The Most & Least Common INTP Enneagram Types

26 July 2023

intp enneagram

It may be safe to assume that INTP Enneagram types are the result of combining INTP with the Enneagram personality theory. But did you know that an INTP can deviate from its core form and change its main characteristics under the influence of each of the nine Enneatypes?

Before we begin a more detailed analysis, it’s important to remember that INTP stands for introverted, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving personality type. Thanks to this, you can probably guess the kinds of Enneatypes that correlate with INTPs the most often.

However, we’re sure there’s at least one surprise in the article ahead of you, as nothing is so simple in categorizing personality types. So, if you’re ready to see all the possible facets of INTPs, keep reading!

A Quick Overview of the INTP Personality Type

INTPs are logical thinkers who see the world as an interesting puzzle they need to solve. They often have an innate sense that everything is somehow connected and seek to understand the underlying patterns that connect different concepts and theories.

In fact, they are often so deeply involved in their thoughts that they completely detach from the here and now, unlike ISTJs, who remain grounded. For that reason, other people see them as unapproachable, but they are usually just preoccupied with their thoughts and ideas.

Though they look cool on the outside, INTPs are actually very passionate when it comes to their interests. So, while they’ll avoid small talk at any cost, they will fiercely and enthusiastically take part in a discussion on a topic that piques their interest.

The Nine Enneagram Types of the INTP

Glasses resting on top of a book

While it is possible for an INTP to identify as any Enneagram type, some combinations are much more likely than others. For example, can you imagine a flirty, goofy INTP who is the soul of the party? You can, if you are really imaginative, but generally, that’s not how an INTP typically behaves.

#1. INTP Enneagram Type 1

INTP Enneagram Ones will have all the intellectual strength of a typical INTP but will be more focused and result-oriented. For that reason, they may sometimes be easily confused with INTJs.

These INTPs are very attracted to analyzing the concepts of good and evil, justice, and fairness. More often than not, they feel almost obliged to defend the principles of good, and their scientific minds gain a new, ethical dimension. After all, they believe that science is futile if it doesn’t do good for humankind.

The perfectionism of the Enneagram Type One makes them more persistent, passionate, and determined to reach their goals. They are also more structured and organized than typical INTPs—these individuals work hard to perfect their skills and talents and want to see the results of their efforts.

Moral correctness is this type’s highest concern, and they deeply fear that they may be seen as corrupt or evil if they make a mistake. Fueled by this chronic fear, their biggest desire is to live an ethical life and apply their knowledge and skills for the benefit of humanity.

#2. INTP Enneagram Type 2

INTPs and Twos have completely different motivations; while INTPs want to understand and explore the world, Twos want to understand how other people feel. For that reason, INTP Enneagram Twos employ their problem-solving skills to help the people in their environment with the confidence and efficiency typical of INTPs.

These INTPs are exceptionally observant and skilled at reading people, and they are also very responsible and more result-oriented than typical INTPs. Their unconventional ideas are now employed to meet the needs of other people, which makes their creative capacity huge.

Boundaries and criticism are the weaknesses of this type. They often extend their help at the cost of their own needs, which often leads to exhaustion. That’s when they easily become overly sensitive and very reactive to even constructive criticism.

The core desire of Twos is to be loved, while INTPs want to be respected for their competence, so these INTPs will seek to earn love by using their competence to help others. The Two’s core fear marks these personalities as well, so being unloved is what they ultimately fear the most.

#3. INTP Enneagram Type 3

INTP Enneagram Threes are very sensitive to other people’s opinions and dependent on social approval, though they seem self-sufficient and even arrogant at times. Since Threes are very efficient and goal-oriented types, these INTPs spend less time in their heads and invest more energy into practical efforts.

Threes are one of the rarest types among INTPs. Their obsession with outward image and prestige is so different from the INTP’s search for universal meaning. So, the result of such a mix of opposites is an INTP who is better connected with reality—not so lost in their heads but also not so attached to status symbols.

These INTPs are pragmatic and can be charming when necessary. They are more attuned to their authentic needs than regular Threes and more relaxed and sociable than regular INTPs.

If the influence of Type Three prevails, these INTPs may be afraid of being seen as failures. Most often, they get upset with their achievements from time to time but are not constantly under pressure to excel. Meanwhile, their biggest desire is to pursue the ideas they are passionate about and bring them to fruition.

#4. INTP Enneagram Type 4

INTP Enneagram Type 4

Fours are not the rarest Enneagram types among the INTPs, but they are not too common either. An INTP Enneagram Four often directs their thought process toward analyzing their identity. They mercilessly scrutinize themselves and often conclude that their characters are somehow flawed, and that’s how they enter the shame spiral typical of Type Four.

These INTPs are even more introverted than regular INTPs and are more in touch with their past experiences than with the here and now. For that reason, they often miss the small joys of everyday life. However, they find soul-searching far more important than anything else, and that’s what they are completely dedicated to at all times, unlike the typically present-oriented and sociable ESFPs.

Sensitive and intellectual, INTP Enneagram Fours can come up with extraordinary insights. They often have artistic tendencies and best express their unique views through some form of art or creative expression.

The fears of these INTPs are mostly about being defective and, therefore, less worthy than others, while their biggest wish is to express their uniqueness in such a way that everyone understands them.

#5. INTP Enneagram Type 5

Enneagram Type Five is by far the most common among INTPs. Since INTPs use introverted thinking as their primary function—and that’s exactly the way Type Five operates, too—it is no surprise that the greatest number of INTPs identify with Enneagram 5.

So, it’s safe to say that everything that is typical of an INTP will be very strongly pronounced in INTP Enneagram Five. These INTPs are inquisitive intellectuals, explorers of the world, and independent sounds who feel discomfort with strong emotions.

