14 Signs a Girl at School Likes You (And How to Find Out for Sure)

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Plus, how to talk to her online or IRL to see how she really feels
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Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a girl in your school likes you, or if she’s just being nice. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you figure it out! Read on to learn how to tell if a girl in school likes you through her body language and how she acts around you. We’ll also show you how to suss out if she’s interested in you with tips on how to chat her up online or in person (with tips from professional dating coaches and matchmakers). Let’s dive in!

  • She looks at you and leans in when you're speaking.
  • She gives you frequent glances or makes sustained eye contact.
  • She smiles at you often or fidgets over her appearance around you.
  • She mirrors your physical movements.
  • She asks personal questions and remembers small details about you.
  • She gives you specific compliments.
  • She enjoys texting with you and keeps conversations going.
  • She follows and engages with you on social media frequently.
Section 1 of 5:

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  1. To tell if a girl in your class likes you , there’s a good chance that she’ll seem attentive and focused while you’re talking in class, or if the two of you are in the same group conversation. Be nice and friendly, and also pay attention when she talks. [1]
    • Be aware that this doesn’t necessarily indicate a romantic interest. But, it’s a good sign that a girl respects your opinion or likes talking with you, which can indicate that she does like you.
  2. While this certainly isn’t a guaranteed way to tell if she’s attracted, she’s more likely to make regular eye contact as a sign that she’s into you . If you happen to catch her eye, smile to indicate that you like the attention and that she shouldn’t feel embarrassed. [2]
    • For example, a girl might look at you out of the corner of her eye a few times over lunch break. If she does, go visit her. Secret eye contact is a good way to know if a girl likes you without talking to her .
    • Dating coach Renee Slansky notes that “the rule for eye contact is to hold it for 3 seconds and then look away. If she isn’t able to hold it for 3 seconds, chances are she’s not on the same level as you in terms of how she feels.” [3] Make sure she passes the eye contact 3-second rule to have a better idea of how she’s feeling.
    • She may also accompany her eye contact with regular smiling. If you notice her smiling while you speak, she’s at least very interested in listening to what you have to say.
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  3. If a girl is interested in you, she may try to position herself near you. That way, you and she will have a better chance of ending up in conversation. Act normal if this happens. Try not to get flustered, and just say hi at some point. [4]
    • On the other hand, if she doesn’t stand near you, it may indicate that she’s shy or would like you to say something to her first.
  4. Physical touch is a significant way to tell if a girl is flirting with you and carries a lot of meaning. For example, if you make her laugh and she puts her hand on your arm, this may let you know if the girl likes you. Professional matchmaker LeTisha Underwood understands that “There’s no true way of knowing someone is interested in you unless you ask,” but “there are some clues that you can look out for, like she’s very flirtatious in nature or she wants to be or get physically close to you.” [5]
    • While speaking to you, she may also lean in to get closer during the conversation.
    • If she doesn’t touch you, it doesn’t mean she isn’t interested. Instead, try chatting with her.
    • She may also act fidgety about her own appearance when talking to you. If she’s playing with her hair, biting her lip, or adjusting her outfit, she might want you to notice.
  5. 5
    She physically mirrors you when you’re together. While you’re talking, you may notice she does the same things with her arms or hands as you do. If you see her performing the same body language movements as you, it can show that she has an interest in what you’re saying and may want to feel closer to you in some way. [6]
    • Be equally flirtatious with your own body language. Relationship expert Joshua Pompey believes that “you want to be on the playful side as far as body language goes, with some playful touches here and there. They help communicate that there is potential on more of a romantic and physical level.” [7]
    • The level of flirtatious body language can differ when it comes to her age. If you’re trying to know if a girl in middle school likes you , it may be harder to tell if she’s flirting since she may still be very shy and unsure of herself at school.
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  1. 1
    She recalls small details about you. In addition to her appearing very interested when you speak to each other, she also remembers things you said later on. She holds onto details about you, your life, your likes, and interests. This is often a big sign that she may have feelings for you, or at least be interested in getting to know you better. [8]
    • She might use these small details to playfully tease you. You shouldn’t feel like she’s making fun of you, but instead feel like she’s very comfortable around you and considers you an important person.
    • She can also joke around using inside jokes that make sense to the two of you. This is also a way she can feel closer to you with a story or joke only you understand.
  2. 2
    She asks you personal questions. When you’re having a conversation, she asks about more than just school assignments or what your friends are doing. She tries to find out what you’re thinking, how you feel about certain topics, and what matters to you most. If you’re also interested, be sure to ask her a non-invasive personal question back to show you want to get to know her better. [9]
  3. 3
    She gives you specific compliments. She doesn’t just say you look good or that she likes your outfit; she uses all the details needed to let you know she enjoys your appearance. She may compliment your new hairstyle or haircut, or let you know how attractive your smile is when you laugh. If you’re dying to compliment her, now is a good time to let her know what you enjoy most about her so you can figure out how best to make her like you back . [10]
    • Dating coach Connell Barrett recommends giving a compliment as a step closer to asking her out: “Tell her she has great style; then, she will give you feedback by how she accepts the compliment, whether she’s likely to say yes to the date.” [11]
  4. 4
    She makes sure to spend time with you. She manages to spend time with you at school or elsewhere. She’ll show up at your party even though she had conflicting plans, or join a club at school so she can hang out with you there. [12]
    • She may also do her best to make sure the time you both spend together is one-on-one. She may prefer a private meeting so she has all your attention and you have all of hers.
  5. 5
    She actively listens when you speak. She’s not on her phone, talking to other people, or looking bored. She isn’t just waiting for her turn to speak, but actually wants to understand everything you’re saying. It shows she respects you and wants to connect with you through a real conversation. [13]
  6. 6
    She’s interested in your future plans. If you talk about what you want to do with your life, your career goals, or plans on schooling, she’s all in. She wants to know exactly where you’re headed in life and is interested in hearing all the details about it. Ask her similar questions if you think she’d be open to sharing her future plans with you. [14]
  7. 7
    She opens up to you. In addition to listening to you and paying attention when you speak, she also shares deep thoughts of her own. She may let her vulnerable side be seen by you, so be honored that she has such trust in you. Treat her private thoughts with care and respect, so she knows you’re also a great listener. [15]
  8. 8
    She keeps text conversations going strong. She doesn’t ghost you or simply let texts from you go unanswered. She always has a funny line, cute photo, or flirty emoji ready for you. It shows she doesn’t want the text conversation to end, so take the opportunity to ask if she’d like to hang out or chat in person sometimes. It’s a good excuse to get to know her better. [16]
  9. 9
    She keeps tabs on your social media accounts. She may repeatedly visit your page or leave comments under your posts or photos. If you’re not sure of her intentions, try sending her a friend request and seeing if she responds. If she accepts your online friendship, she definitely wants to talk to you more. If not, chalk it up to her curiosity and let it be. [17]
    • She may also message you online with funny videos, photos, or GIFs that she thinks may remind you of her.
    • When online, she may show interest in other people in your life. If she’s friendly to your other friends or family online, it can be a sign she’s interested. Make sure her interest doesn’t become extreme; if all of a sudden, she’s online friends with your entire family and friend circle (and you’re not good friends or going out), she may be overstepping some bounds.
    EXPERT TIP

