Write down every pro and con, give each one a weight from 1 (minor) to 5 (deal-breaker), and the tool adds them up and tells you which way the decision is leaning. Your lists are saved in this browser so you can come back and refine them.
Last updated:
Pros
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Cons
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Weight each item from 1 (minor) to 5 (deal-breaker). Click the dots to change it, or edit the text directly.
Lists are saved automatically in this browser only.
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How to use the Pros and Cons List Maker
Write your decision as a question at the top, e.g. "Should I buy a car this year?"
Add pros and cons: type each point and press Enter. Choose a weight from 1 (minor) to 5 (huge) before adding, or click the dots later.
Read the verdict: the bar and score show which side is heavier and by how much.
Refine by editing text, adjusting weights or sorting by weight. Check any con marked 5: is it a deal-breaker?
Save or share: lists save automatically; copy, download .md/.csv or print to discuss with someone else.
How to make a pros and cons list that actually helps
A pros and cons list works best when it is honest and specific. "More money" is vague; "about $6,000 a year more after tax" is something you can weigh. These habits make the result more reliable:
Frame a yes/no question. "Should I take the evening class this autumn?" is easier to weigh than "What should I do about my career?"
List first, weigh second. Brainstorm every point you can think of, then go back and set the weights. Weighing while you write tends to bias the list.
Merge duplicates. "Long commute" and "less time at home" may be the same cost counted twice.
Look for deal-breakers. A single con with weight 5 (for example, something that conflicts with your health, safety or core values) can matter more than any total.
Sleep on it. Benjamin Franklin suggested adding items over three or four days. Lists are saved here, so you can return tomorrow.
Notice your reaction. If the verdict says yes and you feel disappointed, that feeling is data: maybe a weight is wrong or a con is missing.
Weight guide
Weight
Meaning
Example (moving for a job)
1
Minor, nice to have
Nicer coffee shops nearby
2
Small but real
One-time moving hassle
3
Noticeable day-to-day effect
Higher rent, shorter commute
4
Important for months or years
A meaningful salary increase
5
Life-changing or possible deal-breaker
Living far from family you care for
Formula: net score = Σ pro weights − Σ con weights; each side's share = its total ÷ (pros + cons). The verdict is "too close to call" when |net| is under 10% of the combined total.
Frequently asked questions
How does the weighted score work?
Each pro and con has a weight from 1 to 5. The tool adds the weights on each side, so a list with pros of 4 and 3 scores 7. The net score is pros minus cons, and the percentage shows each side's share of the total weight. Weighting stops five small pros from automatically beating one serious con.
How is the verdict decided?
If the difference between the sides is less than 10% of the total weight, the result is too close to call. A gap of 10% to 30% is shown as leaning yes or no, and more than 30% is a clear yes or no. The verdict is a summary of your own weights, not advice; your gut feeling about the result is useful information too.
What weight should I give each item?
Use 1 for nice-to-have details, 3 for things that matter noticeably, and 5 for factors that would affect you for a long time or that you could not live with. Try to judge each item on its own before looking at the totals.
Who invented the pros and cons list?
Benjamin Franklin described the method in a 1772 letter to Joseph Priestley, which he called "moral or prudential algebra". He wrote pros and cons in two columns over several days, gave them weights and crossed out items of equal weight on opposite sides to see where the balance fell.
Where are my lists saved?
In your browser's local storage on this device. Nothing is sent to a server. Lists are kept when you close the page, but clearing browser data removes them, so download a copy of important decisions.
What is the difference between a pros and cons list and a decision matrix?
A pros and cons list evaluates one option (yes or no). A decision matrix compares several options against the same weighted criteria. If you are choosing between three job offers or apartments, a weighted decision matrix is the better tool.
Can I print or share my list?
Yes. Use Print for a clean two-column sheet, Copy as text to paste into a message, or download Markdown or CSV to open in a notes app or spreadsheet.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.