Challenge Number

How it's calculated

1. Reduce your month, day, and year of birth each to a single digit.
2. First challenge: subtract the smaller of the month and day from the larger.
3. Second challenge: subtract the smaller of the day and year from the larger.
4. Third challenge: subtract the smaller of the first two challenges from the larger.
5. Fourth challenge: subtract the smaller of the month and year from the larger.

Example Born 14 March 1990: month 3, day 5 (1+4), year 1 (1990 reduces to 1+9+9+0=19, then 1+9=10, then 1). First challenge: 5-3=2. Second: 5-1=4. Third: 4-2=2. Fourth: 3-1=2.

Related terms

• Pinnacle Number
• Life Path Number

Common questions

Why can a challenge number be 0?

Because challenge numbers come from subtraction, two equal parts of the birth date cancel out to 0. Numerologists read a 0 as its own kind of challenge, about choice and self-direction.

How are challenge numbers different from pinnacle numbers?

Pinnacle numbers use the same birth-date parts but add them together instead of subtracting. Pinnacles describe opportunities; challenges describe obstacles during the same four life periods.

Do all four challenge numbers apply at once?

No. The first three apply one after another across earlier life periods, while the fourth, the main challenge, tends to run throughout adulthood.