Reduction (Pythagorean) Gematria Cipher
Reduction, also called Pythagorean or Single Digit, gives every letter a value from 1 to 9. The alphabet is written in rows of nine, so A, J and S are all worth 1.
The Reduction (Pythagorean) table
How it works
Use the table A to I = 1 to 9, J to R = 1 to 9, S to Z = 1 to 8. Add the letter values; if you want a single digit, add the digits of the total until one remains. Many numerologists stop early if the total is 11, 22 or 33 (master numbers).
Worked examples
- Light: L (3) + I (9) + G (7) + H (8) + T (2) = 29
- Wisdom: W (5) + I (9) + S (1) + D (4) + O (6) + M (4) = 29
- Karma: K (2) + A (1) + R (9) + M (4) + A (1) = 17
Example values in Reduction (Pythagorean)
Where it comes from
The name refers to Pythagoras, but the system as used today is largely a twentieth-century development in Western numerology. It is the standard table behind most name-number calculators.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reduction the same as Pythagorean numerology?
The letter table is the same one used for Pythagorean name numbers such as the Expression, Soul Urge and Personality numbers.
Why do totals reduce to a single digit?
Numerology treats the digits 1 to 9 as the basic set of meanings, so larger totals are summed down to one of them (or a master number).
Other ciphers
- English Ordinal
- Reverse Ordinal
- Reverse Reduction
- Sumerian (x6)
- Jewish English
- Francis Bacon
- Chaldean
- Latin (23-letter)
- Hebrew (Mispar Hechrachi)
Gematria and numerology are traditions of interpretation, not sciences. Results are provided for education, curiosity and entertainment and are not a prediction or professional advice.