What Is a PSL Rating? The Attractiveness Scale Taking Over the Internet

You've seen it in TikTok comments, Reddit threads, and looksmaxxing forums — someone drops a number like "6.5 PSL" and suddenly the whole conversation shifts. But what does PSL actually mean, where did it come from, and why has it become the go-to system for rating facial attractiveness? If you want to skip the theory and find out your PSL score now, PSLmaxxer breaks it down across 35+ facial metrics instantly.

What PSL Stands For

PSL stands for Puahate, Sluthate, Lookism — three online forums where the rating system was originally developed. These communities obsessed over facial aesthetics and created a standardized way to evaluate attractiveness based on objective facial measurements rather than subjective opinion.

Unlike the casual "rate me 1-10" scale most people use, the PSL scale is deliberately compressed. A 5 on the PSL scale doesn't mean average — it means notably attractive. This distinction is what makes the system useful and why it's exploded in popularity across looksmaxxing communities.

How the PSL Rating System Works

The PSL rating system evaluates facial attractiveness on a 1-10 scale, but it's calibrated differently from casual ratings. Most people cluster between 3 and 6 on the PSL scale. Reaching a 7 is exceptional. An 8 or above is essentially model-tier.

The system works by analyzing measurable facial features — things like canthal tilt, facial width-to-height ratio (FWHR), eye shape and area, jawline definition, facial symmetry, and the proportional balance of your facial thirds. Each of these metrics has research-backed ideal ranges, and your PSL score reflects how closely your face aligns with those ideals.

For a detailed breakdown of every metric, see our guide on the facial metrics behind your PSL score.

The PSL Scale from 1 to 10

Here's what each tier of the PSL scale actually represents. Remember — this is not the same as a casual 1-10. A PSL 5 would likely be rated a 7 or 8 in everyday conversation.

PSL 1–2: Significant Facial Disharmony

Pronounced asymmetry, major proportional imbalances, or features that fall well outside normal ranges across multiple metrics. This range is uncommon and often involves untreated medical or developmental conditions.

PSL 3: Below Average

Noticeable imbalances in facial structure. May include recessed jaw, significant asymmetry, poor facial thirds balance, or negative canthal tilt combined with other unfavorable metrics. Many people in this range can see meaningful improvement through softmaxxing and hardmaxxing strategies.

PSL 4: Average

This is where the majority of the population falls. No standout features in either direction. Facial proportions are generally acceptable but lack the harmony that pushes someone higher. At this level, improvements in body fat percentage, skincare, and grooming can make a visible difference.

PSL 5: Above Average

Noticeably attractive. Good facial proportions with a few strong features — maybe solid jawline definition, positive canthal tilt, or well-balanced facial thirds. People at this level get occasional compliments and are considered attractive by most standards.

PSL 6: Attractive

Strong facial harmony across most metrics. Good symmetry, favorable eye area, defined jaw, and well-balanced proportions. This is "turns heads in a room" territory. Many successful social media personalities and influencers fall in this range.

PSL 7: Very Attractive

Exceptional facial structure. Near-ideal measurements across most metrics — strong FWHR, positive canthal tilt, excellent symmetry, defined gonial angle, and balanced facial thirds. This is professional model territory. Less than 5% of the population falls here.

PSL 8+: Elite

Near-perfect facial harmony. Virtually every measurable metric falls within or very close to ideal ranges. This level is extraordinarily rare — think top-tier supermodels and the most conventionally attractive celebrities. A PSL 9 or 10 is essentially theoretical.

For a more detailed visual breakdown of each tier, check out our PSL rating chart.

PSL vs Other Rating Scales

The biggest difference between PSL and casual rating systems is calibration. When someone says "she's a 7" in everyday conversation, that could mean almost anything. PSL removes the subjectivity by anchoring scores to measurable facial characteristics.

