How to Find Out if a Guy Secretly Likes You

Co-authored by John Keegan and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: July 28, 2025 Fact Checked

If you think a guy might secretly like you, what can you do to know for sure? Luckily, there are many subtle signs when a guy is interested in someone. Pay special attention to his body language , how he talks to you, and how he behaves when you're around. Read on for a detailed list of signs that a guy secretly likes you (with expert tips from pro dating coaches and relationship experts).

Signs He Likes You But Is Hiding It

According to dating coach Candice Mostisser, body language is a great way to determine a guy’s interest. Are his knees pointing your way when he’s sitting? Does he mirror your movements? He may also make a point to be near you at large gatherings, try to spend alone time with you, or light up when you talk to him.

1

He makes eye contact with you.

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Prolonged eye contact is a sign that he's into you. The next time you see him, catch his gaze and see if he stares back or looks away. Most people only make eye contact for about 4 to 5 seconds at a time while chatting. So, if he holds your gaze longer than that, he might like you! ^{[1]
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- Conversely, some people are uncomfortable with eye contact. If you know he's shy, don't be discouraged; there are other signs that he might like you.
- If you're nervous, ask him a question so you have an excuse to make eye contact . You could say, "How far are you on last week's assignment?" or "Do you know what the cafeteria is serving today?"
- Reader Poll: We asked 1380 wikiHow readers, and 58% of them agreed that the strongest indicator that a guy likes you is if he makes frequent eye contact . [Take Poll]

2

He smiles when he sees you.

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It’s natural for people to smile when they see someone they like. So, if your guy likes you, it'll be obvious that he's super excited to see you. Watch his face when you walk into the room to see if he smiles. A big, joyful grin is a sign that he likes you, and he'll probably smile and laugh his way through whole conversations with you. ^{[2]
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- Look at how he smiles at other people, too. Does he act that way with everyone, or does he seem especially happy to see you?

3

He checks you out when you're not looking.

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Guys with a crush spend a lot of time looking at the person they like. He might not even realize how obviously he’s admiring you! Try to catch him in the act by looking over at him suddenly. If you see him staring and he looks away quickly while blushing or smiling, it means he likes you. ^{[3]
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- Only check once or twice each time you're around him. If you glance at him often, he may think you're staring at him.
- Alternatively, ask a friend you trust to check and see if he's looking at you. They can steal a glance and report back to you.

4

He leans in when you talk.

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A guy who's into you will want to get close to you. If he’s enamored with you, he’ll be interested in what you have to say. He'll lean in towards you whenever he's talking to you. Take a look at his body language to see if he's angled toward you. Then, shift further away from him and see if he tries to get closer. If he does, he's probably crushing on you. ^{[4]
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- Dating coach Candice Mostisser confirms that body language is a great way to determine someone’s interest. “There are subtle ways for you to be able to tell. For instance, does he sit with his knees pointed towards you when you're sitting at a table?” ^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Candice Mostisser
  Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}

5

He mirrors your movements.

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Guys tend to mirror people they like unconsciously. Mirroring is when someone subtly copies you, adapting a similar tone of voice and making the same movements with their body. Is he mimicking your posture? After you make a small gesture, does he do the same thing seconds later? If so, he might like you! ^{[6]
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- Try turning your head to look at a window or an object in the room. Does he do the same? A guy with a crush might also look where you look because he's hyperaware of your movements.

6

He brushes up against you.

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He'll come up with reasons to touch you when he wants to be closer. Physical touch is a crucial way to show affection , and a guy with a crush will look for any excuse to do it! Notice if he touches your arm, bumps into you, or moves to stand next to you. Hugs are also a solid sign he likes you. ^{[7]
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- He also won't pull away when you enter his personal space. He'll encourage small touches and even lean into them if he likes you!
- If a guy ever touches you in a way you don't like, remember that you can always tell him to stop because it makes you uncomfortable. Get someone you trust to help if he won't listen.

7

He seems nervous or awkward.

