INFP vs INFJ: How to Tell These Personality Types Apart

Some personality types are hard to tell apart due to their similar preferences. One of the most common mix-ups happens with the INFP and the INFJ. Both are intuitive, feeling introverts who care deeply about people, value authenticity and seek purpose in their lives. Because they often share similar interests and communication styles, it’s no surprise that many people find themselves unsure of which type fits them best. However, don’t let the similarities fool you because they’re quite different once you break down each type’s traits. 

Although they’re both caring, creative idealists, the INFP and INFJ have some telling differences that make it easier to discern which type is which. So if you’re having trouble determining whether you or a friend is an INFJ or an INFP, look no further. Here’s how to tell them apart.

INFP vs INFJ Perceiving and Judging preferences

In the 16-type system, even a single letter difference can represent a meaningful shift in how someone approaches the world. That’s especially true for INFPs and INFJs—two types that share a lot in common at first glance. But when you look at the last letter in their type—Perceiving for INFPs and Judging for INFJs—you’ll start to see a big difference. 

The Judging vs. Perceiving preference is all about how you structure your life: whether you lean toward planning and structure (Judging), or flexibility and spontaneity (Perceiving). Structure affects more than your sock drawer and planner—it affects your social calendar, work, relationships and more, because how you organize your life determines important choices. But this doesn’t mean one type is rigid and the other is chaotic. Both types can enjoy planning or spontaneity, what differs is how much they rely on it to feel grounded and in control.

INFJs, as Judging types, often feel more at ease when they have a plan. They like to bring closure to things and can be unsettled by too many open-ended options. This doesn’t mean INFJs never act on impulse—they can be whimsical and creative—but they tend to prefer that their spontaneity is “scheduled in,” or at least balanced by an overarching structure. They may need time to mentally prepare for surprises, and sudden changes can feel disruptive rather than exciting.

INFPs, on the other hand, thrive on openness. Their Perceiving preference makes them more comfortable with uncertainty and change. They like to keep their options open and often prefer to make decisions when they feel they’ve explored all the possibilities. That said, INFPs aren’t incapable of planning or following routines. Many INFPs find comfort in loose structures or rituals, especially when those routines support their values or personal growth. But compared to INFJs, they’re usually more tolerant of ambiguity and willing to adapt on the fly.

So while an INFJ might have their week color-coded in a planner and feel off-balance if the plan changes, an INFP might start the week with a vague idea and follow their inspiration as it arises. One is not better than the other, they’re just wired differently in how they prefer to move through the world.

INFP vs INFJ cognitive functions 

Although the INFJ and INFP share much in common, their cognitive functions are polar opposite. Looking at the pair’s most dominant cognitive functions, there’s a significant difference in how they think. An INFJ leads with Introverted Intuition (Ni), while an INFP’s most dominant cognitive force is their Introverted Feeling (Fi). This means the INFJ and INFP differ a lot in terms of how they see the world (and how others perceive them).

For INFJs, Introverted Intuition fuels a constant search for meaning, insight and big-picture understanding. They naturally spot patterns, pick up on unspoken dynamics and think several steps ahead. Ni is a quiet but powerful force that helps INFJs connect seemingly unrelated dots and form deep internal insights. Because this inner process is supported by Extraverted Feeling (Fe)—a function that’s more outwardly focused—INFJs often appear organized, people-oriented and decisive, even if they’re doing a lot of open-ended reflection behind the scenes. Others may see them as structured and insightful, but much of their complexity is hidden beneath the surface.

INFPs, on the other hand, are guided by Introverted Feeling, an inward compass that is constantly evaluating what feels authentic, meaningful and right. Their decisions are deeply personal, shaped by inner values rather than external expectations. Fi isn’t always easy to articulate, but it gives INFPs a strong sense of identity and emotional depth. Their auxiliary function, Extraverted Intuition (Ne), brings a spirit of curiosity and imagination to the surface, making them seem spontaneous, playful and full of ideas. Outwardly, they may appear open and adaptable, but inside they’re constantly checking in with what aligns—or doesn’t—with their internal truth.

So while both types can be warm, idealistic, and creative, they differ in the source of their decision-making and the flavor of their insight. INFJs seek clarity through internal vision and outer harmony. INFPs seek truth through emotional authenticity and personal alignment. One processes through patterns and future outcomes, the other through feeling and values.

INFP vs INFJ method of control

Most personality types like to feel some sense of control over their lives, but how that control shows up can vary dramatically from type to type. For INFJs and INFPs, their methods of control are almost mirror opposites: one shows it on the outside, the other holds it quietly within.

INFJs often give off an air of composure. They appear structured, organized and on top of things—rarely flustered, always prepared. But underneath that calm exterior is a complex inner world that’s far less orderly than it seems. Thanks to their dominant function, Introverted Intuition, INFJs are constantly processing abstract possibilities and trying to piece together future outcomes. This internal exploration can leave them feeling mentally scattered or emotionally overwhelmed, especially since their auxiliary function, Extraverted Feeling, is highly attuned to the emotional dynamics around them. So even though they look like they have everything together, INFJs can sometimes feel like they're juggling a dozen intangible threads they can’t quite grasp.

