What Does “Sub-5” Mean & How Can You Level Up Your Looks?

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Trend expert Jemaree Jay breaks down the meaning (and controversy) behind the blackpill term, “sub-5”

Co-authored by Jemaree Jay and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: December 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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• “Sub-5” Meaning
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• Signs
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• How to Improve & Accept Your Looks
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• Why Blackpilling is Harmful

|Show more |Show less

The blackpill community has taken the internet by storm with its emphasis on attractiveness, resulting in the popularity of terms like “sub-5.” In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about this viral term, including what it means, the signs of a sub-5, ways to improve your looks, and more, with the help of various trend experts, psychologists, and image consultants.

“Sub-5” Meaning in the Blackpill Community

Trend expert Jemaree Jay says that “sub-5” is a term used in the blackpill community to refer to someone who’s extremely unattractive compared to other people. The term “sub-5” refers to individuals who score below 5 on the PSL scale, a metric used by looksmaxxers to quantify attractiveness.

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Section 1 of 4:

What does “sub-5” mean?

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1. 
   “Sub-5” refers to someone who’s below average attractiveness. According to Jay, “Sub-5 is a variation of ‘sub human’ [that’s] mainly referred to people who are deemed as extremely unattractive compared to someone who spends an extreme amount of time on their looks.” It’s a Gen Z slang term that’s used to describe someone far below the PSL attractiveness scale.

   • Jay says, “Sub-5 is mainly used in the blackpill community, a community that believes you can only achieve success in your life through your looks.”
   • The PSL scale is popular in the looksmaxxing community because it classifies people from 1-7 based on attractiveness, with 1 being the lowest and 7 the highest.
   • On the PSL scale, sub-5 refers to someone who’s below the 5 ranking, meaning they’re very unattractive. Many people view this ranking system as controversial, as it puts people in boxes based on their looks.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Jemaree Jay is a Content Creator & Trend Expert who specializes in viral social content geared towards Gen Z and internet culture.

   Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in helping people who struggle with depression, weight gain, eating disorders, life transitions, and relationships.

   Spencer Shimida is an Image Consultant who specializes in helping people build confidence through wardrobe consulting and personal styling.

   Joshua Pompey is a Relationship Expert and the Founder of Next Evolution Matchmaking (NEM), with over 15 years of experience helping clients navigate online dating.
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Section 2 of 4:

Signs You’re a Sub-5

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1. 
   If you're a sub-5, you may struggle dating or attracting romantic interest. On the PSL looksmaxxing scale, a sub-5 is someone who has difficulty getting dates, especially on dating apps, and isn’t considered conventionally attractive. So, if that sounds like you, you may be considered a sub-5, but that doesn’t mean you are unattractive. Remember, attractiveness is different for everyone, so it isn’t realistic to rank yourself based on objective markers! That said, here are some signs you might be a sub-5, according to the internet:

   • You have difficulty getting dates.
   • You feel “invisible” around people you’re attracted to.
   • You rarely attract attention from potential romantic partners.
   • You have low self-esteem, especially in terms of your appearance.
   • You have a negative outlook regarding your dating and/or social life.

Section 3 of 4:

Ways to Improve & Accept Your Looks

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1. 
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   Focus on getting enough sleep and nutrients. Board certified dermatologist Asmi Sanghvi, DO, stresses “Getting enough sleep, dealing with stress, drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day, and eating plenty of nutrient-rich foods,” as it can help you retain a youthful appearance.

   • According to Sanghvi, Vitamins and minerals that can keep you looking young include:
     • Vitamin A, which you can get your daily dose of from ⅔ cup of carrots.
     • Vitamin C and Biotin, which you can get from one tomato a day, one Brazil nut, or avocados.
     • Vitamin E and folic acid, which you can get from ½ raw avocado or olive oil.
     • Antioxidants, which you can get from fresh berries or an apple.
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   Put thought into external things, like haircuts and outfits. According to dating success coach Joshua Pompey, “Whether you’re a guy or a girl, just something as simple as getting some new clothes, looking a bit more stylish, getting the right haircut, doing what it takes to feel your most physically attractive, that’s really important.”

