How to Tell if a Man Is Married when Online Dating

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

You’re chatting with the perfect guy who says all the right things—why, then, do you still have a weird feeling that something is off? Your gut might be trying to tell you that he’s being shady, and it could indicate that he’s not actually single. Read through the signs that Mr. Right might actually be married to learn what to watch out for and when to leave him on read.

1

His photos are blurry or dark.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-1.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When people make online dating profiles, they usually pick the best, most flattering pictures of themselves that they can find. If the guy you’re chatting with only has a couple of photos and they look grainy or dark, that’s not a good sign. He might be hoping that it’s enough to hide his face from people who might know him. [1] [2]
    • His profile might also not contain a photo at all, which is another red flag.
    2. Advertisement
2

His profile doesn’t have much personal info.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-2.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you check out his online profile, does it include his full name, where he lives, and what he likes to do for fun? Or is it pretty bare-bones, with just his name and not much else? If that’s the case, he might be trying to hide his identity from a spouse or anyone who could stumble across his profile. [3]
    • This is especially true if he seems cagey or nervous about revealing too much information about himself.
3

He won’t tell you his last name.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-3.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    On some dating sites, you only have to provide a first name. If you ask this guy for his last name and he avoids the question, that's a bad sign. It mostly likely means he doesn’t want you to look him up and discover that he’s married. [4]
    • Knowing someone’s last name is also a safety issue. If he hasn’t told you his full name before you meet up, think twice about going to see him. There's no good reason for a person to hide their identity.
    2. Advertisement
4

He doesn't link to his social media.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-4.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your guy doesn’t do that, it’s not necessarily a red flag on its own—maybe he just doesn’t like social media. But, if it’s combined with other suspicious behavior, he might be hiding something. Most married men have photos of their spouses and kids on social media.
5

He only contacts you at certain times of the day.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-5.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's a bit suspicious if you get texts or messages from him during very specific times. For example, a married man might talk to you frequently during the day (when he’s at work) but go radio silent at night. [5]
    2. Advertisement
6

He can’t talk or hang out on weekends.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-6.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you propose a time to hang out on the weekend and he shoots you down, that’s a red flag. Single people usually have no problem clearing out a Saturday or a Sunday, but a married man would have a hard time sneaking away.
    • It's also a bit unusual if he repeatedly asks you out on weeknight dates.
7

He always dictates the time/place of your meetup.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-7.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You may want to take a step back if he always controls where and when your dates take place. He might be a married man, but it could also indicate that he’s a controlling person in general.
    • A married guy will pick places where he’s won't be spotted by anyone he knows. For example, it's a bit suspicious if you suggest a spot that’s close to him and he immediately shoots you down.
    2. Advertisement
8

He says he has a roommate.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-8.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For example, a married man might tell you that he can’t talk because his “roommate” is home, but he never mentions his roommate by name. Or, he might say he has to stay in to help his “roommate,” but he never says why.
    • If you ask about this roommate, he probably won’t tell you their name or offer to introduce you.
9

His relationship status is “complicated.”

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-9.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If he starts telling you about how wild his love life is right now or the complicated nature of his relationship, it could be a sign that he’s married. People tend to use these phrases when they don’t want to go into detail about their lives.
    • Watch out for men who claim to be “separated,” too. Separation doesn’t equal divorce.
    2. Advertisement
10

He only wants to talk about you.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-10.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    After you've been chatting for a while, scroll back through your messages to see how much you’ve talked about yourself and compare it to how much he's talked about his own life. A married man will probably be vague and find a way to wiggle out of answering simple questions. [6]
    • For instance, if you ask him, “Where did you go to college?” he might reply with something like, “Oh, just a state school in Virginia. What did you major in?”
    • Or, if you ask, “What do you do for work?” he may respond with something vague like, “Just computer stuff, it’s pretty boring. How are you liking your job?”
11

He only talks to you about sex.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-11.jpg\/aid12956600-v4-728px-Tell-if-a-Man-Is-Married-when-Online-Dating-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [7] A married guy looking for a brief affair may ask for sexts or nudes right off the bat and encourage you to meet up soon after. If you're not looking for a hookup, feel free to pump the brakes on your conversation. [8]
    • Plenty of single guys are just interested in hookups and some married men want emotional relationships, so this alone isn’t the best indicator.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Trust your gut instinct as much as you can. If you feel like something is off, then it probably is.
        Thanks
        Helpful 10 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Is Your Man Seeing Someone Else? What to Look Out For
      The Best Ways to Catch a Cheater on an iPhone
      How to
      Not Get Caught Cheating
      How to
      Know if Your Girlfriend Is Cheating on You
      How to
      Handle a Cheating Partner
      10 Signs Your Boyfriend Is Hiding Something on His Phone
      Is Your Partner Cheating on You? Here’s How to Get Them to Confess
      How to
      Handle a Cheating Girlfriend
      12 Tips for Saving Your Relationship After You’ve Had an Affair
      The Psychology of a Womanizer (Plus, Signs You're Dealing with One)
      How to
      Catch Someone Who Is Cheating Online
      How to
      Know if My Girlfriend Is Cheating Long Distance
      How to
      Get over Being Cheated on and Left
      How Do You Know if Your Girlfriend Is Cheating on You over Text? 9 Signs to Look Out For
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.shethepeople.tv/top-stories/opinion/6-signs-the-guy-you-met-on-a-dating-app-is-already-married/
      2. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alysonkrueger/2014/04/30/the-best-ways-to-research-someone-you-meet-online/?sh=725835002cde
      3. ↑ https://www.joinonelove.org/learn/6-things-to-look-out-for-when-online-dating/
      4. ↑ https://observer.com/2017/11/4-signs-the-person-you-are-dating-is-married-and-cheating/
      5. ↑ https://www.thecyberhelpline.com/helpline-blog/2020/7/9/7-signs-of-a-catfish
      6. ↑ https://olc.sfu.ca/blog/online-dating-and-keeping-safe
      7. ↑ https://www.bonobology.com/the-man-you-are-dating-online-might-be-already-married-here-are-the-signs/
      8. ↑ https://olc.sfu.ca/blog/online-dating-and-keeping-safe

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 40,658 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement