What is numerology?
Numerology is the belief in a mystical relationship between numbers and the events and people in our lives. It also gives a number to each letter, so a name can be read as a number (Wikipedia: Numerology).
Number symbolism is ancient: the Greek mathematician Pythagoras is credited with giving numbers to letters, and the modern Western system carries his name. The word “numerology” itself first appears in English around 1907. The Chaldean system was popularized by the palmist Cheiro (1866–1936), who said he learned it in India and wrote Cheiro's Book of Numbers (Wikipedia: Cheiro).
Numerology chart (Pythagorean)
The Pythagorean chart is the one most used today. Write the alphabet in rows of nine: each letter takes the number of its column.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I |
| J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R |
| S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
So A, J and S are 1; B, K and T are 2; and so on to I and R, which are 9.
Chaldean numerology chart
The Chaldean chart gives letters the numbers 1 to 8 by their sound rather than their order. The number 9 is held as sacred and isn't given to any letter, though a total can still reduce to 9.
| Number | Letters |
|---|---|
| 1 | A, I, J, Q, Y |
| 2 | B, K, R |
| 3 | C, G, L, S |
| 4 | D, M, T |
| 5 | E, H, N, X |
| 6 | U, V, W |
| 7 | O, Z |
| 8 | F, P |
| 9 | None (sacred) |
Pythagorean vs Chaldean numerology
| Pythagorean | Chaldean | |
|---|---|---|
| Letter values | 1 to 9, in alphabetical order | 1 to 8, by the sound of each letter |
| Number 9 | Used (I and R) | Not given to any letter |
| Which name | Your full birth name | The name you're known by today |
| Most used | Western numerology | Often used in Indian numerology |
Try both in the calculator above and see which reading speaks to you.
How to calculate your name number
- Write your full name as it appears on your birth certificate (for Chaldean, the name you use now).
- Turn each letter into its number with the chart.
- Add all the numbers together.
- Add the digits of the total until you reach a single digit. Stop at 11, 22 or 33: those are master numbers.
Example: Maya Rose = M (4) + A (1) + Y (7) + A (1) + R (9) + O (6) + S (1) + E (5) = 34 → 7. The expression number is 7.
Your core numerology numbers
- Life path number (from your birth date): your main path and purpose. Find your life path number.
- Expression or destiny number (all the letters of your name): your natural talents and what you're here to do.
- Soul urge or heart's desire number (the vowels): what you truly want deep down.
- Personality number (the consonants): how others see you at first.
- Birthday number (the day you were born, reduced): a special gift you carry.
This calculator counts Y as a consonant. Some numerologists count it as a vowel when it sounds like one, as in Lynn.
Numerology numbers and their meanings
- 1 · The Leader: Independence, leadership and new beginnings. 1 is the self-starter: original, driven and ready to go first. Life path 1 · Angel number 111
- 2 · The Peacemaker: Partnership, sensitivity and balance. 2 is the peacemaker: intuitive, cooperative and kind. Life path 2 · Angel number 222
- 3 · The Communicator: Creativity, joy and self-expression. 3 is the communicator: social, playful and inspiring. Life path 3 · Angel number 333
- 4 · The Builder: Stability, hard work and structure. 4 is the builder: loyal, practical and dependable. Life path 4 · Angel number 444
- 5 · The Adventurer: Freedom, change and adventure. 5 is the explorer: curious, adaptable and full of energy. Life path 5 · Angel number 555
- 6 · The Nurturer: Love, home and responsibility. 6 is the nurturer: caring, protective and devoted. Life path 6 · Angel number 666
- 7 · The Seeker: Wisdom, intuition and spiritual seeking. 7 is the seeker: thoughtful, private and deep. Life path 7 · Angel number 777
- 8 · The Powerhouse: Abundance, power and success. 8 is the powerhouse: ambitious, confident and good with money. Life path 8 · Angel number 888
- 9 · The Humanitarian: Compassion, completion and service. 9 is the humanitarian: generous, wise and big-hearted. Life path 9 · Angel number 999
- 11 · The Intuitive: A master number of intuition and inspiration. 11 carries the sensitivity of 2, turned up: visionary and spiritually aware. Life path 11 · 852 Hz
- 22 · The Master Builder: The master builder. 22 carries the practicality of 4 at a bigger scale: turning big visions into something real. Life path 22 · 174 Hz
- 33 · The Master Teacher: The master teacher. 33 carries the love of 6 at its highest: healing, compassion and service. Life path 33 · 528 Hz
Master numbers 11, 22 and 33
In numerology, 11, 22 and 33 are master numbers: totals you don't reduce further. They're read as stronger, higher versions of 2, 4 and 6, with bigger gifts and bigger lessons.
Numerology and angel numbers
Angel numbers use the same meanings, repeated for emphasis: 111 is the energy of 1, three times over. If a number keeps appearing, see angel numbers. Each number above also has a SleepHz tone you can play while you reflect on it.