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He's trying to make a good impression, but he’s nervous about it. Talking to a crush can be nerve-wracking! A normally smooth-talking guy might stumble over his words or mess up a sentence. If he has trouble stringing a sentence together with you but seems at ease around others, he's likely crushing on you. ^{[8]
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- For instance, he might suddenly give short or yes/no answers when he normally likes to talk. Similarly, he might stutter or forget what he wanted to say.
- Look for other nervous ticks, too. He might crack his knuckles, scratch his head, or fidget as a sign of nerves while talking to you.

8

He talks to you every day.

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A guy who likes you won't wait around to hear from you. As a result, he won't hesitate to reach out and chat you up at every opportunity. Think about how often he initiates contact by walking up to you, making plans, or sending a quick text. If he does it at least as often as you (if not more), he might like you. ^{[9]
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- For example, he might sit next to you in class and say, "How's it going?" or "How did you do on the last test?"
- Alternatively, he may text you out of the blue on a Saturday night and say, "What are you up to?" or "You busy tomorrow? I thought we could do something!"

9

He wants to be physically close to you.

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He'll go out of his way to get close because he likes you so much. When you’re hanging out together, he won't leave until you do. He'll always stick close to your side, whether you spend time together alone or in a group. He might even spontaneously show up places he knows you'll be just so he can see you.
- For example, he might show up at your favorite cafe or arcade because he knows you like it there.
- If you're both at a party, he'll be there as long as you are—even if other friends leave first. He might even offer to walk or drive you home.
- He'll also try getting to know your friends. Since he likes you, he wants your friends to like him too!
- Mostisser has some questions you can ask yourself to help decode his feelings: “Does he choose to be around you when he can be around other people? Let's say you're at a party. If you walk away, is he making the point to come next to you at some point? And does he try to spend time alone with you? Does he seem happy when you come over to talk to him?” ^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Candice Mostisser
  Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}

10

He asks you lots of open-ended questions.

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When a guy is into you, he'll want to learn about your life. Open-ended questions require more than a "yes" or "no" answer, allowing you to give an in-depth explanation. Take note if he asks you many personal questions about anything and everything, including your likes, dislikes, and background. It means he's trying to get to know you better—down to the tiniest details. ^{[11]
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- He might ask questions like, "What do you do in your free time?" "What are your favorite bands?" "Do you have any pets?" or "How many siblings do you have?"
- Ask him questions, too! If he's showing interest, exchanging questions is a great way to learn more about one another and strengthen your bond.
- According to matchmaker and dating coach Lauren Sanders, “maybe he asks questions about your day, your week, or your life. He’s interested in knowing what's going on in your private life or in your life in general. So if he likes you, he wants to know what's going on, wants to know what you're up to.” ^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Lauren Sanders
  Matchmaker & Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}

11

He doesn't talk about other crushes with you.

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When a guy likes you, he'll try to downplay the competition. Consider how often you hear him mention other people besides his close friends and family. If you're a girl, he probably won't talk about other girls often, and the same goes if you're a guy. He wants you to know you're the only one he's interested in! ^{[13]
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- In fact, your guy might even drop hints that he's single. Comments about his relationship status like, "I'm still looking for the right person," or "I'm still flying solo" signal his availability.

12

He compliments you.

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He won't be able to resist giving you compliments if he likes you. Observe how often he compliments you and what kinds of compliments he gives. Then, listen for compliments that he gives to other people. He's likely crushing on you if he compliments you frequently compared to others and admires the smaller details that other people miss. ^{[14]
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- For example, if you change your hairstyle, your guy will be the first to notice and say, "Wow, you're looking amazing today!" Try complimenting him , too!
- He might give other compliments about your looks, like, "Those glasses look cool!" or "I like that band t-shirt. Where'd you get it?"
- He'll also compliment deeper things like intellect and talents. He might say, "You're so smart! I don't know anyone who reads as fast as you," or "You're definitely the best flute player in band, you know."

13

He's supportive of you.

