Chaldean numerology is one of the best-known systems of numerology. It gives each letter of the alphabet a number from 1 to 8. You add the numbers of your name to get your name number. This guide shows the full Chaldean chart, how to work out your name number step by step, what the numbers 1 to 9 stand for, and what the two-digit “compound” numbers from 10 to 52 mean.
In short: in the Chaldean chart, letters take the values 1 to 8 (no letter gets 9). Add the values of the name you use every day, then add the digits until one digit is left. The single digit is your name number. The two-digit total before that, from 10 to 52, is the compound number, which is read for extra detail.
What is Chaldean numerology?
Chaldean numerology is a way of reading a name through numbers. Each letter has a number, and the total of the name is linked to one of the nine planets used in Indian numerology. The single digit (1 to 9) describes how others see you. The compound number (the two-digit total) is read for the deeper side of the name.
Two rules make it different from the more common Pythagorean system:
- The letter values follow sound, not alphabet order. A is 1 and B is 2, but C is 3 and D is 4, and then the pattern changes.
- You use the name you are known by. The tradition reads the name people call you and the name you sign with, not only the full name on your birth certificate.
Your birth date gives your other two main numbers, the Mulank (Moolank) and Bhagyank. A full reading compares the name number with them.
History of Chaldean numerology
The system is named after the Chaldeans, the astronomer-priests of ancient Babylon (in today’s Iraq). There is no written record that the Chaldeans used this exact letter chart. The chart in use today comes mainly from the writer Cheiro (William John Warner, 1866 to 1936), whose Book of Numbers made it popular in the early 20th century. So it is fair to say the system is named after the Chaldeans and is linked by tradition with them.
Our name numerology calculator follows Cheiro’s Chaldean chart and reads compound numbers the way his tradition does. Letters take the values 1 to 8. No letter is given 9, which the tradition treats as a sacred number that stands apart.
Unlike the Pythagorean method, which keeps the master numbers 11, 22 and 33 unreduced, Chaldean numerology reduces every total to a single digit. The two-digit total before it is reduced, called the compound number, is read for extra meaning. Some writers also read each part of a name on its own (first name, middle name, surname), but the usual practice is to read the whole name you use.
Alphabet number chart (Chaldean numerology chart)
The chart below gives each letter its Chaldean number. Keep it open while you work through the example in the next section.
How to calculate your Chaldean name number
Here is the method, step by step, with the name “Narendra Modi” as the example. The numbers below are worked out with the same chart our calculator uses.
- Write the name and give each letter its Chaldean number from the chart above.
Here is the conversion for “Narendra Modi”:
Letter | N | A | R | E | N | D | R | A | M | O | D | I
------ | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | -
Number | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 1- Add all the numbers together:
5 + 1 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 7 + 4 + 1 = 41The total, 41, is the compound number.
- If the total has two digits, add its digits together until one digit is left:
4 + 1 = 5The Chaldean name number for “Narendra Modi” is 5, and the compound number is 41. Number 5 is ruled by Mercury, the planet of speech and trade. In the compound table further down, 41 is read like 32: persuasion and bringing people together.
You can run the same Chaldean count on your own name with our name numerology calculator. It shows the Pythagorean numbers alongside, so you can compare the two systems. For the Chaldean working on its own, letter by letter, with each word’s total and the compound number read in the Cheiro tradition, use the Chaldean numerology calculator.
For a fuller profile, also work out your birth date numbers, the Mulank (Moolank) and Bhagyank, and check whether your name number supports them. If it does not, small spelling changes can help; the name correction calculator shows which ones.
Chaldean vs Pythagorean numerology
The two systems use the same idea, letters turned into numbers, but different charts. The same name usually gives two different numbers: “Narendra Modi” is 41 → 5 in the Chaldean chart, while the Pythagorean method adds each word separately (NARENDRA 39 → 12 → 3, MODI 23 → 5) and gives 3 + 5 = 8.
| Chaldean | Pythagorean | |
|---|---|---|
| Letter values | 1 to 8, by the sound of the letter | 1 to 9, in alphabet order (A = 1, I = 9, J = 1) |
| The number 9 | No letter is given 9 | I and R are 9 |
| Two-digit totals | Read from 10 to 52 as compound numbers, then reduced | 11, 22 and 33 kept as master numbers |
| Which name | The name you use and sign with | Traditionally the full birth name |
| Main use | The Indian name number (Naamank) and name correction | The Western Expression, Soul Urge and Personality numbers |
Only 10 letters have the same value in both charts: A, B, C, D, E, J, K, L, M and N. The numerology alphabet chart sets out all 26 letters side by side and works out the number of any name in both systems.
