Have you ever had someone act a bit differently around you and found yourself wondering if they have a crush on you? It can be difficult to tell the difference between friendliness, respect, or admiration versus romantic attraction.
Luckily, there are some common signs that can help you figure out if someone has a crush on you. From body language cues to subtle changes in behavior, oftentimes, it is possible to tell when someone has strong feelings for you.
Learn more about the signs that can indicate that someone has a crush on you.
Jessica Engle
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dating Coach, and Couples Counselor | Founder, Relationship Center
Wondering whether someone you’re interested in dating is interested in you romantically? Here are some potential indicators that someone has a crush on you.
Related: How Do You Know If You Like Someone Romantically
You’ll likely notice that some of the following signs could indicate friendly intentions and aren’t exclusive to crushes. As such, you’ll want to assess the person’s behaviors on the whole rather than looking for one sign.
The more of these indicators you recognize (as well as, the more frequently they occur), the greater the likelihood that they have romantic feelings for you.
And please note that the following signs aren’t guaranteed indicators that someone has romantic feelings for you. Remember, the best way to clarify how someone feels about you is to ask! #consentissexy
They have open, inviting body language
First, look for non-verbal indicators that they like and want to be close to you. For example, they may be interested in you if they:
- Lean in
- Make eye contact (especially sustained gazing)
- Smile
- Sit or stand with their feet toward you
- Laugh
- Have a relaxed stance, i.e., shoulders back and arms uncrossed
- Position themselves close to you
- Tilt their head while speaking to you
They initiate quality time together, particularly in intimate settings
Next, observe whether they make a concerted effort to spend time with you. Particularly if paired with other signals on this list, actively scheduling time together, particularly in intimate settings, suggests romantic interest.
Do they seem eager to put your next get-together on the books? When you mention a new movie you’re excited about, do they suggest you watch it together?
If they say things that indicate they’re hoping to see you again in the future and/or frequently, that’s a potential indicator they’re romantically interested.
In addition, notice the kinds of activities and settings they suggest. Are they casual or intimate, friendly or romantic? If they’re eager to spend time in places that are typical date locations, such as a wine bar, cozy restaurant, or beautiful vista, they might be into you.
All that said, know that many people struggle with dating anxiety or the fear of being rejected or humiliated in dating situations. As a result (and protective mechanism), they avoid directly communicating romantic interest.
For example, someone who’s worried about getting heartbroken may ask you to “hang out” in a casual setting rather than calling your time together a date or taking you to a romantic location.
For that reason, if you think someone may like you but isn’t initiating intimate, quality time together out of fear, try expressing your feelings directly. That may set their mind at ease, thereby freeing them up to be more proactive about expressing their interest transparently.
They touch you frequently or intimately
Touch is a huge tell when it comes to physical attraction. If you notice someone touching you frequently or in ways atypical for “just friends,” that may be a sign they are crushing on you.
Related: 30+ Subtle Signs He Likes You More Than a Friend
Do they touch you more than an acquaintance or new friend would? If they seem to find endless excuses to make physical contact, that might indicate they want to be more intimate with you.
Notice the kind of touch they initiate — is it friendly or flirty? For example, on the West Coast of the US, a handshake typically signals colleagueship, a hug signals friendship, and a kiss signals romantic or sexual intentions.
Note that a person’s culture should be taken into account when assessing the meaning of their touch. Some cultures express physical affection readily, while others are more conservative.
For example, it’s common for male friends to hold hands in Arab countries, whereas hand-holding is typically reserved for romantic partners in Western countries.
Kinds of touch that may signal that someone has a crush on you include:
- Holding your hand
- Touching your knee
- Placing a hand on your low back
- Caressing your face
- Embracing you for an extended period
- Putting an arm around your waist
- Touching erogenous zones
- Kissing
They give you compliments
Compliments are a clear verbal indicator that someone likes you. When determining whether someone more than likes you, notice how frequently they compliment you and whether the compliments have a flirtatious undertone.
Related: How to Tell if Someone Is Flirting With You (30+ Interesting Signs)
- Do they compliment you frequently?
- Do they make positive comments about your appearance?
- Are they using a flirtatious tone of voice when complimenting you?
- Do they deliver compliments with a smoldering gaze or while reaching out to touch you?
The more of the above you notice, the more likely it is that someone is expressing romantic or sexual feelings for you.
They’re playful with you
A sense of humor is often at the top of many singles’ desired traits in a mate. Play and laughter are clearly one way romantic partners connect and express affection. Because of that, playfulness can be an indicator that someone has a crush on you.
- Do they crack jokes and try to get you to laugh?
- Do they tease you in a good-natured way?
