Are you an INFJ or an INTJ?
As someone who’s friends with both, I can understand why people may be confused about which personality type they identify with more. INFJs and INTJs have much in common.
As Ni-doms, they both have a linear way of thinking. Very idealistic, future-oriented, and great storytellers. They usually have high standards for themselves and for the people around them. At the same time, they have the Ni “Stare,” which describes their intense and focused, thousand-yard gaze.
But being with these two personalities, I see stark differences, too.
So, how to know if you’re an INFJ or INTJ?
In this post, let’s talk about 4 differences between INFJ and INTJ personality types.
INFJ VS INTJ Differences
1. INTJs express their visions through systems, INFJs through social harmony
Both are idealistic visionaries. However, their execution of those visions is different.
With Extraverted Thinking (Te), INTJs express their vision using facts, data, and proven systems. They believe that if something works, it deserves to be implemented. They’re committed to making it happen in the real world. They don’t care if it disrupts the status quo or if it gives people too much work and stress.
INTJs aren’t too concerned with how others feel about it. If it works, it works. In fact, with Fe (Extraverted Feeling) as their blind spot, INTJs may not even realize how their actions affect the emotional climate around them. (But of course, these Strategists can also mature and learn to read the room.)
INFJs, on the other hand, filter their vision through Extraverted Feeling (Fe). They want their ideas to resonate with people. While they do analyze information using Introverted Thinking (Ti), what satisfies them is when their insights are understood—and ideally, accepted.
That’s why INFJs often feel deeply misunderstood when their logic doesn’t land with others. However, despite the inner struggle, INFJs strive to maintain what is important to them — and that’s social harmony.
2. Helping Others
I love my INFJ friends. And I love my INTJ father. They’re compassionate and extremely helpful in different ways as well.
INFJs help you feel better.
INFJs, as Feelers, help people out of genuine concern. As they sense strong emotional tension in others, they naturally move toward soothing it. They make you feel better, even at the expense of their own time and emotions. Their empathy is so massive, they might just absorb those negative emotions out of you.
I was grieving a loved one’s death, and when I couldn’t hold back my tears at home, I ran to my INFJ friend, and she welcomed me fast. I had a good cry in her home.
She didn’t ask questions. Her presence was enough, and three hours later, I was laughing with her. In the next weeks, she kept asking me to go out, to join her, and play badminton games. And I understand she did all that so she can keep me company.
See, INFJs are not afraid of emotions. Not afraid of the rollercoaster ride or moodiness you might cause them. When I asked my INFJ friend about it, she said she has a lot of storage for drama. She loves it when people open up to her.
INTJs help you solve the root cause.
INTJs, on the other hand, approach tasks in a more process-driven manner. I’ve come to learn that when I’m with an INTJ, they wouldn’t try to soothe my emotions by patting my back and telling me, “it’s gonna be okay.”
But instead, they will attempt to solve the root cause of all my troubles. If they see a system that’s broken in your life, they’ll try to fix it. Even if you don’t want to! Lol.
For INTJs, fixed problem = happiness.
Emotions? Close to zero. From my experience, it’s very awkward for an INTJ to soothe someone emotionally.
Sometimes, you meet a mature INTJ who understands that not everyone wants their solutions. But still, it’s kinda funny to see how much they’re holding back.
INTJs are truly helpful when solving technical problems. They won’t hold back teaching you until it’s finished.
My INTJ father would help me with Physics. He helped me with my galvanized iron tool box project. There are many cases where I’ve already given up and accepted my fate, but he never gave up with my school projects.
We’d both be awake until 2 AM, tinkering that iron. No mercy.
Different approaches and motivations. But they are genuinely trying to diminish the problem in ways they know how.
3. INFJs as empaths VS INTJs taking the “villain” role
INFJs are natural empaths. With Fe-parent, their priority is harmony.
They couldn’t work peacefully if they knew there was a building-up tension around them. How can they be happy when the people around them are in chaos?
That said, they might take on a role as a mediator for people. They are the glue that holds people together.
INTJs, meanwhile, are strategists. They don’t like chaos, either. However, in this case, it’s the chaos caused by inefficiency and flawed systems that frustrates them.
That said, we can see INTJs trying to bulldoze emotional nuances if it means creating order in a chaotic situation. They could come off as the “villain” in group settings.
Not out of malice, but because they’re often the ones pointing out flaws in the name of progress. It’s a necessary sacrifice.
4. How they use Ti vs Te functions
How to know if you’re an INFJ or INTJ? Here’s one major difference.
INFJs and INTJs both possess Thinking functions, yet they differ in their approach to utilizing them.
INTJs (Te users) collect information, analyze how to make it simpler, and then talk about it with others. INTJs are SO ready to answer questions, whether it’s politics, science, religion, or philosophy. They’re voracious learners. You bet they’ve already processed random information with the intention of expressing it.
Their hobby is recording data and explaining to people how things work. They notice what’s wrong around them and provide commentaries based on world-renowned philosophers. Things like that.
They always got references to back themselves up.
INFJs (Ti users), on the other hand, process facts internally. They will ask their selves logical questions.
Do you know a flowchart? INFJs think like that. They get a wave of yes or no questions inside their head, until they end up with a logically sound conclusion.
“How did that happen? No, that doesn’t make sense… Probably what they did was… Oh, yeah, that makes perfect sense.”
However, unlike INTJs, their goal is not to make this analysis known. But they keep that analysis to themselves.
Their thoughts run deep, and though they don’t always verbalize their logic, they act on it with precision. That’s why INFJs are often praised for their quiet competence. People, including me, admire how they get it without needing much guidance.
Conclusion
Now, what do you think? Can you differentiate INFJs and INTJs now?
Both types are extraordinary visionaries and planners, due to their shared Ni-Se functions. Although they execute their visions differently due to the Te-Fi and Fe-Ti functions.
Based on how you express your visions, are you an INTJ or an INFJ?
I hope you now have your answer!
Thanks for reading!
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