UCLA Loneliness Scale Scoring · 20-Item v3 (Russell 1996)
The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) is a 20-item self-report questionnaire that measures subjective loneliness, the perceived quality of a person's social connections (Russell, 1996). Items are rated 1–4 and summed to a total of 20–80, with higher scores meaning greater loneliness; there is no validated diagnostic cutoff.
For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.
The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) is a 20-item self-report questionnaire that measures subjective loneliness and the perceived quality of a person's social connections [2]. Totals run 20 to 80, higher meaning lonelier, and there is no validated diagnostic cutoff.
What does the UCLA Loneliness Scale measure?
The UCLA Loneliness Scale was originally developed by Daniel Russell, Letitia Anne Peplau and M. L. Ferguson in 1978 [1] and refined through later versions.
The current Version 3 has high internal consistency (α = .89–.94) and was validated in college students, nurses, teachers and older adults [2]. It measures subjective loneliness, the perceived quality of social connections, rather than objective social isolation.
Each of the 20 items asks how often the respondent experiences a feeling related to social connectedness, rated on a 4-point scale: Never (1), Rarely (2), Sometimes (3), Always (4). Nine items use positive wording (e.g., "feeling in tune with others") and are reverse-scored before summing. Higher scores indicate greater loneliness.
The 3-item short form, used in large surveys, is covered on the loneliness test page.
Why loneliness matters clinically
In a 2015 meta-analysis that controlled for several possible confounds, loneliness was associated with a 26% higher likelihood of mortality, an effect comparable with well-established risk factors for mortality [4]. Loneliness scores also correlated with measures of health and well-being in the Version 3 validation [2].
When loneliness comes up as part of a low-mood presentation, the PHQ-9 can be given alongside it to screen for depression.
Permission to use
Russell's UCLA lab states that students and researchers may use the UCLA Loneliness Scale without permission for non-profit research. Check the copyright holder's terms before clinical or commercial use.
How do you give the UCLA Loneliness Scale?
The scale is self-administered: respondents rate how often they experience each of the 20 feelings, without clinician involvement, which makes it suitable for routine screening in research and clinical settings. Ask them to think about how they generally feel, not just right now.
Educational reference only. Cannot diagnose or replace clinical evaluation.
How do you score and interpret the UCLA Loneliness Scale?
Each of the 20 items is rated 1 (Never) to 4 (Always); nine positively worded items (1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, 20) are reverse-scored before all items are summed, giving a total from 20 to 80 [2]. Higher totals reflect greater subjective loneliness.
There is no single validated diagnostic cutoff for the UCLA Loneliness Scale. The ranges below are illustrative bands across the 20–80 scale, not thresholds from a validation study; a 2024 head-to-head study found prevalence estimates varied substantially depending on the threshold applied [3]. Scores are best read against the relevant normative sample and against the individual's own trend over time, not as a diagnosis.
| Total score | Illustrative range |
|---|---|
| 20–34 | Low loneliness |
| 35–49 | Moderate loneliness |
| 50–64 | Moderately high loneliness |
| 65–80 | High loneliness |
Psychometric properties
- Original scale [1]: The 20-item scale had high internal consistency (alpha = .96) and a two-month test-retest correlation of .73, with concurrent validity shown by correlations with self-reported loneliness and related emotional states.
- Version 3 [2]: Across samples of college students, nurses, teachers and older adults, internal consistency ranged from .89 to .94 and one-year test-retest reliability was r = .73. The scale correlated with other loneliness measures and with measures of relationship adequacy, health and well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a global loneliness factor plus two method factors reflecting item wording direction.
- 20-item vs 3-item [3]: In 1,742 midwifery students, the 20-item and 3-item versions were strongly associated and had similar reliability and validity as dimensional scores, but the prevalence of loneliness varied strikingly depending on the cutoff used.
Limitations
- Not a diagnosis. Loneliness is not a diagnosis; the scale quantifies perceived social connection.
- No validated cutoff. The score ranges on this page are illustrative; prevalence estimates change substantially with the threshold chosen.
- Self-report. Scores reflect the respondent's own perception at the time of rating.
- Wording effects. Positively and negatively worded items form separate method factors, so careful reverse-scoring is essential.
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.
Billing
In the US, the UCLA Loneliness Scale Scoring · 20-Item v3 (Russell 1996) is usually billed under these CPT codes. Payer rules vary.
References
- 1.Russell D, Peplau LA, Ferguson ML. Developing a measure of loneliness. J Pers Assess. 1978;42(3):290-4.View source
- 2.Russell DW. UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): reliability, validity, and factor structure. J Pers Assess. 1996;66(1):20-40.View source
- 3.Gosling CJ, Colle R, Cartigny A, et al. Measuring loneliness: a head-to-head psychometric comparison of the 3- and 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scales. Psychol Med. 2024;54(14):3821-3827.View source
- 4.Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Baker M, Harris T, Stephenson D. Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2015;10(2):227-37.View source
- 1.
Related
FAQ
What does a high UCLA Loneliness Scale score mean?
Higher total scores (toward the maximum of 80) indicate greater subjective loneliness. There is no single validated diagnostic cutoff; scores are typically interpreted relative to normative sample distributions, and a 2024 head-to-head psychometric study found that prevalence estimates varied substantially depending on which threshold was applied. A clinician should consider score trends over time alongside clinical context.
Is the UCLA Loneliness Scale self-report or clinician-administered?
The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a self-report questionnaire. Respondents rate each of the 20 items on a 4-point frequency scale (Never to Always) without clinician involvement, making it suitable for routine screening in a variety of research and clinical settings.
Can the UCLA Loneliness Scale diagnose loneliness or a mental health condition?
No. The scale quantifies the perceived quality of social connections but cannot provide a diagnosis of loneliness or any mental health condition. Elevated scores indicate clinically meaningful social disconnection warranting further evaluation, not a formal clinical diagnosis.
How is the UCLA Loneliness Scale scored?
Each item is rated 1 (Never) to 4 (Always). Nine positively worded items (items 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19, and 20) are reverse-scored so that higher values consistently reflect greater loneliness. All 20 item scores are then summed; total scores range from 20 to 80.
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