How to use the love calculator
- Type the first name.
- Type the second name.
- Read the score and the message. Swap the names around and you'll get the same score, because the order never matters.
That's all there is to it. The score is worked out in your browser, and there's nothing to save.
How the score is calculated
The calculator doesn't know anything about the people behind the names. It turns the two names into a number with a standard hashing method and keeps the result between 0 and 100:
FNV-1a is a well-known, simple hash function used in programming to turn text into a number. A tiny change in the input, even one letter, gives a completely different number, which is what makes the scores look random. Because the names are cleaned and sorted first, "Alex" and "Jordan" give the same score as "jordan" and "ALEX". Mod 101 means the remainder after dividing by 101, which is always between 0 and 100.
Worked example
The default names are Alex and Jordan:
- Cleaned: "alex" and "jordan"
- Sorted and joined: "alex&jordan"
- FNV-1a hash of "alex&jordan": 1,120,122,683
- 1,120,122,683 ÷ 101 = 11,090,323 remainder 60, so the score is 60%
A score of 60 lands in the "plenty of potential" band. Swap the names and it's still 60%, because the sorting step puts them in the same order. Change Jordan to Sam and the hash changes completely, giving 95%.
What the scores mean
| Score | Message band |
|---|---|
| 90–100 | Off the charts |
| 75–89 | Sparks are flying |
| 60–74 | Plenty of potential |
| 40–59 | A friendly kind of match |
| 20–39 | Opposites attract, sometimes |
| 0–19 | The numbers say "meh" |
Honestly, they mean nothing at all. The bands are there to make the result fun to read. A low score between two people who adore each other is just as meaningless as a high one between two strangers.
Ways to use it
- As an icebreaker at a party or a wedding table, trying couples, friends and famous names.
- For a quick laugh with a friend or partner. Try your names with nicknames too; they usually change the score.
- As a fun demonstration of hashing for students: the same input always gives the same output, and a one-letter change scrambles it.
Please keep it kind. It's a toy, so don't use the result to tease anyone or make real decisions about a relationship.
Frequently asked questions
Is the love calculator accurate?
No, and it doesn't try to be. The score comes from the letters of the names, not from anything about the people, so it can't measure compatibility. It's meant purely for entertainment.
Why do I always get the same score for the same names?
The calculator is deterministic: it uses a fixed formula with no randomness, so the same two names always give the same result on any device. Capital letters, spaces and the order of the names don't change it.
Does it work with full names or nicknames?
Yes. Any letters count, including full names, middle names and nicknames, and each version gives a different score. Digits and punctuation are ignored, and accented letters are kept.
Do you store the names I type?
No. The score is worked out in your browser as you type, and the calculator doesn't save the names or send them anywhere to be scored.
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Results are calculated in your browser. Double-check anything important before you rely on it. See our disclaimer.