7 Types of Synesthesia Explained with Real-Life Examples
#TALKNERDYTOME® STAFF WRITER
Introduction
Have you ever met someone who sees music as colors or tastes words? These unusual yet real experiences are part of a fascinating neurological trait called synesthesia.
But did you know there are dozens of different types of synesthesia? In this post, we’ll explore 7 of the most researched and intriguing types—along with examples that bring each one to life.
🧠 What Is Synesthesia?
Synesthesia is a condition where stimulation of one sense automatically triggers another unrelated sensory experience. Instead of being limited to the five senses operating independently, a synesthete’s senses are cross-wired in a unique way.
Now, let’s break down the most common types.
1. Grapheme–Color Synesthesia
Description: Letters or numbers appear inherently colored.
Example: “The letter A is always red, B is blue, and 5 is green—even if I’m reading black text on a white page.”
📌 This is one of the most common and well-studied forms. Synesthetes usually see these colors in their “mind’s eye,” not projected onto physical objects.
2. Chromesthesia (Sound-to-Color)
Description: Sounds trigger the perception of colors, patterns, or shapes.
Example: “When a saxophone plays, I see bright orange spirals. A high-pitched flute produces flickers of silver.”
🎵 Many musicians with chromesthesia use it to enhance their compositions—Pharrell Williams and Billy Joel are famous examples.
3. Lexical–Gustatory Synesthesia
Description: Certain words or sounds trigger tastes or flavors.
Example: “The name ‘Mark’ tastes like chocolate, but ‘Susan’ tastes like old toothpaste.”
👅 This type is rare and often unpredictable. It can be delightful or occasionally unpleasant.
4. Mirror-Touch Synesthesia
Description: Feeling physical sensations that you see others experience.
Example: “When I see someone touch their arm, I feel a touch in the same spot on mine.”
🤝 This type is linked to high empathy and is being studied in relation to emotional intelligence and social cognition.
5. Number Form Synesthesia
Description: Seeing numbers or sequences in physical space (spatial visualization).
Example: “The calendar forms a circle in my head, and I visualize numbers in a 3D spiral.”
🔢 This isn't just imagination—it’s a consistent and structured way the brain organizes abstract concepts.
6. Ordinal Linguistic Personification (OLP)
Description: Numbers, letters, or days of the week are associated with personalities or genders.
Example: “Monday is a grumpy old man. The number 2 is shy and feminine.”
🧍 It sounds quirky, but it’s a genuine cognitive association that feels natural and unforced to the synesthete.
7. Auditory–Tactile Synesthesia
Description: Sounds evoke physical sensations on the body.
Example: “High-pitched violin sounds make my skin tingle. A drumbeat feels like soft pressure on my chest.”
👂 This form is sometimes confused with misophonia, but unlike discomfort-based sound sensitivity, it’s an involuntary, neutral-to-pleasant physical response.
🎨 Less Common Types (Honorable Mentions)
Visual-motion to sound synesthesia (seeing motion triggers auditory sensations)
Emotion–color synesthesia (feeling emotions as specific colors)
Concept–shape synesthesia (abstract ideas appearing as specific shapes)
Types of Synesthesia
| Type | Sensory Link | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Grapheme–Color | Letters/numbers → Colors | Very common |
| Chromesthesia | Sounds → Colors | Common in musicians |
| Lexical–Gustatory | Words → Tastes | Rare |
| Mirror-Touch | Seeing touch → Feeling touch | Uncommon |
| Number Form | Numbers → Spatial maps | Fairly common |
| Ordinal Linguistic Personification | Sequences → Personalities | Uncommon |
| Auditory–Tactile | Sounds → Tingly Feelings | Rare |
Why Do These Types Matter?
Understanding the different forms of synesthesia gives us insight into how diverse human perception can be. For researchers, it offers a window into how the brain processes sensory input, while for artists and creatives, it opens up entirely new ways of experiencing the world.
FAQ: Common Questions About Synesthesia Types
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A: Yes! Many synesthetes report experiencing multiple types at once.
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A: Research suggests there is a genetic component, though it's not fully understood.
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A: Often, no—they assume their experiences are normal until they discover otherwise.
