How to make a tier list (online, on paper or on your wall)

The 5 steps

1. Pick one category. Narrow beats broad. "Fast food fries" makes a better tier list than "food."
2. Set your tiers. The classic is S, A, B, C and D, sometimes with an F under D. We use S A B C F: F reads like a real fail.
3. List everything first. Write down every item before you rank anything, so you aren't ranking from memory as you go.
4. Rank fast, then fix it. Go with your gut on the first pass. Then look at S: if more than a few things are up there, be stricter.
5. Defend it. A tier list is a take. Be ready to say why your S tier is S.

What each tier means

Tier	What it means
S	The best. You'd pick it every time.
A	Great. Would happily do it again.
B	Good. Solid, not legendary.
C	Fine. Mid.
F	Fail. It knows what it did.

Where S tier comes from: what does S tier mean?

Way 1: Online

Tier list websites and apps let you upload images and drag them into rows, then share a screenshot. Fast, free, and great for video games, characters and anything with a picture. Spreadsheets and Canva work too: make five colored rows and drag images in.

Way 2: On paper

Print a blank template, write or stick your picks in. Sticky notes are the move, since you can move them when someone changes your mind. Our free printable tier list template is letter size with an ink saver page.

Way 3: On your wall

For rankings about your own life, like concerts, trips, game days, food spots or exes, use the real stuff: ticket stubs, photos, wristbands, receipts. Pin them to a tier list on your wall and move them as your takes change. The Tier Board is a tier list tapestry made for exactly this, 36 x 26 in or XL 60 x 50 in.

Tips for a better tier list

• Keep S small. If S is crowded, nothing is special.
• Don't leave B empty. Most things are B. Be honest.
• Use F. A tier list with nothing in F isn't saying anything.
• Re-rank. Your list should change when you change.