If you have ever taken an Enneagram test and felt like it sort of fits, but also sort of does not, you are not imagining things. That is because the core type is only part of the story. The other, often overlooked, element? Your subtype. And there are 27 of them.
Elly J Tomlin’s The Enneagram Evolved breaks down the often confusing concept of subtypes with language that makes sense. No mysticism, no complicated diagrams, just clear, relatable insights that show how subtypes shape who we are and how we relate to the world.
What Are Subtypes, Really?
Each of the nine Enneagram types is influenced by one of three instinctual drives:
- Self-Preservation (SP): Safety, comfort, health, and practical needs.
- Social (SO): Belonging, status, connection to group dynamics.
- Sexual (SX): Intensity, intimacy, one-on-one bonding, and attraction.
When you pair the instinctual drive with the core type, you get 3 variations of each type, resulting in 27 distinct subtypes. These subtypes explain why two people with the same number can behave very differently.
A Quick Glance at All 27 Subtypes
Let us simplify what makes each one stand out:
Type 1: The Reformer
- SP 1: Tries to be the “perfect” caretaker
- SO 1: Morality meets leadership
- SX 1: Passionate and intense about doing what is right
Type 2: The Helper
- SP 2: Needs to feel needed for survival
- SO 2: Gains status through helpfulness
- SX 2: Seductive and emotionally intense
Type 3: The Achiever
- SP 3: Works hard for security
- SO 3: The polished public success story
- SX 3: Competes for attention in close relationships
Type 4: The Individualist
- SP 4: Withdrawn, longs for inner stability
- SO 4: Expresses suffering for connection
- SX 4: Craves emotional intensity and merging
Type 5: The Investigator
- SP 5: Withdraws to conserve energy
- SO 5: Shares information to gain social currency
- SX 5: Deep, focused, and intense with select few
Type 6: The Loyalist
- SP 6: Doubts self, seeks protection
- SO 6: Gains trust through loyalty to the group
- SX 6: Tests others for loyalty in intense ways
Type 7: The Enthusiast
- SP 7: Seeks comfort and personal fulfillment
- SO 7: Entertains and gathers groups for shared fun
- SX 7: Intensely pursues relationships and excitement
Type 8: The Challenger
- SP 8: Protective, especially of home and loved ones
- SO 8: Bold, assertive leader
- SX 8: Seductive and dominating in connection
Type 9: The Peacemaker
- SP 9: Finds peace in routines and comfort
- SO 9: Blends in with group to avoid conflict
- SX 9: Merges completely in relationships, losing self
Why It Matters
Each subtype dramatically changes how a type looks in real life. A Social 3 may be extroverted and polished, while an SP 3 may be reserved but driven. Without understanding subtypes, it is easy to mistype, or misunderstand those around you.
Tomlin’s gift is demystifying this complexity. In The Enneagram Evolved, she brings these profiles to life with real-life stories, reflection questions, and growth tips tailored to each subtype. It is like turning on a light in a previously confusing room.
Final Takeaway
Your subtype reveals how your instincts combine with your type’s core fear and desire. It does not just explain how you show up, it reveals what you need to feel safe, loved, and whole.
Once you know your subtype, you can:
- Improve your relationships
- Set better boundaries
- Choose the right healing practices
- Stop comparing yourself to others with your core type
Understanding your subtype is not about adding more labels, it is about gaining clarity. And when you get that clarity, you stop working against yourself and start working with who you truly are.