Ruling planets of the letters in the Chaldean chart
Each number from 1 to 8 is linked to a planet, so every letter has a ruling planet too. Rahu and Ketu are the two shadow planets of Indian astrology. Western books sometimes give 4 to Uranus and 7 to Neptune instead.
| Letters | Number | Ruling planet |
|---|---|---|
| A, I, J, Y, Q | 1 | Sun |
| B, K, R | 2 | Moon |
| C, G, L, S | 3 | Jupiter |
| D, M, T | 4 | Rahu |
| H, N, E, X | 5 | Mercury |
| U, V, W | 6 | Venus |
| O, Z | 7 | Ketu |
| F, P | 8 | Saturn |
Characteristics of the first letter in a name
Many people read the first letter of a name as a quick hint of personality. The traits below follow the number of that letter. Treat them as a starting point, not a full reading: the whole name and your birth date numbers matter more.
| First letter(s) | Commonly linked traits |
|---|---|
| A, I, J, Y, Q | Confident, independent, natural leaders, like to start things |
| B, K, R | Sensitive, kind, cooperative, good at reading moods |
| C, G, L, S | Good speakers, creative, expressive, cheerful |
| D, M, T | Practical, disciplined, hard-working, think differently |
| H, N, E, X | Versatile, good communicators, quick, adaptable |
| U, V, W | Caring, responsible, artistic, family-minded |
| O, Z | Thoughtful, intuitive, drawn to study and inner life |
| F, P | Ambitious, patient, determined, steady under pressure |
What your Chaldean number says about you
Each single number from 1 to 9 has a ruling planet, a colour and a set of traits. The colours and traits below are the same ones our calculators use, so you will see the same reading on the Mulank (Moolank) pages and in every calculator result.
Single numbers
| Number | Ruling planet | Colour | Personality traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun | Gold, orange | The leader. Likes to start things and take charge, and works best with freedom and a clear goal. Can find it hard to ask others for help. |
| 2 | Moon | White, cream | The peacemaker. Sensitive and intuitive, reads moods well and does best in partnership. Can take things too personally. |
| 3 | Jupiter | Yellow | The guide. Learns quickly, explains well and is often asked for advice. Can spread energy over too many plans. |
| 4 | Rahu | Blue, grey | The builder. Hard-working and methodical, and often sees things differently from others. Can be rigid. |
| 5 | Mercury | Green | The communicator. A quick thinker who enjoys variety, travel and trade, and adapts fast. Can be restless. |
| 6 | Venus | White, light pink | The nurturer. Values family, beauty and comfort, and takes responsibility for others. Can give too much. |
| 7 | Ketu | Light green, white | The seeker. Looks beneath the surface, needs quiet time and is drawn to research and spiritual life. Can overthink. |
| 8 | Saturn | Dark blue, black | The achiever. Works steadily towards long-term success; results may come later but tend to last. Can carry too much alone. |
| 9 | Mars | Red | The warrior. Energetic, brave and fair-minded, and finishes what they start. Can be quick to anger. |
Friendly numbers in Chaldean numerology
Because every number has a ruling planet, numbers can be friendly or unfriendly with each other, following the natural friendship of their planets. This is how a name number is matched with your Mulank (Moolank) and Bhagyank, and how two people’s numbers are compared. The table gives, for each number, the numbers it is rated excellent, good and difficult with. These are the same ratings every calculator on this site uses.
For the example name number 5 (Mercury), the friendly numbers are 5 and 6 (excellent) and 1, 4, 7 and 8 (good), and no number is rated difficult. A name number is read at its best when it is friendly with both your Mulank and your Bhagyank.
Compound numbers
The compound number is the two-digit total before it is reduced. Cheiro’s tradition gives meanings from 10 to 52. Above 52, only the single digit is read. Many compound numbers repeat an earlier one (33 is read like 24, for example), and where the tradition urges care, the note says what to watch, not what will go wrong. No number decides your future on its own.
