Here’s What Percentage of Communication is Nonverbal (2024)

Ever wondered how much of communication is really nonverbal? You’ve probably heard the claim that it’s a whopping 93%, or maybe 55%, or some other oddly specific number. These statistics have been tossed around in boardrooms, TED talks, and self-help books for decades.

But here’s the thing: it turns out they’re mostly myths!

In this post, we’re going to unpack these popular body language percentages, trace their origins, and separate fact from fiction.

Is Body Language Really 93% of Communication?

You’ve probably heard the claim that a whopping 93% of communication is nonverbal. But it’s not entirely accurate.

This oft-quoted statistic stems from a misinterpretation of Albert Mehrabian’s research. In fact, Albert Mehrabian actually conducted two studies that would unknowingly spark a communication revolution.

Mehrabian was curious about something specific: what happens when someone’s words don’t match their tone or facial expression? You know, like when your friend says “I’m fine” but looks like they just lost their puppy. Which signal do we believe?

Thus, Mehrabian conducted two studies in 1967:

• Mehrabian & Wiener:^{1 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1967-08861-001} Focused on the consistency between words and tone of voice.
• Mehrabian & Ferris:^{2 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1967-10403-001} Examined the interplay between facial expressions and spoken words.

Here’s where things get interesting:

1. Mehrabian’s studies were super narrow in focus. We’re talking 137 college students (hardly a diverse sample) and in one study, participants only heard a single word: “maybe.” Not exactly a comprehensive look at human communication!
   
2. The famous percentages (7-38-55 or 7% verbal, 38% tone, 55% facial expression) only applied when people were talking about feelings and attitudes, and when these signals conflicted.
   
3. Mehrabian never meant for these findings to be applied to all communication. In fact, he’s spent years trying to correct this misunderstanding!

How Did We Get It So Wrong? Someone heard about the study, simplified it, and passed it on. Before you know it, “93% of communication is nonverbal” became accepted wisdom.

Why It Matters: this myth isn’t just annoying to communication nerds (guilty as charged—we used to quote this stat before we dug into it more deeply). It can actually be harmful:

1. It devalues the importance of words. (Try telling a novelist their words only account for 7% of their story’s impact!)
   
2. It oversimplifies communication, which is often very complex.
   
3. It can lead people to only pay attention to body language and not enough on their words.

Body Language Percentages Fact Checks

What about other sources claiming “X% of communication is body language”?

Mehrabian’s first study actually introduced a 60/40 ratio, suggesting that when conveying attitudes, facial expressions (60%) carried more weight than vocal tone (40%).

Also, in The Definitive Book of Body Language^{3https://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Book-Body-Language/dp/0553804723} body language experts Allan and Barbara Pease conducted an extensive study of sales negotiations recorded during the 1970s and 1980s. Their analysis revealed that in face-to-face interactions, nonverbal cues played a huge role in shaping the outcome of negotiations.

Interestingly, they observed a difference between in-person and telephone negotiations. Over the phone, where body language is absent, the strength of one’s argument tends to be the deciding factor. However, in face-to-face scenarios, a compelling argument alone doesn’t always guarantee success. Their research was not peer-reviewed so it is hard to know how accurate it is.

Body Language Beyond Numbers

Sure, it’s neat to slap a percentage on the importance of body language, but the exact percentage often can’t be determined. Instead, let’s turn our attention to these important pieces of info:

• Context is King: One size definitely doesn’t fit all in the world of body language. A raised eyebrow might mean skepticism in a boardroom, playful flirtation on a date, or confusion in a classroom.
• Cultural Differences: Body language isn’t a universal language. What’s polite in Peoria might be offensive in Osaka. For instance, a thumbs-up is generally positive in the US but can be insulting in parts of the Middle East.
• Coexistence: Words and body language don’t exist in separate bubbles. They go together. When they match, the message is reinforced. When they clash, it creates intrigue or confusion.
• The Power of Presence: Ever been around someone who just commands attention without saying a word? That’s presence, and it’s a perfect example of how body language works beyond simple gestures.
• Facial Microexpressions: These lightning-fast facial expressions can reveal true feelings before a person has a chance to mask them. While not foolproof, learning to spot these microexpressions can give you valuable insights into what someone’s really thinking.
• Don’t Over-interpret: While body language is powerful, it’s not mind-reading. Crossing arms might mean someone’s closed off… or just cold. Misreading these cues can lead to serious misunderstandings.
• Authenticity Over Technique People can often sense when you’re faking it. Instead of trying to manipulate your body language, focus on genuine engagement. Authentic connection beats rehearsed gestures 99% of the time.

Here’s our policy at Science of People: People often forget how important body language is in their communication, so we want to highlight it. Nonverbal behavior is too often overlooked. Whether it is 40%, 60% or 90% we still need to address it, and that’s our goal in our courses, blogs and books.

Our mission is to help you connect authentically through enhanced social skills. Our flagship course dives deep into body language, verbal communication and systems for better interactions:

The Takeaway

Body language isn’t about memorizing a set of rules or percentages. It’s about developing awareness—of yourself, others, and the situation. It’s a skill that can be honed over time, adding depth and richness to your interactions.

The next time you’re tempted to quote a body language statistic, remember: the real power of nonverbal communication lies not in numbers, but in how you apply it! Even though we don’t know exactly how much, don’t forget to hone your nonverbal cues because they matter!Read on for more body language goodness: 23 Essential Body Language Examples and Their Meanings