Pros and Cons List Maker – Weighted Lists for Clear Decisions
Pros and Cons List Maker
A smart, weighted checklist to help you make objective decisions. Assign an importance score to each point and let the math guide you.
Quick answer
Type the decision you are facing, then add each advantage under Pros and each disadvantage under Cons, giving every point a weight from 1 (minor) to 5 (major). The pros and cons list maker totals the weights on both sides, shows them on a decision meter and gives a verdict, for example “The Pros outweigh the Cons!”
A plain pros and cons list treats every point as equal, but “30% higher salary” and “moving costs” rarely matter the same. Adding a weight to each point gives a much more honest picture.
This pros and cons list maker scores every point from 1 to 5, adds up each side and shows the balance on a two-colour decision meter. The list saves in your browser, and you can print it or save it as a PDF to share.
Worked Example
| Pros | Weight | Cons | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% higher salary | 5 | Far from family | 4 |
| Better career growth | 4 | Higher cost of living | 3 |
| Chance to meet new people | 2 | Moving costs | 2 |
| Pros score | 11 | Cons score | 9 |
With 11 against 9, the verdict reads “The Pros outweigh the Cons!”. A close score like this is a signal to think carefully rather than a final answer.
How to Use the Pros and Cons List Maker
Write down every point that comes to mind first, then go back and weight them.
Step 1: Write the decision you are trying to make
Type the question at the top, for example “Should I move to a new city for this job?”. It also appears on the printout.
Step 2: Add each pro with a weight from 1 to 5
In the Pros column, type an advantage, choose a weight (5 = very important) and press Add Pro. The weight is shown in a green circle next to the point.
Step 3: Add each con with its own weight
Do the same in the Cons column for every disadvantage and press Add Con. Remove any point with its ×.
Step 4: Read the decision meter and verdict
The Decision Meter shows the pros score in green and the cons score in red, with a verdict underneath. Print / Save as PDF keeps a copy; Reset Entire Tool starts a new decision.
Tips for a Useful Pros and Cons List
- Weight each point on its own before looking at the totals.
- Split vague points into specific ones: “money” becomes “higher salary” and “moving costs”.
- Ask someone you trust to add points you might have missed.
- If the totals are close, sleep on it and revisit the weights tomorrow.
Pros and Cons List vs Decision Matrix
A pros and cons list is ideal for yes/no decisions. When you are choosing between three or more options, use the Decision Matrix Tool to score every option against the same criteria.
Why Use a Pros and Cons List Maker
Big decisions bring strong feelings, and feelings make some points look bigger than they are. A pros and cons list maker slows you down, makes you name each factor and weigh it, and then does the adding up for you. Use this pros and cons list maker for career moves, big purchases, relocations or any yes-or-no choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the pros and cons list maker score my list?
It adds up the weights of all pros and all cons separately. The side with the higher total wins the verdict.
What do the weights mean?
1 means a small factor and 5 means a very important one. Use the full range so the totals reflect what really matters.
Is my list saved?
Yes. The decision, pros and cons are saved in your browser and reload when you return on the same device.
Can I print my list?
Yes. Press Print / Save as PDF to print it or save it as a PDF.
Should I always follow the verdict?
Treat it as a guide. The score shows how you weighed things; your judgement still makes the final call.
Is it free?
Yes. The pros and cons list maker is free and needs no account.