All About the Futch Scale Meme & Slang Term Meaning

Futch is a lesbian identity that’s a balance of butch and femme.The futch scale is used to measure where a lesbian falls on the spectrum of femininity and masculinity. However, the scale has also been used as a lighthearted meme to rank other things, from celebs to random objects. This guide can help you better understand the futch identity and how the scale works. We define futch, break down the futch scale, mention some futch celebrities, and more.

Visual Chart of the Futch Scale

The futch scale is a meme and 10-point grading system that ranges from high femme to stone butch with “futch” in the middle. It’s based on the term “futch,” which combines “femme” and “butch.” While it appears to measure masculine and feminine traits in the lesbian community, it’s not necessarily taken seriously.

Section 1 of 7:

What is the futch scale?

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The futch scale is a chart that spans from high femme to stone butch. It places femme and butch on a spectrum across a 10-point scale. Colors are used and range from hot pink (high femme) to dark blue (stone butch). It illustrates the varying ways lesbians present, from masculine to feminine. It initially began as a humorous meme, and many people still see it as just that. The futch scale is broken down as follows:
- High femme: Highly feminine gender expression; also interchangeable with “lipstick lesbian”^{[1]
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- Femme: Feminine presenting, but gender expression may change
- Butchy femme: Gender expression can be a bit more blurred between masculine and feminine
- Futch: Equal expression of feminine and masculine characteristics
- Soft butch: Queer Linguistics Educator and Cultural Commentator Dean Modah says soft butch is a lesbian who “embodies a masculine archetype or personality” but also embraces their femininity.^{[2]
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- Butch: Presents as masculine^{[3]
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- Stone butch: Highly masculine gender expression; may be a no-touch top

Section 2 of 7:

Futch Scale Origin & Spread

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The futch scale first appeared in 2011 and turned into an internet meme. Blogger Shinobi-Wan Kenobi didn’t create the scale but included the infographic in a blog post titled, “Community Standards.” When it spread to Tumblr in 2015, the chart became a meme. People began using it in a humorous way to rank cartoon and movie characters, objects, food and drink, and more. Take a look at these futch scale variations:
- In this Reddit thread, user @ArgonianDov uses the futch scale to rank MLP characters.
- User @North-Coach6269 ranks popular drinks on the futch scale in this Reddit thread.
- Instagram user @gothmusiclatinamerica uses the futch scale lightheartedly for goth boys.
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More recently, the futch scale has faced some backlash. While some people in the lesbian community find it funny, others think it’s offensive, pointless, or ridiculous. However, there are also individuals who find it helpful when it comes to understanding their queer identity. Here are some examples of what people within the lesbian community have to say about it:
- User @birdfunerals shares a Reddit post expressing, “Butch and femme are not aesthetic labels that equate to how feminine or masculine you present….This is why it is impossible to be “futch” or anything else in between butch or femme because there is no in between.
- In this Reddit thread that asks if futch is a valid label, user @diceanddreams responds, “I’m not going to tell anyone what they can call themselves, but I do personally think it’s a bit of a silly label because of the futch scale.”
- In this Reddit thread, user @i-stay-here shares how they find the futch label beneficial, saying, “Personally the term futch really helped me describe myself and feel comfortable in both my identity and presentation.”

Section 3 of 7:

What does futch mean?

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Futch is a lesbian identity term that combines “femme” and “butch.” The term became popular after the futch scale meme appeared online. A lesbian that identifies as futch falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to embodying feminine and masculine traits. For example, a futch lesbian may wear makeup but dress more masculine, like wearing baggy jeans and sneakers. A futch’s gender expression tends to be more fluid, balancing femininity and masculinity in appearance and behavior.^{[4]
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- The term “chapstick lesbian” and “futch” are sometimes used interchangeably. However, some view chapstick lesbians as a subgroup of futches.
- The terms “femme” and “butch” are not new and have been used in the lesbian community as far back as the 1940s.^{[5]
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- In 2020, two types of futch flags were created and appeared on Tumblr as a way to recognize and celebrate futches.^{[6]
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Section 4 of 7:

Is the term “futch” problematic?

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Some feel “futch” misrepresents butch and femme as a spectrum. While the term isn’t seen as inappropriate or offensive, it also isn’t taken too seriously in the lesbian community. Femme and butch are viewed as two unique identities, and some think it’s silly to scale where you fall as a lesbian between the two. It’s common to hear it used in a joking way in the lesbian community for those who don’t identify as butch or femme.^{[7]
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- In this Reddit thread, user @nyxe12 says futch is “not a thing in the way butch/femme are, and I have a hard time really taking it seriously. You can identify with it if you really like, but "futch" basically was popularized from mostly memes as well as from people watering down and misunderstanding butch/femme identities in the first place.”
- User @allofthenorth reblogged a tumblr post by user @butchstudsubmit that disagrees with the use of the term “futch.”
- Identifying as futch basically comes down to personal preference. It’s not shunned, but it’s also not necessary.

Section 5 of 7:

Futch vs. Androgynous

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A futch lesbian may be androgynous, but an androgynous person isn’t always futch. Androgynous can refer to a person of any gender or sexuality. However, futch is a strictly lesbian term. A futch lesbian may identify as androgynous, but androgyny can apply to anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community who blurs the line between masculine and feminine traits.^{[8]
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Section 6 of 7:

Futch vs. Butch vs. Stud

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Butch and stud lesbians present in a more masculine way. A butch lesbian, explains LGBTQIA+ Activist and Educator NV Gay, is “an overarching term of a masculine-presenting lesbian or sapphic. Stud is more of a masculine presenting Black lesbian or sapphic woman.”^{[9]
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Expert Interview} Futch lesbians, on the other hand, aren’t strictly masculine and combine femme and butch traits.
- Stem lesbian combines femme and stud and has been around before the word “futch” appeared.
- See our guide to learn more about different lesbian types.

Section 7 of 7:

Futch Celebrities

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Hayley Kiyoko is a singer who’s popularly known as the “lesbian Jesus.” Kiyoko has been spotted sporting laidback tracksuits and blazers while also mixing in shimmery, pastel pieces.^{[10]
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Brandi Carlile Brandi Carlile is an alt country and folk music star. She has a dapper style that consists of masculine suits with feminine details, like pretty bows and bedazzled fabrics.
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Tegan and Sara Tegan and Sara are twin sisters who are indie pop stars and LGBTQIA+ activists. Their style is described as unisex, mixing in colorful clothes with a masculine edge.
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Jojo Siwa Singer Jojo Siwa came out as lesbian in 2021. She’s open about her evolving gender identity and presents in a way that reflects that. She dresses masculine but also loves to mix in glitz and sparkle.^{[11]
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Actress Kristen Stewart’s style is often described as gender fluid. She blends masculine and feminine pieces. She’s leaned toward men’s fashion in white t-shirts and jeans. She’s also dressed in black skirts and beaded halter tops.^{[12]
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