The Most Common Enneagram Mistypes & How to Fix Mistyping

Suppose you’ve got your Enneagram test results and started exploring Enneagram types. While the result you got describes you well, you feel like your character matches better with the descriptions of another type, and now you’re confused.

But don’t worry—Enneagram mistypes are very common, and they happen because there are many behavioral overlaps between types.

In this Enneagram mistyping guide, we’ll explain everything about Enneagram mistypes and help you determine your type with certainty.

What Are Enneagram Mistypes?

Enneagram mistypes describe situations when you identify with an Enneagram type that doesn’t match your core character. That happens because our core Enneagram type can function on different levels of development, and we display different behaviors depending on how mature, stressed, or fulfilled we are in life.

On top of that, having a strong Enneagram wing can also lead to confusion, as some circumstances may highlight the traits of the wing more than the traits of your core type. It is not uncommon for people to shift between their wings since, in some cases, both wings can be active in certain stages of life.

Mistypes also occur frequently because different Enneagram types go through different stages of development and can exhibit traits that are similar to those of other types at different stages.

At the end of the day, many Enneagram types can act similarly; the key distinction is in the reasons behind it. Without understanding each type’s core motivations, fears, and desires, it is impossible to find your core Enneagram type.

The Importance of Understanding Enneagram Types

When you understand the essential logic behind Enneagram types, the possibility of mistypes dramatically decreases. This is due to the fact that, despite shared traits, every Enneagram type has its own distinct driving force. And that’s precisely why it is important to avoid mistyping—it can confuse you instead of helping you understand yourself better.

What’s particularly dangerous about Enneagram mistypes is that mistyping can support the inadequate beliefs you hold about yourself, thus shaking your self-confidence. You might be sabotaging your own personal development and success in some areas of life if you cling to these false beliefs.

Sometimes, when we struggle to make decisions, knowing our Enneagram type can help us map the right path. So, accurate typing is important not only for understanding ourselves better but also for understanding people we care about on a deeper level.

When we understand what we really need and want in life and why we behave the way we do, we also become more compassionate and understanding toward other people.

The Most Common Mistype for Each Enneagram

While, in general, it is possible to mistype any Enneatype for another Enneatype, some mistypes are more common than others due to overlaps in behavior. We will explore the most common mistypes for each Enneagram type and explain in detail why these mistypes happen.

Enneagram 1 Mistype

Enneagram Type One, the Perfectionist, is driven by the need to be morally right because they believe that they deserve to be loved and respected only when they do everything perfectly. They have exceptionally high moral standards and strive for perfection in every aspect. Enneagram One common mistypes are Enneagram Type Two and Enneagram Type Six.

Twos and Ones share altruistic tendencies and go out of their way to improve things. They are selfless in helping other people. However, while Ones help others because they believe that’s the right thing to do, Twos do it because they believe that’s the only way to get love and approval.

Ones and Sixes are often mistyped as they are both traditional and prefer to play it safe. But Ones stick to the rules because they want to do everything perfectly, while Sixes just want to avoid the uncertainty that would come from doing things differently.

Enneagram 2 Mistype

Twos are compassionate and caring individuals, driven by the need to be loved and needed by other people. They tend to put other people’s needs first as they believe that only by pleasing others they can deserve the love and acceptance they crave. Twos are commonly mistyped as Sixes and Nines.

Both Twos and Sixes can be codependent and insecure, craving for someone to rely on. But, while Twos hope to earn love this way, Sixes dream of someone to guide them through life.

Nines and Twos share the need for harmony and a tendency to avoid conflicts. However, Twos will avoid conflict only when they believe it will lead to abandonment and rejection, while Nines aim to maintain harmony to protect their inner peace.

Enneagram 3 Mistype

Threes are energetic go-getters motivated by the need to succeed and impress other people with their achievements. They depend on external validation and deeply fear failure because they believe they can be loved only if they are successful. Threes are often mistyped as Sevens and Eights.

Sevens and Threes share the love of adventures and excitement, and they are both very charming and seductive. However, Sevens are driven by insatiable curiosity and thirst for novelty, while Threes seek adventures to impress other people.

Threes and Eights are the most self-confident and ambitious Enneagram types. They share leadership qualities and a relentless drive for success. But, while Threes go after their goals to earn a reputation, Eights strive to be in a position of power to protect themselves from being manipulated.

Enneagram 4 Mistype

Fours are deeply introspective, sensitive, and emotionally intense individuals. Their core motivation is to express their uniqueness and show the world how special they are. For them, being ordinary equals being unworthy of love. Fours are typically mistyped as Threes and Nines.

Fours’ need to be seen as one of a kind often resembles Threes’ need to be admired by other people. However, Fours’ focus isn’t on success but on stating their extraordinary personality. Meanwhile, Threes are looking for external validation through success.

