# Most Americans lean toward believing in extraterrestrial life

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/most-americans-lean-toward-believing-in-extraterrestrial-life/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

A majority of Americans (56%) come down on the side of believing that extraterrestrial life exists, including 24% who say they strongly believe it does, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey.

About a quarter (23%) fall on the doubting side, including 10% who say they strongly do not believe. The remaining 21% don't lean either way.

## Topline

Do you believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life?

Most Americans lean toward believing in extraterrestrial life.

- 7 - I strongly believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life: 24.3%
- 4: 21.0%
- 5: 18.5%
- 6: 13.1%
- 1 - I strongly do not believe: 9.8%
- 3: 7.9%
- 2: 5.4%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-11 → 2026-05-11
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.3%
- Module: beliefs
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.26](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.26)

## Citation

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.26](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.26)