LSAS

Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale

Anxiety & relatedSelf-reportAges 16+48 responses~10 min

Validated by Liebowitz (1987)

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Jaye Turrietta, PsyD, BCBA-D, AEP

24 social situations, each rated for both fear and avoidance (48 total responses).

For each situation, first rate how much fear or anxiety you feel, then rate how often you avoid it. Items alternate between fear and avoidance ratings.

48 responses · ~10 min · Auto-saved

About the LSAS

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale was developed by Dr. Michael Liebowitz in 1987 and is one of the most widely used clinical measures of social anxiety. It uniquely captures two independent dimensions — fear/anxiety and avoidance — across 24 social and performance situations.

24 situations, each rated twice (fear + avoidance) = 48 total responses. Originally clinician-administered; this is the self-report version (LSAS-SR). Takes 10–15 minutes.

Scoring

Fear is rated 0–3 (None to Severe) and avoidance 0–3 (Never to Usually) for each situation. The total (0–144) is divided into six severity bands: no significant anxiety (0–29), mild (30–49), moderate (50–64), marked (65–79), severe (80–94), and very severe (95+).

Social anxiety & autism

Approximately 50% of autistic individuals experience clinically significant social anxiety, compared to ~7% of the general population. Social anxiety in autism can intensify masking behaviours and contribute to burnout. The LSAS helps distinguish between social anxiety (fear-driven avoidance) and autistic social differences (preference-driven withdrawal).

Important: The LSAS measures social anxiety, not autism. Social avoidance in autism is not always anxiety-driven. A qualified clinician can help distinguish between the two.

Liebowitz, M. R. (1987). Social phobia. Modern Problems of Pharmacopsychiatry, 22, 141–173.

LSAS FAQs

The most common questions about the LSAS (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale).

What is the LSAS?

The LSAS (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale) is a 48-response self-report screener for social anxiety disorder severity. 24 social situations rated for both fear and avoidance, producing 48 total responses. It was developed by Liebowitz (1987).

Who can take the LSAS?

The LSAS is designed for adults age 16 and up to complete themselves.

How long does the LSAS take?

Most people complete the LSAS in about 10 minutes. You can pause at any time — your answers are saved in your browser, so you can resume on the same device.

Is the LSAS diagnostic?

No. The LSAS is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. It is a validated screener that can suggest whether further evaluation is warranted, but only a licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can make a formal diagnosis. NeuroClarity offers PSYPACT-licensed telehealth autism and ADHD evaluations via telehealth — a doctoral-level psychologist conducts a comprehensive evaluation, with reports typically delivered within days.

Is the LSAS free to take here?

Yes. The LSAS is free to take on this page. We don't require a sign-up, and we don't collect or share your responses — your answers are saved locally in your browser. You can also export your results as a PDF for your own records or to share with a clinician.

What does my LSAS score mean?

After you complete the LSAS, you'll see your total score broken into the validated severity / likelihood bands published for this instrument, along with a plain-language interpretation. Specific cutoffs vary by tool — for the LSAS, the scoring ranges and band descriptions are shown directly on the results page.

What if my LSAS score is elevated?

An elevated score on the LSAS is one signal — not a diagnosis. The recommended next step is a comprehensive clinical evaluation. NeuroClarity offers PSYPACT-licensed telehealth autism and ADHD evaluations starting at $950 flat fee with no waitlist; reports are typically delivered within days and include the diagnostic documentation needed for IEPs, ABA prior authorization, and other downstream services.

If your LSAS score suggests further evaluation may be warranted, book a comprehensive evaluation with one of our PSYPACT-licensed clinical psychologists. Reports typically delivered within one week.

How the LSAS compares to related screeners

Most screeners measure similar constructs but vary in length, target audience, and emphasis. Here's how the LSAS relates to the most commonly-paired alternatives.

LSAS vs BFI

The LSAS and the BFI both measure social anxiety disorder severity at a similar length (48 vs 44 responses). They originated from different research groups (1987 and 1999 respectively) and emphasize slightly different facets of the construct. Taking both and comparing your scores can be more informative than either one alone.

Take the BFI →

LSAS vs SCARED - Child

The LSAS and the SCARED - Child both measure social anxiety disorder severity at a similar length (48 vs 41 responses). They originated from different research groups (1987 and 1997 respectively) and emphasize slightly different facets of the construct. Taking both and comparing your scores can be more informative than either one alone.

Take the SCARED - Child →

LSAS vs OAQ

The LSAS and the OAQ both measure social anxiety disorder severity at a similar length (48 vs 37 responses). They originated from different research groups (1987 and 2007 respectively) and emphasize slightly different facets of the construct. Taking both and comparing your scores can be more informative than either one alone.

Take the OAQ →

Add this free screener to your site

Educators, clinicians, and organizations are welcome to embed the LSAS for free. Copy the snippet below. It keeps a small link back to NeuroClarity.