Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio Scales with

Examples

by Adi Bhat
Global VP - Sales and Marketing at QuestionPro

Home Consumer Insights Market Research

What are Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio Scales?

Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio are defined as the four fundamental levels of measurement
scales that are used to capture data in the form of surveys and questionnaires, each being a
multiple choice question.

Each scale is an incremental level of measurement, meaning, each scale fulfills the function of
the previous scale and all survey question scales such as Likert, Semantic Differential,
Dichotomous etc, are the derivation of this these 4 fundamental levels of variable measurement.
Before we discuss all four levels of measurement scales in details, with examples, let’s have a
quick brief look at what these scales represent.

Nominal scale is a naming scale, where variables are simply “named” or labeled, with no
specific order. Ordinal scale has all its variables in a specific order, beyond just naming them.
Interval scale offers labels, order, as well as, a specific interval between each of its variable
options. Ratio scale bears all the characteristics of an interval scale, in addition to that, it can
also accommodate the value of “zero” on any of its variables.

More on Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio: The four levels of measurement in research and
statistics.

Nominal Scale: 1st Level of Measurement

Nominal Scale, also called the categorical variable scale, is defined as a scale used for labeling
variables into distinct classifications and doesn’t involve a quantitative value or order. This scale
is the simplest of the four variable measurement scales. Calculations done on these variables will
be futile as there is no numerical value of the options.

There are cases where this scale is used for the purpose of classification – the numbers associated
with variables of this scale are only tags for categorization or division. Calculations done on
these numbers will be futile as they have no quantitative significance.

For a question such as:

Where do you live?

 1- Suburbs
 2- City
 3- Town

Nominal scale is often used in research surveys and questionnaires where only variable labels
hold significance.

For instance, a customer survey asking “Which brand of smartphones do you prefer?” Options :
“Apple”- 1 , “Samsung”-2, “OnePlus”-3.

 In this survey question, only the names of the brands are significant for the researcher
conducting consumer research. There is no need for any specific order for these brands.
However, while capturing nominal data, researchers conduct analysis based on the
associated labels.
 In the above example, when a survey respondent selects Apple as their preferred brand,
the data entered and associated will be “1”. This helped in quantifying and answering the
final question – How many respondents selected Apple, how many selected Samsung,
and how many went for OnePlus – and which one is the highest.
  This is the fundamental of quantitative research., and Nominal scale is the most
fundamental research scale.

Nominal Scale Data and Analysis

There are two primary ways in which nominal scale data can be collected:

1. By asking an open-ended question, the answers of which can be coded to a respective

number of label decided by the researcher.
2. The other alternative is to include a multiple choice question in which the answers will be
labeled.

In both the cases, the analysis of gathered data will happen using percentages or mode,i.e., the
most common answer received for the question. It is possible for a single question to have more
than one modes as it is possible for two common favorites can exist in a target population.

Nominal Scale Examples

 Gender
 Political preferences
 Place of residence

What is your Gender? What is your Political preference? Where do you live?
 1- Independent  1- Suburbs
 M- Male
 2- Democrat  2- City
 F- Female
 3- Republican  3- Town

Ordinal Scale: 2nd Level of Measurement

Ordinal Scale is defined as a variable measurement scale used to simply depict the order of
variables and not the difference between each of the variables. These scales are generally used to
depict non-mathematical ideas such as frequency, satisfaction, happiness, a degree of pain etc. It
is quite straightforward to remember the implementation of this scale as ‘Ordinal’ sounds similar
to ‘Order’, which is exactly the purpose of this scale.

Ordinal Scale maintains descriptional qualities along with an intrinsic order but is void of an
origin of scale and thus, the distance between variables can’t be calculated. Descriptional
qualities indicate tagging properties similar to the nominal scale, in addition to which, ordinal
scale also has a relative position of variables. Origin of this scale is absent due to which there is
no fixed start or “true zero”.

Status at workplace, tournament team rankings, order of product quality, order of agreement or
satisfaction – some of the most common examples of Ordinal Scale. These scales are generally
used in market research to gather and evaluate relative feedback about product satisfaction,
changing perceptions with product upgrades etc.
For example, a semantic differential scale question such as:

How satisfied are you with our services?