- Are they eager to introduce physical play into your relationship, like play wrestling, tickling, or playing sports together?
Play often combines several key aspects of intimacy, including touch, co-creativity, laughter, quality time, and even vulnerability. For that reason, playfulness can be a strong signal that someone has romantic feelings for you.
TLDR: Someone may have a crush on you if they have open and inviting body language, initiate quality time together, compliment you, or interact playfully. That said, if you’re uncertain about their feelings, ask directly!
Ketan Parmar, MD, MBBS, DPM
Psychiatrist and Mental Health Expert, ClinicSpots
They initiate conversation
If someone is interested in you, they will make an effort to keep the conversation going and ask lots of questions. Notice if they initiate conversations or text messages more often than usual.
Look at their body language
Look for signs that suggest someone likes you, such as eye contact, leaning towards you when talking, touching your arm or hand while speaking, smiling frequently, and keeping a good posture.
Flirting behaviors
A clear sign that someone has a crush on you is if they are flirting with you — this could include playful teasing, compliments, light physical contact (such as touching your arm), or flirty body language.
They remember the little things
People who are interested in you will make an effort to remember important details about your life, such as your favorite food or the color of your eyes. They may also bring up topics that you have spoken about before and show a genuine interest in what you have to say.
They want to spend time with you
Pay attention to whether they make excuses to see you or spend more time with you than usual, even if it’s just hanging out together without actually having a conversation.
If they constantly try to hang out with you or catch up every chance they get, it could be a sign that they’re into you.
They seem nervous around you
If someone is interested in you, they may be a bit nervous or awkward around you. Look out for signs of shyness, such as averting eye contact, blushing, fidgeting with clothes or objects, and avoiding direct conversation with you.
People who like you can often get embarrassed around you and appear nervous when talking to them — look out for signs such as blushing, stammering or giggling.
They make time for you
People who are into you will make time to see you even if their schedule is packed. If your crush often rearranges plans to fit you in, it could be a sign that they have a crush on you.
Special gifts for you
A sure sign that someone has a crush on you is if they give little gifts or tokens of appreciation — this could include handmade items, books, small trinkets, or random items that you like.
They compliment you
Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal compliments — people who are interested in you may compliment your looks, style, intelligence, or personality more frequently than normal.
They seem jealous
If someone has a crush on you, they may get jealous if they see you talking to other people, especially of the opposite sex. Look out for signs such as sulking, teasing, or trying to compete with the person you’re speaking with.
Their friends know
If your crush’s friends seem to know about you and are always trying to get the two of you together, it may be a sign that they have told their friends about their feelings for you.
They make eye contact
People who are interested in you will often make eye contact when talking to you and look away quickly if caught staring. If someone is making frequent eye contact but doesn’t initiate conversation, this could be a sign that they like you.
Look for physical signs
Pay attention to physical signs such as touching your arm or shoulder while speaking, moving closer when sitting next to you, or standing very close to you when talking. All of these can be signs that someone has a crush on you.
They try to make you laugh
If someone is trying hard to make you laugh and seems genuinely interested in making sure you’re having a good time, this could be a sign that they like you.
Pay attention to their tone of voice
The tone of voice can often give away if someone likes you, as people who are into you may talk more softly or use gentle tones when speaking with you.
They seem interested in everything you do
People who have a crush on you will often show interest in everything that you do — they may ask questions about your job or hobbies, and they may even offer to help you with tasks.
They stare at you
If someone has a crush on you, they may be caught staring every now and then — if this happens often, it could be a sign that they are interested in you.
They text you regularly
If someone is texting you every day, it could be a sign that they have feelings for you.
Pay attention to the content of the messages as well — if they are sending sweet and thoughtful texts, then this could point towards them having romantic feelings for you.
These are just some of the signs that someone has a crush on you — if your crush is displaying any of these behaviors, it could be time to take things to the next level and make a move!
There are many potential signs that someone has a crush on you, and different people may exhibit different behaviors. Here are three common signs that someone may have a crush on you:
They pay special attention to you
If someone has a crush on you, they may try to get your attention by engaging with you more frequently, asking you questions, or otherwise seeking to be around you.
The crush could go out of their way or change their schedule significantly just so they can be close and spend time together.
Look for signs that they are putting other important relationships on hold for you, such as family or close friends. They could also forego important activities such as a hobby to spend time with you. They may even change their work schedule so that they can spend more time with you.
They show signs of nervousness or excitement when they are around you
People with crushes may get anxious or excited when they are around the object of their affection, which may manifest as fidgeting, blushing, voice fluttering, or acting differently than usual.
This type of body language is often easy to observe and can clue you into the fact that they have a crush on you.
