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Levels of health

Your type says which way you lean. Your level says how tightly the pattern is holding you right now. Two people of the same type can look like different types, because one is free and the other is stuck.

Don Riso and Russ Hudson added this “vertical” dimension to the nine types: nine levels within each type, grouped as healthy (1–3), average (4–6) and unhealthy (7–9). They describe the levels as a measure of how identified we are with our personality's defenses, and they warn that, because many traits flip as a type becomes less healthy, no single trait is always true of a type (The Wisdom of the Enneagram, pp. 75–76). Other teachers describe healthier and less healthy versions of each type too, but the nine-level scale is theirs.

What the levels are, and aren't

A direction, not a grade

Most of us move up and down over a season, or even a day. The question isn't “what level am I?” but “which way am I moving?”

Not a measure of worth or faith

Your level isn't your standing before God. A faithful believer can go through a dark, unhealthy season, and grace meets us at every level. Every type's healthy version reflects something of God's image.

Not a diagnosis

The levels describe patterns, not disorders, and our test doesn't measure them. If you recognize yourself in the lower levels, please talk to a counselor, pastor or doctor. Struggling is not a type.

All nine types, healthy to unhealthy

Each type page lists observable markers for all nine levels. Here are the level names, in order within each band.

TypeHealthy (levels 1–3)Average (levels 4–6)Unhealthy (levels 7–9)
1 · The Principled Improver
  1. Wise and accepting
  2. Fair-minded
  3. Principled example
  1. Carrying the load
  2. Keeping control
  3. Correcting others
  1. Rigid and self-righteous
  2. Divided against themselves
  3. Punishing
2 · The Generous Friend
  1. Free to love and be loved
  2. Warmly attuned
  3. Generous and encouraging
  1. Working to be liked
  2. Needing to be needed
  3. Keeping score
  1. Holding on through guilt
  2. Chasing love at any cost
  3. Falling apart
3 · The Builder of Worth
  1. Real and generous
  2. Adaptable and admirable
  3. Excellent and inspiring
  1. Driven to stand out
  2. Managing the image
  3. Selling themselves
  1. Covering the cracks
  2. Hiding at any cost
  3. Turning on others
4 · The Longing Heart
  1. Whole and life-giving
  2. Self-aware and sensitive
  3. Honest creator
  1. Heightening the mood
  2. Withdrawing to be found
  3. Exempting themselves
  1. Turned against others
  2. Turned against themselves
  3. Without hope
5 · The Seeker of Understanding
  1. Engaged and wise
  2. Perceptive observer
  3. Original contributor
  1. Preparing more
  2. Pulling back to protect
  3. Holding others off
  1. Cut off
  2. Overwhelmed by fear
  3. Wanting to escape
6 · The Steadfast Questioner
  1. Courageous and grounded
  2. Warm and dependable
  3. Committed contributor
  1. Looking for a sure thing
  2. Torn and defensive
  3. Blaming and reactive
  1. Panicked
  2. Overrun by fear
  3. Turning on oneself
7 · The Joyful Adventurer
  1. Deeply grateful
  2. Enthusiastic explorer
  3. Productive and realistic
  1. Keeping options open
  2. Staying stimulated
  3. Demanding more
  1. Escaping at any cost
  2. Out of control
  3. Trapped
8 · The Strong-Hearted Protector
  1. Strength surrendered
  2. Confident and resourceful
  3. Protective builder
  1. Securing the resources
  2. Making their presence felt
  3. Pressing hard
  1. Against the world
  2. Overreaching
  3. Refusing to yield
9 · The Steady Harmonizer
  1. Present and self-possessed
  2. Steady and receptive
  3. Reconciler
  1. Going along
  2. Tuning out
  3. Playing it down
  1. Refusing to look
  2. Shut down
  3. Disappearing

Level names are ours, summarizing Riso & Hudson's descriptions for each type; sources are listed on each type page.

The next step up

Growth rarely comes as a leap from level 6 to level 1. It comes as the next small step: noticing the pattern a little sooner, and choosing, by grace, a little differently. That's what our daily growth path is built around.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18

Change is gradual and it is God's work: we are being transformed, and the transforming comes from the Spirit.

In context: Paul contrasts the fading glory on Moses' face with the lasting, growing glory of the new covenant at work in believers.

Find your typeStress and growth lines