Explore 26 BDSM Roles

You lead the scene and feel most yourself in control.

Also called: Dom · Domme

You find freedom and focus in trusting someone else to lead.

Also called: sub · submissive partner

You move between leading and yielding depending on mood and partner.

Also called: versatile · switches both ways

You hold authority through rules, protocols, and ownership.

Also called: Master · Mistress

You find deep fulfillment in serving and obeying within trust.

Also called: M/s submissive · service slave

You provoke and tease to earn a reaction from your dominant.

Also called: bratty sub · playful disobedience

You relish the challenge of meeting and channeling defiance.

Also called: brat tamer · taming dominant

You’re a nurturing dominant who guides and protects.

Also called: Daddy Dom · Mommy Domme

You feel safe and comforted embracing a playful, cared-for headspace.

Also called: little girl · little boy

You enjoy training, guiding, and caring for a “pet” partner.

Also called: pet play owner · handler

You enjoy embodying an animal persona and being cared for.

Also called: pup · kitten

You take pleasure in consensually giving intense sensation.

Also called: sadism · pain giver

You find pleasure and release in receiving intense sensation.

Also called: masochism · pain receiver

You practice the art of tying — patterns, skill, and care.

Also called: rope top · shibari rigger

You love the sensation and surrender of being tied.

Also called: rope bottom · shibari bottom

You enjoy restraining a partner with cuffs, straps, and devices.

Also called: bondage top · restraint top

You enjoy the helplessness and focus of being restrained.

Also called: bondage bottom · restraint bottom

You use consensual humiliation as a tool of power exchange.

Also called: humiliation top · verbal dominant

You find arousal in being consensually humiliated within trust.

Also called: humiliation bottom · verbal submissive

You’re aroused by being watched and being the center of attention.

Also called: exhibitionism · performer

You’re aroused by watching consensual intimacy or performance.

Also called: voyeurism · watcher

You tap into raw, instinctual energy — chasing and overpowering.

Also called: primal predator · hunter

You thrill to the chase, the flight, and being caught.

Also called: prey · primal bottom

You’re driven by curiosity and the joy of trying new things.

Also called: explorer · curious

You find multiple connections enrich your intimate life.

Also called: ethical non-monogamy · polyamory

You prefer tender, connection-focused intimacy over power play.

Also called: non-kinky · conventional intimacy