 Very Unsatisfied – 1
 Unsatisfied – 2
 Neutral – 3
 Satisfied – 4
 Very Satisfied – 5

1. Here, the order of variables is of prime importance and so is the labeling. Very
unsatisfied will always be worse than unsatisfied and satisfied will be worse than very
satisfied.
2. This is where ordinal scale is a step above nominal scale – the order is relevant to the
results and so is their naming.
3. Analyzing results based on the order along with the name becomes a convenient process
for the researcher.
4. If they intend to obtain more information than what they would collect using nominal
scale, they can use ordinal scale.

Ordinal Data and Analysis

Ordinal scale data can be presented in tabular or graphical formats for a researcher to conduct
convenient analysis of collected data. Also, methods such as Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal–
Wallis H test can also be used to analyze ordinal data. These methods are generally implemented
to compare two or more ordinal groups.

In the Mann-Whitney U test, researchers can conclude which variable of one group is bigger or
smaller than another variable of a randomly selected group. While in the Kruskal–Wallis H test,
researchers can analyze whether two or more ordinal groups have the same median or not.

Ordinal Scale Examples

This scale not only assigns values to the variables but also measures the rank or order of the
variables, such as:

 Grades
 Satisfaction
 Happiness

How satisfied are you with our services?

 1- Very Unsatisfied
 2- Unsatisfied
 3- Neural
 4- Satisfied
  5- Very Satisfied

Learn about: Nominal vs. Ordinal Scale

Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio Scales with

Examples

by Adi Bhat

Global VP - Sales and Marketing at QuestionPro

Home Consumer Insights Market Research

What are Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio Scales?

Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio are defined as the four fundamental levels of measurement
scales that are used to capture data in the form of surveys and questionnaires, each being a
multiple choice question.

Each scale is an incremental level of measurement, meaning, each scale fulfills the function of
the previous scale and all survey question scales such as Likert, Semantic Differential,
Dichotomous etc, are the derivation of this these 4 fundamental levels of variable measurement.
Before we discuss all four levels of measurement scales in details, with examples, let’s have a
quick brief look at what these scales represent.

Nominal scale is a naming scale, where variables are simply “named” or labeled, with no
specific order. Ordinal scale has all its variables in a specific order, beyond just naming them.
Interval scale offers labels, order, as well as, a specific interval between each of its variable
options. Ratio scale bears all the characteristics of an interval scale, in addition to that, it can
also accommodate the value of “zero” on any of its variables.

More on Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio: The four levels of measurement in research and
statistics.

Nominal Scale: 1st Level of Measurement

Nominal Scale, also called the categorical variable scale, is defined as a scale used for labeling
variables into distinct classifications and doesn’t involve a quantitative value or order. This scale
is the simplest of the four variable measurement scales. Calculations done on these variables will
be futile as there is no numerical value of the options.

There are cases where this scale is used for the purpose of classification – the numbers associated
with variables of this scale are only tags for categorization or division. Calculations done on
these numbers will be futile as they have no quantitative significance.

For a question such as:

Where do you live?

 1- Suburbs
 2- City
 3- Town

Nominal scale is often used in research surveys and questionnaires where only variable labels
hold significance.

For instance, a customer survey asking “Which brand of smartphones do you prefer?” Options :
“Apple”- 1 , “Samsung”-2, “OnePlus”-3.

 In this survey question, only the names of the brands are significant for the researcher
conducting consumer research. There is no need for any specific order for these brands.
 However, while capturing nominal data, researchers conduct analysis based on the associated
labels.
 In the above example, when a survey respondent selects Apple as their preferred brand, the
data entered and associated will be “1”. This helped in quantifying and answering the final
question – How many respondents selected Apple, how many selected Samsung, and how many
went for OnePlus – and which one is the highest.
 This is the fundamental of quantitative research., and Nominal scale is the most fundamental
research scale.

Nominal Scale Data and Analysis

There are two primary ways in which nominal scale data can be collected:

1. By asking an open-ended question, the answers of which can be coded to a respective number
of label decided by the researcher.
2. The other alternative is to include a multiple choice question in which the answers will be
labeled.

In both the cases, the analysis of gathered data will happen using percentages or mode,i.e., the
most common answer received for the question. It is possible for a single question to have more
than one modes as it is possible for two common favorites can exist in a target population.