They make an effort to impress you or get to know you better
Someone with a crush may try to impress you by doing things they think you will appreciate or by asking questions about your interests and hobbies in an attempt to get to know you better. This is very common social behavior in general, but it’s somewhat magnified with an attempt to connect with someone romantically.
Watch for these behaviors that communicate they want their interest in you to be reciprocated. A crush will want to feel included and prioritized by you.
It’s important to consider the context and the overall behavior patterns here so that these aren’t misinterpreted as romantic interest when they might not be. But in general, these are three of the top signs that someone might have a crush on you.
Having a crush is an exciting and thrilling experience that many of us encounter at some point in our lives. Having a crush is an exciting experience where someone develops strong feelings for another person and sees them through a positive lens.
They start behaving differently around you
If someone seems to be behaving differently around you, they may have a secret crush on you. If you think someone has a crush on you, they may start behaving differently around you.
Having a crush is an exciting and thrilling experience that many of us encounter at some point in our lives.
It means developing strong feelings for someone and seeing them through rose-colored glasses, daydreaming about spending time together, thinking about what the future might hold, and having those butterflies in the stomach whenever they’re around.
Having a crush can be incredibly fun and emotional, with highs and lows that come with it and everything in between! It can lead to anxiety as we worry about how to talk to them or how to get their attention.
Ultimately, it’s a reminder that humans were designed to feel strongly for one another.
If you think someone has a secret crush on you, then it can be a little overwhelming. Everyone is different, and there are no sure-fire signs to know for certain whether or not someone has a crush on you.
Related: 30+ Signs He Is Secretly Attracted to You
Generally, if someone has a thing for you, they may start behaving differently when you are around, such as blushing, trying to look good for you, or showing attention and interest in your day-to-day life.
Paying more attention to your appearance and figuring out what types of activities that person enjoys doing might also reveal their true feelings for you.
Regardless of the situation, always try your best to be respectful and courteous towards the individual in order to avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunication.
If you find yourself in a situation where someone has a crush on you and you are not interested, it is important to be honest and upfront with them.
Related: How to Tell a Guy You’re Not Interested (With Examples)
Acknowledge their feelings but then explain yours. Being gentle while also clearly stating your stance is key. It may be difficult, but doing so will save a lot of miscommunication and potentially hurt feelings in the long run.
If they have a hard time hearing your message, offering to stay friends still can help soften the news and give them support while they process their emotions.
Trying to avoid the person or ghosting will only hurt more in the end.
Suman Kumar Sahni
Certified Relationship Expert | Co-Founder, MoodFresher
We all know that feeling when someone has a crush on us. We can sense it; we can sometimes feel it in the air. It’s a feeling that can’t be denied. But how can we tell for sure if someone has a crush on us?
Look at their body language
One of the first signs to look out for when determining if someone has a crush on you is their body language.
If they’re always pointing their body towards you, and they’re making a lot of eye contact with you, chances are they’re trying to send you a message that they’re interested in you.
They make an effort to be around you
Another sign to look out for is if they’re always making an effort to be around you. If they always seem to be in the same place as you, it’s a good sign that they’re trying to spend more time with you and get to know you better.
If someone has a crush on you, they’ll also be paying more attention to you than other people. They might be asking you questions about yourself or telling you about things that are important to them.
Whether you’re looking to get a clear answer or just want to know if you’re on the right track, here’s how to tell if someone is crushing on you.
They’ll make excuses to talk to you
If someone has a crush on you, they’ll make excuses to talk to you. Whether it’s through text, in person, or on the phone, they’ll find any reason to get in touch and learn more about you.
If someone is constantly popping up in your DMs or asking to catch up for coffee, that’s a sure sign that they’re interested.
They’ll try to impress you
Another telltale sign that someone has a crush on you is if they’re always trying to impress you.
Whether it’s bragging about their new job, giving you compliments, or talking about their hobbies, someone who has a crush on you will always be looking for ways to show off and make a good impression.
They’ll be extra attentive
If someone has a crush on you, they’ll make an effort to be extra attentive when you’re around. This can include listening to what you have to say, laughing at your jokes, or remembering small details about your life.
If someone is paying close attention to you, it’s likely they’re crushing on you.
They’ll give you their undivided attention
Someone who has a crush on you will want to give you their undivided attention. This means they’ll be eager to hang out with you and will make sure you’re the center of attention.
If you find them saying “yes” to any plans you suggest and always looking for ways to spend time with you, it’s a sure sign that they have a crush.
They’ll be protective
Finally, another sure sign that someone has a crush on you is if they become protective. If someone is always looking out for you, offering to help you out, or jumping to your defense in any situation, they’re likely crushing on you.
