Enneagram vs. Myers-Briggs
The Enneagram explores why you behave the way you do. Myers-Briggs categorizes how you think and process information. This guide breaks down how they compare and when to use each one.
At-a-Glance Comparison
How the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs compare across the factors that matter when choosing a personality framework.
| Dimension | EEnneagram | MMyers-Briggs |
|---|---|---|
What It Measures | Core motivations & fears | Cognitive preferences & personality type |
Number of Types | 9 types (+ wings & subtypes) | 16 types across 4 dichotomies |
Assessment Length | ~15-30 minutes | ~20-30 minutes |
Scientific Backing | Rooted in spiritual traditions, limited empirical validation | Widely used but ~50% get different results on retest |
Complexity | High. Wings, subtypes, growth/stress lines | Moderate. 16 types with 4-letter codes |
Best For | Personal growth & self-awareness | Self-reflection & conversation starters |
Results Format | Type number with wing & growth paths | 4-letter type code (e.g. INTJ, ENFP) |
Core motivations & fears
Cognitive preferences & personality type
9 types (+ wings & subtypes)
16 types across 4 dichotomies
~15-30 minutes
~20-30 minutes
Rooted in spiritual traditions, limited empirical validation
Widely used but ~50% get different results on retest
High. Wings, subtypes, growth/stress lines
Moderate. 16 types with 4-letter codes
Personal growth & self-awareness
Self-reflection & conversation starters
Type number with wing & growth paths
4-letter type code (e.g. INTJ, ENFP)
What Each Assessment Measures
The Enneagram and Myers-Briggs answer different questions about personality.
Enneagram
Why you behave that way
The Enneagram maps core motivations, fears, and desires across 9 personality types. Each type has wings, subtypes, and growth/stress lines that add layers of nuance.
- Focuses on WHY people behave the way they do
- Psychological and motivational depth
- Growth paths and stress patterns
- Rooted in spiritual traditions with growing modern use
Myers-Briggs
How you think & process information
Myers-Briggs categorizes people across four dichotomies: Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving. This produces one of 16 four-letter type codes.
- Focuses on cognitive preferences and perception styles
- Created by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers from Jungian theory
- Widely recognized. 88% of Fortune 500 companies have used it
- The Myers-Briggs Company prohibits use in hiring decisions
Which Assessment Fits Your Use Case?
The right choice depends on your goal. Here's how they line up.
Personal growth
Best fit: EnneagramDeep exploration of motivations and growth paths
Icebreakers & team events
Best fit: Myers-BriggsMost people already know their type
Leadership coaching
Best fit: EnneagramReveals blind spots and stress patterns
Self-reflection
Best fit: BothEnneagram for motivations, MBTI for cognitive style
Hiring & onboarding
Best fit: NeitherEnneagram lacks validation. MBTI publisher prohibits it
Conflict resolution
Best fit: EnneagramUnderstanding core fears helps resolve deeper conflicts
The Assessment Experience
What it's actually like to take each test, from format to learning curve.
Taking the Enneagram
Format
Agree/disagree statements exploring your motivations, fears, and desires.
Time
15-30 minutes depending on the test. More introspective questions take longer.
Results
Your core type number, wing, and growth/stress lines with development insights.
Learning curve
Steeper. Understanding wings, subtypes, and growth paths takes dedicated study.
Taking the Myers-Briggs
Format
Series of questions about preferences and tendencies. Choose between two options for each question.
Time
20-30 minutes. More questions covering four separate dichotomies.
Results
A 4-letter type code with description of each preference dimension and associated strengths.
Learning curve
Moderate. 16 types to learn, but the letter system (E/I, S/N, T/F, J/P) is intuitive once you know the dichotomies.
Understanding Your Results
Both frameworks produce a personality profile, but what you get back looks quite different.
Enneagram Results
Growth-focused- Your core type (1-9) and primary wing
- Core motivation, fear, and desire for your type
- Growth and stress direction paths
- Subtype variations (self-preservation, social, one-to-one)
- Levels of development for deeper self-awareness
Myers-Briggs Results
Self-reflection focused- 4-letter type code (e.g. ENFP, ISTJ)
- Descriptions of each preference dimension
- Strengths associated with your type
- Career and relationship tendencies
- About 50% get a different type on retest
Crystal offers both. Take your Enneagram test and 16-personalities test on one platform and see how the two profiles work together.
Can You Use Both Together?
Yes, and many people get the most value by using both. They measure different things and work well together.
The Enneagram reveals the motivations behind your behavior: why feedback triggers defensiveness, why you overcommit, why certain situations drain you. It maps growth paths and stress patterns.
Myers-Briggs helps you understand your cognitive preferences: how you take in information, make decisions, and orient to the world. It offers a shared vocabulary for talking about thinking styles.
Crystal offers both: an Enneagram test and a 16-personalities test built on the Briggs, Myers, and Jungian framework. You can take both on one platform and see how they work together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Enneagram or Myers-Briggs more accurate?
Neither has strong empirical validation compared to the Big Five. About 50% of MBTI test-takers receive a different type when retested five weeks later. The Enneagram has limited empirical backing but is valued for its depth in exploring motivations and growth paths. Both can offer useful personal insights, but neither should be treated as a diagnostic tool.
Can you use Enneagram and Myers-Briggs together?
Yes, and many people find the combination valuable. The Enneagram covers why you behave the way you do: your core motivations, fears, and growth patterns. Myers-Briggs maps how you think: your cognitive preferences, perception style, and decision-making process. Using both gives you motivational depth paired with cognitive awareness. Crystal offers both assessments on one platform.
Which is better for personal growth, Enneagram or MBTI?
The Enneagram goes deeper for personal growth. It includes growth and stress lines that show how you behave when thriving versus struggling, plus subtypes and levels of development. Myers-Briggs describes cognitive preferences but does not map growth or stress patterns in the same way.
Is Myers-Briggs scientifically valid?
Myers-Briggs is widely used (88% of Fortune 500 companies have used it), but its scientific validity is debated. About 50% of people get a different type when retested five weeks later. The framework forces continuous personality traits into binary categories. You are either Thinking or Feeling, with no middle ground. The Myers-Briggs Company itself states that MBTI should not be used for hiring decisions. For a more scientifically validated framework, see the Big Five (OCEAN).
What's the difference between Enneagram and Myers-Briggs?
The core difference is what they measure. The Enneagram measures core motivations, fears, and desires using 9 types with wings, subtypes, and growth/stress lines. It focuses on why you behave a certain way. Myers-Briggs categorizes cognitive preferences across 4 dichotomies (Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, Judging/Perceiving) to produce 16 four-letter type codes. It focuses on how you think and process information.
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