Here's a rough comparison:

This is also why PSL ratings can feel harsh at first — being told you're a "4.5 PSL" sounds bad until you realize that's literally average, and being a 5 means you're more attractive than roughly 70% of people.

What Determines Your PSL Score

Your PSL rating isn't based on a single feature — it's a composite of dozens of measurable facial characteristics. The most heavily weighted metrics include:

Facial symmetry — How closely your left and right sides mirror each other. Measured by comparing bilateral landmark positions across your face. Higher symmetry consistently correlates with higher attractiveness ratings across cultures.

Canthal tilt — The angle of your eye corners from inner to outer canthus. A positive (upward) tilt is universally associated with more attractive, youthful eyes. Negative canthal tilt is one of the most impactful detractors from PSL score.

FWHR (facial width-to-height ratio) — The ratio of bizygomatic width to upper face height. This metric signals perceived dominance and attractiveness, with ideal ranges differing between men and women.

Gonial angle — The angle of your jaw at the mandibular corner. A sharper gonial angle (closer to 120° or below) creates a more defined jawline. This is where exercises like mewing and reducing body fat come in.

Facial thirds — The proportional balance between your upper third (forehead to brows), middle third (brows to nose base), and lower third (nose base to chin). The closer to equal thirds, the more harmonious the face appears.

Hunter eyes — A composite metric evaluating eye shape, lid exposure, brow position, and overall eye area. Deep-set, hooded eyes with positive canthal tilt score highest.

For the complete list of 35+ metrics and how each one is calculated, read The Facial Metrics Behind Your PSL Score.

Why PSL Has Taken Over

The PSL scale went from a niche forum concept to mainstream looksmaxxing language for a few reasons.

First, it's objective. Instead of "you look good" or "you look bad," PSL gives a structured framework rooted in measurable proportions. That appeals to the analytical, self-improvement mindset that drives the looksmaxxing community.

Second, it's actionable. Because PSL is tied to specific metrics, you can identify exactly which features are pulling your score down and target them. Bad gonial angle? Work on jaw definition through body fat reduction. Low symmetry? Address the specific asymmetric features. Negative canthal tilt? That informs whether softmaxxing or hardmaxxing approaches make sense.

Third, it normalizes talking about attractiveness in concrete terms. The looksmaxxing movement — from beginners starting their journey to advanced practitioners — uses PSL as a shared language to track progress and set goals.

The top looksmaxxers in 2026 regularly reference PSL scores in their content, and the search volume for "PSL scale" has exploded nearly 3,000% year-over-year.

How to Get Your PSL Rating

Historically, getting a PSL rating meant posting your photo on a forum and waiting for strangers to rate you — wildly inconsistent and often brutal. Different raters would give wildly different scores for the same face.

The better approach is algorithmic analysis. FaceMaxx uses AI-powered face detection to map 468 facial landmarks, calculate 35+ individual metrics, and generate a calibrated PSL score based on how your measurements compare to researched ideal ranges. It removes human bias entirely and gives you a detailed breakdown of exactly which metrics are driving your score up or down.

Once you know your score, the next step is building a plan. Check out our guide on how to improve your PSL rating for actionable strategies — from skincare and face fat reduction to physique building and targeted supplementation with products like collagen peptides and retinol serum.

PSL Scale Series:

• PSL Rating Chart: What Each Score Actually Looks Like
• PSL Rating for Men vs Women: How the Scale Differs by Gender
• The Facial Metrics Behind Your PSL Score
• How to Improve Your PSL Rating: A Science-Backed Action Plan

Related Guides:

• What is LooksMaxxing?
• How to Start Looksmaxxing: The Complete Glow Up Guide
• Canthal Tilt: What It Is and Why It Matters
• Hunter Eyes: What They Are and How to Get Them
• How to Get a Better Jawline
• Mewing: Does It Actually Work?
• Softmaxxing vs Hardmaxxing
• How to Lose Face Fat
• Looksmaxxing Dictionary
• Most Popular LooksMaxxers to Follow in 2026