Everyone comes into this world with a life path number, a birthday-based number that guides a person toward fulfillment. There are 12 possible life paths, and each number has a different relationship with every other number.
Although loved ones may share your life path, many won’t. Life path compatibility, and numerology compatibility in general, teaches you how energies can be supportive, add perspective, or cause disruption. Similar to the zodiac signs of a horoscope, it’s common to discover patterns in the life paths you attract.
Calculating Your Life Path Number
The life path number is the sum of your birthday number, date of birth: the month, day, and year. However, you first reduce each double-digit number to a single digit. For instance, you would add the two digits in the number 12 (1 + 2) to reduce it to 3.
Express your final sum as a single digit unless it’s 11, 22, or 33. These “master numbers” also aren’t reduced when they appear anywhere in a birth date, such as November (11th month) or the 22nd day.
For more details about how to calculate your life path number, you can refer to specific examples from a numerology calculator.
Life Path Number Compatibility Chart
The numerology chart below shows the numbers that support, challenge, or have no consistent effect on each life path. However, according to numerologists, number compatibility isn’t the same as the overall relationship compatibility of two people. All combinations can be constructive, even if they are not forecast to be a good match in the form of soulmates or life partners.
Life Path | Finds Harmony With: | Finds Friction With: | Can Go Either Way With: |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3, 5 | 2, 6, 9, 11, 22 | 1, 4, 7, 8, 33 |
2 | 4, 6, 9, 11 | 1, 3, 5, 7 | 2, 8, 22, 33 |
3 | 1, 5, 9, 33 | 2, 4, 7, 8, 22 | 3, 6, 11 |
4 | 2, 6, 7, 8, 11, 33 | 3, 5 | 1, 4, 9, 22 |
5 | 1, 3, 9 | 2, 4, 6, 8, 22, 33 | 5, 7, 11 |
6 | 2, 4, 9, 11, 22, 33 | 1, 5, 8 | 3, 6, 7 |
7 | 4, 11, 22 | 2, 3, 9, 33 | 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
8 | 4, 22 | 3, 5, 6, 9, 11 | 1, 2, 7, 8, 33 |
9 | 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 22, 33 | 1, 7, 8 | 4, 9 |
11 | 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 | 1, 8, 22 | 3, 5, 11, 33 |
22 | 6, 7, 8, 9 | 3, 5, 11, 22 | 1, 2, 4, 33 |
33 | 3, 4, 6, 9 | 5, 7, 33 | 1, 2, 8, 11, 22 |
Personality and Compatibility of Life Path Numbers
Explore the characteristics associated with each life path and consider how they blend with or oppose the qualities of other numbers.
Life Path Number 1
This path calls upon people to act on their own terms, so these individuals value self-determination above all. They’re often visionaries, whether they lead in the limelight or challenge conventions away from the public eye.
Most compatible: 3 and 5
Least compatible: 2 and 6
Life Path Number 2
Someone born as a two is likely to learn lessons through companionship because healthy connection is highly motivating to them. Their path builds relationship skills like cooperation, diplomacy, and conflict resolution.
Most compatible: 6 and 9
Least compatible: 1 and 5
Life Path Number 3
The third life path invites movement through the world with openness and enthusiasm, so these creative journeyers tend to have expansive identities. Often artful storytellers, they find the most fulfillment through sharing their truths.
Most compatible: 1 and 33
Least compatible: 4 and 7
Life Path Number 4
People who walk life path four are driven to realize their ideas and heart’s desire in the material world. To build what they envision, these dedicated workers learn to make wise choices about how they direct their focus.
Most compatible: 7 and 8
Least compatible: 3 and 5
Life Path Number 5
Experiences on the fifth path encourage followers to forge personal definitions of freedom. Trial and error are the bread and butter of this life path, and those on it will discover their values through mistakes.
Most compatible: 1 and 9
Least compatible: 2 and 4
Life Path Number 6
Relationship contracts and community are central to the lives on path six. To serve others and deepen their love life and romantic relationships, these individuals learn the value of honoring their personal bonds. Their devotion is a daily ritual.
Most compatible: 2 and 11
Least compatible: 1 and 8
Life Path Number 7
Directed inward, this less-traveled path advances self-knowledge. A person on this path may delve into philosophy, spirituality, and shadow work—through the course, each unique seeker discovers what only they can offer the world.
Most compatible: 4 and 11
Least compatible: 3 and 9
Life Path Number 8
People on life path eight want to achieve something that others will respect, and they develop the undeniable skill to do so. Their contributions earn respect for their lasting social and cultural value.
Most compatible: 4 and 22
Least compatible: 6 and 9
Life Path Number 9
Loving reminders line life path nine: these travelers learn to accept themselves as complete beings—with all their quirks and flaws. By growing in compassion, they also help others see the best in themselves.
Most compatible: 2 and 5
Least compatible: 7 and 8
Life Path Number 11
People on life path 11 embody all the intuitive, sensitive energies of life path two but on a highly psychic level. They’re gifted at bridging gaps between immense differences, inspiring hope, and uniting people to effect change.
Most compatible: This high vibration connects with all numbers but forms deeply sensitive unions with 6 and 7.
Least compatible: 1 (tends to be less open to what 11 offers)
Life Path Number 22
Like fours, those born on life path 22 are gifted builders. They want to create something that betters society on a large scale. Because their unconventional thinking can face opposition, learning self-trust is key.
Most compatible: This high vibration connects with all numbers but finds the strongest mutual support with 8.
Least compatible: 22 (view each other as obstacles)
Life Path Number 33
Life path 33 features healing in its highest order. A 33 journeyer understands that empowering others to heal themselves is the greatest form of change. As a result, these humanitarians are often teachers or guides.
Most compatible: This high vibration connects with all numbers but cultivates an especially empowering creative partnership with 3.
Least compatible: 33 (similar roles leave them feeling less purposeful)