Segmented vs Total: Two Ways to Calculate Your Life Path Number

TL;DR

Both methods reduce your birth date digits to find your Life Path Number:

  • Segmented:Reduce year, month and day separately → sum → reduce (masters optional)
  • Total:Sum all digits at once → reduce (masters optional)

The Segmented Method

The Segmented method treats each component of your birth date as a separate entity before combining them. This is the most commonly used method in modern numerology.

Steps:

  1. Reduce the year to a single digit (or master number if enabled)
  2. Reduce the month to a single digit (or master number if enabled)
  3. Reduce the day to a single digit (or master number if enabled)
  4. Add these three numbers together
  5. Reduce the sum to a single digit (or master number if enabled)

The Total Method

The Total method adds all digits of your birth date together first, then reduces the sum. This method is simpler but less commonly used.

Steps:

  1. Add all digits of the birth date together
  2. Reduce the sum to a single digit (or master number if enabled)

Worked Examples

Example 1: July 26, 1990

Segmented Method:

  • Year: 1+9+9+0 = 19 → 1+9 = 10 → 1+0 = 1
  • Month: 7 = 7
  • Day: 2+6 = 8
  • Sum: 1 + 7 + 8 = 16 → 1+6 = 7

Result: 7

Total Method:

  • All digits: 1+9+9+0+0+7+2+6 = 34
  • Reduce: 3+4 = 7

Result: 7

Example 2: November 22, 1977

Segmented Method:

  • Year: 1+9+7+7 = 24 → 2+4 = 6
  • Month: 1+1 = 2
  • Day: 2+2 = 4
  • Sum: 6 + 2 + 4 = 12 → 1+2 = 3

Result: 3

Total Method:

  • All digits: 1+9+7+7+1+1+2+2 = 30
  • Reduce: 3+0 = 3

Result: 3

When to Keep Master Numbers?

Master numbers (11, 22, and sometimes 33) are considered special in numerology and may not be reduced further, depending on your settings:

  • →
    Keep Master at Stage: Preserves 11/22/33 during intermediate calculations (year, month, day reductions in Segmented method)
  • →
    Keep Master at Final: Preserves 11/22/33 in the final result if the sum equals a master number
  • →
    Treat 33 as Master: Some traditions include 33 as a master number, while others only recognize 11 and 22

Which Method Should You Use?

Use Segmented When:

  • ✓ Following modern numerology practices
  • ✓ Want more detailed breakdown
  • ✓ Interested in component influences
  • ✓ Most books/websites use this

Use Total When:

  • ✓ Following traditional methods
  • ✓ Prefer simpler calculations
  • ✓ Working with older texts
  • ✓ Quick mental math needed
Try Both Methods in Our Calculator