What are the 8 types of intelligence? Plus, how to find yours
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
There's no single way to be smart. Learn about the 8 types of intelligence, how to find yours, and 5 simple ways to use it for personal and career success.
Raise your hand if you were the kid in school who could remember every lyric on the radio but froze during math tests. Or the one who excelled in gym class but struggled to sit through long lectures. Experiences like these can leave many people believing they’re “not smart,” when in reality, they are. Often, their strengths just don't show up in the traditional ways schools and tests usually measure.
That’s exactly what psychologist Howard Gardner noticed when he began studying how people learn and succeed. Instead of asking how much intelligence someone has, he wondered how their intelligence works. His idea, known as the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, recognizes that there are many ways to be smart. And that we don’t all fit into the same mold.
Let’s break down the eight types of intelligence, how to spot yours, and why this understanding can support your personal growth and professional success.
What is Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences?
Howard Gardner introduced the Theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1983 as a challenge to the idea that a single IQ score could capture all of human ability. His research suggested that intelligence isn’t one-dimensional. People excel in different areas, whether that’s with numbers, words, music, movement, or relationships.
Gardner went on to identify eight distinct types of intelligence, each representing a way people process information and solve problems. For instance, a person with strong musical intelligence might be able to instantly pick up melodies, while someone with naturalistic intelligence may be able to see patterns in their environment that others overlook. Both are intelligent, just in different ways.
This perspective has had a lasting influence, especially in education, as teachers use it to design lessons that reach a wider range of learners. But it can be just as relevant for adults making career decisions, exploring personal growth, or learning to appreciate the diverse strengths in the people around them.
What are the criticisms and benefits of Gardner’s theory?
Gardner’s model has sparked plenty of discussion. While some experts question its scientific grounding, others embrace it as a practical way to understand human potential.
Here are some of its main criticisms:
Limited evidence: Several researchers argue that these eight types aren’t backed by strong neurological proof.
Blurry categories: Some skills overlap, making it tricky to separate one intelligence from another.
Misuse in education: People sometimes confuse the theory with learning styles. As a result, they use it to prescribe rigid teaching methods rather than viewing it as a broader framework.
Here are some of its main benefits:
Inclusivity: This model expands what it means to be smart, which can be validating for those who didn’t thrive in traditional classrooms.
Practical value: Teachers, coaches, and employers can use it to recognize and nurture different strengths and abilities.
Personal insight: A lot of people find it helpful for building confidence, choosing careers, and simply understanding themselves a little better.
8 types of intelligence (and how to spot yours)
According to Gardner’s theory, intelligence comes in eight distinct forms. Each person tends to connect with one specific intelligence more than the rest. However, it’s also common to notice that a couple of them feel like your natural strengths. Here’s what each type looks like in everyday life.
1. Visual-spatial intelligence
People with strong visual-spatial intelligence think in pictures and patterns. They often enjoy drawing, puzzles, and building things, and have a knack for remembering directions. If you can easily visualize objects in your mind, excel at reading maps, or tend to think best with diagrams or images rather than words, you may have visual-spatial intelligence.
A few ideal careers:
Architect
Engineer
Photographer
Pilot
2. Linguistic-verbal intelligence
If words are your strength, you probably have linguistic-verbal intelligence. You probably enjoy reading, journaling, or debating, and have an easy time remembering quotes or phrases. People may often compliment your ideas and your ability to express yourself.
A few ideal careers:
Writer
Lawyer
Public speaker
3. Logical-mathematical intelligence
This type of intelligence is all about reasoning and problem-solving. If you enjoy strategy games, naturally spot patterns and provide solutions, and find yourself asking “why” often, you might lean towards a logical-mathematical form of intelligence. You might also be drawn to strategy games, experiments, and anything that challenges your analytical thinking.
A few ideal careers:
Programmer
Engineer
Financial analyst or advisor
4. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
Some people learn best by moving their bodies and using their hands. If you pick up new sports quickly, enjoy dance or theater, or feel restless sitting still, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence is probably one of your strengths. Basically, you prefer “doing” to watching or listening.
A few ideal careers:
Athlete
Dancer
Craftsperson
Read more: What is mindful movement? Plus 9 ways to get started
5. Musical intelligence
If you can easily memorize songs, notice small changes in pitch, or feel deeply connected to music, you likely have musical intelligence. People with this strength might play instruments, compose, or simply use music to focus or relax. You have a natural sensitivity to rhythm, tone, and sound.
A few ideal careers:
Music performer
Music composer
Sound engineer
Music therapist
6. Interpersonal intelligence
People with interpersonal intelligence are great at understanding and connecting with others. They can sense emotions and read social cues, and communicate effectively. You might have interpersonal intelligence if you’re naturally empathetic, enjoy working with others, or find that people often come to you for advice.
