Kinkiness is more of a spectrum than a black-and-white classification. Many people choose to improve their sex lives by dipping their toe into the world of kink — and that can look like anything from bringing a new toy into the bedroom [1] to experimenting with a praise kink [2]. So what, exactly, is kink? According to the dictionary, the term is an "unconventional sexual taste or behaviour," but Carol Queen, PhD, sexologist for sex-toy retailer Good Vibrations [3], adds that kink generally references any sexual interest that is "at some distance from normative ideas about what sex is or should be."
Of course, this is going to look different depending on the person you ask. For one person, having doggy-style sex in broad daylight might be considered kinky. For others, being tied up in a BDSM fantasy might be kinky. For this reason, kink exists on a spectrum — and what that spectrum looks like is entirely up to you and your individual preferences [4].
The BDSM test was created in 2014 to determine "what level of kinkster you are," the website bdsmtest.org states [5]. (Refresher: "BDSM" stands for bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism.) It was founded with a mission of "helping beginning kinksters determine which labels are or aren't suitable for them, and to be a fun experience for everyone taking it."
So whether you're curious how you'd score on a kink test and what each result means, or you just want to take a fun lil personality quiz, we have some answers. But first, let's discuss why it could be beneficial for you to know this information in the first place.
Why Is It Important to Know Your Kink Level?
To put it simply, knowing your kink level will help you know more about yourself and your desires, says Queen. "It helps you find compatible partners [7] and community, gives you desires to negotiate for, and gives you erotic options — including sexy things when you don't have a partner at all," she adds.
But don't feel like you have to be defined by any sort of label around your kink level. No matter how you score, Queen reminds you, "this doesn't mean you must, want to, or will walk through all [the] doors" of this label — and that's absolutely OK.
That said, even if you decide you'd prefer not to venture into this world of kink, it's still a good idea to learn about it, says Queen.
How to Take the Kink Test
If you're interested in taking the kink test, you can access it at bdsm.org [8]. To begin, it will give you the option to make an account or take the test anonymously. Then, it will take you to a page where you can fill out basic info like your age, gender, and sexual orientation. Once you complete the demographics part, you have the option to take the shorter test, which offers "reasonable accuracy" and is advised for those "only mildly interested." Or, you can take the longer test for "maximum accuracy" advised for those who are "strongly into BDSM."
Here's how it works: the website will prompt you with statements like, "physically restricting my partner during sex/BDSM (with clothes, attributes, rope, chains, etc.) is arousing" and "there is no reason why sex would have to happen in private spaces, isolated from the outside world." Then, it's up to you to rank the prompt on a scale of "absolutely disagree" to "absolutely agree."
Once you've answered all the questions in the kink test, it will take you to a results page where it will reveal which kink labels you relate to most. The specific labels include owner, switch, daddy/mommy, degrader, boy/girl, primal (hunter), brat, sadist, voyeur, ageplayer, master/mistress, dominant, brat tamer, slave, submissive, nonmonogamist [10], rope bunny, degradee, pet, experimentalist, rigger, masochist, primal (prey), exhibitionist, and vanilla. Basically, these labels provide you with a word that conveys your BDSM preferences and can be used to help describe what your personality is like in a sexual environment. (Of course, you can take it or leave it, depending on whether or not it actually resonates with you.)
FYI, many other kink and BDSM tests exist on the Internet, so if you'd like to ~ cross-compare ~ your results, you can check out other options like this one on kinktest.org [11].
What Do Your Kink Test Results Mean?
According to bdsm.org, here are what the 25 labels mean:
Owner
This person takes (and wants) responsibility over someone else on a 24/7 basis, and sex is not necessarily always involved. Think about it in terms of a typical owner and pet relationship.
Switch
Switches enjoy being dominant *and* submissive. "They do not fit on one end point of the spectrum."
Daddies/Mummies
This is most often a caretaker role, where this person "nurtures their littles into obedience." Similar to an "owner," this label does not have to be sexual.
Degraders
This person enjoys consensually degrading and humiliating their partner.
Boy/Girl
This person most often seeks a partner who identifies as a daddy/mummy. "They long for a nurturing loving dominant who plays a guiding, parental role in their lives."
Primal (Hunter)
Have you ever felt the desire to be extremely animalistic during sex? This label may resonate. "The key part for primals is that they show their raw, emotional sexual feelings during play." (Yes, this can include snarling, growling, and clawing.)
Brat
Labeled as "naughty submissives," brats seek dominance with an edge of playfulness and fun. You may find them often saying "no" to their partners' orders so their partner will teach them a lesson.
Sadist
A sadist enjoys inflicting consensual pain on their partner.
Voyeur
In a sexual context, these people enjoy consensually watching other people be naked or engage in sexual activity.
Ageplayers
This person typically takes on a much younger or older age than they actually are.
Master/Mistress
This person most often pairs with a "slave" and wants "complete control over the life of their slave and all the responsibilities that come with it. The power exchange is present 24/7 compared to a dominant, who likely only holds power in the bedroom," according to the BDSMTest site.
Dominant
A dominant wants to be in control and in charge.
Brat Tamer
Remember when we talked about brats? Yup, this is their counterpart. Brat tamers are dominants that "enjoy handling bratty submissives," according to the site.
Slave
"Slaves completely hand over the control and responsibilities over their life to their master/mistress," the site reads.
Submissive
Opposite of dominant, a submissive likes to follow. Some like to give control away to their partner, some like to have it consensually taken from them.
Non-Monogamist
They don't believe in monogamy, the idea that one person can completely fulfill all their sexual and romantic desires. This could mean that they will have several relationships or see people outside of their relationship.
Rope Bunny
A rope bunny is exactly what it sounds like: This person likes to be tied up or restrained with works (or other mechanicals like chains, cuffs, etc.)
Degradee
Yup, this is who would most often pair with a "degrader." "Degradees like to be degraded and humiliated by their partner(s)," the site says.
Pet
Typically paired with "owners," pets like to be considered property by their owner in daily life.
Experimentalist
These people want to "try it all." They have an open mind and are likely the people to try anything at least once.
Rigger
This person enjoys tying up and restraining their partner using rope or other attributes.
Masochist
Most often couples up with sadist, a masochist enjoys receiving consensual pain from their partner in a sexual setting.
Primal (Prey)
"Primals are mainly focused on their natural instincts and enjoy letting their inner animal out during sex," according to the site. As for how it's different from a primal hunter, the prey will do anything to get away from its predator.
Exhibitionist
This person pairs well with a voyeur, as exhibitionists enjoy "showing their naked body or a sexual act to other people," BDSMTest.org says.
Vanilla
"Vanilla people enjoy regular, standard sex and relationship models," the site says. (Which, like, no shade at all — there's nothing wrong if you score this way.)
So, what should you do now that you have these results? Explore, explore, explore — if you feel so compelled. Queen advises you dive deeper into your results, learn about them more, and maybe even try them if you find it interests you." But again, no pressure to label yourself a certain way or even engage in any of the above sexual acts. While a random online quiz can help guide your sexual exploration, know that it's still just that: an online quiz. It doesn't have to mean anything concrete about what you like or could potentially be into. The bottom line here is that sex is all about exploring what feels good to you — no matter what that looks like or what your results convey.
Haley Lyndes [12] was an assistant editor for POPSUGAR Shopping where she found and tested the best home, beauty, and fashion products. She is a graduate of Northern Vermont University and has nearly five years of experience in both written and broadcast journalism.