Myers-Briggs Compatibility Chart

Understanding MBTI Compatibility

MBTI compatibility is based on the premise that certain personality types naturally complement each other, while others may face more challenges in their interactions. It's important to remember that compatibility is not deterministic—any two types can build successful relationships with understanding, effort, and effective communication. The MBTI framework simply helps identify potential areas of synergy and friction, allowing individuals to navigate relationships more consciously.

The Four MBTI Dimensions and Their Impact on Compatibility

Each of the four MBTI dimensions plays a crucial role in how individuals communicate, make decisions, and approach relationships. Understanding these preferences helps explain why certain type combinations may experience natural harmony or potential challenges.

Extraversion (E) vs. Introversion (I)

This dimension influences how people gain energy and engage with the world, which significantly impacts social compatibility.

• Extravert-Extravert Pairings: Often share high energy for social activities but may compete for attention or struggle with deeper, one-on-one conversations.
• Introvert-Introvert Pairings: Typically understand each other's need for solitude and quiet time but may need to consciously create opportunities for meaningful connection.
• Extravert-Introvert Pairings: Can balance each other well if they respect differences in social needs. Extraverts can help introverts expand their social circles, while introverts can help extraverts develop deeper connections.

Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N)

This preference affects how people process information and perceive the world, influencing communication styles and shared interests.

• Sensing-Sensing Pairings: Often bond over practical matters, shared experiences, and attention to detail but may struggle with abstract or future-oriented discussions.
• Intuitive-Intuitive Pairings: Typically enjoy exploring ideas, possibilities, and theoretical concepts together but may overlook practical details in daily life.
• Sensing-Intuitive Pairings: Can complement each other well—sensors ground intuitives in reality while intuitives help sensors see broader possibilities. Communication styles may require adaptation.

Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F)

This dimension determines how people make decisions and handle conflicts, which is crucial for relationship harmony.

• Thinking-Thinking Pairings: Often appreciate logical discussions and objective decision-making but may need to consciously address emotional needs and validation.
• Feeling-Feeling Pairings: Typically prioritize harmony, emotional connection, and mutual support but may avoid necessary conflicts or difficult decisions.
• Thinking-Feeling Pairings: Can create balanced decision-making—thinkers provide objectivity while feelers ensure human considerations are addressed. Understanding different conflict resolution styles is key.

Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P)

This preference influences how people approach structure, planning, and spontaneity in relationships.

• Judging-Judging Pairings: Often share a desire for organization, planning, and closure but may become rigid or struggle with adaptability.
• Perceiving-Perceiving Pairings: Typically enjoy flexibility, spontaneity, and keeping options open but may struggle with follow-through or long-term planning.
• Judging-Perceiving Pairings: Can balance structure and spontaneity—judgers provide organization while perceivers encourage adaptability. Negotiating differences in planning styles is essential.

Compatibility Patterns Based on Cognitive Functions

Beyond the four-letter type, MBTI compatibility is deeply influenced by cognitive functions—the mental processes that each type prefers. Understanding these functions provides deeper insights into relationship dynamics.

Dominant-Inferior Function Relationships

Some of the most complementary relationships occur between types whose dominant function matches the other's inferior function. For example:

• ENTJ (dominant Te, inferior Fi) and INFP (dominant Fi, inferior Te) can help each other develop their weaker functions.
• ESTP (dominant Se, inferior Ni) and INFJ (dominant Ni, inferior Se) offer perspectives that balance each other's natural tendencies.

Same-Dominant-Function Relationships

Types sharing the same dominant function often understand each other deeply but may amplify each other's blind spots. For instance:

• INTJ and ENTJ both lead with Extraverted Thinking (Te), creating efficiency-focused relationships that might overlook emotional needs.
• ISFJ and ESFJ both lead with Extraverted Feeling (Fe), creating harmony-focused relationships that might avoid necessary conflicts.

Romantic Compatibility by Type Groupings

While individual variation exists, certain type groupings tend to share common relationship dynamics.

Analyst Types (NT): INTJ, INTP, ENTJ, ENTP

Analysts typically value intellectual connection, competence, and independence in relationships. They often pair well with other intuitive types who appreciate their conceptual thinking and vision.

• INTJ: Often compatible with ENFP, ENTP, and INTP who appreciate their strategic thinking while bringing spontaneity and emotional expression.
• INTP: Typically pair well with ENTJ, ENFJ, and INFJ who provide structure and emotional depth while valuing their intellectual curiosity.
• ENTJ: Often compatible with INTP, INFP, and INTJ who complement their drive with reflection and nuanced thinking.
• ENTP: Typically pair well with INFJ, INTJ, and ENFJ who appreciate their innovation while providing stability and emotional support.

Diplomat Types (NF): INFJ, INFP, ENFJ, ENFP

Diplomats prioritize authentic connection, personal growth, and shared values in relationships. They often seek partners who appreciate depth and emotional intimacy.

• INFJ: Often compatible with ENTP, ENFP, and INTP who value their insight while bringing lightness and intellectual stimulation.
• INFP: Typically pair well with ENTJ, ENFJ, and INFJ who appreciate their idealism while providing direction and practical support.
• ENFJ: Often compatible with INFP, INTP, and INFJ who value their warmth and support while offering depth and independent thinking.
• ENFP: Typically pair well with INTJ, INFJ, and ENFJ who appreciate their enthusiasm while providing structure and follow-through.

