What is a Furry Scale? Ranking System Explained

Download Article

A breakdown of the human to furry chart (and how rankings work)

Co-authored by Safiri and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: August 21, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Furry Scale Explained

|

Origin & Spread

|

What is a furry?

|

More Furry Content

|

Video

When it comes to figuring out how much of a furry you are, all you have to do is check out the furry scale. Although it’s not a definitive ranking system, the furry scale is beloved in the furry community for helping others easily figure out how human (or animalistic) their fursona is. In this article, we dive into the furry scale, explaining its different rankings, the scale’s origin, and what a furry is (if you're new to the world of furries). Read on to learn all about it!

Furry Scale Chart

Download Image

An illustration of the rankings on the furry scale and their corresponding definitions.

A furry scale is a chart that ranks different levels of anthropomorphism among furries. It varies depending on the person making it, but the general ranking of the furry scale is as follows:

Basically Human (Not Furry): Human with minor furry features (animalistic eyes, claws, ears, or fur).
Humanoid (Semi-Furry): Human with noticeable furry features, like a muzzle or tail.
Anthropomorphic (Furry): An animal or taur (animal-human hybrid) with human features, like bipedal walking or two arms and two legs.
Full Hybrid (Very Furry): An anthropomorph who’s comfortable on two or four legs.
Mostly Animal (Feral/Animal Hybrid): An animal with uniquely human features, such as hands, opposable thumbs, or the ability to speak.
Animal (Normal Animal): An actual animal with little to no human characteristics.

Section 1 of 4:

Furry Scale Explained

Download Article

A furry scale is a chart that ranks the level of animal-like features in furries. There isn’t a single definitive furry scale; rather furries and online users create furry scales out of their specific fursonas or animals of choice. These scales rank from basically human to completely animal, with different levels of anthropomorphism (human traits on non-humans). The general furry scale is as follows:^{[1]
X
Research source}
- 1. Basically Human (Not Furry): A human with minor furry features, like animalistic eyes, claws, ears, fur, etc.
- 2. Humanoid (Semi-Furry): A human with noticeable furry features, like a muzzle or tail. Centaurs and mer-people count as humanoid.
- 3. Anthropomorphic (Furry): An animal or taur (animal-human hybrid) with human features, like bipedal walking or two arms and four legs.
- 4. Full Hybrid (Very Furry): An anthropomorph who’s fully comfortable on two or four legs. For taurs, they’re fully comfortable on four to six legs.
- 5. Mostly Animal (Feral/Animal Hybrid): An animal with uniquely human features, such as hands, opposable thumbs, or the ability to speak.
- 6. Animal (Normal Animal): An animal with little to no human characteristics.
- Want to find out where you land on the furry scale? Check out our Furry Scale Quiz!
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Safiri is a Therian who has been involved in the Therian and alterhuman communities since 2021. They identity as an African lion and create Therian-related content.

Reagan Conley is a Therian and furry who creates furry-related content and masks for his community of over 71k followers.

Section 2 of 4:

Origin & Spread of the Furry Scale

Download Article

1
The first furry scale was created in June 1996. Back in the early days of the internet, a furry scale was posted in a wider document called “The Code of the Furries.” This scale included the classic 1-6 human-animal scale. Initially created on June 23, 1996, this document was modified up until February 7, 1998, showing the dedication of the early Furry community.^{[2]
X
Research source}
2
The Furry Scale was popularized in the 2010s. On June 16, 2010, a user on pixiv posted a furry scale depicting different stages of a girl transforming into a fox. Originally in Japanese, this scale eventually made its way into English. Once the furry scale became popular, it spread across the internet even more, with DeviantArtists posting their own scales depicting animals and animalistic video game characters in various humanoid forms.
- DeviantArt Example: On October 14, 2018, Valentinedrawsstuff posted their version of a furry scale, ranking it from human to animal using one of their personal characters.
- DeviantArt Example: On July 19, 2022, Kobalt727 posted the furry scale graphic they use to determine how animalistic to make a character, showing the scale’s practicality!

Section 3 of 4:

What is a furry?

Download Article

A furry can be anyone who’s a fan of walking, talking animals. According to Therian Safiri, “A furry is just somebody who enjoys anthropomorphic animals. Anthropomorphic meaning animals that could walk on two legs or talk, like [Simba from] the Lion King or characters from Zootopia.” There isn’t really an identity aspect, says Safiri. It’s more of a hobby or thing they enjoy.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Safiri
Therian

Expert Interview}
- Some people may wear fursuits or have fursonas (alter egos for their animal of choice), but those aren’t requirements for being a furry.
- Furries are not the same as Therians. Therian and furry Reagan Conley explains that “being a Therian means you identify as the animal.”^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Reagan Conley
  Therian and Furry
  
  Expert Interview}