Which Hogwarts house did J.K. Rowling say was her favorite?

J.K. Rowling has said that Hufflepuff is her favorite Hogwarts house.

Hufflepuff is one of the four houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Rowling’s novels. It was founded by Helga Hufflepuff, and its commonly associated qualities include hard work, loyalty, patience, fairness, and dedication. The house’s colors are yellow and black, and its mascot is the badger.

Readers sometimes assume Rowling would choose Gryffindor because Harry Potter belongs there, or Ravenclaw because of the emphasis on learning. Rowling’s stated preference for Hufflepuff instead highlights values that the series treats as morally important but sometimes less glamorous than bravery or cleverness.

The house is also connected with notable characters such as Cedric Diggory and Nymphadora Tonks. Hufflepuff’s common room is described as being near the kitchens. The Sorting Hat assigns students to houses, but Rowling’s personal favorite is not presented as a rule about which house is objectively best.