FAQ
AO3 purity test FAQ: how the free fanfiction quiz, score and privacy work
Everything you might want to know before you take the AO3 purity test: scoring, privacy, question count, and whether your bookmarks are safe (they are).
What is the AO3 purity test?
The AO3 purity test is a free online fanfiction purity quiz with 217 questions about reading habits, ships, tags, tropes and everything in between. Check every statement that applies; your score is the percentage you didn't check.
How is my AO3 purity score calculated?
Every question is weighted equally. If you check 84 of 217 boxes, your AO3 purity score is roughly 61 — the 61% you didn't check. Higher numbers mean 'purer' (less archive-brain); lower numbers mean you have officially been claimed by fandom.
Is the AO3 purity test free online?
Yes — it's a completely free online fanfiction purity test. No account, no paywall, no locked questions, no email required.
Do you save my answers?
No. The AO3 purity test runs entirely in your browser. Your answers never leave the page, and refreshing resets the quiz. See our privacy page for more.
Is this the official AO3 purity test?
No. ao3puritytest.com is a fan-made project. We are not affiliated with Archive of Our Own or the Organization for Transformative Works. AO3, its logos and content policies belong to the OTW.
Can I use the AO3 purity test if I've never read fanfiction?
Absolutely. If you've never opened AO3, you'll score close to 100 — which is honestly a beautiful, untouched place to be. Try it, then send it to a friend who's about to fall in.
Is the AO3 purity test safe for work?
The homepage and the quiz text are safe for work, but some questions reference explicit content, ships and darkfic. Nothing on the page contains explicit material; only the words describing it. Use your judgment.
How long does the AO3 purity test take?
Most people finish the AO3 purity test in 5–10 minutes. Reading writers tend to take longer because they stop to laugh, cry, or take screenshots.
Can I share my AO3 purity score?
Please do. Screenshot the results card and post it on Tumblr, Bluesky, Discord, or wherever your fandom lives. Half the fun of a purity test is arguing about whose score is more embarrassing.
Will you add more questions to the AO3 purity test?
Yes. This is version one of the free online AO3 purity quiz. We add and refine questions based on fandom feedback, and if you email us your favorite deranged 'have you ever' we may include it in the next update.
How do I contact the AO3 purity test team?
Email hello@ao3puritytest.com or head to the about page. We read everything — kindly worded suggestions get answered fastest.