Nominal Scale Examples

 Gender
 Political preferences
 Place of residence

What is your Gender? What is your Political preference? Where do you live?
 1- Independent  1- Suburbs
 M- Male
 2- Democrat  2- City
 F- Female
 3- Republican  3- Town

Ordinal Scale: 2nd Level of Measurement

Ordinal Scale is defined as a variable measurement scale used to simply depict the order of
variables and not the difference between each of the variables. These scales are generally used to
depict non-mathematical ideas such as frequency, satisfaction, happiness, a degree of pain etc. It
is quite straightforward to remember the implementation of this scale as ‘Ordinal’ sounds similar
to ‘Order’, which is exactly the purpose of this scale.

Ordinal Scale maintains descriptional qualities along with an intrinsic order but is void of an
origin of scale and thus, the distance between variables can’t be calculated. Descriptional
qualities indicate tagging properties similar to the nominal scale, in addition to which, ordinal
scale also has a relative position of variables. Origin of this scale is absent due to which there is
no fixed start or “true zero”.

Status at workplace, tournament team rankings, order of product quality, order of agreement or
satisfaction – some of the most common examples of Ordinal Scale. These scales are generally
used in market research to gather and evaluate relative feedback about product satisfaction,
changing perceptions with product upgrades etc.

For example, a semantic differential scale question such as:

How satisfied are you with our services?

 Very Unsatisfied – 1
 Unsatisfied – 2
 Neutral – 3
 Satisfied – 4
 Very Satisfied – 5

1. Here, the order of variables is of prime importance and so is the labeling. Very unsatisfied will
always be worse than unsatisfied and satisfied will be worse than very satisfied.
2. This is where ordinal scale is a step above nominal scale – the order is relevant to the results and
so is their naming.
3. Analyzing results based on the order along with the name becomes a convenient process for the
researcher.
4. If they intend to obtain more information than what they would collect using nominal scale,
they can use ordinal scale.

Ordinal Data and Analysis

Ordinal scale data can be presented in tabular or graphical formats for a researcher to conduct
convenient analysis of collected data. Also, methods such as Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal–
Wallis H test can also be used to analyze ordinal data. These methods are generally implemented
to compare two or more ordinal groups.

In the Mann-Whitney U test, researchers can conclude which variable of one group is bigger or
smaller than another variable of a randomly selected group. While in the Kruskal–Wallis H test,
researchers can analyze whether two or more ordinal groups have the same median or not.

Ordinal Scale Examples

This scale not only assigns values to the variables but also measures the rank or order of the
variables, such as:

 Grades
 Satisfaction
 Happiness
How satisfied are you with our services?

 1- Very Unsatisfied
 2- Unsatisfied
 3- Neural
 4- Satisfied
 5- Very Satisfied

Learn about: Nominal vs. Ordinal Scale

Nominal vs Ordinal Scale: What is the

Difference?

by Adi Bhat

Global VP - Sales and Marketing at QuestionPro

Home Consumer Insights Market Research

Nominal Scale and Ordinal Scale are two of the four variable measurement scales. Both these
measurement scales have their significance in surveys/questionnaires, polls, and their subsequent
statistical analysis. The difference between Nominal and Ordinal scale has a great impact on
market research analysis methods due to the details and information each of them has to offer.

Nominal Scale is derived from the Latin word “nomalis” which denotes “related to names”, is
usually used to indicate categories. These categories have corresponding numbers allotted for
analysis of collected data. For example, a person’s gender, ethnicity, hair color etc. are
considered to be data for a nominal scale.

Ordinal Scale, on the other hand, involves arranging information in a specific order, i.e. in
comparison to one another and “rank” each parameter (variable). For example, after a customer
shops from a retail outlet, he/she is asked to fill out a kiosk survey: “On a scale of 1-5, how was
your shopping experience?” –

 1 indicates extremely unsatisfactory, 2 is unsatisfactory, 3 is neutral, 4 is satisfactory and 5

indicates extremely satisfactory.
 Here, the data collected will be on an ordinal scale as there is a rank associated with each of the
answer options, i.e. 2 is lower than 4 and 4 is lower than 5.
 But, in the ordinal scale, it is not mandatory for the difference between 4 (satisfactory) and 2
(unsatisfactory) to be the same as the difference between 5 (extremely satisfactory) and 3
(neutral), as the number is not assigned for quantitative measurement but is purely for tagging
purposes.
Every statistician should evaluate this difference precisely as the other two variable scales, i.e.,
Interval and Ratio are articulately calculated. Before we go ahead with the discussion about
Nominal vs Ordinal scales, here is a brief description of Nominal and Ordinal levels of
measurement-

Nominal Level of Measurement: In nominal level of measurement, variables are differentiated

by their namings. These variables have no order or hierarchy associated with them.