Fours and Nines are both introverted and withdrawn types who tend to spend a lot of time on their own. Fours resort to self-isolation to devote themselves to their soul-searching quests, which are often very turbulent. Nines, on the other hand, withdraw out of the need to keep things tranquil and avoid conflicts with the outside world.

Enneagram 5 Mistype

Fives are driven by the need to understand the world and, therefore, acquire all types of knowledge, as the more they know, the safer they feel in this unpredictable world. They are terrified of the unknown and of the uncertainty of life, and they find it hard to rely on anyone but themselves. Fives are often mistyped as Fours and Nines.

What Fours and Fives have in common is introversion, low energy levels, and the need for independence. However, they are very different in almost every other way, as Fives are highly rational, and Fours are deeply emotional.

As for Fives and Nines, they often behave similarly in conflicts. They remain calm, objective, and rational. However, Nines keep it cool as they are aiming to establish peace, while Fives stay cool to ensure their emotions don’t jeopardize their judgment.

Enneagram 6 Mistype

The need for security drives Sixes, as they are terrified of the unpredictability of life. They are loyal, traditional, and stick to the rules because they provide them with a basic sense of safety and predictability. They value loyalty and seek guidance from authoritative figures in their lives.

Sixes are commonly mistyped as types One and Two. Sixes and Ones are very similar in the sense that both are very detail-oriented, punctual, loyal, and morally uptight. The difference is that Sixes behave that way because structure and rules make them feel safe, while Ones just want to avoid making mistakes.

Sixes are mistyped as Twos because both tend to be very nurturing and supportive toward other people. Relationships are highly important in the lives of these types, and they go out of their way to maintain them. However, Twos are so devoted because they hope to receive love back, while for Sixes, relationships are a source of security.

Enneagram 7 Mistype

Sevens, also called the Enthusiasts, are motivated by their insatiable curiosity and thirst for new and exciting experiences. They are creative, spontaneous, and playful, and they have a major fear of missing out (FOMO) on the joys of life. Enthusiasts are often confused with Threes and Eights.

Sevens and Threes are both charming, energetic, and always on the go, looking for adventures and excitement. However, for Sevens, these adventures are just a way to have fun and enjoy life, while for Threes, everything is a quest for success and recognition.

Sevens and Eights don’t have a lot in common, but they can both be very rebellious toward authorities and imposed rules. However, their rebellion stems from different needs. The Sevens want to protect their freedom, and the Eights refuse to be controlled or manipulated by anyone.

Enneagram 8 Mistype

Eights are driven by a strong desire for independence and autonomy. They want to have power over their destiny and are deeply afraid of being taken advantage of, humiliated, or controlled by other people. They are often mistyped as Twos and Threes.

Though it may not make sense to confuse Eights and Twos at first sight, as they seem so different, this happens pretty often. That’s because unhealthy Twos can be manipulative and domineering, just like Eights under stress, and Eights often resemble healthy Twos as they mature and grow.

Confusing Eights with Threes is very easy because both have leadership qualities and are exceptionally ambitious and driven. However, while Eights want power, Threes seek recognition.

Enneagram 9 Mistype

The need for harmony drives Nines. Conflicts are deeply unsettling for them, which is why they develop exceptional conflict management skills. They need to feel connected to the community and deeply fear abandonment. Nines are commonly mistyped as Twos and Fives.

Nines and Twos are very similar in their need for harmony. However, while Twos see handling conflicts as a way to help other people, for Nines, that’s a way to protect their inner peace and stability.

Nines and Fives are both calm, tactful, and objective, and both need a lot of time on their own. These behavioral similarities stem from completely different sources, though. Fives need to stay detached to preserve their independence, while Nines remain calm and objective to preserve peace and harmony. This nuanced approach to maintaining harmony, along with their subtle differences from Twos and Fives, is humorously explored in our Enneagram 9 memes compilation.

How to Prevent Enneagram Mistyping

The first step in preventing Enneagram mistyping is taking a valid, reputable Enneagram test. The questions in the test should be formulated clearly, and the descriptions of the Enneagram types should be detailed and precise. Descriptions that are too broad typically leave a lot of room for guessing and misinterpretation.

The most important thing Enneagram test results should provide is insight into your Enneagram type’s core needs and fears. All of us pick up different types of behaviors from the people surrounding us, some of which may not be in harmony with our essence. However, we can’t pick up other people’s needs and fears, as they are the result of our unique experiences.

Therefore, when you understand which need and fear motivate your behaviors, you will easily determine your core Enneagram type.

Key Takeaways

Understanding Enneagram mistypes allows us to understand our core Enneagram type on a deeper level and look at our behaviors and traits from a new perspective. Because it shows us how we are unique even when we act similarly, it helps in our understanding of interpersonal relationships and other people.

In general, it is crucial to understand that there’s a huge difference between behavior and character in Enneagram types. The overlaps in behavior, not overlaps in character, is what confuses us the most. That’s because the same behavior can be the result of a completely different need.