What are the 16 personality types (and what do they say about you)?
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Eager to understand people better? Learning their personality type could be the key. Explore the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types and what they may mean for your relationships.
So many of us are obsessed with understanding what makes others tick. You might wonder why one friend loves big social events, while another rerecharges by winding down with a good book — or why your partner has to plan out every detail of a trip, when you prefer to just go with the flow.
While there are many ways to analyze people’s personality quirks (see: astrology), a popular one is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) — a system that organizes people into 16 personality types, based on how they get energy, process information, make decisions, and handle structure.
While it’s obviously fun to learn a little more about yourself and others, the MBTI can also help you improve your relationships, boost communication, and even help you make sense of the people around you. Let’s explore more.
What are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators (MBTI)?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a system that helps people understand their personality. Essentially, it assigns every person to one of 16 different types based on how they think, feel, and interact with the world. It’s important to note this isn’t a scientific way of understanding people, it’s more colloquial and anecdotal. Still, it can be enjoyable and useful to explore.
The MBTI looks at four key areas of personality:
Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I) – Do you get energy from being around people (extraversion) or from spending time alone (introversion)?
Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N) – Do you focus more on facts and details (sensing) or on big ideas and possibilities (intuition)?
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F) – Do you make decisions based on logic (thinking) or on emotions and personal values (feeling)?
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P) – Do you like structure (judging) or do you prefer to be flexible (perceiving)?
Each person has one preference from each pair, creating their four-letter personality type (like INFJ or ESTP).
While it’s not necessarily the most scientific method of analyzing personality, the MBTI is used all over the world to help people understand themselves, communicate better, and make decisions about careers and relationships.
Who created the 16 personality types?
Inspired by the work of Carl Jung, a famous psychologist who studied different ways people think and behave, Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, designed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) during World War II to help people find jobs that suited their personalities. Over time, the MBTI became one of the most popular personality tests in the world. Today, it’s used in career planning, relationships, education, and even personal growth.
Even though some scientists question whether personality can actually be divided into strict types, many people find the MBTI helpful for understanding themselves and others.
What are the main characteristics of the 16 personality types?
The 16 personality types are divided into four groups based on common traits. Each one is made up of four letters that describe how a person thinks, feels, and interacts with the world — and you may see a little bit of yourself in more than one of them.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
1. Analysts (Intuitive and Thinking)
These types enjoy problem-solving, big ideas, and planning for the future.
INTJ (The Architect): Smart, independent, and loves making long-term plans
INTP (The Logician): Curious, creative, and enjoys exploring new ideas
ENTJ (The Commander): Bold, confident, and a natural leader
ENTP (The Debater): Energetic, loves debating, and enjoys a challenge
2. Diplomats (Intuitive and Feeling)
They focus on emotions, deep connections, and making the world better.
INFJ (The Advocate): Thoughtful, kind, and always looking for meaning in life
INFP (The Mediator): Creative, sensitive, and guided by strong personal values
ENFJ (The Protagonist): Charismatic, inspiring, and great at motivating others
ENFP (The Campaigner): Fun, energetic, and loves new experiences
3. Sentinels (Sensing and Judging)
These people value tradition, organization, and dependability.
ISTJ (The Logistician): Hardworking, detail-oriented, and reliable
ISFJ (The Defender): Caring, protective, and always thinking of others
ESTJ (The Executive): Organized, responsible, and a natural leader
ESFJ (The Consul): Friendly, social, and loves bringing people together
4. Explorers (Sensing and Perceiving)
These types enjoy hands-on experiences, excitement, and flexibility.
ISTP (The Virtuoso): Independent, practical, and great at fixing things
ISFP (The Adventurer): Artistic, free-spirited, and enjoys new experiences
ESTP (The Entrepreneur): Bold, energetic, and thrives on taking risks
ESFP (The Entertainer): Outgoing, fun, and loves being the center of attention
How to find out which personality type you are
You can probably guess at least a few of the letters in your Myers-Briggs personality type, but if you want to be sure, there are a few simple ways to find out.
1. Take a personality assessment
The easiest way to find your type is by taking an MBTI test. There are both official and free options available:
Official MBTI assessment: The Myers & Briggs Foundation offers a professional test that gives detailed results. This test is usually pretty accurate but can cost money.
Free online tests: There are also plenty of accessible, free versions of the test online. While these are not as in-depth as the official MBTI, they’re a great starting point for self-reflection.
When taking a test, don’t pick the answer you think sounds the best — choose what feels natural to you. You may wish that you were the type of person who could travel the world without a care in the world, but some of us are much happier in a comfortable routine. Just be honest.