Numbers associated with the names are mere tags with no mathematical aspect linked to them.
These variables are descriptive in nature. In terms of statistics, nominal scale is the easiest to
understand and implement. These variables have minimum two divisions such as Male/Female,
Yes/No.

This scale has no numerical value, for example – gender, ethnicity, race etc.

Ordinal Level of Measurement: In ordinal level of measurement, the order of variables is

critical. The difference between these variables is not established and is not an integral aspect of
this measurement scale.

The variables are identified and described along with allotting a value to each of these identified
variables. In market research, ordinal scales are used to analyze relative perceptions, choices, and
feedbacks, i.e., marketers can evaluate the degree of customer satisfaction or happiness,
understand whether their newsletters should go out more often, etc.

Nominal vs Ordinal Scales: Points of Difference

In any business, the knowledge of different measurement variables is a prerequisite as it allows
owners to make well-informed and statistical decisions. Every measurement scale a unique
degree of detail to offer, such as Nominal scale offers basic detail and Ratio offers maximum
detail.

Factors Nominal Scale Ordinal Scale

Description The variables of this scale are
differentiated by their nomenclature
and none other factors.
There is no implied sequence in
which variables exist in nominal
scale
Degree of There is no quantitative value
Quantitative associated with variables on this
Value
These variables have a naturally
occurring order present between
them yet the difference between
variables is unknown.
The value of difference between
two variables on this scale cannot
be calculated. For instance, the
order of size is small, medium,
large, extra large. But Small –
Medium ≠ Large – Extra Large.
Quantitative values are linked to
ordinal variables but arithmetic
 scale. Instead, it is a qualitative evaluation cannot be conducted on
measurement scale. these variables.
Key  These variables cannot be  Numbers are assigned to
Differentiators ordered. the variables of this scale.
 The variables of this scale  No arithmetic calculation
are distinct. can be done on these
 Nominal data is not variables.
quantifiable.  The difference between
variables cannot be
calculated.

Examples  Sex (Male, Female)  Rank in a class test (first,

 Marital Status (Married,
Divorced, Unmarried,
Widowed etc.)
 Religion (Christian, Jew,
Muslim)
 Race (Red Indian, South-east
Asian etc.)
second or third)
 Customer satisfaction
ratings (On a scale of 0-10)
 Socio-economic status
 Customer satisfaction
degrees (Very satisfied,
satisfied, neutral,
dissatisfied, very
dissatisfied)
 Education qualification

Interval Scale: 3rd Level of Measurement

Interval Scale is defined as a numerical scale where the order of the variables is known as well as
the difference between these variables. Variables which have familiar, constant and computable
differences are classified using the Interval scale. It is easy to remember the primary role of this
scale too, ‘Interval’ indicates ‘distance between two entities’, which is what Interval scale helps
in achieving.

These scales are effective as they open doors for the statistical analysis of provided data. Mean,
median or mode can be used to calculate the central tendency in this scale. The only drawback of
this scale is that there no pre-decided starting point or a true zero value.

Interval scale contains all the properties of ordinal scale, in addition to which, it offers a
calculation of the difference between variables. The main characteristic of this scale is the
equidistant difference between objects.

For instance, consider a Celsius/Fahrenheit temperature scale –

 80 degrees is always higher than 50 degrees and the difference between these two
temperatures is the same as the difference between 70 degrees and 40 degrees.
  Also, the value of 0 is arbitrary because negative values of temperature do exist – which makes
Celsius/Fahrenheit temperature scale a classic example of interval scale.
 Interval scale is often chosen in research cases where the difference between variables is a
mandate – which can’t be achieved using nominal or ordinal scale. Interval scale quantifies the
difference between two variables whereas the other two scales are solely capable of associating
qualitative values with variables.
 The mean and median values in an ordinal scale can be evaluated, unlike the previous two
scales.
 In statistics, interval scale is frequently used as a numerical value can not only be assigned to
variables but calculation on the basis of those values can also be carried out.