   • Try not to stress yourself out when it comes to improving your looks; just put some extra care into your outfits and haircuts!
   • Certified image consultant Sheila A. Anderson says to “Pay attention to the fit of your clothing. You will look and feel better when clothing fits your body.”
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   Build a skincare and dental routine. Taking care of your body is just as important as external things like clothes and haircuts. It doesn’t matter how good your outfit looks; if your skin looks dirty and your breath is hot, that’ll bring you down on the attractiveness scale. So, build an effective skincare routine, brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss daily.

   • Not only will building these routines help you look better, but it will also ensure your body is well cared for and retains its youth for longer.
   • Your skincare routine should include daily cleansing and moisturizing.
4. 
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   Stay physically active and regularly hit the gym. Celebrity matchmaker & dating coach Alessandra Conti says, “A very easy thing to do to boost your levels of attraction is to start taking care of your body by going to the gym.” If you’re unable to go to the gym, go outside, go on walks, and really get your body moving.

   • Conti says that staying active is important “because that will help you not only look good, but it will help bring those endorphins, [which] help you feel good.”
5. 
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   Build your confidence to improve external attractiveness. Confidence is one of the hallmarks of attractiveness, as it shows you’re not afraid to be yourself. Image consultant Spender Shimada says, “To appeal to others, make sure you feel confident in your look. Everybody can recognize a confident person by the way they carry themselves,” no matter how you look.

   • Focus on challenging negative thoughts as they arise, set boundaries with people who bring you down, and avoid comparing yourself to others.
   • When it comes to building confidence, it’s all about being comfortable in your own skin and not caring about what others think about you. Many people will have opinions about you, but only you know yourself best.
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   Participate in an activity that redefines your relationship with your body. Licensed professional counselor Rachel Eddins, M.Ed., LPC-S, says, “Find a different way of being with your body. For example, instead of criticizing your body, find ways to move that make you feel good. Find an activity that you enjoy doing where you use your body.”

   • Eddins suggests you “Participate in sports or activities with others that move your body. This can help you improve your body image and appreciate what your body does for you.”
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   Focus on your inner qualities over your looks. Licensed clinical psychologist Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD, says, “Examine your inner qualities. Get solid on what is on the inside before you move on to what is on the outside. Who are you? What kind of person are you? Are you good and kind, thoughtful and loving? Realize that those qualities go way farther than whatever height you may be.”

   • Dr. Tovar says, “Our society is notorious for sending out the message that we are not good enough, thin enough, rich enough, or tall enough. We can either ascribe to this messaging, or we can reject it.”
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   Build your emotional intelligence and learn to accept yourself. According to clinical psychologist Asa Don Brown, PhD, DNCCM, FAAETS, “Developing a positive body image begins by working on your emotional intelligence. The lack of confidence is directly related to the lack of personal acceptance, approval, and love.”

   • To develop emotional intelligence, focus on recognizing your emotions and naming them as they happen, analyzing your emotional responses to different situations, and asking others for feedback on your emotions.
   • Dr. Brown says to “Remember that, like all good things, it is a process and it will take time to develop your emotional intelligence.”
   • Brown also says, “It is best to strive for balance within your emotional intelligence.”
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   Reach out to a therapist who specializes in body image acceptance. Clinical psychologist Kim Chronister, PsyD, says, “The most effective way to work on accepting your body is to work with a therapist. If you have any kind of eating disorder, then you want to ask for an eating disorder specialist.” If your relationship with your body is hindering your daily life, reach out to a therapist who specializes in body image acceptance.
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Section 4 of 4:

Why the Blackpill Community Is Harmful

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1. 
   Blackpillers put too much focus on improving looks over accepting them. Jay says that the blackpill community is harmful “because of the unorthodox methods some creators use to keep up with their looks and with the way it skews the perception of how people see themselves after they join.” This can make it harder for people to recognize their attractive qualities and develop a healthy self-image.

   • Developmental psychologist Leslie Bosch, PhD, says that it’s important “to understand that there’s nothing wrong with [your] body getting older in and of itself,” and while culture can make you feel like there is, it’s an artificial feeling that isn’t inherently true. Remember, the Blackpill culture doesn’t define your body, you do!

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