A weighted decision matrix
Most decisions feel hard because we weigh everything in our heads at once — and gut feel is quietly biased toward whichever option we saw last, or wanted first. This tool fixes that. You name what actually matters, set how much each thing matters, then score your options honestly. The matrix multiplies scores by weights, adds them up, and surfaces the option that best fits your real priorities — not the one that just sounds good.
01
List your options
The things you're choosing between — a job offer, a city, a product. Add at least two.
02
Set what matters
Name each criterion (cost, quality, commute). Slide the weight up for things you won't compromise on.
03
Score and compare
Rate how well each option performs on each criterion. The matrix multiplies and totals — highest score wins.
Quick start — load a template
Add the things you're deciding between — at least two. These are your candidates, not your criteria. Keep names short and specific so the result is easy to read.
Name each factor you care about, then set its weight. Weight = how much this criterion should influence the result. A weight of 1 means it barely matters — a weight of 10 means it's near non-negotiable. Example: if you're choosing a city, "job market" might be weight 9, but "has a good coffee scene" might be weight 3. Getting weights honest is the most important step — they shape everything.
For each option, score how well it performs on each criterion. 10 dots = this option genuinely excels here. 1 dot = poor fit or a real weakness. Be honest — inflating scores on your favourite option defeats the point. Each score gets multiplied by the criterion's weight, so a 9/10 on something weighted 9 contributes 81 points, while a 9/10 on something weighted 2 only adds 18. That's the power of the weighting.
The matrix suggests…