A few ideal careers:
Counselor or therapist
Teacher
People manager
Social worker
7. Intrapersonal intelligence
This type of intelligence is about self-awareness and reflection. If this is your strong suit, you most likely enjoy journaling, spend time processing your feelings, and have a good sense of your own strengths and limits. You may even be the person your friends go to for help, as you’re able to assist others while staying grounded yourself. Setting personal goals and understanding your motivations is probably important to you.
A few ideal careers:
Writer
Coaches
Philosophers
Psychologist
8. Naturalistic intelligence
People with naturalistic intelligence are attuned to nature and the environment. They notice patterns in the natural world and enjoy working with plants, animals, or outdoor settings. You might have this intelligence if you feel most at peace outside, enjoy caring for living things, or easily recognize types of plants, animals, or weather changes.
A few ideal careers:
Biologist
Veterinarian
Conservationist
Farmers
How to work with your intelligence type: 5 tips to embrace your strengths
Discovering your dominant intelligence type can start to shape how you learn, work, and connect with others. Once you know where your strengths lie, you can start making small, intentional choices that help you thrive. Here are five ways to put that knowledge to work.
1. Know yourself better
Identifying your intelligence type helps you recognize what already works for you, rather than focusing on what doesn’t. Start by noticing where things feel natural and enjoyable. You can also reflect on compliments or feedback you often receive and think about activities that leave you energized instead of drained.
Someone with intrapersonal intelligence might carve out quiet time for journaling or reflection every day, while someone with interpersonal intelligence may process their thoughts best through conversation. When you understand your natural patterns, you can stop comparing yourself to others and start owning the way you’re wired.
Related read: 66 questions to ask yourself to get to know you better
2. Nurture your specific skills
Your intelligence type can also be a gateway to learning new things. If you’re bodily-kinesthetic, you might retain information more easily by acting it out or building a hands-on model. If you’re musical, turning study notes into rhythms or songs could help you remember them. By connecting learning to your strengths, growth feels easier.
💙 Grow to appreciate your strengths by listening to Your Unique Skillset with Jay Shetty.
3. Choose a career that suits you
You can find your dream career based on the kinds of intelligence you use most naturally. A person with naturalistic intelligence may thrive in roles that involve being outdoors or working with living systems, while someone with logical-mathematical intelligence might find fulfillment in research or data analysis.
When your work matches your strengths, daily tasks feel less draining and more meaningful.
4. Boost your confidence
Many of us grew up equating “smart” with grades or test scores, which can leave lasting doubts if yours weren’t great. Seeing your unique strengths clearly can build the kind of confidence that opens doors in every area of life.
Maybe academics weren’t your strength, but your interpersonal skills make you a natural leader who can motivate and unite a team. Or maybe your visual-spatial intelligence means you can envision solutions others can’t.
Related read: How to improve self-esteem in 7 steps using mindfulness
5. Play to your strengths in life
Once you know your intelligence type, you can use it to simplify everyday challenges. A visual-spatial thinker might organize tasks using mind maps or vision boards. Someone musical might use playlists to shift their mood or energy. A bodily-kinesthetic learner might solve problems better on a walk than sitting still.
These small shifts don’t just make life smoother — they help you navigate tough times with greater ease.
💙 Tune into your particular strengths with guidance from Jeff Warren’s meditation on Intelligence.
Types of intelligence FAQs
Can you have more than one type of intelligence?
You can have more than one type of intelligence. In fact, most people show a blend of different intelligences rather than just one.
For example, you could have strong interpersonal intelligence that makes you great at connecting with others, while also having musical intelligence that helps you pick up new instruments quickly. One type could stand out more, but that doesn’t cancel out the others. The mix is what makes you unique.
What’s the rarest type of intelligence?
There isn’t one type of intelligence that everyone collectively agrees is the rarest, but some studies suggest naturalistic intelligences appear less often because they aren’t emphasized in traditional schools or workplaces. However, all forms of intelligence can offer perspective and skills that others may overlook.
How do I find out my strongest intelligence type?
Start by noticing where things feel natural and enjoyable. Do you lose track of time when writing or drawing? Do you enjoy solving logical puzzles or being outdoors? Your answers to questions like these can often give you clues that point to your dominant intelligence. Additionally, you can reflect on compliments or feedback you often receive and think about activities that leave you energized instead of drained.
Do intelligence types change over time?
Your intelligence type can shift as your life changes. For example, a teenager could show strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence through sports, but later in life, their interpersonal skills could become more central to their lives.
New experiences, education, and practice can also strengthen types you didn’t notice before. Overall, your intelligence type is less a fixed label and more a living pattern that evolves with you.
How can I use my intelligence type to boost professional and personal development?
Your intelligence type can act as a guide for choosing strategies that work with your natural abilities instead of against them. For example, someone with visual-spatial intelligence may present ideas more clearly with charts or diagrams at work, while a person with linguistic-verbal intelligence might shine in roles that involve writing or speaking.
In your personal life, leaning into your type can make everyday challenges easier, whether that means using movement to process stress, music to regulate mood, or self-reflection to guide decisions. The key is to build on what already feels like second nature.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
Images: Getty
