Common mistypes: getting your type right

We are a team of data scientists and can tell you for certain: many, many people—even some who have known the Enneagram for years—mistype themselves.

The reasons are multivariate: inaccurate tests (even Blueprint's test can't get to 100% accuracy!), our moods on test day, wanting to be one type and not another, we've simply been told by someone what type we are, we found one type that felt close enough before deeply understanding all the type options, etc.

But the Enneagram only really becomes magical once we get our type fitting snug. That's when the "holy sh*t I feel seen" feelings emerge, and you can start using the Enneagram as a personal evolution North Star.

We're here to help you determine once and for all what type you are. 

We recommend reading the section about the type you think you are, then reading more in-depth about every type's core fear, core desire, subtypes, growth, and instincts.

It's fun and ridiculously rewarding once you can say, definitively: "I am a 5! I love crushing insanely long books, collecting action figures, and explaining astrophysics to the weak!" (Kidding, bad stereotype. We're going to keep it here for our own personal entertainment.) 

Onward!

Type 2 common mistypes

You typed as a Two, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a: 

• One who equates being nurturing with being good
• Three who seeks value through the strength of important relationships
• Four who has formed an identity around attending to others
• Five who views important personal relationships as key resources
• Six who feels secure through positive connections with others
• Seven who enjoys helping & hosting gatherings
• Eight who wields power by taking care of others
• Nine who takes on a nurturing social role

Type 3 common mistypes

You typed as a Three, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a: 

• One who sees success as a reflection of being good
• Two who is driven to earn love through social status
• Four who cultivates an identity through high-status associations
• Five whose expertise has lead to a high-status position
• Six who uses charm & achievement to feel more secure
• Seven who is excited by the thrill of competing
• Eight who uses external success as a means of gaining power
• Nine who seeks acceptance by being productive

Type 4 common mistypes

You typed as a Four, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a: 

• One who is perfectionistic in your aesthetic expression
• Two who is going through a difficult emotional time
• Three who feels valued for your individuality
• Five who directs your depth of knowledge towards creative endeavors
• Six who over-identifies with their negative feelings
• Seven who feels trapped by negative emotions
• Eight who is in tune with feelings of “otherness”
• Nine who explores your inner emotional landscape

Type 5 common mistypes

You typed as a Five, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a: 

• One who learns & builds expertise because it’s the right thing to do
• Two who seeks to be indispensable through your analytical help
• Three who gains a sense of importance from your intellectual skills
• Four who has embraced logic as a core part of who you are
• Six who is withdrawn & abstract in your thinking
• Seven who enjoys your intellectual hobbies
• Eight who’s focused on strength through self-reliance
• Nine who identifies with the depth of your thinking

Type 6 common mistypes

You typed as a Six, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a: 

• One who feels threatened by others acting outside your values
• Two who is particularly cautious & worrying
• Three who works well with others in your quest to win
• Four who sees loyalty as a core part of your identity
• Five who is more practical and willing to trust others’ thinking
• Seven who has become more regimented to reduce anxiety
• Eight who often feels threatened or distrustful
• Nine who is more private & cautious towards others

Type 7 common mistypes

You typed as a Seven, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a: 

• One who seeks balance by strengthening their fun-seeking side
• Two who feels needed by bringing the excitement
• Three who feels valued through adventure-seeking and energizing others
• Four who is staying active to occasionally get out of dwelling on your feelings
• Five who is animated about your area of interest
• Six who builds alliance by prioritizing fun
• Eight who feels a sense of power through thrill-seeking
• Nine who seeks connection through constant activity

Type 8 common mistypes

You typed as a Eight, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a: 

• One who will let go of decorum to fight for what you think is right
• Two who will risk being seen as aggressive to protect your people
• Three who will risk upsetting others in your quest to win
• Four who is intense and forceful in your conviction about reality
• Five who takes confident action in your areas of expertise
• Six who is facing your fears directly by being aggressive
• Seven who is dominating in your pursuit of fun and competition
• Nine who may have bursts of aggression to enforce boundaries

Type 9 common mistypes

You typed as a Nine, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a: 

• One who is less willing to risk upsetting others to express your beliefs
• Two who prefers to foster peace and go with the flow
• Three who has mentally detached in service of a goal
• Four who is shy or controlled in your self-expression
• Five who is more conflict avoidant & detached
• Six who will let go of your need to feel heard for the sake of your relationships
• Seven who is uncomfortable with conflict & seeking creature comforts
• Eight who is introverted & drained by conflict

Type 1 common mistypes

You typed as a One, but if the description doesn’t sound like you, you may be a:

• Two who is perfectionistic & sensitive to doing the right thing
  
• Three who believes there’s value in having high moral integrity
  
• Four who is assertive in your values & beliefs
  
• Five who is vocal in your strong moral convictions
  
• Six who gets a sense of stability from a strong moral foundation
  
• Seven who is less willing to risk making mistakes
  
• Eight who is detail-oriented & focused on enacting justice
  
• Nine who is very driven to self-improve