These are just a few of the signs that someone has a crush on you. It can be hard to tell if someone likes you, but by paying attention to these signs, you can get a better idea of whether someone has a crush on you or not.
There are certain signs that might indicate someone has a crush on you. These can vary depending on the individual, as well as their level of comfort when it comes to expressing their feelings. However, some universal signs you may notice include the following:
They smile and gaze at you
A key sign someone may have a crush is if they often smile at you and maintain eye contact for long periods of time. Smiling indicates happiness, and this type of behavior could indicate an emotional connection beyond friendship.
They go out of their way for you
If someone always helps or looks after you, this could be a tell-tale sign they have strong feelings towards you.
Behaviors like offering help to move furniture or being there in times of need demonstrate somebody’s commitment to your well-being which can point to romance or a crush.
They find excuses to talk to you
When someone has romantic feelings, they will find any excuse possible to be around the person they are interested in — such as asking questions about school assignments when the conversation topic isn’t related — usually just because they enjoy talking with them!
They flirt with you
One major factor that points toward having a crush lies in how someone communicates with another person vs. how they communicate with other people around them (and especially how it changes over time).
Are specific jokes exchanged between just the two? Do terms like “honey” come up more often than not? Does one touch the other when passing objects?
All these cues can signify mutual attraction and intimacy that goes beyond regular friendship circles!
Pay attention to their body language
People tend to show physical signs when feeling attracted to others — blushing cheeks or sweaty palms mean nervousness but also excitement at being physically close.
Leaning forward shows eagerness regarding conversations; gently brushing hair behind ears signifies self-conscious flirting — all these say something too!
Of course, developing relationships is complex but recognizing small gestures, whether through body language or communication, gives insight into whether one feels strongly enough about another to want things further than just a friendly acquaintanceship.
So take note and take caution!
AJ Silberman-Moffitt
Senior Editor, Tandem
When we were younger, it was easy to determine if someone had a crush on us. Either the person themselves or one of their friends was bound to approach us to tell us how they felt. If only crushes in adulthood were so easy!
While some men and women wear wedding rings, many do not. This can lead to confusion when determining if someone we like might have similar feelings.
In today’s world, it can be difficult to determine if someone has a crush. What are some signs someone has a crush on you?
They are always offering to help
When you move to a new place, this person will be one of the first to offer assistance. It doesn’t matter how inconvenient it might be for them because they want you to know they are there for you.
They will cancel other plans to see you
If you invite them to go somewhere and they already have plans with someone else, they will cancel those plans to have a chance to spend more time with you. Hopefully, they do this without hurting someone else’s feelings!
They make small gestures
Whether paying for your lunch, running your errand, or buying you token gifts, they know that “little things count,” and they try to do as many small things for you as possible.
They seem to act differently around you
You might have noticed their demeanor to be one way when they are around others, but that demeanor seems to change when they are with you.
They joke about what it would be like to date you
There is a lot of humor based on truth, and when someone likes you and they joke about dating you, it could be a subtle sign that they have a crush on you.
They remember many things about you
From your favorite color to the vegetable you hated most when growing up, these little things you told them have meaning. They make it a point to remember as much as they can about anything you tell them.
It’s a great feeling to know that someone is attracted to us. It’s an even better feeling when the person interested in you is someone you are interested in.
If you feel relatively confident that someone has a crush on you, and you also like them, what are you waiting for? No one said that you couldn’t make the first move. It might even be the first move towards a great new relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a crush just be about admiration and not romance?
Yes, not all crushes are romantic. Sometimes people have what’s called a “platonic crush,” which is more about admiration for your personality, talents, or qualities without wanting a romantic relationship. This could feel like deep admiration or inspiration rather than romantic attraction.
Can someone have a crush on me even if we’re just friends?
Yes, sometimes crushes can develop in friendships. Signs like increased affection, more time spent together, or jealousy when you’re around others may suggest feelings beyond friendship. If your friend begins treating you differently—like more flirting or finding ways to be close to you—they might have developed romantic feelings.
What if I’m too nervous to ask someone if they have a crush on me?
It’s understandable to feel nervous! You don’t have to ask directly—look for subtle signs like their body language, the way they interact with you, and how much time they spend around you.
If they mirror your movements, make extra eye contact, or find excuses to be near you, it could be a sign they’re interested. This can give you more confidence to address it when you’re ready.
What if I’m not interested in the person who has a crush on me?
If someone has a crush on you and you don’t feel the same way, it’s best to be kind but clear. Avoid leading them on by setting respectful boundaries. Let them know you value their friendship, but you don’t share the same romantic feelings. Keeping communication honest and gentle can help maintain the relationship without causing unnecessary hurt.
