Creating the perfect survey is an art, and a big part of that artistry is choosing the right questions. There are two main types of survey questions you can ask: open-ended and close-ended questions. 

Open ended questions give respondents room to speak their minds by writing descriptive answers. On the other hand close-ended questions offer specific answer choices ideal for gathering clear, concise data.

In this guide, I’ll explain what are close ended questions, the different formats they come in, and the best situations to use them in your surveys. You’ll also see a lot of examples of close-ended questions throughout the article. Let’s start with a basic definition.

What are close ended questions?

Close-ended questions are questions that you can answer within a set of possible responses, such as "yes" or "no," multiple-choice options, or a specific rating scale. 

The best thing about closed ended survey questions is that they help gather specific, clear-cut information. Since everyone chooses from the same answer pool, it's easy to tally up the results and see what the most popular choices are. 

For instance, if someone asks "Have you ever been to Paris?" that's close ended. You either say yes or no. 

This question type is useful when you need to collect data that can be easily sorted or counted (quantitative data) to identify trends and patterns.

6 Types of close ended questions (+ Examples)

Now, let’s look at the different types of close ended questions, along with examples to show you how they can be effectively used.

1. Yes/No questions/Dichotomous questions

Yes/No questions, also known as dichotomous questions, are straightforward questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." 

They are commonly used in surveys, polls, assessments, and everyday conversations to quickly gauge opinions, preferences, or factual information from respondents. 

They simplify data collection and analysis by providing binary choices that are easy to categorize and interpret. 

Here are a few examples of close-ended questions with yes/no answer choices you might have encountered in the past: 

1. Have you purchased products from our store in the past year? (Yes/No)
2. Are you satisfied with the delivery time of your recent order? (Yes/No)
3. Do you have active social media accounts? (Yes/No)

2. Multiple-choice questions

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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are a popular type of close-ended question in which respondents select one or more answers from a list of options provided.

Two types of MCQs include:

Single-select multiple choice

Single select multiple choice questions allow the the respondent to choose only one answer from the list of options provided. This type is useful when you want a clear, single response from each respondent.

For example, here’s a sample single-select MCQ: 

Q. What is the capital of France?

• London
• Paris
• Berlin
• Rome

In this example of closed-ended questions, you only get to pick one city – the capital of France. So, Paris is the winning choice.

Multi-select multiple choice

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These types of close-ended questions let respondents choose multiple answers from the list of options. They work best when you want to allow respondents to select all options that apply to them.

Here’s an example of a multi-select MCQ: 

Q. Which activities do you enjoy most while traveling? (Select all that apply)

• Exploring historical sites
• Relaxing on beaches
• Trying new cuisines
• Shopping at local markets
• Hiking and exploring nature

Here, the survey taker gets to pick multiple answers that reflect what they love to do when they travel.

3. Likert scale questions

Likert Scale questions measure the intensity of agreement or disagreement with a statement. They are used to gauge respondents' attitudes, opinions, and perceptions on a particular topic. 

The Likert Scale offers a range of response options that range from "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree," and a neutral midpoint option like "Neutral,” depending on the type.

Here’s an example of closed-ended question with Likert scale response options: 

Q. Please select your degree of agreement with the following statement: I feel supported by my manager in my professional development.

• Strongly Agree
• Agree
• Neither Agree nor Disagree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree

4. Checkbox questions

Checkbox questions are a type of close-ended question where respondents can select multiple answers from a list of options. They are commonly used in surveys and forms when respondents may have more than one answer that applies to them. 

Such questions are perfect for situations where there's not just one right answer but several possibilities.

Here are a few examples of close-ended questions with checkbox choices: 

Q. What amenities are important to you in a hotel? Select all that apply. 

• Wi-Fi

• Fitness center

• Pool

• Spa

• Business center

Q. What software programs are you proficient in? Check all that apply. 

• Microsoft Office Suite

• Adobe Photoshop

• Social media management tools

• Google Workspace (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)

• Salesforce

• QuickBooks

• AutoCAD

• Slack

• Zoom

• Trello

5. Dropdown questions

In these close-ended questions, respondents choose an answer from a list of options presented in a dropdown menu. You most likely have seen a dropdown question asking you to select your country from the list. 