Sentinel Types (SJ): ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ

Sentinels value stability, responsibility, and tradition in relationships. They often seek partners who share their commitment to family, community, and practical matters.

• ISTJ: Often compatible with ESFP, ESTP, and ISFJ who appreciate their reliability while bringing spontaneity and social connection.
• ISFJ: Typically pair well with ESTP, ESFP, and ISTJ who value their nurturing nature while providing adventure and practical support.
• ESTJ: Often compatible with ISFP, ISTP, and ESFJ who appreciate their competence and structure while offering flexibility and personal values.
• ESFJ: Typically pair well with ISFP, ISTP, and ESTJ who value their warmth and social grace while providing independence and calmness.

Explorer Types (SP): ISTP, ISFP, ESTP, ESFP

Explorers value freedom, experience, and spontaneity in relationships. They often seek partners who appreciate their adaptability and hands-on approach to life.

• ISTP: Often compatible with ESFJ, ESTJ, and ISFP who appreciate their practicality and independence while providing structure and emotional expression.
• ISFP: Typically pair well with ESTJ, ENFJ, and ESFJ who value their authenticity and aesthetic sense while offering direction and social connection.
• ESTP: Often compatible with ISFJ, INFJ, and ISTJ who appreciate their energy and practicality while providing stability and depth.
• ESFP: Typically pair well with ISTJ, ISFJ, and ESTJ who value their enthusiasm and social nature while offering reliability and organization.

Friendship Compatibility

MBTI compatibility extends beyond romantic relationships to friendships, where different dynamics often apply. Friendships may thrive on shared interests and values rather than complementary traits.

Similarity vs. Complementarity in Friendships

While opposite types can create exciting dynamics in romantic relationships, friendships often flourish between similar types who share communication styles, interests, and values. For example:

• INTJs often form deep friendships with other intuitive thinkers (ENTJ, INTP, ENTJ) who appreciate their strategic conversations.
• ESFJs typically enjoy friendships with other feeling types (ISFJ, ENFJ, ESFP) who value social connection and emotional support.
• ISTPs often bond with other perceiving types (ESTP, ISFP, INTP) who share their hands-on interests and flexible approach.

Workplace Compatibility

In professional settings, MBTI compatibility focuses on complementary skills and work styles rather than personal connection.

Effective Professional Pairings

Certain type combinations create particularly effective work partnerships:

• Visionary-Executor Pairings: Intuitive types (N) often generate innovative ideas, while sensing types (S) excel at implementation. ENTP-ISTJ or INFJ-ESTJ partnerships can be highly productive.
• Big Picture-Detail Pairings: Intuitive types provide strategic direction, while sensing types ensure attention to practical details. INTJ-ISFJ or ENFP-ISTJ teams often balance each other well.
• Decision-Making Pairings: Thinking types offer logical analysis, while feeling types consider human impact. ENTJ-INFP or ESTJ-ISFP partnerships can create well-rounded decisions.

Challenging Pairings and Growth Opportunities

Some type combinations face more significant challenges but also offer substantial growth opportunities when approached with understanding and flexibility.

Common Challenging Dynamics

• Extraverted Thinking (Te) vs. Introverted Feeling (Fi): ENTJ/ESTJ and INFP/ISFP pairings may struggle with different decision-making priorities—efficiency versus personal values.
• Extraverted Intuition (Ne) vs. Introverted Sensing (Si): ENFP/ENTP and ISTJ/ISFJ pairings may face tension between exploration of possibilities and preference for tradition.
• Extraverted Feeling (Fe) vs. Introverted Thinking (Ti): ENFJ/ESFJ and INTP/ISTP pairings may misunderstand each other's approaches to harmony versus logical consistency.

Beyond Type: The Importance of Individual Development

While MBTI compatibility provides valuable insights, it's essential to remember that individual development, communication skills, and emotional intelligence play crucial roles in relationship success. Well-developed individuals of any type can build successful relationships through:

• Self-awareness: Understanding your own preferences, strengths, and blind spots.
• Flexibility: Developing the ability to use non-preferred functions when situations require.
• Communication: Learning to express needs and understand others' perspectives.
• Appreciation of differences: Valuing what other types bring to relationships rather than seeing differences as deficits.

FAQ: MBTI Compatibility

Are some MBTI types inherently incompatible?

No MBTI types are inherently incompatible. While some pairings may require more effort and understanding than others, any two types can build successful relationships with mutual respect, effective communication, and willingness to appreciate differences.

Should I only date people with compatible MBTI types?

MBTI compatibility should be one factor among many in relationship decisions, not a determining factor. Shared values, life goals, communication skills, and emotional connection are equally important. Many successful relationships exist between types considered less compatible.

Can MBTI compatibility change over time?

While your core personality type remains relatively stable, personal development can significantly impact compatibility. As individuals develop their weaker functions and improve communication skills, they can navigate type differences more effectively.

How accurate is MBTI compatibility?

MBTI compatibility offers valuable frameworks for understanding relationship dynamics but shouldn't be treated as deterministic. Individual variation, personal history, and development level all influence how types interact in real relationships.