| Number | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 10 | Wheel of fortune: rise and renewal, honour and a good name. Plans move once you act on them. |
| 11 | The clenched hand: asks for care with trust and hidden opposition. Keep agreements in writing. |
| 12 | The sacrifice: asks for care with giving too much to other people’s plans. Set kind limits. |
| 13 | Change and renewal: not unlucky. Old plans end so new ones can begin. Pause before a big move. |
| 14 | Movement: travel, trade and dealing with many people. Check the details before you invest. |
| 15 | The magician: charm, persuasion and gifts in speech, music or the arts, with help from others. |
| 16 | The shattered tower: asks for care with pride and plans built too fast. Build step by step. |
| 17 | Star of the Magi: peace, inner strength and a name that is remembered. |
| 18 | Conflict and illusion: asks for care with quarrels and flattery. Stay calm and check the facts. |
| 19 | Prince of heaven: one of the most favourable numbers. Success, respect and happiness. |
| 20 | The awakening: new purpose and fresh plans. Material gains can take time. |
| 21 | Crown of the Magi: advancement and honours after long effort. |
| 22 | The dreamer: asks for care with judgement when hope runs ahead of the facts. Take sound advice. |
| 23 | Royal star of the lion: success in plans and help from people in senior positions. |
| 24 | Help from others: support from people with influence and gains through love and friendship. |
| 25 | Strength through experience: learns from early trials; success comes later and is earned. |
| 26 | Partnerships to watch: asks for care with partners, speculation and advice on money. Choose partners slowly. |
| 27 | The sceptre: authority and creative thinking; your own ideas bring the reward. |
| 28 | Contradictions: asks for care with trust and competition. Read contracts and save for lean times. |
| 29 | Uncertain ground: asks for care in relationships. Say clearly what you expect. |
| 30 | The thoughtful mind: reflection, study and mental strength. The result depends on what you do with your ideas. |
| 31 | The solitary thinker: like 30, but more private. Good for deep work; make time for people too. |
| 32 | Communication: persuasion and bringing people together. Trust your own judgement. |
| 33 | Read like 24: support from people with influence and good relationships. |
| 34 | Read like 25: steady growth through experience, with success over time. |
| 35 | Read like 26: care with partnerships and money advice. Keep agreements clear. |
| 36 | Read like 27: authority and creative ideas that bring reward when you act on them. |
| 37 | Good companions: favourable for friendship, love and partnerships. |
| 38 | Read like 29: care with trust. Be open about what you expect. |
| 39 | Read like 30: reflection and mental strength; your own choices decide the result. |
| 40 | Read like 31: a private, independent number for focused work. |
| 41 | Read like 32: persuasion and bringing people together. |
| 42 | Read like 24: support from people with influence and good partnerships. |
| 43 | Upheaval: asks for care with conflict and sudden change. Move in steps and talk things through. |
| 44 | Read like 26: care with partnerships and speculation. Check every deal yourself. |
| 45 | Read like 27: authority, creative ideas and reward from your own plans. |
| 46 | Read like 37: favourable for friendship, love and partnerships. |
| 47 | Read like 29: care with trust in close relationships. Let trust build over time. |
| 48 | Read like 30: reflection and mental strength; your choices decide the result. |
| 49 | Read like 31: independence and focused work, balanced with time for others. |
| 50 | Read like 32: persuasion and bringing people together. |
| 51 | The warrior: strength and sudden progress in leadership or service. Keep plans private until ready. |
| 52 | Read like 43: care with conflict and sudden change. Settle differences by talking. |
To see your name number with every other number from your date of birth, make your numerology chart; for where Chaldean numerology fits among the other methods, read our numerology guide.
Chaldean numerology: common questions
How do I find my Chaldean number?
Write the name you use every day, give each letter its value from the Chaldean chart (1 to 8), add all the values and keep adding the digits until one digit is left. The two-digit total before that is your compound number. The name numerology calculator does the whole working for you.
Why is 9 not used in the Chaldean chart?
In this tradition 9 is treated as a sacred number that stands apart, so no letter is given 9. A name can still add up to 9, or to a total that reduces to 9; it simply never comes from a single letter.
Is Chaldean numerology more accurate than Pythagorean?
Neither system can be proven more accurate. They give letters different values and answer slightly different questions. Most Indian numerologists use the Chaldean chart for the name number and name correction, and the Pythagorean chart for the Western Expression, Soul Urge and Personality numbers.
Should I use my full birth name or the name I am called by?
The Chaldean tradition reads the name you are known by and sign with. If your birth name is different, for example before marriage, check both versions and compare.
Which numbers are friendly with my name number?
A number is read as friendly when the planets of the two numbers are friends. For example, name number 5 (Mercury) is rated excellent with 5 and 6, good with 1, 4, 7 and 8, and has no difficult number. The table of friendly numbers in this guide gives every pair.
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