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

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

Hufflepuff is one of the four houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was founded by Helga Hufflepuff, who valued students for qualities including hard work, patience, loyalty, and fair play. The house’s emblem is a badger, and its associated colors are yellow and black.

Readers sometimes assume Rowling would choose Gryffindor because Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger belong there. Rowling’s stated preference for Hufflepuff instead highlights the series’ broader theme that courage is not the only admirable quality in a student or hero.

The house is also associated with important characters such as Cedric Diggory and Nymphadora Tonks. Hufflepuff’s common room is described as being near the Hogwarts kitchens, unlike the tower locations of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.