TL;DR: There is no scientific evidence that Tarot, whether read online or in person, can predict the future. A 2001 study by Hughes and colleagues found that people who believe in fortune telling, astrology and clairvoyance rate a fortune as more accurate, while a 2025 study by Brooks and colleagues of 67 people who had just received a reading found no link between paranormal belief and perceiving the reading as accurate. A Pew Research Center survey published in 2025 found that 30% of U.S. adults consult astrology, Tarot or a fortune teller at least once a year, most of them mainly for fun.
What Is Online Tarot and How Does It Differ from Traditional Tarot?
Online Tarot is a form of Tarot reading done through a website, app, or artificial intelligence, instead of using a physical deck and an in-person reader. Common steps include: choosing a question, choosing a spread, drawing cards randomly on screen, then receiving an interpretation from an algorithm or a remote reader. In essence, online and traditional Tarot share the same symbolic repertoire, but differ in the "drawing" and "reading" stages.
According to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, Tarot entered Europe in the 15th century, most likely through the ports of Venice, and began as a trick-taking card game in which higher cards beat lower cards[1]. The V&A holds four hand-painted, gilded Italian Tarot cards from around 1490, the kind of cards once played by nobles at the Italian Renaissance courts[1]. It was not until the late 18th century that Tarot was used for fortune-telling[1].
In 1861, French occultist Eliphas Levi published "Dogma et Rituel de la haute magie", turning Tarot from a fun fortune-telling parlour game into an esoteric tool for serious occultists and coining the terms "Major Arcana" and "Minor Arcana"[1]. In 1909, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite, was published, featuring full illustrations on the pip cards for the first time, allowing intuitive reading[1].
So how is online Tarot different? It differs in that the user does not hold the cards, does not see the reader, and often receives automatic results within seconds. This raises the question: can the "randomness" on screen replace the "randomness" of shuffling paper cards? In terms of probability, both are random, but in terms of psychological experience, they differ significantly.
Why Does a Tarot Reading Seem So Accurate?
The feeling that a Tarot reading is "accurate" is not evidence of prophetic ability. Psychological research shows that people tend to find meaning in vague descriptions, and this tendency is stronger in those who already believe in supernatural phenomena.
In a study by Matthew Hughes and colleagues published in 2001 in The Journal of Social Psychology, psychology students were randomly assigned to receive either a fortune produced with real fortune tellers' procedures or a false one made by interchanging the meanings traditionally associated with the suits; belief in fortune telling, astrology and clairvoyance was significantly associated with higher perceived accuracy of the fortune[2].
Thomas R. Brooks and colleagues at New Mexico Highlands University published a 2025 study in the Journal of Articles in Support of the Null Hypothesis with 67 participants who received in-person Tarot readings at a campus festival, then rated the accuracy and usefulness of the reading. Results showed no statistically significant relationship between belief in the supernatural, fantasy proneness, and perceived accuracy of the reading. However, the team noted a small association between perceived "usefulness" and belief in precognition.
To explain why participants still found the reading "true for them", the Brooks team offered a conjecture that the study did not test: the readers may have activated some cognitive biases, such as the Barnum effect (believing vague descriptions are personally tailored) and consistency bias. The authors describe their work as the first empirical study of the recipient's experience immediately after a Tarot reading, and acknowledge that its scope was narrow.
Note that the Brooks et al. study had a small sample (N = 67) and was conducted at only one university in the southwestern United States, so the results cannot be generalized to all Tarot user groups.
What Do Online Tarot Users Actually Believe and Use It For?
A Pew Research Center survey published in May 2025 provides a real-world picture of Tarot, astrology, and fortune-teller users in the United States. The survey was conducted on 9,593 adults from October 21 to 27, 2024[3].
According to Pew Research Center, 30% of U.S. adults say they use astrology (or horoscopes), Tarot, or fortune tellers at least once a year[3]. Measured against all U.S. adults, 20% say they engage in at least one of these activities mostly "just for fun", while 10% do so mostly because they believe the practices give them helpful insights[3]. Only 1% of U.S. adults say they rely heavily on what they learn from these practices when making major life decisions, and another 5% rely a little[3].
In terms of frequency, only 6% of Americans engage in one or more of these practices weekly, and 14% monthly[3]. For Tarot specifically, about 11% of U.S. adults say they use Tarot at least once a year[3].
There are large differences by demographic group. Nearly a quarter of Americans aged 18 to 29 say they use Tarot at least yearly, compared with 6% of those aged 50 to 64 and 3% of those 65 and older[3]. Adults in the LGBT community use Tarot at three times the average rate (33% vs. 11%)[3].
