Reflection tool · not a test

Ace Spectrum Map

Attraction isn't one thing. Sexual, romantic, sensual, aesthetic, and emotional attraction are separate systems — any of them can be present, absent, or conditional independently of the others. This tool helps you map your own landscape.

Nothing here is scored, and nothing is saved. Your answers stay in this browser tab and disappear when you close it. Copy your map before you go if you want to keep it.

Before you start: here's what each type means. These are working definitions, not clinical categories.

Sexual attraction

Wanting to have sex with someone. The pull toward physical intimacy specifically. This is the one most people mean when they say "attraction" — and the one that's absent or minimal in asexual people.

Romantic attraction

Wanting emotional closeness, partnership, and the particular intimacy of a romantic relationship — without that necessarily including sex. Asexual people often experience this fully. Aromantic people don't.

Sensual attraction

Wanting non-sexual physical closeness — hugging, cuddling, physical comfort. Separate from both sexual and romantic attraction. Some people have a lot of this and very little of the others.

Aesthetic attraction

Finding someone beautiful or visually compelling — the way you might find a painting beautiful — without wanting anything from them. Appreciation without desire.

Emotional / intellectual attraction

Being drawn to someone's mind, their way of thinking, their inner world. Wanting to know them deeply. Sometimes called "sapiosexual" when it's the primary driver, though that term has its own debates.

How often do you experience sexual attraction?

The pull toward wanting to have sex with a specific person — not just finding them attractive in other ways.

When sexual attraction is present (if ever), what does it depend on?

Skip if you answered "never" above.

How often do you experience romantic attraction?

The pull toward wanting a romantic relationship with someone — partnership, emotional intimacy, the particular closeness of "being with" someone.

Does your romantic attraction track your sexual attraction?

Some people feel both toward the same people. Others feel one without the other.

How much do you want non-sexual physical closeness?

Hugging, cuddling, physical comfort — with people you're close to, or with a partner. Not sexual, not necessarily romantic.

Do you find people beautiful without wanting anything from them?

Noticing that someone is beautiful the way you'd notice a painting is beautiful — appreciation without desire.

How much does someone's mind or inner world draw you toward them?

Being drawn to how someone thinks, what they care about, how they see the world — wanting to know them deeply.

Does the word "asexual" feel like it fits you?

Not asking you to commit to a label — just where you are right now.

Optional. Something about your attraction pattern that the questions above didn't quite capture.

Your attraction map

Your map builds here as you answer. Each bar shows how much of each attraction type you're describing.

If you want the longer version

The Asexuality Spectrum Explained: From Ace to Gray-Ace to Demisexual Four Ways to Not Want Sex: Asexuality, Low Desire, Medication, and Aversion Compulsory Sexuality: The Assumption That Makes Asexuality Look Like a Problem Ace in the Polycule: Navigating Asexuality in Non-Monogamous Relationships Notes for an Appointment — if you're preparing to talk to a clinician about desire