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When a guy likes you, he'll try to prove that you can rely on him. Telling someone outright that you like them can be scary, so instead, a guy might show you that he likes you by offering encouragement, showing interest in your passions, standing up for you, and giving help when you need it. He's trying to say that he's got your back no matter what because he likes you. ^{[15]
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- For example, he might help you with your homework, offer to carry your stuff, or offer to fix your car.
- Similarly, he might give you advice when you’re unsure about something or offer a shoulder to cry on when you’re going through a hard time.
- A guy who’s crushing on you will also follow through when he offers to help you out. If he says he’ll do it, he’ll do it!

14

He's an attentive listener.

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He'll give you his full attention because he finds you fascinating! A guy who likes you won’t play on his phone or get distracted while you talk; instead, he’ll want to hear everything you say. Be on the lookout for signs that he’s actively listening to you. If he never interrupts and makes encouraging sounds like “Mhm” and “Go on,” it means he’s totally focused on you. ^{[16]
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- You'll also notice that he remembers your answers. He might buy your favorite snack for you out of the blue or ask to borrow a book you mentioned liking to prove that he listens to you.
- Does he remember something you told him long after you forget mentioning it? It's a big sign that he likes you when he does that.

15

He asks for your opinion.

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Asking your opinion means he respects you and wants to impress you. Notice how often he asks you for your input or advice to see if he likes you. He might ask you how he should style his hair or which shirt he should wear to a special event. Additionally, he might ask for advice on tackling homework or what movie to watch with friends.
- When a guy likes you, he'll also show you that he took your advice. For example, he might show up the next day wearing whatever shirt you picked or rave about the excellent book you recommended.
- Essentially, he’s looking for your validation because what you think matters to him!

16

He seems jealous of other guys.

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He'll get jealous if he thinks there's someone else you might like. Bring up a guy friend of yours, then see how he reacts. Does he ask a ton of questions about the other guy? If he likes you, he'll probably be jealous when you mention someone else—and question you to learn more about the mystery guy and your friendship with him. ^{[17]
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- He might ask, "Who's Matt?" "How long have you known Matt?" "What does Matt do?" or "Do you and Matt hang out often?"
- If you're interested in dating this guy, handle the jealousy and tell him that your friend is just a friend, not someone you're interested in dating. Otherwise, he might think you're dating someone else.

17

He texts you back fast.

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Texting fast is his way of showing you how much he likes talking to you. Therefore, he'll respond as soon as possible if he's crushing on you. Notice if your guy is always quick to reply and offers excuses when he goes quiet for a while. If he likes you, this could be a sign of his crush. ^{[18]
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- For instance, he might respond to a text immediately (or within a few minutes). If his reply takes longer than 10 minutes, he might add, "Sorry for the delay. I'm working right now!"
- Remember that it's normal to encounter a delay in responses during work and school hours.
- He'll also send texts casually checking in and asking you how you're doing; it's his way of staying closely in touch with you. Frequent communication is a promising sign that he’s into you.

18

He teases and flirts with you.

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Playful banter and some light ribbing mean he’s noticing the little things about you. Does he crack a lighthearted joke at your expense in front of friends? Maybe he playfully mocks you for your niche interests or quirky mannerisms. As long as he’s keeping it friendly, some flirtatious teasing is a sign he wants to get closer to you. ^{[19]
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- Teasing shows he’s paying attention to what makes you unique or special to him. He may not feel comfortable giving a compliment or making an observation yet, so a little joke is his way of showing that he sees you.

19

He goes out of his way to be with you.

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No matter how inconvenient it is, he’ll make it work to spend some time with you. When a guy likes someone, he’ll often go out of his way to spend time with you or do you a favor. Are you going to a mutual friend’s birthday party? He’ll cancel his plans and stop by to see you. Can’t find a ride to the airport for your 8am flight? He’ll wake up at the crack of dawn to get you there on time. It’s his way of showing he enjoys your company and wants to be closer to you.
- He may even “accidentally” walk by your locker when he knows you’ll be there between classes or visit a coffee shop he knows you like for the chance to bump into you.
- Just remember, if his presence starts to feel uncomfortable or you don’t feel safe, tell him that you need some space and to respect your privacy. If you feel you’re being stalked, don’t hesitate to call the authorities for help.
- Sanders adds that “he may be willing to adapt to your schedule because he’s so overly concerned with you and interested in you. He’s willing to curve what he has planned for the day.” ^{[20]
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  Lauren Sanders
  Matchmaker & Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}
- She continues, “He may offer to help you with a piece of work, or buy you some coffee or lunch, or something like that. You have to really pay attention to a person's actions. Not everybody expresses their feelings verbally.” ^{[21]
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  Lauren Sanders
  Matchmaker & Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}

20

He takes it slow.

