INFP Enneagram Types: The Complete Exploration

Seeing INFPs through the lenses of Enneagram theory allows us to distinguish nine INFP Enneagram subtypes and understand this personality type in depth. These curious, open-hearted spirits can take many different forms, though they will always remain sensitive empaths in essence.

There are many ways to make the world a more harmonious place, and that’s precisely what we will see by analyzing all nine INFP variations. INFPs' primary drive, which is focused on helping others, remains constant regardless of how they may differ depending on their Enneagram types.

A Quick Overview of the INFP Personality Type

INFPs are sensitive, imaginative souls who feel a deep need to lead a purposeful life. Their deep compassion is mostly directed toward supporting other people’s personal growth rather than just providing comfort and understanding.

These people tend to live in their heads, and they are often preoccupied with their thoughts, analyzing their feelings and impressions. They are often very self-aware of both their virtues and flaws, but they may focus too much on the latter, which impacts their self-confidence.

Additionally, INFPs are often perceived as eccentrics because they project an aura of mystery around them. However, because they are open-minded and genuinely kind, they are usually loved in their surroundings.

The Nine Enneagram Types of the INFP

INFPs naturally strive for harmony and are very adaptable. The influence of different Enneagram types will significantly change how they use their energy and go about achieving their goals. Let’s see all the possible INFP and Enneagram combinations.

#1. INFP Enneagram Type 1

The initiative and willpower of the Enneagram Type One make this INFP a lot more engaged when it comes to living up to and fighting for their ideals. The perfectionism and drive of One blend with the INFPs’ idealism, resulting in a personality with a deep need to improve the human condition and protect those in need.

These INFPs are genuinely concerned with issues of social justice, and regardless of the profession they choose, they will always find a way to stand up for their beliefs. The focus of One makes making decisions easier for INFPs, so INFP Enneagram Ones will be less prone to procrastination and more likely to take action and responsibility for what they believe in.

Their strong moral compass combined with deep compassion makes them natural protectors of justice, and they are often the people everyone turns to when faced with some kind of wrongdoing.

The deepest fear of these individuals is that they may be misunderstood and seen as morally corrupt or flawed in some way. Therefore, they make sure everything they do is in line with their value system. As for their desires, they often see their lives as missions with a higher purpose and strive hard to discover and live up to that higher purpose.

Explore our Enneagram 1 memes for a delightful depiction of classic Type One traits.

#2. INFP Enneagram Type 2

While INFPs are introverted in general, INFP Enneagram Twos will need far less time alone and significantly more time with other people. However, Twos don’t turn INFPs into social butterflies—they just make them more people-oriented and open to connections. As a result,these INFPs will focus on nurturing close relationships in their lives.

Warm and deeply compassionate, they are amazing listeners and can always offer a fresh perspective on any issue and comfort other people with ease. They have a genuine understanding of human nature, which is why they adapt to very different environments so easily and often become counselors in their friend groups and families.

Since Twos take great care not to disappoint anyone, INFP Enneagram Twos will also be more loyal and responsible than regular INFPs, both at work and in personal relationships. They will also be less independent because they will focus more on establishing connections.

The fears of INFP Enneagram Twos mostly revolve around being misunderstood and consequently abandoned. For that reason, they make sure they communicate well with other people. When it comes to their deepest desires, their dreams of living a purposeful life overlap with their tendency to find meaning in relationships with other people.

Our My Agreeableness Test can provide additional insights into these interpersonal dynamics.

#3. INFP Enneagram Type 3

This is a bit challenging combination since Threes tend to detach from their feelings while INFPs focus their entire life strategy on being in tune with how they feel. For that reason, INFP Enneagram Threes may need time to find out how to unify these opposing aspects of their characters without jeopardizing their core needs.

These INFPs often experience an intense period in life during which they struggle to determine what they believe and what matters to them. What makes this struggle easier is their intuition, which is often highly developed, as they learn to rely on it the most while striving to succeed without betraying their highest ideals.

The INFPs’ typical fear of being misunderstood translates into fearing that unless they find a way to be successful, no one will understand them. Therefore, their deepest desires often boil down to achieving the level of success that will set them free to pursue their passions and be who they really are.

#4. INFP Enneagram Type 4

Enneagram Type Four makes up a large proportion of all INFPs. The biggest reason why this is so is that both types struggle to feel they belong on the one hand and feel the urge to distinguish themselves and remain independent on the other. INFP Enneagram Fours typically feel a strong drive to explore themselves, understand who they are, and communicate that in some way.

While searching for the truth about themselves, they remain admirably honest with people around them and offer a unique compassion based on their own insights that come from their everlasting soul search. INFP Fours are often prone to artistic expression, which allows them to share their rich inner experiences and transform them into something everyone can relate to.

Introspective and idealistic, these people are fierce in their pursuit of the truth about themselves. There’s nothing about feelings that scares them. On the contrary, they are profoundly and genuinely intrigued to dive into the ocean of their emotions and come out of it with fresh insights and ideas.

They may struggle in relationships, as it is not easy for them to find someone who will be able to see all the depths of their characters. Their core fears are mainly of forever being misunderstood and unable to express their own truth, while the desire to communicate their personal authenticity remains their lifelong fascination.

#5. INFP Enneagram Type 5

INFP Enneagram 5s may look a lot like INTPs. However, what makes a difference is that these INFPs will always be motivated by their feelings and not logic, unlike the typically more pragmatic ESTPs.

INFP Enneagram 5s are very inquisitive and introspective and also more practical than typical INFPs. They are eager to learn and acquire skills and usually achieve admirable mastery in their selected field of interest. Because they are in touch with their feelings, their knowledge and understanding of the world are deep.

