The Sean Ellis survey, ready to run
The exact question that's measured product-market fit at Dropbox, Slack, and Superhuman — plus the three follow-ups that turn a score into a roadmap. Copy the template below, or launch it pre-built in five minutes.
Use the template free → Pre-loaded in PMFtracker · 14-day free trial · No credit cardThe template (exact wording)
This is the precise survey PMFtracker pre-loads for you — the canonical Sean Ellis test, plus the three open-ended questions that surface your ICP, your core value, and your roadmap. Swap [product] for your product name and you're ready.
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How would you feel if you could no longer use [product]?
○ Very disappointed · ○ Somewhat disappointed · ○ Not disappointed · ○ N/A — I no longer use itThis is your score. % "very disappointed" = your PMF score.
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What type of people do you think would most benefit from [product]?
→ Your users describe your ICP for you.
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What is the main benefit you receive from [product]?
→ The recurring phrase here is your core value and your headline.
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How can we improve [product] for you?
→ Especially from the "somewhat disappointed" — this is your roadmap.
How to run it (the rules that keep it honest)
A Sean Ellis score is only as good as how you field it. Four rules do most of the work:
Who: engaged users only
People who used the core of your product at least twice in the last two weeks. Skip inactive signups — they distort the score in both directions.
How many: 40+ to read
At least 40 engaged-user responses for a directional read; 100+ for a reliable, investor-grade score.
Score: very ÷ valid
Your PMF score is "very disappointed" divided by total valid responses, ×100. Use the free calculator →
Cadence: not once
Run it on a schedule. PMF is a number that moves — the trend is the asset, not the snapshot.
Want the full walkthrough — delivery channels, sample timing, response thresholds? Read the step-by-step guide to running a PMF survey →
What to do with the results
The number is the headline; the open-ended answers are the strategy. Once responses land, segment users into very / somewhat / not disappointed and read each group differently:
Your ICP. Profile them and study what they love — they're the people pulling your business forward.
Your growth lever. Their answer to "how can we improve" is your roadmap to convert them into fans.
The wrong audience. Usually safe to ignore — chasing their feedback dilutes your product.
This is the exact engine Superhuman used to climb from a 22% score to 58%. See how they did it →
Skip the setup — it's already built
You can copy the template into a form tool and stitch the scoring together in a spreadsheet. Or you can use the version PMFtracker pre-loads for you, with a Collect → Track → Act workflow that does the tedious parts:
Pre-loaded template
All four questions above, ready to send — just add your product name and brand it.
Embed the widget
Drop the PMFtracker widget into your product to catch engaged users in the moment, and collect responses in 48–72 hours.
Automatic scoring
Your PMF score on the 40% rule, calculated for you and tracked as a trend over time — not a one-off number.
AI analysis of the open-ends
Automated segmentation, sentiment analysis, and an ICP profile pulled straight from your "very disappointed" cohort.
"The insights we gained from the Product-Market Fit survey in 2008 at Dropbox and Eventbrite were incredibly helpful for figuring out how to deliver the right experiences to the right customers."— Sean Ellis, creator of the PMF survey
Use the Sean Ellis survey template — pre-loaded in PMFtracker
The exact questions, the engaged-user targeting, and automatic scoring. Launch your first Sean Ellis survey in five minutes and start tracking your score.
Start your free trial → 14-day free trial · No credit card · Pay once, measure forever — no subscriptionFrequently asked questions
What is the Sean Ellis test?
It's a product-market fit survey that asks users how they'd feel if they could no longer use your product. If 40% or more answer "very disappointed," you've likely reached product-market fit. It's also called the Sean Ellis survey or the 40% test.
What is the exact Sean Ellis survey question?
"How would you feel if you could no longer use [product]?" with three options: very disappointed, somewhat disappointed, and not disappointed (plus an "N/A — I no longer use it" to keep churned users out of your score).
What other questions should I include?
Three open-ended follow-ups: "What type of people do you think would most benefit from [product]?", "What is the main benefit you receive from [product]?", and "How can we improve [product] for you?" These surface your ICP, your core value, and your roadmap.
How many responses does it need?
At least 40 responses from engaged users for a directional read, and 100 or more for a reliable score you can show investors.
How do I score it?
Divide "very disappointed" by total valid responses and multiply by 100. 40% or higher indicates product-market fit. Try the free PMF score calculator.
