Numerology: calculating your life path number from your birth date and reading it sensibly
Numerology assigns meanings to numbers reduced from your date of birth and offers another perspective on your working style. The tool at the top of this page calculates three numbers: the life path number, the birthday number and the attitude number. This guide shows how to calculate them by hand and how to read the results.
The three numbers the tool calculates
Reducing a number means adding its digits together until a single digit remains; 11 and 22 are the exception and are kept as they are, because they are treated as master numbers.
| Number | How it is calculated | Usually read as |
|---|---|---|
| Life path number | How it is calculatedReduce the day, month and year separately, add the three results and reduce again | Usually read asYour general direction and how you work towards your goals |
| Birthday number | How it is calculatedReduce the day of birth on its own | Usually read asYour most prominent natural talent |
| Attitude number | How it is calculatedReduce the day and the month, then add them together | Usually read asThe first impression you make on others |
Worked example for someone born on 14 August 1996
- Reduce the day, month and yearDay 14 becomes 1 + 4 = 5; month 8 stays 8; year 1996 becomes 1 + 9 + 9 + 6 = 25, then 2 + 5 = 7.
- Calculate the life path number5 + 8 + 7 = 20, reduced to 2 + 0 = 2. The life path number is 2.
- Calculate the birthday and attitude numbersThe birthday number is 5. The attitude number is 5 + 8 = 13, reduced to 1 + 3 = 4.
Someone born on 2 July 2000 gets 2 + 7 + 2 = 11, which is a master number, so the life path number stays 11 instead of being reduced to 2. The tool at the top of this page shows each addition step in the same way so you can check it.
How to read the results
Each number comes with a description of strengths, points to watch, working style and some suggested careers. Keep the ideas that make you think about how you work and set aside the ones that do not fit you.
Frequently asked questions
In numerology, 11 and 22 are not reduced and have their own descriptions. The tool recognises these two numbers automatically, including when they appear while the day or month is being reduced.
No. Numerology gives the same result to everyone born on the same day, while personality also depends on family, education and experience.
Choose a career based on your skills, experience and genuine interests. Numerology adds another perspective on your working style.