The 16 Myers-Briggs personality types come from combining four pairs of preferences: Extraversion or Introversion, Sensing or Intuition, Thinking or Feeling, and Judging or Perceiving. Each type is written as four letters, such as ISTJ or ENFP, and each has its own typical characteristics. An ISTJ, for example, tends to be practical, organised and dependable, while an ENFP tends to be enthusiastic, imaginative and drawn to new possibilities. The types describe preferences and tendencies, not fixed labels.
If you are not sure which letters fit you, a free personality test is a good place to start thinking about how you prefer to work. For the background to the model itself, read what the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is.
How the letters combine
Each type takes one letter from each pair, always in this order:
- E or I: do you draw energy from people and activity (Extraversion) or from time with your own thoughts (Introversion)?
- S or N: do you focus on facts and what is real now (Sensing) or on patterns and what could be (Intuition)?
- T or F: do you decide mainly by logic and consistency (Thinking) or by values and the effect on people (Feeling)?
- J or P: do you prefer things planned and settled (Judging) or flexible and open (Perceiving)?
Two choices in each of four pairs gives 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16 combinations, which is why there are 16 types.
The 16 types and their characteristics
Many websites give each type a nickname, but the nicknames vary from one source to another, so the table uses the letters only.
| Type | Tends to be | At work, often |
|---|---|---|
| ISTJ | Practical, responsible, organised | Brings reliability and clear processes |
| ISFJ | Caring, conscientious, loyal | Supports others quietly and notices what people need |
| INFJ | Insightful, principled, driven by meaning | Holds a long-term vision for people and purpose |
| INTJ | Independent, strategic, high standards | Turns complex ideas into long-range plans |
| ISTP | Calm, practical, analytical | Troubleshoots and fixes problems as they happen |
| ISFP | Gentle, flexible, guided by values | Works hands on and keeps things harmonious |
| INFP | Idealistic, curious, true to their values | Looks for meaningful work and creative solutions |
| INTP | Logical, curious, independent | Analyses problems and questions assumptions |
| ESTP | Energetic, pragmatic, action focused | Thrives in fast-moving situations and quick decisions |
| ESFP | Outgoing, spontaneous, warm | Brings energy and practical help to the team |
| ENFP | Enthusiastic, imaginative, people focused | Generates ideas and inspires others |
| ENTP | Quick, inventive, enjoys debate | Challenges the usual way and finds new approaches |
| ESTJ | Decisive, practical, organised | Runs projects and people efficiently |
| ESFJ | Warm, cooperative, conscientious | Organises people and keeps the team working together |
| ENFJ | Encouraging, persuasive, attentive to others | Leads by developing and motivating people |
| ENTJ | Decisive, strategic, confident | Takes charge and drives towards long-term goals |
The four broad groups
Many people find it easier to start with four groups of four, based on two of the letters.
- Intuition and Thinking (INTJ, INTP, ENTJ, ENTP): these types tend to enjoy ideas, systems and solving complex problems. They often value competence and logic.
- Intuition and Feeling (INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, ENFP): these types tend to focus on people, meaning and potential. They are often drawn to work that matches their values.
- Sensing and Judging (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ): these types tend to value structure, responsibility and doing things properly. They are often the people who keep organisations running.
- Sensing and Perceiving (ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, ESFP): these types tend to be practical, adaptable and focused on the present. They often respond well in a crisis.
Is it 16 personality types or 16 personality traits?
The two are easy to confuse. The Myers-Briggs model gives you one type out of 16, made from four pairs of preferences. It does not measure 16 separate traits.
There is a different questionnaire, called the 16PF, which measures 16 personality factors on separate scales. And the Big Five model describes personality with five broad traits, each scored on a scale rather than as a type. When people search for “16 personality traits”, they usually mean the 16 Myers-Briggs types.
How to work out your Myers-Briggs personality
You can take a full questionnaire, or you can make a first estimate yourself.
Worked example. Priya reads the four pairs and thinks about her working week.
- She is happy in meetings but needs quiet time to recharge afterwards, so she leans to I.
- She trusts data and detail more than hunches, so she leans to S.
- When a decision affects colleagues, she weighs the facts first and then considers the people, so she leans to T.
- She likes a plan and gets uneasy when deadlines are left open, so she leans to J.
Her estimate is ISTJ. She then reads the ISTJ description and the descriptions of the types one letter away, such as ISFJ and ESTJ, to see which fits best. Reading neighbouring types is worth doing, because a preference that is close to the middle can easily go either way.
How to use your type
- Treat it as a description, not a limit. An introvert can lead a meeting well. It may just take more energy.
- Use it to understand others. Many disagreements at work come from different preferences, such as planners and improvisers working to the same deadline.
- Remember it can shift. Many people get a different letter on a retest, especially where a preference was close.
Some types are much more common than others. See the rarest and most common personality types for how often each one appears. If you are preparing for an employer’s questionnaire, try our practice personality test, which uses the statement format employers often use.