On belief, 27% of U.S. adults say they believe in astrology, meaning they believe the position of the stars and planets can affect human lives[3]. This figure is not significantly different from 2017 (29%)[3].
These data show that most Americans who consult astrology, Tarot or fortune tellers do not treat them as an absolute source of truth, and the share who rely heavily on these practices for major decisions is very small.
Is Online Tarot Reliable? Reliable in What Sense?
The question "Is online Tarot reliable?" needs to be split into two smaller questions, because "reliable" can mean two very different things.
Reliable as a future-prediction tool: There is no scientific evidence that Tarot, online or traditional, can predict future events more accurately than chance. The two studies cited in this article only measure how people perceive a reading, not whether the reading matches real events. This is a conclusion based on current evidence, not an absolute claim that no other evidence could ever exist.
Reliable as a self-reflection tool: Many people use Tarot as a way to ask themselves questions, see problems from a new angle, or name hidden emotions. In this sense, online Tarot can be as useful as journaling, meditation, or talking with friends. The benefit comes from the reflection process, not from any prophetic ability of the cards.
The Brooks team argues that Tarot has undergone secularization along with other forms of divination, becoming a person-centered tool detached from its original mystical context. According to the authors, this may explain why modern Tarot users need not believe in the supernatural to find a reading useful.
Risks and Limits to Know When Using Online Tarot
Using online Tarot is not physically harmful, but there are psychological and financial risks to keep in mind.
- Decision dependence: If you use Tarot to completely replace decision-making about finances, health, or important relationships, you may ignore real information and expert advice. Pew data show that only 1% of U.S. adults rely a lot on what they learn from astrology, Tarot or fortune tellers when making major decisions, and another 5% rely a little[3].
- Non-transparent costs: Many online Tarot services charge per reading, per package, or per "energy" without clear quality standards. Users should check carefully before paying.
- Misinformation about origins: Some Tarot websites advertise ancient Egyptian or Atlantis origins. The V&A Museum states clearly that claims of Tarot's Egyptian origin appeared in the 1780s and remain unproven[1].
- Impact on mental health: For people in psychological crisis, relying on Tarot to explain symptoms can delay seeking professional support. Tarot cannot replace medical diagnosis or treatment.
Comparison Table: Online Tarot vs. Traditional Tarot
| Criterion | Online Tarot | Traditional Tarot |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing method | Random on screen | Shuffling paper, physical draw |
| Reader | Algorithm, AI, or remote reader | In-person reader |
| Cost | Often free or cheaper | Higher, depends on reader |
| Interactivity | Low, mostly one-way | High, direct feedback |
| Ritual element | Limited | Full (space, feel of cards) |
| Future prediction | No scientific evidence | No scientific evidence |
| Self-reflection value | Yes, if user is active | Yes, if user is active |
| Risk of dependence | Yes, if used instead of real decisions | Yes, if used instead of real decisions |
This table shows that the main differences are in experience and cost, not in predictive ability. In terms of scientific evidence, neither form has been proven to have prophetic ability.
How to Use Online Tarot Healthily
If you choose to use online Tarot, some principles can help you keep the benefits without falling into dependence.
- Set your purpose before reading: Clarify what you are looking for: a new perspective, a way to name emotions, or an answer to a specific problem. If it is an answer to a specific problem, remember that Tarot cannot replace real-world data.
- Use it as a reflection tool, not a verdict: Treat card content as prompts for self-questioning, not commands to follow. You are the final decision-maker.
- Do not use it for medical, financial, or legal decisions: These fields require qualified experts and real data. Tarot has no scientific evidence in these areas.
- Watch your emotions after reading: If you feel anxious, fearful, or obsessed with the result, pause and seek support from loved ones or a mental health professional.
- Check the source of information: If a website claims Tarot has ancient Egyptian origins or scientifically proven prophetic ability, verify it. The V&A Museum states clearly that Tarot's Egyptian origin is an unproven claim[1].
Conclusion: To Believe or Not to Believe?
Online Tarot is not reliable as a future-prediction tool, because no scientific evidence proves that ability. But online Tarot is also not scary or useless if you use it as a self-reflection tool, a relaxation ritual, or a way to see problems from a new angle. What matters is that you stay clear-headed about its limits, do not let it replace real decisions, and do not let it negatively affect your mental health.
According to the Pew survey, most Americans who consult astrology, Tarot or fortune tellers do so mainly for fun, not to live by. If you are in that group, online Tarot can be an enjoyable and light experience.
