Last updated: March 2026
How the Decision Maker Helps You Decide
When you are stuck on a decision, writing it down is the first step. This tool goes further than a basic list by letting you assign importance weights to each factor. A pro that matters a lot (weight 5) counts for more than a pro that barely matters (weight 1). The result is a nuanced score that matches how you actually think about the decision, not just a raw count of items.
Start with a template for common decisions -- job offers, moving, buying a home, starting a business -- or begin with a blank slate. Every template comes with realistic pre-filled items that you can customize, delete, or add to. Templates help you think of factors you might overlook when making the decision under pressure.
Single Decision vs Comparison Mode
Single Decision mode is for yes/no questions: Should I take this job? Should I move? Should I start a business? You list pros and cons for the action, and the weighted score tells you whether the pros outweigh the cons and by how much.
Comparison mode is for choosing between two specific options: Job A vs Job B, City A vs City B, Buy vs Rent. Each option gets its own independent pros and cons with separate scores. A visual bar chart compares them, and the tool declares a winner with the exact point difference. This eliminates the bias of evaluating one option in isolation.
Tips for Making Better Decisions
Be honest with yourself. The most common mistake in pros and cons lists is inflating the side you already want to choose. If you catch yourself giving weight-5 to "exciting new opportunity" and weight-1 to "financial risk," pause and ask whether those weights are accurate or wishful. The tool only works if you are honest with it.
Include both practical and emotional factors. "I feel energized by this idea" is a valid pro. "This makes me anxious" is a valid con. Emotions carry information. The key is weighting them appropriately alongside practical concerns like salary, location, and career growth.
Revisit after 24 hours. Build your list, set the weights, then come back tomorrow. Fresh eyes often lead to weight adjustments that change the verdict. Your decision auto-saves, so it will be exactly where you left it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the decision maker calculate the result?
Each pro and con gets a weight from 1 to 5. The tool sums all pro weights and all con weights, then compares them. If pros outweigh cons by more than 50% of the total, it's a strong YES. Near-equal scores give a toss-up verdict. In comparison mode, each option gets an independent net score and the higher one wins.
Can I compare two choices side by side?
Yes. Toggle Compare Two Options to get two independent columns, each with their own pros, cons, and weighted scores. A visual bar chart shows how the options stack up, and the tool declares a winner with the point difference.
Is my data saved?
Your current decision auto-saves to your browser. You can also save multiple named decisions and switch between them. Nothing is sent to a server -- all data stays on your device.
What are the decision templates?
Templates give you pre-filled pros and cons for common decisions like job offers, moving to a new city, buying vs renting, starting a business, and relationship decisions. They save you time and help you think of factors you might have missed. You can edit everything after applying a template.
How do I share my decision?
Export as PNG to get a clean image card with your title, all items, weights, and verdict. Or use Copy Text to get a formatted plain-text version for pasting into emails, notes, or documents.