Agender vs Non-Binary: Similarities, Differences & Overlap
Agender and non-binary are two terms you might see often in conversations about gender identity. They’re sometimes used interchangeably or confused with one another, but they actually describe different experiences.
In this post, we’ll break down what each term means, how they relate, and where they differ. By understanding agender vs. non-binary identities, we can foster more inclusive conversations and respect everyone’s personal sense of self.
What Does “Non-Binary” Mean?
“Non-binary” is an umbrella term for any gender identity that doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional male-female gender binary. In Western societies, people often assume there are only two genders (man and woman), but non-binary people exist beyond this binary view. In fact, many cultures around the world have long recognised gender identities outside the binary, for example, the two-spirit individuals in some Indigenous North American cultures and the Hijra community in South Asia.
Being non-binary means your gender is not exclusively male or exclusively female. This can manifest in many ways, and non-binary people are not a monolith; there’s a broad spectrum of experiences under the umbrella of non-binary. Some common ways non-binary individuals might describe their gender include:
Having a mix of genders – for example, feeling like a blend of man and woman, or a distinct third gender.
Having no precise alignment with man or woman – identifying as neither, beyond, or between the two.
Having a fluid or changing gender – for instance, genderfluid people experience shifts in gender identity over time, and bigender people may identify as two genders (such as both man and woman at different times).
Importantly, “non-binary” is often considered part of the broader transgender spectrum, since it describes a gender identity different from the sex assigned at birth. Transgender is an umbrella term meaning one’s gender is not the same as their birth-assigned sex. However, whether a non-binary person calls themselves trans is a personal choice – some do, and some don’t, and either is entirely valid. The key is that non-binary is about not fitting into only “male” or “female” categories. Many non-binary folks also use the casual term “enby” (short for “non-binary”) to describe themselves.
What Does “Agender” Mean?
The word agender literally breaks down to a- (without) + gender, meaning “without gender.”
An agender person does not identify with any gender at all. In other words, while a non-binary person’s gender is neither entirely male nor female, an agender person’s experience of gender is an absence of gender. They may describe themselves as genderless, gender-neutral, or having a lack of gender. Agender individuals often say that the concept of gender feels irrelevant or inapplicable to them – it’s not that they’re between genders or a mix of genders, but rather that they don’t feel any gender internally.
Agender identities are typically considered a subcategory of the non-binary umbrella. Since agender people don’t identify as exclusively male or female, they fall outside the gender binary and can be regarded as non-binary by definition. Agender can also fall under the transgender umbrella for the same reason (their gender doesn’t align with the sex assigned at birth). However, not all agender people explicitly identify as “non-binary”, and that’s okay. Some agender individuals prefer to use only the term agender for themselves, while others might embrace both labels (agender and non-binary). Identity terms are personal – it’s up to each individual to choose what feels right for them.
To help clarify the concept, here are a few terms often related to agender experience (sometimes used interchangeably or as nuances of agender identity):
Genderless / Genderfree – emphasising the absence of gender.
Gendervoid – describing an experience of a “void” where gender would be (also indicating no gender).
Neutrois – often used to mean a neutral or null gender
All these convey a similar idea: not identifying with any gender. An agender person isn’t moving between genders or combining aspects of genders; instead, they often report feeling “blank” or neutral regarding gender.
Similarities Between Agender and Non-Binary
Despite the differences we’ll get into, agender and non-binary identities share much common ground. Both challenge the conventional idea that everyone must be strictly either male or female.
Here are some key similarities and overlaps:
Rejection of the Gender Binary: Both agender and non-binary people exist outside the traditional male/female framework. In both cases, the person does not exclusively identify as male or female. They reject the idea that gender is only two options, which is a foundational similarity between the terms.
Part of a Broader LGBTQ+ Spectrum: Both identities fall under the broad umbrella of gender-diverse or transgender identities (since neither aligns with cisgender norms of birth-assigned gender). This means agender and other non-binary folks often find common cause in communities and activism. They may rally together around shared issues such as legal recognition beyond the “M” and “F” markers or access to gender-neutral spaces.
Pronoun Practices: Many agender and non-binary individuals use gender-neutral pronouns, such as they/them. In fact, the singular “they” has become a common pronoun for anyone who identifies outside the binary. Some also use neopronouns like xe/xem or ze/zir. (We’ll note that pronouns are very personal – more on this below – but it’s common ground that neither agender nor non-binary people are limited to “he” or “she” pronouns.)