Even if interval scales are amazing, they do not calculate the “true zero” value which is why the
next scale comes into the picture.

Interval Data and Analysis

All the techniques applicable to nominal and ordinal data analysis are applicable to Interval Data
as well. Apart from those techniques, there are a few analysis methods such as descriptive
statistics, correlation regression analysis which is extensively for analyzing interval data.
Descriptive statistics is the term given to analysis of numerical data which helps to describe,
depict or summarize data in a meaningful manner and it helps in calculation of mean, median,
and mode.

Interval Scale Examples

 There are situations where attitude scales are considered to be interval scales.
 Apart from the temperature scale, time is also a very common example of interval scale as the
values are already established, constant and measurable.
 Calendar years and time also fall under this category of measurement scales.
 Likert scale, Net Promoter Score, Semantic Differential Scale, Bipolar Matrix Table etc. are the
most-used interval scale examples.

The following questions fall under the Interval Scale category:

 What is your family income?

 What is the temperature in your city?

Ratio Scale: 4th Level of Measurement

Ratio Scale is defined as a variable measurement scale that not only produces the order of
variables but also makes the difference between variables known along with information on the
value of true zero. It is calculated by assuming that the variables have an option for zero, the
difference between the two variables is the same and there is a specific order between the
options.

With the option of true zero, varied inferential and descriptive analysis techniques can be applied
to the variables. In addition to the fact that the ratio scale does everything that a nominal, ordinal
and interval scale can do, it can also establish the value of absolute zero. Best examples of ratio
scales are weight and height. In market research, a ratio scale is used to calculate market share,
annual sales, the price of an upcoming product, number of consumers etc.

 Ratio scale provides the most detailed information as researchers and statisticians can calculate
the central tendency using statistical techniques such as mean, median, mode and methods
such as geometric mean, the coefficient of variation or harmonic mean can also be used on this
scale.
 Ratio scale accommodates the characteristic of three other variable measurement scales, i.e.
labeling the variables, the significance of the order of variables and a calculable difference
between variables (which are usually equidistant).
 Because of the existence of true zero value, the ratio scale doesn’t have negative values.
 To decide when to use a ratio scale, the researcher must observe whether the variables have all
the characteristic of an interval scale along with the presence of the absolute zero value.
 Mean, mode and median can be calculated using the ratio scale.

Ratio Data and Analysis

At a fundamental level, Ratio scale data is quantitative in nature due to which all quantitative
analysis techniques such as SWOT, TURF, Cross-tabulation, Conjoint etc. can be used to
calculate ratio data. While some techniques such as SWOT and TURF will analyze ratio data in
such as manner that researchers can create roadmaps of how to improve products or services and
Cross-tabulation will be useful in understanding whether new features will be helpful to the
target market or not.

Ratio Scale Examples

The following questions fall under the Ratio Scale category:

 What is your daughter’s current height?

o Less than 5 feet.
o 5 feet 1 inch – 5 feet 5 inches
o 5 feet 6 inches- 6 feet
o More than 6 feet
 What is your weight in kilograms?
o Less than 50 kilograms
o 51- 70 kilograms
o 71- 90 kilograms
o 91-110 kilograms
o More than 110 kilograms

Learn about: Interval vs. Ratio Scale

Summary – Levels of Measurement

Offers: Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio

The sequence of variables is established – Yes Yes Yes

Mode Yes Yes Yes Yes

Median – Yes Yes Yes

Mean – – Yes Yes

Difference between variables can be evaluated – – Yes Yes

Addition and Subtraction of variables – – Yes Yes

Multiplication and Division of variables – – – Yes

Absolute zero – – – Yes

Interval Scale: 3rd Level of Measurement

Interval Scale is defined as a numerical scale where the order of the variables is known as well as
the difference between these variables. Variables which have familiar, constant and computable
differences are classified using the Interval scale. It is easy to remember the primary role of this
scale too, ‘Interval’ indicates ‘distance between two entities’, which is what Interval scale helps
in achieving.

These scales are effective as they open doors for the statistical analysis of provided data. Mean,
median or mode can be used to calculate the central tendency in this scale. The only drawback of
this scale is that there no pre-decided starting point or a true zero value.

Interval scale contains all the properties of ordinal scale, in addition to which, it offers a
calculation of the difference between variables. The main characteristic of this scale is the
equidistant difference between objects.

