What To Do If You're Stuck Between Two Myers-Briggs Personality Types

So, you’ve narrowed your Myers and Briggs personality type to two strong possibilities, but you’re not sure which one fits you best. Maybe you took two tests and got different results, or you’ve read the descriptions and see yourself in both. Perhaps someone suggested a different type for you, and their reasoning made sense.

Whatever the reason, it’s not unusual to identify with two types, especially if they’re not complete opposites. But it can still be confusing and a little frustrating. It’s natural to want clarity about your true type.

Let’s look at why this happens and what you can do to gain more perspective.

Why You Might Be Stuck Between Two Types

There are several reasons you might find yourself torn between two types:

• Weak Preferences: One or more of your four “letters” might show only a slight preference, that is, you’re typing towards the middle of the spectrum. For example, an INTP could score just 52% or 53% on the trait Introversion, making them feel close to both INTP and ENTP. An INTP with a 53% score on Introversion will likely behave differently from an INTP with a 97%.
• Test Questions and Answers: Some test questions are vague or worded in a way that doesn’t reflect your real-life behavior, so you’re not sure how to answer. For example, a question might ask, “Do you enjoy large social gatherings?” If your answer is, “It depends—sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t,” you might struggle to pick a response that truly fits. This kind of ambiguity can make it harder to get an accurate result, especially if your preferences change depending on the situation.
• Self-Perception Issues: Have you answered the test questions based on how you wish to be, rather than how you actually are? It’s not uncommon for a person to prefer another type’s description, or dislike certain traits about themselves, and adjust their answers to reflect this more idealized view. Needless to say, this can cast doubt on the result.
• Overlap Between Types: There’s a lot of overlap between types, and several types could include traits that you identify with. Even with 16 types, which is more than other personality systems, the system can’t capture every nuance of your personality. No one fits perfectly into a single box all the time.

What To Do When You’re Stuck Between Types

1. Take another test

Try a different test with new questions, or take it at a different time or place. Also, look for tests that provide detailed reports and show your percentage scores for each trait. 

Our TypeFinder® is a solid choice, because, in addition to being well-constructed, it shows you what percentage you score for each trait. This gives you a more nuanced report, and an idea of why your result might not feel like a perfect fit.

2. Ask for input from someone who knows you

Sometimes, we need a mirror to reflect back to us a more accurate image of ourselves than the one in our own minds. Share the two most probable descriptions with your mom, best friend or partner, and ask for their honest feedback.

3. Do a deeper dive

While carefully studying the type descriptions will give you a lot of information to start with, you can take it further by reading a book or two to give you more detailed information on each type, and how they fit into the whole personality typing system. The more you learn, the more likely you’ll find details that resonate—or don’t.

4. Explore case studies

Whether it’s people you know, celebrities or fictional characters, pick some with the types you’re exploring and watch how they deal with various situations. This takes you from theory to practice, and gives you an idea of the variety within one type. 

5. Consider temperaments

The 16 types are grouped into four temperaments: Responders (SP), Preservers (SJ), Theorists (NT), and Empaths (NF). So, the Responders would include ISFP, ISTP, ESFP and ESTP personality types. If your two likely types fall into different temperaments, compare them closely. One may feel more like your natural fit.

6. Try a day in the life for each type

Spend a day or even a week acting as if you’re one of your possible types. Notice how it affects your decisions, interactions and mindset. How do you communicate as this type;  how do you present yourself to the world? Then switch to the other type and compare. You may find that one feels more authentic, even if you still see yourself in both.

7. Focus on what doesn’t fit

As you read type descriptions, pay attention to traits or behaviors that clearly aren’t you. For example, if you’re torn between INFP and INTP but find that emotional stories don’t tug at your heartstrings and you’re not great with people invading your personal space, that’s an INTP-shaped clue. Ruling out what doesn’t fit can help narrow your options.

8. Consult a certified Myers-Briggs coach

If you’re still unsure, consider talking to a certified coach or counselor. They can administer a test, help interpret your results and provide guidance. You can go here to find one. 

Or, Embrace the Ambiguity

Another option is to find peace without having a definitive answer. Personality isn’t black and white, and you don’t have to fit perfectly into one type to gain insight from the Myers and Briggs system. Plenty of people inhabit the in-between space, at least for now. The pieces may come together and give you a clearer picture over time as you mature and grow. 

If you’re having difficulty accepting the uncertainty, it might help to explore a trait-based system like the Big Five. Unlike type models, which sort people into distinct categories, trait models measure personality on a spectrum. This approach can capture the nuance of your preferences and show where you fall on each trait, rather than forcing you into a single label. No one gets a label under the Big Five, just a set of scores that reflect your unique combination of characteristics.

This can be especially helpful if you find yourself identifying with more than one type, since it’s normal for people to fall somewhere in the middle on certain traits. A trait model acknowledges that personality is complex and fluid—sometimes, that’s all the clarity you need.