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He’s focusing on building a friendship with you first. He might be afraid of messing things up if he declares his feelings outright, so he’ll try to be a good friend while he works up the courage to open up to you. By being a friend, he’s showing that his feelings are more than a passing crush and that he wants a deeper connection with you.
- Being friendly and respectful alone isn’t a surefire sign he likes you. But, if he’s friendly and showing other signs on this list, then there’s a good chance he has feelings.
- If you’re still unsure if a guy secretly likes you, dating expert LeTisha Underwood has a simple reminder: “There’s no true way of knowing someone is interested in you unless you ask.” ^{[22]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  LeTisha Underwood
  Relationship Expert
  
  Expert Interview} If you suspect there are some secret feelings, don’t be afraid to approach him and bring it up yourself!

Ways to Ask a Guy if He Likes You

Sample Ways to Ask a Guy if He Likes You

Join the Discussion...

How can I know that someone is attracted to me?

wikiHow Editorial Team

If you think someone is attracted to you, there are a few key signs you can look out for. First, pay attention to their body language when they're around you. If they make prolonged eye contact, face you and lean in closer when you’re talking, stand close to you, and find subtle ways to casually touch you, these are all signs of attraction. Look out for mirroring as well (copying your body movements). For example, if you rest your head on your hand, then they do the exact same thing right after, this would be an example of mirroring.

Try to get a good look at their eyes, too. When someone is attracted to another person, their pupils will often dilate and appear larger when they’re looking at you. Other signs of attraction include smiling and laughing a lot during your conversation, paying you lots of compliments, and playfully teasing you.

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Does he secretly have a crush on me?

Candice Mostisser
Dating Coach
Candice Mostisser is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a date coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingman/wingwoman services, 1-on-1 coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. She specializes in coaching others on best practices and strategies to succeed on first dates and in the online dating world.

Candice Mostisser

Dating Coach

Expert Answer

Does he regularly strike up conversations or message you without being prompted? If so, the answer may be yes!

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Question

How do you tell if a man is attracted to you but hiding it?

Candice Mostisser
Dating Coach
Candice Mostisser is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a date coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingman/wingwoman services, 1-on-1 coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. She specializes in coaching others on best practices and strategies to succeed on first dates and in the online dating world.

Candice Mostisser

Dating Coach

Expert Answer

If a guy sits with his knees pointed towards you when you two are sitting at a table, that may be a subtle indicator he likes you. Also, if he generally seems excited and happy to talk to you, this is a good sign!

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I’m thirteen, if I sit on my boyfriend's lap, is that seen as being sexual? (We are both in the same school.)

Danielle Husband

Community Answer

Some people may view it as sexual if you sit on his lap. While you don't need to let other people's opinions shape your behavior, it can also be hard to deal with people making rude comments to you. Think about what you really want before you make public displays of affection, then make choices that are right for you.

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Expert Source

Candice Mostisser
Dating Coach

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Lauren Sanders
Matchmaker & Dating Coach

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LeTisha Underwood
Relationship Expert

How to Find Out if a Guy Secretly Likes You

Signs He Likes You But Is Hiding It

Steps

He makes eye contact with you.

He smiles when he sees you.

He checks you out when you're not looking.

He leans in when you talk.

He mirrors your movements.

He brushes up against you.

He seems nervous or awkward.

He talks to you every day.

He wants to be physically close to you.

He asks you lots of open-ended questions.

He doesn't talk about other crushes with you.

He compliments you.

He's supportive of you.

He's an attentive listener.

He asks for your opinion.

He seems jealous of other guys.

He texts you back fast.

He teases and flirts with you.

He goes out of his way to be with you.

He takes it slow.

Ways to Ask a Guy if He Likes You

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