the general population, so it has no clinical cutoff and a high score is not a diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Psychometric properties
- Development. The NPI-16 was created as a shorter, unidimensional version of the 40-item NPI [1] [2].
- Validity and reliability. Across two studies, the NPI-16 showed good convergent and discriminant validity and adequate overall reliability [2].
- Total score only. Because it is unidimensional, the NPI-16 yields a total score only; the NPI-13 was proposed as an alternative that also gives three subscale scores [2].
Limitations
- Not a diagnosis. The NPI-16 measures subclinical traits; NPD requires a clinical evaluation.
- Self-report bias. A core feature of narcissism is limited self-awareness about how one impacts others, which can bias results.
- Grandiose narcissism only. The NPI primarily measures the grandiose presentation and does not capture vulnerable narcissism well.
- Total score only. It does not separate facets such as leadership, exhibitionism, or entitlement.
Narcissistic traits vs narcissistic personality disorder
This is the most important distinction to make after taking this test. The NPI measures traits; NPD is a clinical diagnosis, a different thing entirely. For a broader screen of personality disorder traits, see the personality disorder test.
Narcissistic traits (what the NPI measures)
- Dimensional, everyone has some
- Can be adaptive (confidence, ambition)
- Responsive to feedback and relationships
- Does not require clinical intervention
- Not a diagnosis
Narcissistic personality disorder (clinical)
- Pervasive, inflexible pattern causing impairment
- Lacks empathy in clinically significant ways
- Causes distress in relationships and functioning
- Requires professional assessment to diagnose
Grandiose vs vulnerable narcissism
Research distinguishes two narcissistic presentations that can look completely different, and people outside the field often only know the grandiose one. The range of people with NPD includes individuals with insecure, shy and hypersensitive traits [3].
Grandiose narcissism
The "classic" presentation: high confidence, dominance, entitlement and low anxiety. Often charming and socially effective. The NPI primarily measures this type.
Vulnerable narcissism
Hypersensitive, shame-prone and easily threatened. Feels entitled but insecure. Withdrawn or passive-aggressive rather than openly dominant.
DSM-5-TR narcissistic personality disorder criteria
NPD is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. It requires 5 or more of the following:
- A grandiose sense of self-importance
- Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty or ideal love
- Believing they are special and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people
- Requiring excessive admiration
- A sense of entitlement
- Being interpersonally exploitative
- Lacking empathy
- Envy of others, or believing others are envious of them
- Arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes
If you're here because of someone else
Many people search for narcissism tests because they're trying to make sense of a relationship, a parent, partner, or boss who seems to fit the description. A few things worth knowing:
You cannot diagnose someone else with NPD, not from behaviour patterns, not from a test they haven't taken, and not even from years of experience with them. That requires a clinical evaluation.
Many behaviours that feel narcissistic can come from trauma, attachment wounds, depression, or ADHD. The label matters less than understanding the pattern and what you need.
If someone's behaviour is consistently harmful, the most useful work isn't diagnosing them, it's understanding your own responses, needs, and options with a good therapist.
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
Billing
In the US, the Narcissism Test (NPI-16) is usually billed under these CPT codes. Payer rules vary.
Assessments
- Attachment Style Quiz
- Borderline Personality Scale - BPD Severity & Dimensional Assessment
- BPD Test: 9 DSM-5-TR Borderline Personality Disorder Criteria + Scoring
- Bipolar Test (MDQ)
- MDQ: Mood Disorder Questionnaire
- Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS): Scoring and Cutoffs
Dot size shows how strongly each scale's condition is linked to this one in HiBoop's co-occurrence map.
FAQ
What does a narcissism test measure?
A narcissism test measures traits associated with narcissistic personality, such as grandiosity, entitlement, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. The widely used research scale is the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), which captures subclinical narcissism on a spectrum. High scores reflect narcissistic tendencies rather than a full clinical evaluation of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), which requires clinical evaluation.
What is the difference between narcissistic traits and Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Narcissistic traits exist on a continuum in the general population — many people score moderately on NPI measures without meeting criteria for NPD. A DSM-5-TR diagnosis of NPD requires a pervasive and clinically significant pattern causing distress or functional impairment, assessed by a qualified mental health professional. Subclinical narcissism is common and does not automatically indicate a disorder.
Is there a difference between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism?
Yes. Grandiose narcissism (measured by the NPI) involves overt self-promotion, dominance-seeking, and low anxiety. Vulnerable narcissism involves hypersensitivity to criticism, shame-proneness, and a fragile self-esteem hidden beneath a defensive exterior. Research consistently finds these as two distinct phenotypes, both involving self-centeredness but with very different presentations and emotional profiles.
Can narcissism be treated?
Yes, though treatment is more effective earlier and requires sustained engagement. Schema Therapy targeting defectiveness and entitlement schemas, Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), and Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) have the strongest evidence bases for narcissistic presentations. Progress is possible, particularly when the individual recognizes the impact of their patterns on relationships and is motivated to change.
References
- 1.Ames DR, Rose P, Anderson CP. The NPI-16 as a short measure of narcissism. J Res Pers. 2006;40(4):440-450.
- 2.Gentile B, Miller JD, Hoffman BJ, Reidy DE, Zeichner A, Campbell WK. A test of two brief measures of grandiose narcissism: the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-13 and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16. Psychol Assess. 2013;25(4):1120-1136.
- 3.Ronningstam E. Narcissistic personality disorder: a clinical perspective. J Psychiatr Pract. 2011;17(2):89-99.
HiBoop does not offer this scale. This page is reference material.This library is an academic and clinical reference. A scale described here is not necessarily offered in HiBoop; each page says whether it is.