Decision Matrix Tool — Free Online Weighted Decision Calculator
Make better decisions by scoring options against weighted criteria. See the mathematically best choice with a radar chart visualization. All calculations happen locally — nothing leaves your browser.
How to Use the Decision Matrix
- Add your options — these are the choices you're deciding between (e.g., "Option A", "Option B").
- Add criteria — the factors that matter to your decision, each with a weight from 1 (least important) to 5 (critical).
- Score each option — rate how well each option performs on each criterion, from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
- Review the winner — the tool auto-calculates weighted scores and highlights the best option.
- Visualize with radar chart — see the trade-offs visually to make a more confident choice.
Why Decision Matrices Work
Most bad decisions come from focusing on one factor while ignoring others. A decision matrix forces you to identify all relevant criteria, assign weights to reflect your priorities, and score options objectively. The math then handles the rest.
This is the same framework used by engineering teams for technology selection, product teams for feature prioritization, and even the military for strategic planning. When you externalize the reasoning, you reduce cognitive bias and make defensible choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use 1-5 scale: 1 = nice to have, 2 = preferred, 3 = important, 4 = very important, 5 = non-negotiable. The key is consistency — if something is a 5 for one option, it should be a 5 for all options on that criterion.
Yes — each cell has a note field below the score input. Use it to capture why you gave a particular score, which helps when reviewing the decision later.
Each score is multiplied by its criteria weight, then summed across all criteria. The option with the highest total weighted score is the winner. For example: if a criterion has weight 3 and you scored it 4, that contributes 12 points.
Use Cases
Job Offer Comparison
Compare job offers systematically by evaluating salary, benefits, growth opportunities, and work-life balance with weighted scoring.
Software Vendor Selection
Evaluate software vendors based on features, pricing, support quality, and integration capabilities for informed procurement decisions.
College Application Evaluation
Score college applications against criteria like academic reputation, location, financial aid, and campus culture for better choices.
Feature Prioritization
Prioritize product features by weighing user impact, development effort, and strategic alignment for roadmap planning.
Team Resource Allocation
Allocate team resources effectively by scoring projects against strategic value, urgency, and resource requirements.