How the score is calculated
Name numbers. Each letter gets the Pythagorean numerology value (A, J and S are 1; B, K and T are 2; and so on up to I and R at 9). The letters of each name are added and reduced to a single digit, and the closer the two digits, the higher the score.
Life path numbers. The month, day and year of birth are each reduced to a digit and then added and reduced again, keeping the "master numbers" 11, 22 and 33. Someone born on July 4, 1990 has 7 + 4 + 1 (from 1990: 1+9+9+0 = 19, 1+9 = 10, 1+0 = 1) = 12, and 1 + 2 = 3.
Zodiac elements. Each sun sign belongs to fire, earth, air or water. Traditional astrology pairs fire with air and earth with water, so those combinations score highest.
Shared letters. The share of letters the two names have in common. The four parts are combined with the weights shown in the table, and the score is the same whichever order you type the names in.
Zodiac dates and elements
| Sign | Dates | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | Mar 21 - Apr 19 | Fire |
| Taurus | Apr 20 - May 20 | Earth |
| Gemini | May 21 - Jun 20 | Air |
| Cancer | Jun 21 - Jul 22 | Water |
| Leo | Jul 23 - Aug 22 | Fire |
| Virgo | Aug 23 - Sep 22 | Earth |
| Libra | Sep 23 - Oct 22 | Air |
| Scorpio | Oct 23 - Nov 21 | Water |
| Sagittarius | Nov 22 - Dec 21 | Fire |
| Capricorn | Dec 22 - Jan 19 | Earth |
| Aquarius | Jan 20 - Feb 18 | Air |
| Pisces | Feb 19 - Mar 20 | Water |
| Element score | Fire | Earth | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 85 | 50 | 90 | 40 |
| Earth | 50 | 80 | 55 | 75 |
| Air | 90 | 55 | 80 | 55 |
| Water | 40 | 75 | 55 | 85 |
What actually predicts a good match
No study has found that star signs or name numbers predict how relationships turn out. Large surveys of couples point instead to shared values, how conflict is handled, and everyday kindness. Research by the psychologist John Gottman found that stable couples have about five positive interactions for every negative one during disagreements.
Money is one of the topics couples argue about most, and it is one you can actually calculate. Before moving in together, it helps to compare what you each earn, owe and want to save. The rent vs buy calculator, house affordability calculator and savings calculator work well for planning as a couple.