For instance, consider a Celsius/Fahrenheit temperature scale –

 80 degrees is always higher than 50 degrees and the difference between these two
temperatures is the same as the difference between 70 degrees and 40 degrees.
 Also, the value of 0 is arbitrary because negative values of temperature do exist – which
makes Celsius/Fahrenheit temperature scale a classic example of interval scale.
 Interval scale is often chosen in research cases where the difference between variables is
a mandate – which can’t be achieved using nominal or ordinal scale. Interval scale
quantifies the difference between two variables whereas the other two scales are solely
capable of associating qualitative values with variables.
 The mean and median values in an ordinal scale can be evaluated, unlike the previous
two scales.
  In statistics, interval scale is frequently used as a numerical value can not only be
assigned to variables but calculation on the basis of those values can also be carried out.

Even if interval scales are amazing, they do not calculate the “true zero” value which is why the
next scale comes into the picture.

Interval Data and Analysis

All the techniques applicable to nominal and ordinal data analysis are applicable to Interval Data
as well. Apart from those techniques, there are a few analysis methods such as descriptive
statistics, correlation regression analysis which is extensively for analyzing interval data.
Descriptive statistics is the term given to analysis of numerical data which helps to describe,
depict or summarize data in a meaningful manner and it helps in calculation of mean, median,
and mode.

Interval Scale Examples

 There are situations where attitude scales are considered to be interval scales.
 Apart from the temperature scale, time is also a very common example of interval scale
as the values are already established, constant and measurable.
 Calendar years and time also fall under this category of measurement scales.
 Likert scale, Net Promoter Score, Semantic Differential Scale, Bipolar Matrix Table etc.
are the most-used interval scale examples.

The following questions fall under the Interval Scale category:

 What is your family income?

 What is the temperature in your city?

Ratio Scale: 4th Level of Measurement

Ratio Scale is defined as a variable measurement scale that not only produces the order of
variables but also makes the difference between variables known along with information on the
value of true zero. It is calculated by assuming that the variables have an option for zero, the
difference between the two variables is the same and there is a specific order between the
options.

With the option of true zero, varied inferential and descriptive analysis techniques can be applied
to the variables. In addition to the fact that the ratio scale does everything that a nominal, ordinal
and interval scale can do, it can also establish the value of absolute zero. Best examples of ratio
scales are weight and height. In market research, a ratio scale is used to calculate market share,
annual sales, the price of an upcoming product, number of consumers etc.

 Ratio scale provides the most detailed information as researchers and statisticians can
calculate the central tendency using statistical techniques such as mean, median, mode
 and methods such as geometric mean, the coefficient of variation or harmonic mean can
also be used on this scale.
 Ratio scale accommodates the characteristic of three other variable measurement scales,
i.e. labeling the variables, the significance of the order of variables and a calculable
difference between variables (which are usually equidistant).
 Because of the existence of true zero value, the ratio scale doesn’t have negative values.
 To decide when to use a ratio scale, the researcher must observe whether the variables
have all the characteristic of an interval scale along with the presence of the absolute zero
value.
 Mean, mode and median can be calculated using the ratio scale.

Ratio Data and Analysis

At a fundamental level, Ratio scale data is quantitative in nature due to which all quantitative
analysis techniques such as SWOT, TURF, Cross-tabulation, Conjoint etc. can be used to
calculate ratio data. While some techniques such as SWOT and TURF will analyze ratio data in
such as manner that researchers can create roadmaps of how to improve products or services and
Cross-tabulation will be useful in understanding whether new features will be helpful to the
target market or not.

Ratio Scale Examples

The following questions fall under the Ratio Scale category:

 What is your daughter’s current height?

o Less than 5 feet.
o 5 feet 1 inch – 5 feet 5 inches
o 5 feet 6 inches- 6 feet
o More than 6 feet
 What is your weight in kilograms?
o Less than 50 kilograms
o 51- 70 kilograms
o 71- 90 kilograms
o 91-110 kilograms
o More than 110 kilograms

Learn about: Interval vs. Ratio Scale

Interval Scale Vs Ratio Scale: What is the

Difference?
by Adi Bhat

Global VP - Sales and Marketing at QuestionPro

Home Consumer Insights Market Research

Interval scale and ratio scale are the two variable measurement scales where they define the
attributes of the variables quantitatively. The difference between interval and ratio scales is that,
while interval scales are void of absolute or true zero for example temperature can be below 0
degree Celsius (-10 or -20), ratio scales have a true zero value, for example, height or weight it
will always be measured between 0 to maximum but never below 0.