Their curiosity and sharp wit lead them to learn many things throughout life and acquire a wide array of skills. However, they never become conceited because of all the things they know; they just keep learning, as their scientific mind is what drives them—not ambition.

Deep down, INTP Fives experience the world as threatening and unpredictable—that’s what their core is telling them. They confront it by wanting to achieve the maximum level of independence possible. Since they don’t make emotional connections easily, they often feel relationships are not a safe ground for them, so relying on other people for anything is their worst nightmare.

#6. INTP Enneagram Type 6

Compared to Enneagram Type Five, almost any other Enneatype is rare among INTPs. However, Sixes are not extremely rare, as a significant proportion of INTPs identify as Type Six.

INTP Enneagram Sixes are rather analytical, detailed-oriented, methodical, and conscious. They are more traditionally oriented than regular INTPs and very anxious about all kinds of innovation and changes in general.

Fear of the unknown governs their personalities, so they are not as inquisitive and independent as regular INTPs but more directed toward ensuring the stability of life, like typical Sixes. Thanks to this, they are responsible, committed family members who need to feel like they belong.

As they mature and earn the stability and security they crave, they begin to look more like typical INTPs, in the sense that they leave more room for their curiosity and sense of adventure in their lives.

Just like typical Sixes, these INTPs are ultimately afraid of being abandoned. They make elaborate plans for the future to prevent the worst-case scenarios they fear from happening. Their ultimate goal is to be able to pursue their interests while living close to their family.

#7. INTP Enneagram Type 7

INTP Enneagram Type 7

INTP Enneagram Sevens are free-spirited individuals who are all about exploring the world—they have the zest and energy of a child when it comes to new experiences. These INTPs are very forward-thinking individuals who frequently opt for a different way of life because they detest having to fulfill menial duties.

They do not have any innate sense of right and wrong, so their morals are constantly fluctuating according to their thought process. They may be egocentric and moody like children on the one hand and incredibly smart and insightful on the other.

Though warmer and more emotionally expressive than typical INTPs, they are often emotionally immature and lack consistency and perseverance in many aspects of their lives, which is typical of Type Seven. However, they are often multitalented and easily use their talents to make up for what they lack in character.

The serious side of life is what scares these INTPs the most. They simply feel they don’t have the strength tocope with unpleasant feelings, and they run away from them whenever possible. Meanwhile, their biggest desire is to pursue their passions, unbound by everyday duties and rules.

#8. INTP Enneagram Type 8

INTP Eights who know exactly what they want from life and go toward their goals steadily and fiercely. INTP Enneagram Eights use the analytical mind of their INTP side to support the ambition and drive of the Eights, and a result is a person who is goal-oriented, focused, and intense.

These INTPs are better adapted to the here and now and have a very clear overview of the balance of power in their environment. They silently pull the strings behind the scenes while they work toward assuming a position of power.

However, they are not as power-hungry as typical Eights—they are more concerned with independence and believe that having power is the key to keeping it. They want to create their own secure world where they can freely pursue their intellectual interests without interference from anyone.

Like regular Eights, they typically have trust issues, and their deepest fears revolve around being betrayed and taken advantage of.

#9. INTP Enneagram Type 9

Nines are very common among INTPs, which may at first come as a surprise considering how emotional Nines are. These INTPs are calmer and friendlier than regular INTPs and show more empathy, too. They are rather sensitive to the atmosphere in their surroundings and feel obliged to soothe any conflict that may arise in their presence.

A significant amount of their energy goes into avoiding confrontations, and they are often very skilled at managing conflicts, a trait humorously depicted in our Enneagram 9 memes collection. However, unless they learn to be more assertive, they may feel chronically exhausted, as they invest so much energy into protecting harmony instead of safeguarding their inner peace.

These INTPs will also be less independent, as they need to feel they belong. Their deepest fear is that they will be left behind unless they make sure everyone feels well around them. For this reason, they often rely on their excellent people-reading skills, but they rarely use them to their advantage.

Bearing all this in mind, it’s no wonder that achieving inner harmony and living a life surrounded by the people they love are the biggest dreams of INTP Enneagram Nines.

Interested in discovering your personality traits according to your blood type? Try our Blood Type Personality Test!

The Most and Least Common INTP Enneagram Types

Woman reading a book by the window

As you could see above, some Enneagram types are more common than others among INTPs. However, there’s no official rule about INTP Enneagram correlations—a lot depends on how you interpret the mix, as every INTP is unique.

Most Common INTP Enneagram Types

The most common INTP Enneagram types are Fives, Nines, and Fours. Fives are by far the most common Enneagram among INTPs, which is no surprise, as these two types are pretty similar in almost all aspects. Nines and Fours are the more emotional versions of INTPs and also make up a significant proportion of INTPs.

Least Common INTP Enneagram Types

The least common INTP Enneagram types are Twos, Threes, and Ones. Twos and Threes are extroverted types who belong to the Enneagram feeling triad, meaning they are led by their emotions, which is quite the opposite of how INTPs function. The rigidity and perfectionism of Ones don’t match the freedom-loving, curious spirit of INTPs, which is probably why Ones are also rare among INTPS.

Conclusion

The curious, bright INTPs who are eager to solve the mysteries of life are very adaptable, and it is not hard to imagine them blending with different Enneagram types.

Every description of the INTP Enneagram combination is just a framework to help you understand how these types work together. However, the extent to which an INTP will show the traits of a specific Enneagram type varies from person to person.

Note that the rarest INTP Enneagrams (Twos, Threes, and Ones) make an INTP look the least like an INTP. And obviously, the more typically an INTP behaves, the more likely their Enneagram type is Five, Nine, or Four.