    Imad Jbara

    Dating Coach
    Imad Jbara is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a relationship coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Imad services 100+ clients, men and women, to improve their dating lives through authentic communication skills. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
    Imad Jbara
    Dating Coach

    Show her you’re interested by visiting her social media page. Like her photos, comment on her pictures, or slide into her DMS. If she writes a story, just comment on the story, so now you have something to talk about.

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Section 3 of 5:

How to Tell if She Likes You Online

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  1. If you don’t have a girl’s phone number—and aren’t ready to ask for it yet—a good route to communicate with her is through online messaging through sites like Instagram or Snapchat. Send a short, friendly message that says something like, “Hey Sarah, how are you holding up with this chemistry homework?”
    • Online chatting is a casual way of talking to someone and allows the girl a level of control over the conversation.
    • If she’s not interested in the conversation, she can just close the chat session or not respond to your message. This would be a good indication that she’s not interested in you.
  2. You don’t have to start every online conversation with her. If you see that you’re both online (e.g., both on Instagram), wait a few minutes and see if she initiates a conversation with you. If a girl is interested—either platonically or romantically—she’ll probably reach out and say hi.
    • Don’t lose hope if she doesn’t start a conversation, though. She could be busy or hoping you’ll reach out to her. Send a short message with a question; something like, “Hey, what did you think of the history lecture today?”
  3. 3
    Lightly flirt with her to see how she responds. Mild flirting can be a fun, easy way to tell if a girl is into you. If she appreciates the attention, she may flirt back, or at least be excited about the compliment. For example, when you’re already chatting or texting with her, say something like, “BTW, I thought you looked great in school today. I love your new dress!” Take it as a good sign if she replies with, “Thanks, I’m so glad you noticed!” or “You didn’t look half bad yourself… .”
    • On the other hand, if she responds with a dry “Ok,” or “thanks,” she may not appreciate the flirting.
    • Don’t be explicit when you flirt, and avoid anything too pushy or obvious.
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Tell if She Likes You in Person