Diverse Gender Expression: Neither agender nor non-binary people have a prescribed appearance or manner of dress. Both groups emphasise that gender expression (e.g., clothing and appearance) is distinct from gender identity. For example, a non-binary or agender person might present as masculine, feminine, or androgynous, or in any style; there is no “right” way to present as non-binary or agender. Both identities emphasise that one cannot infer an individual’s identity from their appearance.
Valid and Long-Standing Identities: Both agender and other non-binary identities are valid ways to be, and neither is “new” in the sense of human experience. People who felt they didn’t fit in the binary or feel no gender have existed throughout history (even if the modern terms are newer). In short, agender people are non-binary people, and they share with other non-binary folks the experience of not fitting society’s traditional gender categories.
Differences Between Agender and Non-Binary
Now, let us examine how agender and non-binary are distinct. While agender is often considered one type of non-binary identity, the terms are not interchangeable.
Here are the key differences:
Definition and Scope: Non-binary is a broad category – it includes any gender identity that isn’t strictly male or female. It’s an umbrella term encompassing many specific identities (such as genderqueer, genderfluid, bigender, agender, and more). Agender, on the other hand, is a particular identity under that umbrella, describing someone who has no gender identity. In other words, all agender people can be considered non-binary, but not all non-binary people are agender.
Sense of Gender vs. Absence of Gender: A non-binary person typically has a gender identity, albeit not a strictly male or female one. For example, a non-binary individual might feel like a mix of genders, a unique gender of their own, or a gender that fluctuates. An agender person, by contrast, generally feels no internal gender at all – they often describe it as a neutral or blank slate in terms of gender. One way to put it: non-binary folks usually experience having a gender outside the binary, whereas agender folks experience not having a gender. This is a subtle but essential distinction in personal experience.
Relationship to “Gender Spectrum”: Non-binary people commonly describe themselves as being on a gender spectrum (not at the male or female endpoints). For instance, they might identify as somewhere between male and female, beyond male or female, or as a mix of male and female – implying a position on a broader gender spectrum. Agender people are more likely to say they aren’t on that spectrum at all. Rather than occupying the male-female spectrum, they remove themselves from it by not identifying with gender in the first place. This means agender is often seen as a point at zero (no gender) while other non-binary identities occupy various points in between or outside the binary extremes.
Pronouns and Language: Both agender and non-binary individuals may use similar pronouns, but there are some tendencies. Many agender people gravitate toward neutral pronouns like they/them or xe/xem, and some agender folks even prefer no pronouns at all, asking others to use their name. Non-binary people also commonly use they/them, but some mix pronouns (e.g., she/they or he/they), and others use neopronouns or alternating pronouns. In short, non-binary individuals, as a broad group, experiment with a wide range of pronoun usage, sometimes even including traditionally gendered pronouns alongside neutral ones. Agender individuals typically avoid gendered pronouns since they don’t associate with any gender. However, it’s crucial to remember any person, agender or not, can choose whatever pronouns feel right to them. There is no hard rule – pronouns are a personal choice, and you should always respect the pronouns someone tells you to use.
Personal Identification with Labels: Because non-binary is an umbrella term, someone who is agender might also call themselves non-binary (since it’s technically accurate, but some agender folks don’t. As noted, a few feel that “agender” isn’t a gender at all and thus separate from other non-binary identities – so they might say “I’m agender, not non-binary.” Meanwhile, every non-binary person has some more specific identity (it could be as simple as just “non-binary” or something like genderfluid, agender, etc.). The difference here is essentially a matter of personal preference and how one relates to these terms. Non-binary is broader, agender is more specific, and individuals will decide which term (s) best capture their experience.
Feeling of Gendered Experience: Some non-binary identities involve experiencing gender in a non-traditional way. For example, a genderfluid person might sometimes feel more masculine, other times more feminine. A bigender person might feel two genders. In contrast, agender people typically do not have those gendered feelings at all – it’s often described as “nothingness” or neutral in terms of gender. This means that while a non-binary person might relate to having a gender identity (just not a binary one), an agender person often relates more to not having one. This can affect how they talk about their identity – a non-binary person might talk about what their gender is (even if it’s hard to define). In contrast, an agender person might emphasise that they lack gender or are who they are without gender.
