7-38-55 rule

noun

The theory that 7% of communication is from spoken words, 38% from tone of voice and 55% from body language and gestures.

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Meanings

nounthe 7-38-55 rule (uncountable)
  1. uncountablecommunicationThe theory that 7% of communication is from spoken words, 38% from tone of voice and 55% from body language and gestures.

    Studying the 7-38-55 rule will vastly improve your communication skills and make you better able to read the room during a business negotiation.

    2021 June 7, “How to Use the 7-38-55 Rule to Negotiate Effectively”, in MasterClass, archived from the original on 20 Mar 2025

Origin

Coined by psychologist Albert Mehrabian.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

7-38-55 rule. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/7-38-55%20rule

MLA

“7-38-55 rule.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/7-38-55%20rule. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “7-38-55 rule,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/7-38-55%20rule.

Source: 7-38-55 rule on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.