ordinal scale

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July 23, 2026

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An ordinal scale is a measurement scale used in statistical analysis that indicates the rank order of data. Numbers on an ordinal scale represent the order of quality or quantity, but not the specific amount or degree. For example, a rating of "1" might indicate a higher quality or quantity than a rating of "2," and so on.1

While ordinal scales show the order of items, they do not specify the exact difference between them. For instance, the difference in potential between a person rated "1" for promotion and one rated "2" is not quantified. This type of scale is useful for ranking individuals or objects, such as in surveys where responses like "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree" are used. Statistical techniques applicable to ordinal data include nonparametric tests.12

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Types of measurement scales
…of odours), it constitutes an ordinal scale. An interval scale has equal units and an arbitrarily assigned zero point; one such scale, for example, is the Fahrenheit temperature scale. Ratio scales not only provide equal units but also have absolute zero points; examples include measures of weight and distance.
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…of odours), it constitutes an ordinal scale. An interval scale has equal units and an arbitrarily assigned zero point; one such scale, for example, is the Fahrenheit temperature scale. Ratio scales not only provide equal units but also have absolute zero points; examples include measures of weight and distance.
Read More