How to Split Chores Fairly Between Roommates
Chore disputes are the #1 cause of roommate conflict, ahead of noise, guests, and even money. A 2023 survey by Apartment List found that 53% of roommates who rated their living situation as “bad” cited unequal chore distribution as the primary reason. The problem isn't laziness — it's that everyone has a different definition of “fair.” One person thinks vacuuming once a week is enough; the other thinks it should happen every three days. Without a system, resentment builds.
This calculator solves the problem by assigning objective weight to each chore based on three factors: time (how long it takes), frequency (how often it needs doing), and difficulty (how unpleasant or physically demanding it is). Then it distributes chores so everyone carries an equal weighted load, adjusted for each person's available hours.
3 Methods for Splitting Household Chores
| Method | Best For | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Equal Rotation | 2 roommates, similar schedules | Everyone rotates through every chore on a weekly or biweekly schedule. |
| Preference-Based | Roommates with strong preferences | Each person picks chores they dislike least. Remaining chores are split evenly. |
| Weighted Fair Split | Different schedules or 3+ people | Chores are scored by time × frequency × difficulty, then distributed proportionally based on available hours. |
The weighted method (what this calculator uses) is the most fair because it accounts for the reality that not all chores are equal. Scrubbing the bathroom for 30 minutes is objectively harder than wiping kitchen counters for 5 minutes, even though both “count” as one chore in a simple rotation.
Common Household Chores Ranked by Effort
Not sure how to rate your chores? Here's a reference based on typical time and difficulty for a 2-bedroom apartment:
| Chore | Avg Time | Frequency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep-clean bathroom | 30–45 min | Weekly | High |
| Mop/vacuum all floors | 20–40 min | Weekly | Medium-High |
| Grocery shopping | 45–60 min | Weekly | Medium |
| Cooking dinner | 30–60 min | Daily | Medium |
| Dishes / load dishwasher | 10–15 min | Daily | Low |
| Take out trash/recycling | 5–10 min | 2–3x/week | Low |
| Wipe kitchen counters | 5 min | Daily | Low |
| Laundry (personal) | 10 min active | Weekly | Low |
Real-World Example: 3 Roommates, Unequal Schedules
Alex works full-time (available 10 hrs/week for chores), Jordan works part-time (15 hrs/week available), and Sam is a student (20 hrs/week available). Their apartment has these weekly chores totaling ~12 hours of weighted effort:
- Equal rotation: Each person does 4 hours/week — unfair because Alex barely has time while Sam has plenty
- Weighted split: Alex does 2.7 hrs (22%), Jordan does 4.0 hrs (33%), Sam does 5.3 hrs (44%) — proportional to available time
The weighted approach means everyone spends the same percentage of their free time on chores (~27%), which feels equally fair to everyone. If someone's schedule changes, just update their available hours and recalculate.
How the Fairness Score Works
After distributing chores, the calculator generates a Fairness Score from 0–100. Here's what each range means:
- 90–100 (Excellent): Everyone's weighted workload is within 5% of the target. Near-perfect balance.
- 75–89 (Good): Minor imbalance, usually because one high-effort chore can't be split further. Acceptable for most households.
- 50–74 (Needs Work): Noticeable imbalance. Consider swapping one chore between the highest and lowest loaded person.
- Below 50 (Unfair): Significant imbalance. Re-evaluate chore assignments or adjust available hours.
5 Tips for Making a Chore Schedule Stick
- Use the calculator together. When everyone sees the weighted math, it removes the “I do more than you” argument. Share the results link so everyone has a copy.
- Set specific deadlines, not “sometime this week.” “Vacuum by Saturday noon” is enforceable. “Vacuum weekly” leads to Sunday night arguments.
- Allow trades. If someone hates dishes but doesn't mind vacuuming, let people swap tasks of equal weight. The calculator makes trading objective since you can compare chore scores.
- Revisit monthly. Schedules change, new chores appear (yard work in summer, snow shoveling in winter). A 5-minute monthly recalculation prevents drift.
- Separate personal chores. Personal laundry, keeping your own room clean, and cooking just for yourself shouldn't be in the shared chore split. Only include tasks that benefit the whole household.
Should You Pay a Roommate to Do Your Chores?
Some households use a “chore buyout” system: if you don't want to do your share, you pay another roommate to cover it. This can work if everyone agrees on rates. A common approach is $15–$20/hour (comparable to hiring a cleaner), so buying out 3 hours of weekly chores would cost $45–$60/week. It's not for everyone, but it's better than passive-aggressive sticky notes.
If your roommate situation also involves uneven rent, check our Rent Split Calculator for a fair rent breakdown, or the Roommate Fairness Checker to see if you're overpaying overall.
Chore Split Calculator vs. Chore Apps
Apps like OurHome, Tody, and Sweepy help track chore completion over time, which is great for accountability. But they don't solve the harder problem: figuring out who should do what in the first place. SplitGenius handles the initial fair distribution using weighted scoring, then you can use any tracking app you like to keep everyone honest. Plus, SplitGenius is 100% free, requires no account, and gives instant shareable results.