According to Mehrabian, the respective contributions of words, tone of voice and body language in overall communication are

According to Mehrabian, words contribute 7 percent, tone of voice 38 percent and body language 55 percent of overall communication.

This is the 7-38-55 rule, also called the three V's of verbal, vocal and visual.

The pairing that puts 38 percent on words misplaces the small share meant for wording.

The pairing that gives words 55 percent overturns his finding that the non-verbal dominates.

An equal split of about a third each ignores his measured weighting altogether.

The rule stresses how much feeling rides on tone and the body.