Methodology
How the Regretly estimate works
Regretly is an opportunity-cost calculator, not a scientific diagnosis. It turns your usage estimate into a practical view of time, money, and missed alternatives.
What We Use
Daily usage
Your average social media or screen-time hours per day.
Years using
How long this habit has been part of your life.
Hourly value
A regional estimate used to translate time into opportunity cost.
Opportunity costs
Simple comparisons such as books, workouts, skills, and potential income.
Assumptions Table
| Metric | Current assumption | User editable? |
|---|---|---|
| Books | 5 hours per book | No |
| Skill | Roughly 1 skill per 1.5 years with the habit | No |
| Workout | 1.5 hours per workout | No |
| Hourly value | Based on selected country and currency | Yes |
| Years lost | 24-hour days, using 365.25 days per year | No |
Income loss is an opportunity-cost estimate, not a claim that you literally lost that salary. It asks what this time could be worth if redirected toward paid work, learning, or higher-value output.
Core Formulas
Total hours spent
daily hours x years using x 365.25
Years lost
total hours / 24 / 365.25
Life so far
total hours / hours alive so far
Regret Score
a 0-100 blend of daily intensity, accumulated time loss, and share of life so far.
Important Limits
Your result depends on the accuracy of your inputs. If your usage varies by season, job, school schedule, or life stage, treat the result as a directional estimate.
The score is designed to make tradeoffs visible. It should not be used as medical, financial, or mental health advice.
The healthiest interpretation is practical: what small change would give you back meaningful time this week?