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Personality trait assessment
Free Narcissism Test: The Narcissistic Personality Inventory
How much do confidence, the spotlight and feeling special shape your personality? In 40 questions, measure everyday narcissistic traits, from healthy self-assurance to entitlement, with an instant, personalized interpretation.
Free · 40 questions · About 15 minutes · Instant interpretation
What you’ll discover
Everyone has a little narcissism
Narcissistic traits exist on a spectrum in all of us. Some, like confidence and a drive to lead, can be healthy. Others, like entitlement, tend to strain relationships. This inventory shows where you fall and which traits stand out.
Your overall score
Where you fall on the spectrum of everyday narcissistic traits, from modest to highly self-focused.
The healthy and the harmful
Which of your traits lean toward confident leadership, and which lean toward entitlement.
How it affects others
How your traits may come across to the people around you at work and at home.
Personalized results, not a form letter
Most narcissism quizzes give you a number and a warning label. Your interpretation is written for your exact answers, including which traits stand out, how they may help or hurt you, and what to do with that insight.
The test
Take the Narcissistic Personality Inventory
40 questions, about 15 minutes. Choose the answer that fits you best, even if neither feels perfect. There are no right or wrong answers, and your personalized interpretation appears as soon as you finish.
A spectrum, not a label
Understanding your narcissism score
The inventory measures narcissism as a normal personality trait that everyone has to some degree. A higher score means more narcissistic traits, not a diagnosis.
Modest
You tend to downplay yourself and avoid the spotlight. Very low scores can mean underselling your strengths.
Healthy self-regard
Where most people land: enough confidence to speak up and take credit, balanced with concern for others.
Highly self-focused
Strong confidence and a love of attention, often with a sense of being special. Great for leadership, harder on relationships.
What it measures
Three sides of narcissism
Researchers have found that the inventory’s items group into three broad themes, and they don’t all mean the same thing for your life.
Leadership and authority
Often healthy
Enjoying responsibility, taking charge and feeling confident in your decisions. This side is linked to assertiveness and leadership.
Grandiose exhibitionism
Mixed
Loving the spotlight, caring about appearance and feeling special. It can be charming and fun, or come across as showing off.
Entitlement and exploitativeness
Most linked to problems
Expecting special treatment and being willing to use others to get ahead. This side is most associated with relationship and workplace conflict.
The original seven components
Two faces of narcissism
Grandiose and vulnerable narcissism
Psychologists distinguish two very different ways narcissism can show up. This inventory mainly measures the first.
Measured by this inventory
Grandiose narcissism
- Outgoing, bold and self-assured
- Enjoys attention and admiration
- Feels superior or special
- Often seen as confident, sometimes as arrogant
Not well captured here
Vulnerable narcissism
- Quiet, guarded and easily hurt
- Craves admiration but feels insecure
- Highly sensitive to criticism
- Can appear shy, anxious or resentful
The research
What the research says, and its limits
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory was developed by psychologists Robert Raskin and Calvin Hall in 1979, and refined into its well-known 40-item form by Raskin and Howard Terry in 1988. It became the most widely used research measure of everyday narcissism. Each question asks you to choose between two statements, one more narcissistic than the other.
- It measures a trait, not a disorder. The inventory was designed for people in the general population, not to diagnose anyone.
- It blends healthy and unhealthy traits. Critics point out that it mixes confident leadership with entitlement, which is why looking at your pattern matters more than one number.
- It focuses on the grandiose side. Vulnerable narcissism, marked by insecurity and sensitivity to criticism, isn’t well captured.
- Scores change with age. Studies generally find narcissism scores are higher in young adults and tend to decline over the lifespan.
- It relies on self-report. Like any questionnaire, results depend on honest, self-aware answers.
What your results can’t tell you
About this version
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory on Hypnotechs is a 40-question assessment that takes about 15 minutes. It’s inspired by the original work of Robert Raskin, Calvin Hall and Howard Terry, and every result includes an immediate, personalized interpretation.
FAQ
Narcissism test: common questions
What is the Narcissistic Personality Inventory?
It is the most widely used research measure of everyday narcissistic traits, such as confidence, a desire for attention and a sense of entitlement. It measures a normal personality trait, not a disorder.
Who created the Narcissistic Personality Inventory?
Psychologists Robert Raskin and Calvin Hall developed it in 1979. Raskin and Howard Terry refined it into the 40-item version in 1988. The Hypnotechs version is inspired by their work.
How many questions are there, and how long does it take?
The test has 40 questions and takes about 15 minutes.
What do I get at the end of the test?
Not a form letter. As soon as you finish, you get an instant interpretation written for your exact answers, including which traits stand out and how they may help or hurt you.
Does a high score mean I have Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
No. The inventory measures traits that everyone has to some degree. Narcissistic Personality Disorder can only be diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional.
Is some narcissism healthy?
Yes. Confidence, assertiveness and enjoying leadership can be healthy. Entitlement and willingness to exploit others are the traits most linked to problems.
What is the difference between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism?
Grandiose narcissism is bold, confident and attention-seeking. Vulnerable narcissism is insecure, guarded and highly sensitive to criticism. This inventory mainly measures the grandiose side.
Can I use this test to find out if my partner is a narcissist?
No. It’s designed for self-reflection, and answering for someone else won’t give an accurate result. If someone’s behavior is hurting you, a counselor or someone you trust can help.
Can narcissistic traits change?
Yes. Scores tend to decline with age, and self-awareness, feedback and therapy can all help people change how their traits show up.
Is this test free?
Yes. The Narcissistic Personality Inventory on Hypnotechs is completely free, including your personalized interpretation, and you do not need an account to take it.
How do you relate to others?
Explore your needs for inclusion, control and affection with the free ICA Index, including an instant, personalized interpretation.
This Narcissistic Personality Inventory is an educational self-assessment by Hypnotechs, inspired by the original work of Raskin, Hall and Terry. It measures everyday personality traits and cannot diagnose Narcissistic Personality Disorder or any other condition.