Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
Sample scenarios showing how breakoffs and rates change when exclusions are considered.
| Scenario | Started | Completed | Excluded | Eligible started | Breakoffs | Breakoff rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline (no exclusions) | 1000 | 820 | 0 | 1000 | 180 | 18.0% |
| With screenouts and quotas | 1000 | 820 | 120 | 880 | 60 | 6.8% |
| High friction questionnaire | 1000 | 650 | 80 | 920 | 270 | 29.3% |
Excluded as
screenouts + quota full + terminations + other excluded.
Formula Used
Breakoffs = Denominator − Completed
Breakoff Rate (%) = (Breakoffs ÷ Denominator) × 100
Completion Rate (%) = (Completed ÷ Denominator) × 100
Denominator can be Started or Eligible started. Eligible started = Started − (Screenouts + Quota full + Terminated + Other excluded).
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Started and Completed from your survey platform.
- If you track them separately, add optional exclusions (screenouts, quotas, terminations, other).
- Enable adjusted denominator to exclude non-breakoff exits from the rate.
- Click Calculate to view breakoffs, rates, and the interpretation band.
- Use Download CSV or Download PDF for reporting.
Professional Notes
Operational meaning of breakoffs
Breakoffs are participants who start a questionnaire but exit before finishing. They differ from screenouts, quota full exits, and quality terminations because those outcomes are ruled by eligibility or governance, not abandonment. A rising breakoff rate can indicate confusing instructions, aggressive validation messages, slow page loads, or overly long sections. Tracking breakoffs protects data quality, improves respondent experience, and supports realistic cost forecasts for sample and incentives.
Choosing the right denominator
This calculator offers two denominators. The basic method uses Started: Breakoff Rate = (Started − Completed) ÷ Started × 100. The adjusted method uses Eligible Started, defined as Started minus screenouts, quota full, terminations, and other excluded outcomes. Example: Started 1,000, exclusions 120, Completed 820. Eligible Started becomes 880, Breakoffs are 60, and breakoff rate is 6.82%, while the basic rate is 18.00%. Choose the definition aligned with your reporting rules.
Benchmarking across devices and sources
Breakoff behavior varies by device, channel, and audience. Compare mobile versus desktop, invitation email versus ads, and panel versus owned communities. Mobile breakoffs often increase when long grids, large images, or early open ends appear. Channel effects matter because ad clicks may carry weaker intent than invites. Track rates weekly by segment, and investigate shifts of two to three points after questionnaire edits or platform updates.
Interpreting rates with completion context
Pair breakoff rate with completion rate, median length of interview, and dropout timing. Low breakoffs can still hide poor yield if screenouts dominate or quotas are narrow. High breakoffs may be acceptable during exploratory pilots, but they require documentation. Use paradata to find the top dropout pages, then review question wording, routing, and device rendering. If most exits occur in the first two minutes, onboarding friction or compatibility is a likely driver.
Reporting actions that reduce dropoffs
Reduce breakoffs by shortening introductions, simplifying language, and tightening skip logic. Replace large matrices with smaller blocks, clarify labels, and provide neutral response options. Keep progress indicators accurate, and avoid unexpected restarts. Test on slower connections and smaller screens, then re field to confirm improvement. After changes, export CSV and PDF to share impact, compare versions, and maintain an audit trail.
FAQs
What is a survey breakoff rate?
It is the percentage of entrants who start the survey but do not submit a complete interview, calculated as breakoffs divided by the chosen denominator, multiplied by 100.
Should I use started or eligible started?
Use started for a platform level view. Use eligible started when you want abandonment among qualified entrants, excluding screenouts, quota full exits, terminations, and other excluded outcomes.
How do I calculate eligible started?
Eligible started equals started minus the total of screenouts, quota full exits, terminations or disqualifications, and any other exclusions you define for reporting.
Why can the breakoff rate look high?
Rates rise when the questionnaire is long, the first pages are demanding, routing is confusing, pages load slowly, or the survey does not render well on mobile devices.
What actions usually reduce breakoffs fastest?
Shorten introductions, simplify wording, reduce matrix length, fix skip logic, move sensitive items later, and test on mobile and low bandwidth conditions before relaunching.
How do the CSV and PDF exports work?
After you calculate, the page generates a CSV of key inputs and outputs and a one page PDF summary you can save or email to teammates and clients.