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  1. Say something like, “Is this seat taken?” or “Do you know what the cafeteria is serving for lunch today?” If a girl likes you, she’ll want to talk to you. If she replies with more than a short, 1-word answer, that’s a good sign! Continue the conversation that you just started.
    • Remember that girls can be shy, too! It may take a few short conversations over a few weeks for her to start opening up to you. Don’t take it as a bad sign if she doesn’t launch into a full-blown conversation with you right away.
    • Reader Poll: We asked 942 wikiHow readers, and 50% of them agreed that the best way to help a shy or introverted girl feel more comfortable is by giving her time and space to open up . [Take Poll]
  2. If a girl likes you, she may attempt to talk to you and start conversations. If she has a question, take note if she goes out of her way to ask you instead of anyone else. This shows that she has an interest in you as a person, and wants to get to know you better.
    • As with nearly all of these signs, starting conversations could indicate that a girl has either a platonic or romantic interest in you. There’s no real way to know for sure without taking a direct approach, like asking her out.
  3. People usually love to talk about themselves, and feel flattered when another person takes an interest in them. It’s also a great way to learn about a person and see if there’s any chemistry between you. Ask her questions and get to know her. Great opening questions include:
    • “Which school did you go to before you came here?”
    • “I didn’t see you on the bus; does somebody drive you to school?”
    • “Have you taken Algebra with Ms. Smith?”
    • If she doesn’t know you or doesn’t seem interested in sharing, back off. You don’t want to come off as creepy.
  4. For both guys and girls, it’s common to compliment someone if you’re interested or find them attractive. Pay attention if she offers any subtle compliments, like “Wow, you did a great job on the math homework,” or “Your hair looks cool today, are you styling it any differently?” If she compliments your jacket, for example, say “thank you,” and then tell her you like her earrings. [18]
  5. If a girl likes you or is interested in spending more time together, she may casually bring up events or places where the two of you could hang out. She may not be asking for a date at this point, but the hang-out can still be a fun, low-key way to spend time together and see if there’s a mutual attraction.
    • For example, if she says “I really want to see that new Marvel movie this weekend!” say something like “I’ve been wanting to see it too! Any chance you’re free to see it on Saturday evening?”
  6. Get it out of the way! Body language and verbal clues can be helpful, but until you ask a girl out , you won’t actually know how she feels about you. If you’re nervous, you don’t have to ask her out on an official date. Instead, ask her if she’d like to get a coffee or have some other low-pressure interaction.
    • Say something like, “I’ve enjoyed talking with you over the past few days. Any chance you’d be interested in grabbing a soda together after school?”
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  • Question
    There is this girl who does all of these things, but we both have made it very clear that we don't like each other. There is this other girl who does none of these things, but she has a huge crush on me. I don't understand, what's up?
    Community Answer
    People express affection and interest in different ways; it really depends on people's personalities, boundaries, and their preexisting relationship with the other person. For example, someone who is shy or dislikes physical contact may be more reluctant to touch you than a friend might be, and people who try to hide their feelings may go to great lengths to avoid giving it away. Generally, though, friends will tend to be more open and relaxed with each other than strangers or acquaintances will be, and some very close friendships may harbor some qualities similar to that of romantic relationships without ever becoming romantic.
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      Tips

      • If you have been friends with the girl for a while, be careful about telling her you like her. It can ruin your friendship if things go wrong.
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      • Every girl is different, and how they show interest or attraction can widely vary. Don’t be discouraged if she doesn’t apply to some of these signs.
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      • Don’t tell hurtful jokes or be sarcastic all the time. It can make girls less interested in you if you seem inclined to make yourself look good at the expense of others.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Just ask her (or a friend). Don't ask her out, though, because even if she doesn't like you, she might just say yes because she doesn't want to hurt your feelings. I've done it before. You might want to give her little hints that you like her, like blushing emojis. If she replies with a blushing emoji too, you're in!
      • Remember that girls are all different. If you don't see any of these signs, don't think any less of her. Say things that will make her happy and compliment her. Be yourself and that's all you need to do! If she likes you, she will laugh at lots of things you say.
      • As a girl, I like it when guys are confident. Us girls also like if a guy jokes around with us. If we can't stop laughing, then we most likely have a crush on you.
      • I'm a girl. We're actually really straightforward! Just walk up to us and ask us.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      2. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      3. ↑ Renee Slansky. Dating Coach. Expert Interview. 25 March 2025.
      4. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      5. ↑ LeTisha Underwood. Certified Professional Matchmaker. Expert Interview. 14 December 2021.
      6. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      7. ↑ Joshua Pompey. Relationship Expert. Expert Interview. 27 November 2019.
      8. ↑ https://www.pinkvilla.com/lifestyle/relationships/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you-1303715
      9. ↑ https://www.pinkvilla.com/lifestyle/relationships/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you-1303715
      1. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      2. ↑ Connell Barrett. Dating Coach. Expert Interview. 2 April 2021.
      3. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      4. ↑ https://www.pinkvilla.com/lifestyle/relationships/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you-1303715
      5. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      6. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      7. ↑ https://parade.com/1095294/marynliles/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you/
      8. ↑ http://www.pinkvilla.com/lifestyle/relationships/how-to-tell-if-a-girl-likes-you-1303715
      9. ↑ https://www.theodysseyonline.com/10-accurate-ways-know-girl-likes-you

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      It can be hard to tell if a girl at school likes you or is just being friendly, but by reading her body language and chatting with her a bit, you’ll have a better sense of her feelings. If a girl likes you, there’s a good chance she’ll pay close attention to you when you’re talking and she might sneak a few extra glances at you even when you’re not! Another way to tell if she likes you is if she often sits or stands near you. When you think a girl likes you, try some light flirting to test the waters. For example, tell her that you like what she’s wearing. If she’s interested, she might say something like “Thanks! I’m glad you noticed,” or “Thanks. I like your outfit too.” However, if her response is curt, then you might want to back off a bit. To learn how to chat with a girl online to see if she’s interested in you, keep reading!

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