Calculating a response rate
Response rate % = (completed responses ÷ invitations sent) × 100.
Count only completed responses. Partial answers belong in a separate completion-rate figure, otherwise the number flatters itself.
Worked example: 340 completed responses from 2,000 invitations is 340 ÷ 2000 = 0.17, so a 17% response rate.
Response rate, completion rate and open rate
Open rate measures who saw the invitation. Response rate measures who finished the survey. Completion rate measures who finished once they started.
A low response rate with a high completion rate means the invitation is the problem, not the survey.
A high start rate with a low completion rate means the survey is too long or asks something people will not answer.
What counts as a good rate
Email surveys typically land between 10% and 30%. In-product prompts reach 40% to 60% because they are asked in context.
Post-purchase surveys sit around 20% to 40%. Cold external lists frequently fall below 5%.
Small samples move violently. Check the sample-size calculator before treating a change as real.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good survey response rate?
Email surveys: 10–30% is typical. In-app/in-product: 40–60%. Post-purchase: 20–40%. Higher = better signal.
What's the response rate formula?
Response rate % = (completed responses ÷ total invitations sent) × 100.
How do I improve response rate?
Shorter surveys, mobile-optimised forms, clear incentives, and asking in-context (right after the event you're measuring).
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