How to Determine Your Enneagram Personality Type Number

Have you taken an enneagram test or two, read books on the enneagram, watched YouTube videos, and listened to podcasts on the enneagram, but you still don’t know your enneagram number? Same here.

First of all, let me explain that I’m no enneagram expert, and I’ve had no formal training. However, I have personally studied various personality types and tests for most of my life, so I’m not completely ignorant when it comes to this subject. What I can say is that I've certainly invested more than 10K hours in understanding and comparing personality types and various assessment tools, so that may qualify me as a semi-expert.

When I first learned about the enneagram (which was in my 40s, so a little later in life), I was very enthralled until I discovered I was unable to determine my own number. When I read books, I seemed to gravitate toward a 1, 4 or 5, but when I took tests, I'd get 4, 5, 7 or 9 as my type. Why the confusion?

I've found that certain personality types easy identify with specific enneagram numbers, while others find the process more challenging. Why is this? First, I think it’s due to both the simplicity and complexity of the enneagram. Second, I also believe it depends on how you assess yourself. Finally, I surmise that certain personalities are more obvious, while others are a bit more subtle or complex. Allow me to explain.

Simplicity vs. Complexity

While the enneagram possesses a degree of simplicity with only 9 types, it’s not as condensed as the DISC assessment, yet not as complex as the Myers-Briggs assessment. The DISC is so simplified, cramming broad groups of personality types into only 4 categories, I don't believe it accurately or clearly defines most people. I fit into 2 and sometimes 3 of DISC categories whenever I take a quiz or assessment. While the DISC is rather superficial, I consider it a helpful jumping off point in helping you understand your enneagram type.

The enneagram divides personalities into 9 categories, and it's quite a bit more complex (especially when you start adding wings) than the DISC. However, descriptions of the 9 personality types of the enneagram can overlap and become confusing.

The most complex personality assessment tool I’ve found is the Myers-Briggs assessment. It breaks down personalities into 16 different categories. Whenever I take a Myers-Briggs assessment, I typically get the same one or two results, which is quite helpful in understanding who I am, how I relate to others, and how others view me. I'll probably write more about the Myers-Briggs assessment in a future blog but, in my opinion, the Myers-Briggs assessment is perhaps more cerebral and black and white, while it seems to me that the enneagram is more introspective in nature (another topic for another blog).

What really helped me drill down on my enneagram number was knowing how to assess myself. I'll explain.

The “How To” of the Enneagram

Taking tests, reading books, listening to podcasts, and any other way you choose to learn about the enneagram can all be helpful and fun, however, I believe the best way to get an accurate appraisal of your enneagram number is by looking back at who you were when you were 25 years-old or younger. Who were you as an immature individual without all the life experience and wisdom you’ve accumulated since that time? That's a good question for you to ask.

Note: If you’re 25 or younger now, you can may be able to accurately and currently determine your enneagram type but I caution that you may be tempted to type yourself according to who you want to be or wish to be, rather than who you really are.

Try viewing the enneagram from this younger you perspective. Think back to your younger years, including your childhood. Look at how impulsive, mspontaneous or uninhibited you might have been. Where were your thoughts and daydreams during that time of life? What were your worries and concerns? What were your greatest joys? What did you hope to be when you grew up? Study the enneagram with your younger you in mind and you'll probably have an easier time determining your number.

What I like about the enneagram is that it prompts you take an honest view of your immaturity and weaknesses. Ironically, your emotional maturity and acceptable adult behavior can cloud your true self. Because the enneagram focuses on your heart's motivation, if you remain immature into adulthood (and you're self-aware enough to recognize and admit your weaknesses), you may have an easier time assessing your enneagram number.

Obvious vs. Subtle Personality Types

In my opinion there are certain obvious personalities vs. more subtle or complex personality types. My husband, for example, is an obvious, straightforward enneagram 8. There’s no way he can fit into any other category. That said, maturity, experience and patience have caused him to lean more toward his 9 wing, which could confuse others trying to type him, but he's very sure of his own motivations, which clearly type him as an 8.

I know people who are so high “I” on the DISC test (i.e. very sanguine or “otter” type), there’s no way to mistake them for anything but a 7 on the enneagram. This doesn't mean all 7's are easy to type; it just means some 7's, with their outgoing, fun-loving temperaments, are more obvious than other 7's or any other enneagram number.

I know enneagram 3’s who are so competitive, so driven by success, they’re unmistakably 3’s. These types may be high “D” or “I” on the DISC assessment, but they’re still rather obvious. Does this mean all 3's are easy to type? No, but many are easy to assess.

I know a couple of enneagram 2’s who are so caring and oozing with kindness, there’s no mistaking them for any other enneagram type. This, of course, doesn't mean all 2's are easy to type.

I know enneagram 9’s who are so chill, so relaxed, so “go with the flow,” there’s no mistaking them for any other enneagram type.

I know enneagram 6’s who are so funny, so personable, and so safety-conscious and careful about everything, there’s no mistaking them for any other enneagram type. (I admit that counter-phobic type 6's can be difficult to distinguish from 8's, but that's another story.)

The water can get a little muddy when it comes to those who mature and successfully hide their true selves. For example, I identify as an enneagram 4, but I didn’t figure that out until I surveyed my younger, immature self (not that I've overcome all my weaknesses--not by a long shot). Any mature enneagram type will look a lot different from an immature one. Again, that’s why looking back at who you were before age 25 is an important key to understanding yourself and your enneagram number.

So my advice to you is to re-read the books, re-listen to the podcasts, re-watch the YouTube videos, and retake the enneagram assessments with your younger self in mind. This method will probably help you settle more comfortably into the enneagram type that best fits who you are.

I hope this article has helped you a little. Let me know if you have any thoughts, ideas, questions, or helpful suggestions.

💗 Julie