← Guides

How to make a tier list

2026-11-01

A tier list sorts a set of things into ranked rows, from the best at the top to the worst at the bottom. They are quick to make and easy to argue about, which is why they are so popular. This guide walks you through making one with MapsMake, from the first item to a finished, shareable chart.

You do not need an account to start. You can make a tier list right away, and sign up later if you want to keep it, publish it or see it on your profile.

Before you start: decide what you are ranking

Take a moment to answer two questions:

• What are the items? Films, snacks, characters, cities, albums, study methods: anything you can name or show with a picture.
• What is the criterion? "Best" can mean most fun, most powerful, most delicious or most nostalgic. Pick one and put it in the title so readers understand your choices.

If you are not sure where to start, the template gallery has hundreds of ready-made lists with the items already filled in.

Step 1: open the tier list maker

Go to the tier list maker. You will see a row for each tier (S, A, B, C, D and F by default), an area underneath for items that have not been ranked yet, and tools for adding items.

Step 2: add your items

You can add items in several ways:

• Type them in. Enter one item per line to add many at once. This is the quickest way to start from a list you already have.
• Upload images. Add pictures from your device. Images are resized and saved for you; pictures that contain unsafe content are blocked.
• Use the image library. Search the shared library of public-domain and open images, such as flags, planets and fruit.
• Import from a file or link. Bring in a list from a CSV or text file, or from a Google Sheets link, if you have your data elsewhere.
• Steam libraries. The Steam tier list lets you import your games.

Give each item a short, clear label even if it has an image, because labels make the chart accessible and searchable.

Step 3: drag items into tiers

Drag each item from the unranked area into a tier. You can also order items inside a tier by dragging them left or right.

If you prefer the keyboard, every drag has a keyboard equivalent: focus an item, press Enter or Space to pick it up, move it with the arrow keys, and press Enter again to drop it. On touch screens you can press and hold an item to move it.

A few tips that make rankings better:

• Go in two passes. First put each item in S, B or F (clear winners, middle, clear losers). Then refine.
• Compare neighbours. If you doubt one item, compare it with the item next to it rather than with the whole list.
• Keep S small. If half your items end up in S tier, tighten your standard.

Step 4: customise the tiers

Tiers are just labelled rows, so you can change them. In the editor you can:

• rename a tier ("S" to "Legendary") and change its colour;
• add or remove tiers;
• change the size of the pictures, show or hide labels, and pick a background colour;
• add a title and a short description.

Choose colours that have enough contrast with the text so the chart stays readable when it is shared.

Step 5: save, export and share

Your work is saved automatically as you go, and if you lose your connection it is kept on your device and synced later. When you are happy with it:

• Export the chart as a PNG image for social media, an SVG for editing, or a PDF for printing.
• Publish it to get a link. You choose whether the chart is public, unlisted (anyone with the link) or private. A public chart can appear in browse and search pages.
• Embed it in a website or blog using the embed code from the share menu.

Published charts can be hearted and commented on. For tier lists, visitors can also make their own ranking of the same items and compare it with the community's.

Step 6: remix and improve

Anyone can remix a public chart: copy it into their account and change it to suit their own taste. If you spot a list you almost agree with, remix it instead of starting from scratch. The original author stays credited on the chart page.

Common mistakes

1. No clear criterion. Readers argue about your reasons instead of enjoying the list. Put the criterion in the title.
2. Too many items. A list of 300 can become tedious for you and the reader. Split it into sections or sets if you can.
3. Too many tiers. Six is plenty for most lists. Add more only if you really need the extra detail.
4. Unreadable text on images. If the picture already shows a name, keep the label short or turn labels off.
5. Forgetting accessibility. Give images labels, and avoid relying on colour alone to show tier names.

Related guides

• What does S tier mean? explains the tiers and where they came from.

Ready to make your own? Open the tier list maker and start dragging.