INFPs, in contrast, often appear more relaxed, even a little disheveled or daydreamy to the outside world. But inside, there’s a steady current of clarity and conviction. Their dominant function, Introverted Feeling, is a Judging function, which means INFPs are internally decisive about what matters most to them. They may not plan every hour of their day, but their personal values are deeply ordered and consistent. They don’t need to impose structure on the external world to feel in control—they find control through self-understanding and emotional integrity. This quiet internal alignment can give INFPs a surprising amount of resilience and self-assurance, even when their external lives seem a bit chaotic.

In short: INFJs seek to control their outer world to make sense of their inner world; INFPs seek to control their inner world to make sense of their outer world.

INFP vs INFJ empathy  

INFJ and INFP are both deeply caring, empathetic types. Called “The Counselor” and “The Healer” respectively, INFJ and INFP can understand the emotions of people around them. But the difference is how their empathy functions within them. 

INFJs have a talent for intuitively picking up on other people’s emotional states, even when those emotions are unspoken or hidden beneath the surface. They sense what others are feeling and instinctively attune to it. It’s not just that they understand someone is sad, they feel the sadness in the room, sometimes before it’s even acknowledged. This emotional resonance can be powerful, but also overwhelming, especially when INFJs can’t easily separate their own emotional state from that of the people around them.

Rather than absorbing others’ emotions directly, INFPs imagine what it would be like to feel that way. They empathize by reflecting inward: If that were me, how would I feel? This often results in a very deep, authentic compassion, but it’s driven more by emotional mirroring than emotional absorption. INFPs may not feel another person’s sadness as their own in the moment, but they understand it through the lens of their rich inner emotional world. This also means that INFPs can be profoundly moved by others’ experiences, sometimes long after the fact, as they continue to process and reflect.

In short, INFJ empathy is often about tuning into others in real time and feeling with them, while INFP empathy is about emotionally resonating with others by drawing on personal experience and moral imagination. One is more externally responsive, the other more internally reflective—but both are deeply human ways of connecting.

INFP vs INFJ decision making

INFPs are all about sticking to their values and ideals, and while INFJs are also big on maintaining their standards, these two types are a bit different when it comes to decision-making. 

For INFPs, decision-making is a deeply personal process. They tend to ask: Is this true to who I am? Does this align with my values? Rather than rushing into a choice, INFPs take their time because they want their decisions to reflect their inner convictions. That can sometimes come across as hesitation, but it’s really a sign of just how much thought and care they put into choosing a path that feels authentic. When an INFP finally makes a decision, you can be sure it’s one they believe in wholeheartedly—even if it took a little longer to get there. 

INFJs, by contrast, approach decisions with a focus on long-term vision and the impact on others. They tend to think through their choices logically and strategically, often weighing how each option will play out in the future and how it might affect the people around them. Once they’ve arrived at a conclusion, INFJs typically stick with it—they’ve already run through the options, and revisiting the decision feels unnecessary once a path has been chosen. 

So while INFJs may move more quickly toward resolution, INFPs bring an extra level of emotional depth and ethical consistency to their choices. One type filters decisions through a future-focused, systems-aware lens; the other through an inner compass of meaning and truth.

INFP vs INFJ privacy

Both INFP and INFJ are private types, and they open up at a slower rate than Extraverted types might. However, INFP and INFJ handle their privacy in different ways, and one of them keeps to themselves a bit more.

INFPs love their privacy, and they’ll wait until they’re comfortable with someone to open up. They’re uncomfortable around strangers and are far from an open book. However, once they meet people they trust, an INFP will reveal a lot about themselves and build strong connections. These close and caring relationships are all about remaining authentic, and INFPs aren’t afraid to voice their opinions and desires once they’ve built enough trust with a friend.

INFJs are not the same, and it can take years for friends to feel they know the INFJ inside and out—if they ever reach that level of confidence. Unlike INFP, INFJs are private to the extreme, which means they often don’t reveal their whole self to even their closest friends or family members. When they do, it’s an honor and privilege that surpasses any regular relationship in their life. In most cases, INFJs don’t like to share everything and prefer to keep their lives private from most people. INFJs also have an intense dislike of feeling vulnerable, which perpetuates their dislike of opening up to others. Because of these tendencies, INFJs are often enigmatic to most people in their lives, even if the relationship is over a decade long.

Summing up the differences

Although INFPs and INFJs share many similarities, such as their deep empathy, introspective nature and desire to live meaningful lives, once you recognize how they function, it becomes easier to spot the differences between the types.

INFPs tend to exhibit more outward flexibility. They like to keep their options open, value personal authenticity above all, and often make choices based on what feels most aligned with their inner values. INFJs, on the other hand, crave structure and tend to plan their lives with precision, guided by a strong internal vision and a concern for how their actions impact others.  

But often these outward traits fully don’t reflect how the two types feel inside. Many differences between INFPs and INFJs lie in their cognitive functions, which affect how they see the world and react to it. 

So if you’re still wondering whether you're an INFP or INFJ, ask yourself not just what you do, but why you do it. And if you haven’t already taken Truity’s TypeFinder test, that’s another great way to determine your personality type.