The three numbers
- Expression number (also called destiny number): every letter of the full birth name. Traditionally about talents and how you express yourself.
- Soul urge number (heart’s desire): the vowels only. Traditionally about inner motivation.
- Personality number: the consonants only. Traditionally about the impression you make on other people.
For each one, the letters are turned into numbers with a table, the numbers are added, and the total is reduced by adding its digits until one digit remains. In the Pythagorean system the master numbers 11, 22 and 33 are kept.
Two systems, two answers
Pythagorean gives the letters 1 to 9 in alphabetical order (A is 1, B is 2, and so on, starting again after I). It is the system most Western numerologists use, and it is the default here.
Chaldean gives values by sound, from 1 to 8, and holds back 9 as sacred. It is described as the older system and is widely used in Indian numerology. It gives different numbers for the same name, and Chaldean readers also pay attention to the two-digit compound number before it is reduced, so the tool shows it.
Different traditions, different numbers. Neither is proven; choose the one that matters to you. The letter table behind each result is shown so you can check it, and the Vedic site uses the Chaldean system for names in its own tools.
Which name to use
Numerologists usually use the full name as written at birth. Some also look at the name a person is known by. You can run the tool for each and compare.
Frequently asked questions
↳ How is the letter Y treated?
Sources disagree, so the tool lets you choose. By default Y counts as a vowel when it sits between consonants or ends a word, as in Mary or Lynn, and as a consonant when it starts a word or touches another vowel, as in Yolanda or Kayla.
↳ Is my name sent anywhere?
No. The numbers are worked out in your browser.