US Presidents Ranked: From Best To Worst (Updated)

02 May, 2025

Is it truly possible to definitively rank the American Presidents, separating the titans of leadership from those who stumbled in the Oval Office? While the task is inherently complex, a consensus, albeit evolving, does exist among historians and political scientists, providing a fascinating lens through which to view the nation's history.

The quest to define presidential greatness is a perennial one, a debate fueled by shifting societal values, evolving historical perspectives, and the simple passage of time. The very nature of the presidency its immense power, its inherent limitations, and the unpredictable forces that shape a leader's tenure ensures that any ranking is a snapshot, a reflection of the moment as much as it is of the past.

Numerous surveys and scholarly analyses have attempted to quantify presidential performance, using a variety of criteria to assess their impact. These range from broad categories like "vision" and "leadership" to more specific metrics such as "pursuit of equal justice" and "relationship with Congress." The weight assigned to each category, and the specific events and policies considered, inevitably influence the final rankings. Nevertheless, patterns emerge, revealing a hierarchy, however fluid, that reflects the enduring legacies of American presidents.

One of the most recent and comprehensive efforts is the Presidential Greatness Project. Its surveys, conducted in 2015, 2018, and most recently in 2024, have become a widely respected source of information. These polls and surveys often include a broad base of political scientists, historians and other expert observers of the presidency. The results of such polls are of great interest, and often make headline news.

Beyond these surveys, individual scholars and institutions have offered their own interpretations. The Smithsonian Magazine, for example, often explores the "best and worst presidents ever," providing concise commentaries that focus on the core of their presidencies, rather than their lives before or after office. Their analyses provide a quick, informative window into the presidencies of the United States.

The Schlesinger Poll from 1948 remains a historical benchmark, although the criteria used for the study have evolved over the years, which is why youll see varying results from poll to poll. The survey ranked Warren G. Harding, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Zachary Taylor as the five worst presidents in American history. The Schlesinger survey on presidential leadership began in 2000, and included a survey of historians. One constant is that the rankings shift over time as each new generation of Americans reassesses the legacy of previous leaders. For example, in the latest survey, President Biden was ranked 14th, with a score of 62.7 out of 100.

Here's a sample table representing some prominent U.S. Presidents, showcasing their key biographical data and highlighting some notable achievements and challenges:

President	Term in Office	Key Achievements	Major Challenges
Abraham Lincoln	1861-1865	Led the Union through the Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, preserved the Union.	Civil War, Secession, Reconstruction.
George Washington	1789-1797	Led the Continental Army, established the presidency, set precedents for the office.	Formation of a new government, Foreign policy challenges
Franklin D. Roosevelt	1933-1945	New Deal programs, Led the U.S. through World War II.	The Great Depression, World War II
James Buchanan	1857-1861	Attempted to maintain the Union	Failed to avert the Civil War, Sectional tensions
Donald Trump	2017-2021	Tax cuts, conservative judicial appointments	Polarizing rhetoric, social division, handling of COVID-19

In the recent Presidential Greatness Project expert survey, Abraham Lincoln has emerged as the frontrunner, a testament to his enduring legacy. Lincoln's unwavering commitment to preserving the Union and abolishing slavery solidifies his place among the pantheon of great American leaders. His strategic and powerful use of communications, and his ability to define the meaning of the Civil War for the country have been critical to his lasting importance.

Its important to note that in 2022, President Joe Biden's inaugural inclusion in the Presidential Greatness Project rankings placed him in the top third of presidents, achieving a score of 62.7 out of 100. This initial rating exceeded Barack Obamas debut score in 2015 and greatly surpassed Donald Trumps score in 2018.

The question of the "worst" presidents is also a subject of intense debate. James Buchanan, often cited as one of the least effective presidents, bears the weight of failing to prevent the Civil War. Other names frequently appear on lists of the "worst," including Franklin Pierce and Warren G. Harding. These figures are often criticized for their handling of crucial issues, their lack of vision, or their perceived failures of leadership.

Dwight D. Eisenhower is consistently rated among the best. He is known for his leadership during World War II, his role in establishing the Interstate Highway System, and his warning about the military-industrial complex. His tenure is seen as a time of relative peace and prosperity, and his emphasis on moderation and bipartisanship has earned him high marks from historians.

Interestingly, the rankings for living presidents can fluctuate. Ronald Reagan remains in the top twenty, scoring highly on factors such as "luck," "party leadership," "communication," and "relationship with Congress." Barack Obama has seen his position rise. Donald Trumps scores vary widely, as his presidency remains a recent event that is subject to ongoing scrutiny. The factors contributing to these varying rankings illustrate how the evaluation of a presidency is an ongoing process, and as different factors come to the fore, rankings of each presidency evolve with it.

The task of ranking presidents reveals a complex interplay of factors, the context in which they governed, and the enduring impact of their decisions. The task of ranking presidents is challenging, as stated in the Presidential Greatness Project, and that context matters. Ranking presidents is as much about understanding the era in which they served as it is about judging their individual actions.

Ultimately, the quest to define presidential greatness is a dynamic process, one that reflects our evolving understanding of American history and the ever-changing values of the nation. The evaluations, as provided by the scholars, are merely a collection of interpretations. Rather than picking one, we've picked the three most recent and comprehensive rankings and used them all to create a most thorough ranking from best to worst (based on the president's average position on all three).

For more in-depth information and to explore the methodologies used, please refer to: WhiteHouse.gov

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