In summary, non-binary is a broad, inclusive category of genders outside the binary, and agender is a distinct identity within that category characterised by no gender. Non-binary is wider and can encompass many experiences, whereas agender pinpoints one particular experience. All agender people are non-binary by definition, but most non-binary people do feel some gender (just not strictly male/female), so they are not all agender.
Note: It’s also worth mentioning that agender (gender identity) is entirely separate from asexual or aromantic (sexual or romantic orientations). Sometimes people mix these up. Agender doesn’t mean “without sexuality” – it only refers to gender. An agender person can be gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, etc., just like anyone else. Likewise, non-binary people can have any sexual orientation. Gender identity and sexual orientation are different facets of who we are.
Overlap and the Non-Binary Umbrella
Considering everything above, how do these identities overlap or relate? The term non-binary serves as a big tent, and agender folks generally fall under that tent as one group within the non-binary community. The overlap is essentially that agender people share the common experience of not fitting the binary, which is the hallmark of being non-binary. Many agender people, therefore, identify culturally and politically with the non-binary community–they might use the non-binary pride flag in addition to the agender flag, participate in non-binary advocacy, and so on, because they share goals and challenges.
However, the degree of overlap is a matter of personal judgment. Some agender individuals feel comfortable being called non-binary, while others feel that agender is a distinct experience separate from other non-binary identities. This is why you might meet an agender person who says, “Yes, I am non-binary (agender)” and another who says, “I’m agender, and I don’t really use ‘non-binary’ for myself.” Both perspectives are entirely valid. Remember, identity labels are tools for self-description – people can use whatever terms resonate with them. The inclusive view in LGBTQ+ communities is that agender is one of many valid identities under the non-binary/trans umbrella. Still, no one is obligated to use any label they’re not comfortable with.
From a broader standpoint, agender and other non-binary folks often overlap in their experiences with society. They may face similar issues like being misgendered, having to educate others about their identity, or encountering forms/documents that don’t recognise their gender. They also share a need for visibility and understanding. For example, advocacy for an “X” gender marker on IDs, or for gender-neutral bathrooms, benefits agender and non-binary people alike. Both groups are pushing boundaries of what gender means in society.
Pronouns and Respecting Identity
One overlapping practical aspect is pronouns. As mentioned earlier, you cannot infer pronouns or identity from appearance. If you’re unsure whether someone is non-binary, agender, or something else, and you don’t know their pronouns, the best approach is to ask politely. Both non-binary and agender people may use any number of pronoun sets. The golden rule is to respect what each person tells you. If an agender person says, “I use they/them,” use those. If a non-binary person says “I use she/they,” honour that. If someone uses no pronouns (meaning you refer to them by name instead of saying he/she/they), you can practice that as well. Using the correct pronouns is a simple but powerful way to affirm someone’s identity.
In everyday life, both agender and other non-binary individuals often find themselves educating others about these terms. It can be tiring, but increased visibility in the media and online (in films, articles, social media, etc.) is gradually helping. Awareness is growing that gender is not just male or female, and that identities like non-binary and agender exist and deserve respect.
Embracing the Diversity of Gender Identity
Understanding terms such as agender and non-binary is essential for creating a more inclusive society. In short, non-binary is a broad term for anyone outside the man/woman binary, and agender is a specific identity describing someone who has no gender. They share the common thread of breaking out of traditional gender categories, but they represent different personal experiences of gender. Recognising both the similarities and differences helps us avoid misconceptions – like assuming an agender person must experience gender the same way a genderfluid person does, or vice versa.
At the end of the day, everyone’s gender identity is deeply personal. Some people find a single term that perfectly encapsulates who they are, while others might use multiple labels or change labels over time as they discover what fits best. Whether someone is agender, non-binary, or uses another term entirely, the key is to honour their self-identification. Both agender and non-binary identities remind us that gender is more complex and varied than a simple binary – and that’s okay.
By learning about these identities, using respectful language, and listening to individuals’ own stories, we can all contribute to a community (and a world) where people of all genders and those with no gender can be seen and understood. In the spirit of Enby Meaning™’s mission, amplifying these underrepresented voices and experiences helps redefine the media (and societal) landscape for the next generation of queer and non-binary people. Knowledge and empathy are powerful tools in supporting one another, so thank you for taking the time to learn about agender vs. non-binary – it’s one more step toward a more inclusive and understanding community.