Another example of a dropdown question may be a question asking you your highest level of education with a list that may include: 

• High School Diploma
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate

6. Rank order questions

Rank order questions ask respondents to arrange items in a specific order based on their preferences or priorities. 

They are used to understand relative preferences among a set of options. These types of close ended questions help researchers or businesses prioritize items or actions according to respondent feedback. 

Here are some sample rank-order questions: 

Q. Please rank the following smartphone features in order of importance to you:

• Battery life
• Camera quality
• Storage capacity
• Processing speed

Q. Rank the following social media platforms in terms of your usage frequency:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X (Formerly Twitter)
• LinkedIn

5 Suitable use cases for close ended questions

Close-ended questions should be your go-to question type if you aim to gather numerical data. A few use cases where numerical data is of great importance are described below. 

1. Standardized assessments

Standardized assessments, like driver's permit tests or multiple-choice quizzes in school, rely on closed ended survey questions for a good reason: fairness and clarity.

When you use these questions, every test-taker receives the same questions with the same set of possible answers. 

The format makes scoring simple and objective, as there is a clear right or wrong answer. It also helps you quickly evaluate performance and identify areas where students may need more support. 

2. Comparative analysis

Close-ended questions can be used to compare different groups of people or to track changes over time. 

For example, you could use a close-ended question to ask customers about their satisfaction with a product before and after a new feature is released.

3. Statistical research

Statistical research is all about spotting patterns and trends, and it’s much easier to identify them in close ended responses. 

Open-ended questions like "Tell me about your sleep" might get you essays, but it's tough to compare one person's novel to another's bedtime routine. 

Instead, if you turn this into a closed ended question like "How many hours of sleep do you get a night?" with answer choices including "less than 6," "6-8," and so on, everyone's answering the same question in the same way. 

Now, you can see how many people fall into each category to get a clear picture of sleep patterns in your research group. 

4. Live polling

It’s super easy to engage the audience in a live event with close ended polls because they're quick and easy for everyone to answer. 

People don’t have to write essays on their phones, just a tap or click on their choice does the work.

Plus, with close-ended questions, the results are clear-cut. You can see what the majority thinks in real-time, which adds an interactive element to your presentation.

5. Quick customer feedback or check-ins

Since close-ended questions are fast and easy to answer, you can use them for collecting quick customer feedback. 

Simple survey questions like "How likely are you to recommend us to a friend?" with choices such as "Extremely likely" or "Not likely at all” save people time, and you get their honest opinions in a flash.

Benefits of closed ended questions

Here are some of the benefits of close ended questions:

• Quick and Easy to Answer: Respondents can quickly choose an answer from a set of options. It saves your time and theirs. Research says that the response rate for closed ended surveys is much faster than for open-ended questions. 
• Clear-Cut Data: Since everyone chooses from the same answer choices, the information you gather is clean and concise. 
• Easy to Analyze: The answers are quantifiable, so it is easy to compile and interpret data.
• Reduces Ambiguity: Clear options reduce misunderstandings and ensure that everyone interprets the question the same way.

Open vs closed ended questions

Open vs close ended questions are two key types of survey questions, each of which serves different purposes and gathers different types of data. 

Open ended questions allow respondents to answer in their own words and provide rich, qualitative data. They are great for exploring thoughts, feelings, and opinions in depth. 

Closed-ended questions, however, are perfect for gathering clear-cut data like percentages and preferences. They're also quicker and easier for respondents to answer, which can boost your survey completion rate.

The primary difference between open ended and closed ended questions lies in the nature of the responses: open-ended questions generate detailed, narrative answers, while close-ended questions produce specific, measurable data. 

Both types of questions have their unique advantages, and a good questionnaire uses them side by side. Combining them allows you to collect a comprehensive set of data that balances depth and breadth.

Ready to create a survey? Formaloo is here to help!

Now, if you’re ready to create surveys with close-ended questions, Formaloo simplifies the process. 

Formaloo is an intuitive online form builder and survey creator that helps you design engaging open-ended surveys quickly and easily.

Formaloo supports 30+ question types, including open-ended questions, Likert-scale questions, Yes/No questions, and even image choice questions. It also offers advanced performance tracking tools to analyze your survey results.

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