Basics
What Is a Tier List? A Simple Explanation
Tier lists rank things in groups instead of one long line. Here’s where they come from, how to read one and why they work so well.
By List Tier Maker Team Published
A tier list is a ranking where items are sorted into groups, called tiers, instead of a single numbered order. Each tier holds things that are roughly as good as each other, and the tiers are stacked from best at the top to worst at the bottom.
That small change — groups instead of positions — is why tier lists are so popular. You get a clear ranking at a glance without having to decide whether item 14 is truly better than item 15.
Where tier lists come from
The format grew up in competitive gaming communities, where players used tiers to show which characters were strongest in a fighting game or which strategies were worth learning. Because the idea is so easy to understand, it spread quickly to food, films, music, sports and almost every other topic people like to argue about.
How to read a tier list
Most tier lists use letter grades:
- S — the very best, a class of its own
- A — excellent
- B — good
- C — average
- D (and sometimes F) — below average or poor
Inside a tier, order usually doesn’t matter much. Some people put their favorite on the left of each row, but the tier itself is the real verdict.
Why tier lists work
They’re fast to make: you only need to decide which group something belongs in. They’re easy to share: one image tells the whole story. And they’re honest about ties: if five things are all excellent, they can share the A tier instead of being forced into an artificial order.
Make your first one
The quickest way to understand a tier list is to make one. Open the tier list maker, drag a few items into rows and see how your opinion looks laid out. When you’re done, download it as an image and send it to someone who’ll disagree.