The Enneagram Five will make this INFP more concerned with independence than relationships with others, and these people typically take a lot of time alone to learn and process all their complex observations. They are very private people who share their feelings only with their closest circle.

Both analytical and intuitive, INFP Enneagram 5s are excellent problem-solvers. Their chronic fear of not being capable enough drives them to collect knowledge tirelessly. What they dream about is being free to pursue all their passions and follow their curiosity.

#6. INFP Enneagram Type 6

INFP Enneagram Six is full of contradictions. The INFPs’ natural need for independence clashes with the Sixes’ need for security, so this personality often wavers between being sociable to being isolated, from trusting other people to questioning their motives, and so on.

However, Sixes and INFPs still have some things in common, such as firm beliefs and the need to be morally correct and do things right. Therefore, these INFPs will be more loyal, steady, and organized than typical INFPs. Kind and caring, they will always be willing to help other people.

Because Sixes can be very pessimistic, this INFP’s imagination is often directed toward imagining possible worst-case scenarios. While this makes them ready for many different situations, it takes a toll on the INFP’s typical creativity.

Generally inhibited, these individuals are afraid of everything, but mostly that they will be abandoned and left without guidance. They are not so concerned with purpose as typical INFPs but dream mainly about living a peaceful, stable life.

#7. INFP Enneagram Type 7

INFP Enneagram Sevens have the spirit of a highly sensitive but curious and enthusiastic child. Their approach to life is thoughtful yet full of wonder and amazement.

Enneagram Type Seven fuels INFPs' natural curiosity and makes them more open to new experiences, more adaptable, and more easygoing. These INFPs will seek adventures and won’t be afraid to break a rule of two on their way.

INFP Enneagram Sevens are all sunny and smiley as long as everything flows smoothly and they don’t face conflicts or problems. However, they may struggle to stay in touch with their feelings the moment they experience something that is not so joyful.

Because they feel the urge to avoid complicated situations and relationships, these INFPs will be very flighty. They will also find it very challenging to focus on one thing for too long. Making decisions and organizing their lives often scare them to the core.

These INFPs' core fear revolves around experiencing difficult feelings and not knowing how to cope with them. Meanwhile, their biggest desires are all about enjoying life and being free to pursue their passions.

#8. INFP Enneagram Type 8

Eights are mainly concerned with power, autonomy, and control, which have nothing to do with the typical motivations of an INFP. Therefore, this INFP will be significantly different from other INFPs. INFP Enneagram Eights can also often be mistaken for INFJs or INTJs because they have a much more pronounced need for organization and are more reality-oriented.

These INFPs will also be more assertive in expressing their needs and more protective of their relationships. They may also feel good in leadership positions, but they will never be as power-hungry as a typical Eight.

Since Eights have a very pronounced soft spot for the underdog, which overlaps with the INFPs' need to stand up for the weak, the INFP Enneagram Eight will be a fierce and determined fighter for justice and human rights.

The need for independence and autonomy will also be significantly more pronounced, and these individuals’ core desires are often about protecting their autonomywhile living a purposeful life.

Since Eights have trouble showing their vulnerability and INFPs are very private in that sense, too, the fears of this type boil down to the fear of being vulnerable in front of other people.

#9. INFP Enneagram Type 9

INFP Enneagram Nines are very harmonious personalities. As you may expect, Nines are quite standard among INFPs because these two types have so much in common.

These individuals are highly spiritual and in tune with their feelings. They have all the typical INFP traits—they are kind, warm, and deeply accepting of other people, often acting as peacemakers and mediators. Calm and serene on the outside, they have a very rich inner world, which they often express through some kind of art or creative endeavor.

Beauty in both spiritual and material senses plays an important role in the lives of these people, and they have a very refined taste in art. Their unique gift is to harmonize with their environment, and other people often love them for being so understanding and accepting.

These people often believe that the purpose of their lives is to make the world better by soothing conflicts and protecting the weak. Their biggest desire is to live in peace, both with themselves and with the outside world. What they fear the most is that they may not be able to bring harmony and that they will consequently be abandoned.

The Most and Least Common INFP Enneagram Types

INFPs can easily identify with a number of Enneagram types because of their high adaptability and unique combination of intuition and feeling. However, the feeling triad-Enneatypes may be more common among INFPs because they make decisions with their hearts.

The Most Common INFP Enneagram Types

The most common INFP Enneagram types are Fours, Nines, and Twos.

Since Fours are all about soul-searching and expressing their unique identity, it is no wonder that a large majority of INFPs identify as Individualists. The highly intuitive Twos correspond well with an INFP version that has matured and become more open toward people. Nines also make up a large proportion of INFPs because they share the same introverted feeling process.

The Least Common INFP Enneagram Types

The least common INFP Enneagram types are One, Seven, and Eight.

Ones have a strong propensity to control their emotions, which is quite the opposite of how an INFP functions. Sevens run away from unpleasant feelings, while INFPs welcome all feelings, so this is also a very rare combination. Eights not only control their emotions but also despise vulnerability, so these would, again, be very uncommon INFPs.

Conclusion

Though some Enneagram types can significantly influence how INFPs behave and express themselves, INFPs will never become extroverted like ENFPs or rational like INTPs. We are just looking at nuances, and we are sure many more fine variations within the same type can be found.

The most unusual INFPs are INFP Enneagram Ones, INFP Enneagram Sevens, and INFP Enneagram Eights. The reason for this is that these Enneatypes have completely different life strategies than typical INFPs. Likewise, Fours, Nines, and Twos have a lot in common with typical INTPs and therefore make up the majority of INFPs.