Also, remember that people’s personalities can change over time, and that certain traits are tough to define. If you don’t know what to pick, focus on the parts of the descriptions that feel most true to you (and take the test again if your results feel inaccurate).
2. Think about your preferences
If you don’t want to take a test, you can figure out your type by thinking about your natural tendencies. This can help you nail down your type on your own.
Energy source: Do you feel energized after spending time with others (extrovert), or do you recharge best in solitude (introvert)?
Information processing: Do you focus on facts and details (sensing), or are you more drawn to patterns and possibilities (intuition)?
Decision-making: Do you lean on logic and objectivity (thinking), or do you prioritize personal values and relationships (feeling)?
Lifestyle structure: Do you prefer a planned, organized approach (judging), or do you enjoy flexibility and spontaneity (perceiving)?
3. Ask people who know you well
Your friends or family might notice things about you that you don’t. Ask them how they see you. Do they think you’re more social or reserved? Logical or emotional? Their perspective can help confirm your type.
💙 Nurturing close friendships is important for people, no matter what your personality type is. Tamara Levitt’s Relationship with Others can help you learn how to do that.
4. Experiment with tools for self-awareness
Once you have an idea of your type, read the descriptions of the 16 personality types to see which one sounds most like you. Sometimes, people relate to more than one type, so take your time to explore. Trying out some other self-awareness tools can provide additional clarity. Try:
Journaling about your reactions to various situations (these 10 mindfulness questions to check in with yourself are also a good place start)
Using mindfulness practices to observe your thought patterns and emotional responses
Exploring related frameworks like the Big Five Personality Traits for broader insights into your behavior
💙 If you’re new to mindfulness, Jeff Warren’s Mindfulness for Beginners series shares so many tools to build your awareness.
What are the personality types FAQs
What do the Myers-Briggs types stand for?
Each Myers-Briggs personality type is a four-letter code that represents different traits. The letters stand for:
E (Extraversion) vs. I (Introversion): Do you get energy from being around people (E) or from spending time alone (I)?
S (Sensing) vs. N (Intuition): Do you focus on facts and details (S) or on big ideas and possibilities (N)?
T (Thinking) vs. F (Feeling): Do you make decisions based on logic (T) or emotions and personal values (F)?
J (Judging) vs. P (Perceiving): Do you prefer structure and planning (J) or do you like to be flexible and spontaneous (P)?
Each letter combination (e.g., INFJ or ESTP) describes a unique personality type. Of course it’s a little reductive—people are so much more complex than any single label—but it can provide some fun and even helpful insights.
Why are personality types important?
Personality types (while not science-based) are a tool to help people understand themselves and others. When you know your type, you have a better sense of your strengths, challenges, and natural preferences.
This can also help you improve your relationships and cut down on miscommunications. If you know you’re more introverted, you might feel less self-conscious turning down plans with friends — and have an easier time explaining to them why you’d prefer to have a quiet night at home.
In the workplace, personality types can be useful for teamwork and career planning. Knowing your type can help you choose a job that fits your skills and work style. Employers also use personality types to build better teams and improve leadership skills.
What are the top 3 personality types?
Every personality type brings unique strengths and perspectives, but the three most common personality types are:
ISFJ (The Defender): Caring, responsible, and dedicated to helping others, many ISFJs work in healthcare, education, or other service roles.
ESFJ (The Consul): ESFJs are friendly, outgoing, and focused on relationships, and they enjoy organizing social events and making sure people feel included.
ISTJ (The Logistician): Known for their strong sense of duty and responsibility, ISTJs are hardworking, reliable, and detail-oriented.
What is the rarest Myers-Briggs type?
The rarest personality type is INFJ (The Advocate). Known for being deep thinkers, highly empathetic, and focused on personal growth and helping others, INFJs make up less than 2% of the population.
INFJs often feel like they see the world differently from most people. They have a strong sense of purpose and enjoy meaningful conversations rather than small talk. Because they are both idealistic and practical, they often become writers, counselors, or activists.
How can you find which personality type you are?
The easiest way to find your personality type is to take an MBTI test. The official MBTI test is available through the Myers & Briggs Foundation, but there are also free versions online.
If you don’t want to take a test, you can figure out your type by thinking about your preferences in four areas:
Do you enjoy being around people (Extraversion) or alone (Introversion)?
Do you focus on details and facts (Sensing) or ideas and possibilities (Intuition)?
Do you make decisions based on logic (Thinking) or emotions (Feeling)?
Do you prefer a structured plan (Judging) or a flexible approach (Perceiving)?
Reading about the 16 personality types can also help you see which one fits you best. Sometimes, people relate to more than one type, so take your time exploring them.
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