A sexual spectrum exists, and you're part of it.  

Whether you identify as straight, queer, asexual, or something in between, the Kinsey scale was developed by Dr. Alfred Kinsey as a visual representation of sexuality along a spectrum.

But what is the Kinsey scale, exactly? And why is it helpful? 

About the Kinsey scale 

Chances are, you've already heard about the Kinsey scale in passing conversations or during late-night internet scrolls. Developed in the 1940s by pioneering sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, this scale aims to capture the scope and fluidity of human sexuality.

Originally called the Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale, it ranges from "exclusively heterosexual" to "exclusively homosexual," with five stops along the way to indicate bisexuality and flexibility. It historically looks like a line with gay at one end and straight at the other. While some people think it's a test, it's actually a tool for understanding your sexual orientation based on personal feelings and experiences. But you can take a quiz to discover how Kinsey would categorize you.

At a time when conversations around sexuality were often one or the other, Kinsey's groundbreaking approach was celebrated. Instead of labeling people as “heterosexual” or “homosexual,” the Kinsey scale acknowledges that many people fall somewhere in between, shifting the narrative toward multi-dimensional sexuality. 

It’s not a perfect measure of the full spectrum, but the Kinsey scale offers a far more varied view of human sexuality than previously thought. Sex and attraction have never been cut-and-dried — so whether you're a first-time lesbian, out-and-proud pansexual, or recovering from sexual repression, you're “normal.”

How many sexualities are there?

If we’re talking about overall sexuality, there’s no way to quantify a solid number. But on the Kinsey scale, it’s pretty straightforward, and there are seven categories you could fall into. 

Here's a breakdown of the spectrum: 

• X: Having no socio-sexual contacts or reactions, often called asexual 

• 0: Exclusively attracted to the opposite sex or totally heterosexual

• 1: Predominantly heterosexual with a sprinkle of homosexual tendencies

• 2: Predominantly heterosexual but with a more distinct element of same-sex attraction 

• 3: Balanced in the middle, or bisexual, representing equal attraction to both sexes

• 4: Predominantly attracted to the same sex with a touch of opposite-sex attraction

• 5: Strongly leaning toward the same sex with incidental heterosexual tendencies 

• 6: Totally homosexual, with no attraction to the opposite sex

What to consider before using the Kinsey scale  

Is the Kinsey scale still valid today? The short answer is no, but that doesn’t mean we should totally abandon the idea.

While the Kinsey scale is a valuable tool, approaching it with knowledge of its limitations is crucial. It was revolutionary when published in the mid-20th century, but doesn't necessarily encapsulate modern understanding of sexual orientation. The Kinsey scale is just one tool for reflecting on and understanding your sexuality, and, like all perspectives, it has boundaries.

Here are a few limitations of the Kinsey scale:  

Your number can change

What sexuality are you? Sexual orientation is fluid for many people. Attractions, experiences, and feelings can evolve over time, meaning your current place on the Kinsey scale might change.

Gender is not binary  

The Kinsey scale views gender as male and female. Today, society recognizes a much more expansive understanding of gender, with identities existing beyond the binary scope. Because of this, the Kinsey scale might not resonate with some people, and it neglects attraction to non-binary or genderqueer people.  

Behavior over identity  

The Kinsey scale highlights sexual behavior over attraction and personal identity. If you identify as straight but have experimented with the opposite sex, the scale might incorrectly label you as flexible. This is an important consideration, as some people may have same-sex attractions or sexual experiences without identifying as queer, and others might identify as such but only engage sexually with the opposite sex. 

Single axis limitation 

The Kinsey scale operates on a single continuum — just one line. It suggests that being more attracted to one gender means being less attracted to the other gender, which isn't always true. Think of it this way: The Kinsey scale assumes that you’re at something like 50-50 or 70-30 when it comes to attraction. But you could be super attracted to all genders (80-80) or a little attracted to one and not the other (30-0).

2 alternatives to the Kinsey scale  

Human sexuality continues to evolve. Researchers are developing frameworks and models that better define human sexual orientation and its uniqueness and complexity. While the Kinsey Scale remains a success and benchmark, more recent tools offer multi-dimensional views addressing its limitations.  

These alternative tools include the following:

Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (KSOG) 

The Klein Grid builds on the Kinsey Scale's foundation. Outlined in 1978 by Dr. Fritz Klein, this grid extends beyond sexual attraction and behavior to things like emotional preferences, social preferences, and lifestyle. He also considered the evolution of sexual preferences over time (past, present, and anticipated future).

The Klein Grid is a more comprehensive tool than the Kinsey scale for understanding and describing sexual orientation. It recognizes that sexuality is multi-dimensional, offering a more nuanced understanding of fluid sexual orientation.

The Klein Grid examines sexual orientation across seven different variables:  

• Sexual attraction

• Sexual behavior

• Sexual fantasies

• Emotional preference 

• Social preference 

• Self-identification 

• Heterosexual/homosexual lifestyle 

For each variable, the Klein Grid assesses experiences across different timeframes: 

• Past 

• Present 

• Ideal 

For each variable and timeframe, you place yourself on a scale from 1 (exclusively opposite sex) to 7 (solely same sex). This gives you a more holistic, multi-dimensional approach to understanding sexual orientation. It acknowledges that your sexual feelings and behaviors can change over time, unlike the Kinsey scale.

Storms Sexuality Axis 

The Storms Sexuality Axis was developed in 1980 by Michael Storms and expands on the Kinsey scale's linear concept. It has a two-dimensional approach to understanding sexual orientation. Instead of presenting sexuality as a heterosexual to homosexual spectrum, it separates homosexual and heterosexual attractions for a more in-depth overview that includes bisexuality and asexuality. 

The Storms Sexuality Axis evaluates sexuality on an x-axis (homosexuality) and a y-axis (heterosexuality). The intersection of these axes divides a graph into four sections: bisexual, heterosexual, homosexual, and asexual.

Because you can end up anywhere on the graph, the Storms' interpretation of sexual orientation is more nuanced. While someone with equal same-sex and opposite-sex attractions falls directly in the center, denoting bisexuality, someone with low scores on both axes is considered asexual. 

Explore your sexuality with Quinn  

Understanding human sexuality is a journey. Society has come a long way toward recognizing and celebrating sexuality's diversity, and these frameworks are great tools for considering human attractions and desires.

Quinn celebrates the broad spectrum of sexuality through audio erotica catering to all tastes and orientations. No matter where you land on the scale or grid, there's a story that will arouse and excite you. You can also browse our blog to learn more about LGBTQ resources and topics like sexual compatibility. 

Quinn is home to thousands of narrated sex stories and guided masturbation sessions. Download the app for iOS or Android today.