Updated November 2026 · free, works in your browser
Formula
Score = Currency + Relevance + Authority + Accuracy + Purpose, each rated 0 (No) to 3 (Fully), so the maximum is 15. Credibility % = score ÷ 15 × 100, rounded. 80% or more: reliable. 60-79%: use with care. 40-59%: weak source. Under 40%: not reliable.
The CRAAP test is a quick way to decide whether a website, article or other source is reliable enough for schoolwork. Rate the source on currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose, and the checklist above turns your answers into a score out of 15, a percentage and a plain verdict.
How to use the checklist
- Open the source you want to judge and keep it visible while you answer.
- For each of the five criteria, choose how well the source meets it: No, Slightly, Mostly or Fully.
- Optionally enter how many years ago the source was published or last updated to get a quick age note.
- Read the total score, the credibility percentage and the verdict. The weakest criteria show where the source falls short.
- Copy the link to save or share your result, then repeat for every source you plan to cite.
How it is calculated
Each criterion is rated from 0 to 3: No = 0, Slightly = 1, Mostly = 2, Fully = 3. The score is the sum of the five ratings, so the maximum is 15. The percentage is the score divided by 15, multiplied by 100 and rounded to the nearest whole number.
The five criteria come from the CRAAP test, a checklist developed by librarians at California State University, Chico, and widely used in school and university information literacy teaching.
- Currency: when was it published or updated, and is that recent enough for your topic?
- Relevance: does it match your question, and is the depth right for your audience?
- Authority: who is the author or publisher, and what are their credentials?
- Accuracy: is the content supported by evidence, cited sources and details you can verify elsewhere?
- Purpose: does it aim to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade, and is that stated honestly?
What the score means
| Credibility | Verdict | Suggested action |
|---|---|---|
| 80% or more | Reliable | Good to cite; still compare key facts with another source. |
| 60-79% | Use with care | Use it for background, and confirm important claims elsewhere. |
| 40-59% | Weak source | Look for a better source before you rely on it. |
| Under 40% | Not reliable | Do not cite it. |
The score is a guide to your own judgement, not a ruling. A single No on authority or accuracy can matter more than a high total, so check the weakest criteria too.
Frequently asked questions
What does CRAAP stand for?
Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose. Each word is a question to ask about any source.
How recent does a source need to be?
It depends on the topic. Fast-changing subjects such as technology, medicine and current events need recent sources, while history or literature can rely on older work.
Is a .org or .edu address always trustworthy?
No. The ending of a web address does not prove quality. Judge the author, the evidence and the purpose of the page itself.
Can I use a source that scores low?
You can use it to understand how a topic is discussed or to find better references, but avoid citing it as evidence for your own claims.
Should I check more than one source?
Yes. Even a high-scoring source can contain mistakes, so confirm key facts in at least one independent source.
Checking sources beyond the classroom
The same habits help when you plan a trip. Check when a guide or review was written, who wrote it, whether its claims can be confirmed elsewhere and whether it is trying to sell something. Applying them before you choose a destination or compare places to stay helps you avoid outdated or one-sided information.
Other tools
- Reading Level CalculatorPaste a text and see its Flesch-Kincaid grade level, reading ease score, and word, sentence and syllable counts.
- Citation GeneratorTurn book or website details into a formatted APA, MLA or Chicago reference and in-text citation.
- Information Literacy Skills ChecklistPick a grade band, tick the information literacy skills already taught and see progress with the gaps highlighted.
This is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with Washington Library Media Association.