About the Pros and Cons Maker
A plain pros and cons list treats every point as equal, but a lower rent and a nicer view are not worth the same. This maker lets you give each point a weight from 1 (small) to 5 (very important) and adds them up. Write one point per line, add a bar and a number to give it a weight, and the page shows the total for each side, a balance bar and a short verdict. Edit the lists and the result changes at once. When you are happy, copy the full list as text to send to a friend or paste into a document. It is a thinking aid, not an oracle, and your own feeling about the result is useful information too. Nothing is stored or sent.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Pros and Cons Maker
- 1Type what you are deciding about.
- 2Write each pro on its own line in the first box, each con in the second.
- 3Add | and a number from 1 to 5 to say how much it matters.
- 4Read the score, the balance bar and the verdict.
- 5Press Copy my list to save or share it.
Making a better list
Write the points quickly first, without judging them, and add the weights afterwards. Look for the points that are really about the same thing and merge them, because listing one benefit three ways makes that side look stronger than it is. Think about the time frame too. A pro that lasts a week and a con that lasts for years deserve different weights.
Be honest about feelings. If a point matters to you for emotional reasons, give it the weight it has for you, not the weight you think it should have.
Questions to ask yourself
- What would I regret more in five years: doing it or not doing it?
- Is any con a deal breaker no matter what the pros are?
- Which pro or con am I not writing because it feels awkward?
- Can I test the choice cheaply, with a trial or a small step?
- What would I advise a friend in my place?
Related tools
If you still cannot choose, the Spin the Wheel tool and the Random Name Picker can break a tie, though a coin toss often shows what you secretly hope for. The Break-Even Calculator helps when a decision is about money, and the Online To-Do List can turn your choice into steps. Take your time with big decisions.
Features
- Weights from 1 to 5
- Totals for pros and cons
- Balance bar and plain verdict
- Updates as you type
- Copy the whole list
- No sign-up, nothing stored
Frequently asked questions
How do I weigh a point?
Put a bar and a number after it, for example Higher salary | 5. Use 1 for a small effect and 5 for something that really matters to you. Without a number, a point counts as 3.
Is the highest score always the right choice?
Not necessarily. The score is only as fair as your weights. Use it to see your thinking, and notice how you feel about the result. If it feels wrong, a pro or a con may be missing.
How many points should I list?
Between three and ten on each side is usually enough. If you have more, join similar ones or keep only the points that matter.
Can I save the list?
The tool does not store anything. Use Copy my list to paste it into your notes or an email.
What if the score is a tie?
The verdict says it is balanced. Try adding a pro or con you have not thought of, or change a weight and ask yourself which change feels right.
Can I use it for team decisions?
Yes. Each person can fill in their own list and compare. Seeing the weights side by side often shows why people disagree.
Is this the same as a decision matrix?
It is a simple form of one. A full decision matrix compares several options against several criteria; this tool compares two sides of one choice.