What is the AO3 purity test?

What does the AO3 quiz ask?

Questions cover the parts of archive life readers recognize: pairing searches, tags and filters, kudos, bookmarks, subscriptions, WIPs, alternate universes, comments, writing, darkfic and fandom communities. The full version on this site has 217 statements.

How does the fanfiction purity score work?

You check every statement that applies to you. Your score is the percentage you did not check. If you check 43 out of 217 questions, your score is the remaining percentage. A lower score means you checked more archive habits, not that you are a worse person or reader.

Who should take the AO3 purity test?

It is made for casual readers, chronic bookmarkers, fanfiction writers, shippers, fandom elders and anyone who has ever opened a WIP at an unreasonable hour. You do not need an AO3 account to play.

Is the AO3 purity test official?

No. It is an unofficial fan project and is not affiliated with Archive of Our Own or the Organization for Transformative Works. The quiz is intended for entertainment and self-reflection.

Take the full quiz

Now that you know what the test measures, try the free 217-question AO3 purity test. You can also read the AO3 score meaning guide before you start.

How to use the result responsibly

Treat the percentage as a conversation starter. A reader who only reads completed works can recognize as many archive habits as someone who follows every WIP; the questions simply sample different parts of fandom life. The result is calculated in your browser, and the site does not need an AO3 login or access to your bookmarks, history or account.

The quiz also uses the word “purity” as a playful label inherited from internet quiz culture. It does not measure morality, maturity, sexual experience or the quality of someone's taste. Content warnings and personal boundaries still matter more than any number. Skip a question when it is not comfortable, and do not use another person's score to pressure them into reading or writing anything.

For the exact arithmetic, see how the AO3 score is calculated. For practical questions about privacy, question count and sharing, the AO3 purity test FAQ is the best next stop.