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 fewer checked statements; lower numbers mean you recognized more archive habits. Neither is better.
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.
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. 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 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.
How long does the AO3 purity test take?
Most people finish the AO3 purity test in 5–10 minutes.
Can I share my AO3 purity score?
Please do. Screenshot the results card and post it wherever your fandom lives.
Will you add more questions to the AO3 purity test?
Yes. We add and refine questions based on fandom feedback.
How do I contact the AO3 purity test team?
Email hello@ao3puritytest.com or head to the about page.