13 Telltale Signs a Guy Is Flirting With You

Flirting is one of the primary ways people signal romantic interest. The problem is that it's often subtle, which makes the actual signs tricky to spot. Fortunately, you can learn how to tell if a guy is flirting with you so you never have to wonder, "Is he flirting with me?" again.

Below are the main ways people flirt. Once you can recognize these flirting signs, you'll be able to flirt back if you're interested, and you'll always know how to tell if a guy is flirting with you.

Verbal

1. He Compliments You

Compliments are one of the most reliable flirting signs out there — if he's complimenting you, there's a good chance he likes you. Praising your shoes might just be his opening line to start a conversation; he's probably not that invested in your footwear. He really just wants to get to know you. He might also tell you that you look beautiful. Take it as a good sign either way.

Return the favor if you want to flirt back. It'll make his day!

2. He Teases You

Teasing is another classic flirting signal. A guy who likes you might tease you just to get a laugh out of both of you — maybe he throws out something shocking, like claiming he just got out of jail. You're caught off guard and ask if he's serious. He might milk the joke a bit longer before admitting he was kidding.

You might find it funny, or maybe a little strange — either way, teasing usually means he's flirting. He might also poke fun at something small, like your new haircut. He probably doesn't actually dislike it; he's just building a playful back-and-forth. If things progress into a relationship, expect the good-natured ribbing to continue.

3. He Drops Sexual Innuendo

Nobody wants a guy who announces upfront that he wants to sleep with them. But when a guy hints at his attraction through more subtle sexual innuendo, that's a genuine flirting sign. He might joke about taking you home, or comment on how good you look in that top. From there, it's up to you to decide whether he's charming or has crossed a line.

4. He Genuinely Wants To Know You

Real interest shows up as effort. A guy who's truly into you will ask follow-up questions, proving that what you said wasn't just background noise — he actually wants to hear more. Maybe it's your second time hanging out, and he brings up something you mentioned last time and asks about it, or asks your opinion on something. Anything that shows he's invested in you specifically, rather than just looking to hook up with whoever's around, is a strong sign he's genuinely interested.

Body Language

1. He Touches Your Arm, Hair, Etc.

Touch is a major flirting signal. Nobody willingly reaches out to touch someone they're not interested in. A friendly touch might be as simple as a tap on the shoulder. Contact around your waist or forearm reads as more intimate. And touching your face is about as flirty as it gets — if he does that, he's genuinely attracted to you. Return the gesture, and it can boost his attraction to you even more.

2. He Smiles A Lot

If he keeps smiling at you, it's probably not because of some private joke. He likely just likes you. Smile back — it's a great way to draw him in.

That might be the nudge he needs to start talking to you. If you smile and nothing follows, he might just be shy and unsure what to say, hoping you'll approach instead. Blushing on top of the smiling is a dead giveaway of shyness paired with interest. Go ahead and make the first move if you're into him too.

3. He Holds Eye Contact

Eye contact usually follows smiling. Staring without any warmth can feel unsettling, so if he holds your gaze after or during a smile, that's a flirting sign worth noting. Sustained eye contact typically signals real interest. Hold it together for around two minutes, and you'll likely both start to feel something building.

4. He Angles His Body Toward You

If he turns his body or tilts his head to face you directly, that's flirting. He's showing you he's tuned in and wants to catch everything you say. Who could resist that kind of attention?

5. He Mirrors You

People naturally gravitate toward others who resemble them, so a guy mirroring your actions may be trying to win you over. That might mean matching your gestures — smiling when you smile, or lowering his voice to match yours if you're speaking softly. This tends to build a sense of trust and liking between you two.

Read more about interpreting body language here.

Other Signs

1. He Texts You Constantly

A guy who's flirting won't disappear after a single unanswered text. When you're figuring out how to tell if a guy is flirting with you, watch whether he tries again — maybe with a funny message meant to make you smile. If it works, text him back. Here's advice on when you should text him back.

If he's genuinely flirty, expect an emoji or two. His underlying goal is getting you to meet up, so his texts should eventually steer toward that.

2. He Shows Up At Your Workplace

If he goes out of his way to swing by your job — bringing lunch, or offering you a ride home — he's interested. It's his way of showing he wants to take care of you, and he's not shy about your coworkers noticing you've got someone. If you're not interested, say so early to avoid complications at work. If you're into him too, just enjoy it.

3. He Invites You To Things

An invitation usually signals flirting and interest, but pay attention to what exactly he's inviting you to. If it's always group hangouts with his friends, or he just needs a plus-one for a party, he might only be after friendship. But an invite to something more intimate, just the two of you, is a much clearer sign he wants more.

4. He Likes And Comments On Your Social Media

Regular likes and comments on your posts count as flirting too — it's his way of showing support and letting you know he cares. Some guys do this for everyone, though, so on its own it's hard to read. Look for more personal interactions to back it up. Still, it's a decent starting clue for figuring out how to tell if a guy is flirting with you.

A Word Of Caution

While learning how to tell if a guy is flirting with you, remember that flirting and plain friendliness can look nearly identical, which is exactly why understanding these signs matters. Someone can act flirtatious without actually being interested — some people are just naturally flirty with everyone they meet. Pay attention to how he treats other women. If his behavior toward you matches how he acts around everyone else, don't read too much into it. But if he clearly treats you differently, giving you noticeably more attention, that's a real sign he's flirting.

January 30, 2021