What are the 4 attachment styles?

The four attachment styles are: Secure (comfortable with intimacy), Anxious-Preoccupied (fear of abandonment), Dismissive-Avoidant (values independence), and Fearful-Avoidant (desires but fears closeness).

Can attachment style change?

Yes, attachment styles can change through self-awareness, therapy, and healthy relationships. Taking an attachment test is the first step toward understanding and improving your patterns.

Free Attachment Style Test Online | Attachment Quiz & Assessment 2026

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Research-Based

Uses the ECR-R, the most cited attachment test in relationship psychology

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100% Anonymous

No registration required. Your attachment results are private.

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4 Styles

Secure, anxious, avoidant, or fearful-avoidant—discover yours

Choose Your Assessment

Select the attachment quiz that fits your time. Both versions identify your style accurately.

Quick Assessment

~3 min • 12 questions

Fast attachment style screening. Perfect if you're asking "what is my attachment style?" and want quick answers.

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Full Assessment

~8 min • 36 questions

Complete ECR-R assessment with detailed anxiety and avoidance scores.

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The Four Attachment Styles

This attachment style test identifies which of the four patterns describes your relationship style:

Secure

Low anxiety, low avoidance. Comfortable with intimacy and independence.

Anxious

High anxiety, low avoidance. Fear of abandonment, need reassurance.

Avoidant

Low anxiety, high avoidance. Values independence, suppresses emotions.

Fearful-Avoidant

High anxiety, high avoidance. Desires closeness but fears it.

Understanding the Names

Attachment styles go by different names across research traditions. If you've seen terms like preoccupied, dismissive avoidant, or disorganized attachment — they map to the same framework:

Secure — universal across all models

Anxious — also called Preoccupied or Anxious-Preoccupied

Avoidant — also called Dismissive or Dismissive-Avoidant

Fearful-Avoidant — also called Disorganized or Anxious-Avoidant

The term "avoidant" is where most confusion happens — it's used to describe two very different patterns. Dismissive avoidants genuinely don't seek closeness. Fearful avoidants desperately want it but are terrified of it. Bartholomew and Horowitz separated these as distinct categories in 1991, but popular content often collapses them back together. Why the difference matters →

What is an Attachment Style Test?

An attachment style test measures your patterns of relating in close relationships. Our free attachment style quiz is based on the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), developed by Fraley and colleagues.

What Does This Test Measure?

This attachment test evaluates two core dimensions:

Attachment Anxiety — Fear of rejection and abandonment
Attachment Avoidance — Discomfort with closeness and dependency

Understanding Your Results

Many people search "what is my attachment style" to understand their relationship patterns. This test plots your scores on anxiety and avoidance dimensions to identify your attachment type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this attachment quiz accurate?

Yes, our attachment test uses the ECR-R, the most psychometrically sound attachment style assessment available. It's been validated across cultures and age groups.

Can I change my attachment style?

Yes! Attachment styles can shift through therapy, self-awareness, and healthy relationships. Taking this test is the first step toward earned secure attachment.

What causes insecure attachment?

Insecure attachment styles typically develop from early childhood experiences. This quiz helps identify patterns so you can work on them.

Is anxious attachment bad?

No attachment style is "bad"—each developed as an adaptation. This test helps you understand your patterns without judgment.

References

Fraley, R. C., Waller, N. G., & Brennan, K. A. (2000). An item response theory analysis of self-report measures of adult attachment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(2), 350-365. DOI
Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. Guilford Press.
Sibley, C. G., Fischer, R., & Liu, J. H. (2005). Reliability and validity of the revised ECR-R. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(11), 1524-1536. DOI

Disclaimer: This free attachment style quiz is for educational and self-discovery purposes. It provides insights into relationship patterns but is not a clinical diagnosis. For attachment-related concerns affecting your life, consult a qualified therapist.

Assessment Foundation: Based on the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), developed by Fraley et al. — the gold standard measure of adult attachment styles.

Related Assessments

After completing this attachment style test, explore our other free assessments:

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Free Narcissist Test — Assess personality traits affecting relationships
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Integral Theory Test — Discover your developmental level
Is My Boyfriend a Narcissist? — Relationship patterns quiz

What Is My Attachment Style?