In an interval scale, all the quantitative attributes can be measured. Any measurement belonging
to this category of interval scale can be ranked, counted, subtracted, added but by no means it
will give any sense of ratio between the two measurements.

A ratio scale is a measurement scale which has more or less all the properties of an interval scale.
Ratio data on this scale has measurable intervals. Where the ratio scale differs is, it has a zero
point or character of origin.

Let’s take an example of each to further understand the difference between the two scales better.
A good example of interval scale would be measuring temperature. The temperature in an air-
conditioned room is 16-degree Celsius and the temperature outside the AC room is 32-degree
Celsius. It is reasonable to say that the temperature outside is 16 degrees higher than inside the
room.

But, if you said that it is twice as hot outside than inside, then you would thermodynamically
incorrect. The selection of this reference point is considered as zero, which is also the freezing
point of water. So the difference in temperature inside the room and outside the room has to a
number, not a mere comparison.

Zero point in an interval scale is arbitrary and negative values can also be defined. The variables
that are measured on an interval scale are commonly known as interval variables or scaled
variables. Quantitative observations say it is common that these variable carry unit. Statistically,
mean, mode and median can be used as a measure of central tendency for interval variables.

Taking an example of ratio scale, the temperature outside is 0-degree Celsius, this doesn’t mean
that it is neither hot nor cold. It means there is a value assigned to measuring the temperature.
The most common examples of a ratio scale are height, weight, money, age and similar. For
example:

What age bracket do you fall in?

 Blow 20 years
 21-30 years
 31-40 years
 41-50 years
 Above 50 years

A ratio scale is the most informative scale and it tells precisely about the order and number of
objects between the value of the scale- where zero is one of the quantitative data options. Ratio
scale allows a researcher to apply any statistical technique including geometric and harmonic
mean.

Apart from the above-mentioned differences, it is important that a researcher understands the
different scales of measurement to be able to see the distinctive differences. Based on the
understanding of different levels of measurement, a researcher can dictate which statistical
analysis is required.

Here is a brief description of interval and ratio level of measurement:

Interval level of measurement classifies and orders a measurement. In addition, it specifies a

distance between each interval on a scale is equivalent, from low interval to high interval. For
example, the difference between 90-degree Fahrenheit and 100-degree Fahrenheit is the same as
110-degree Fahrenheit and 120-degree Fahrenheit.
In the ratio level of measurement, in addition to having the same qualities as interval level can
have a value of zero as well. In this level of measurement, the scales have an equivalent distance
between them.

Interval Scale Vs Ratio Scale: Points of Difference

Features Interval Scale Ratio Scale

Variable property All variables that are measured in
an interval scale can be added,
subtracted, multiplied but
calculating ratio is not possible.
Absolute Point Zero point in an interval scale is
Zero arbitrary. For example, a
temperature can be below 0-
degree Celsius and in negative.
Calculation Statistically, in interval scale
arithmetic mean is calculated.
Measurement Interval scale can measure size and
magnitude as multiple factors of a
defined unit.
Example A classic example of an interval
scale is a temperature in Celsius.
For example, the difference in
temperature between 50 degrees
and 60 degree is 10 degree which is
the same difference between 70
degrees and 80 degrees.
Ratio scale has all the characteristics
of an interval scale, in addition, to be
able to calculate ratios.
Ratio scale has an absolute zero or
character of origin. Height and
weight cannot be zero or below zero.
Statistically, in ratio scale geometric
or harmonic mean is calculated.
Ratio scale can measure size and
magnitude as a factor of one defined
unit in terms of another.
Classic examples of a ratio scale are
any variable which possesses an
absolute zero characteristic like age,
weight, height, sales figure, ruler
measurement, income earned in the
last month and so on.

Summary – Levels of Measurement

Offers: Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio

The sequence of variables is established – Yes Yes Yes
Mode Yes Yes Yes Yes
Median – Yes Yes Yes
Mean – – Yes Yes
Difference between variables can be evaluated – – Yes Yes
Addition and Subtraction of variables – – Yes Yes
Multiplication and Division of variables – – – Yes
Absolute zero – – – Yes