Signs A Man Likes You

Are you wondering if a guy likes you? Have you tried to interpret his subtle clues, cues, and signals during your interactions together, only to find you just can't seem to definitively decode his behavior? You're not alone, as many people find it quite challenging to figure out if someone is actually into them. In fact, research has shown your own personal biases and desires can shape the way you interpret the words, actions, and romantic intent of others. Basically, you may find yourself either overestimating or underestimating someone's true interest in you based on your own wants and needs.

However, the good news is that instead of having to act like a detective in order to piece together his true intentions, there are 10 unequivocal signs that can let you know whether he likes you or not.

His facial cues

If you want to know if a man is truly into you, the first step is to look more closely at his facial expressions during your interactions. Specifically, pupil dilation can be a major indicator of interest and arousal. So if you notice his pupils tend to dilate when he's looking at you, this can be a definite sign that he has eyes for you in every respect. Additionally, if he raises his eyebrows, licks his lips when he's talking to you, or smiles in a way that reveals all of his front teeth, these seemingly small actions can also be big indicators that he's highly interested.

A different study revealed that men who are interested in women may literally be drooling over them, as testosterone levels in their saliva can increase when they'd like to court a woman. So if you sense he's swallowing more than usual or actually salivating whenever he's around you, this can actually be a clear-cut sign of his attraction.

His body language

When looking more closely at nonverbal cues, it's important to pay close attention to his body language as a whole. In fact, while it may be known more commonly as "manspreading," when a man sits with his legs spread widely apart, this unspoken action actually speaks volumes in terms of his interest in you. By sitting with his legs wide open, he's really showing that he's open and available to you.

Another sign a man is into you can be found in the way he moves his body when he's around you. If his movements and hand gestures seem to be more overstated and exaggerated, this can be a sign he likes you. Specifically, by drawing attention to himself in a way that shows that he's powerful, sturdy, and takes up a lot of space, he's hoping to capture your interest and fully entice you.

Paying attention to the placement of his feet can also help you decode his true feelings. In fact, if his feet are pointed toward you during your interactions, this can be a sign he's interested, as this type of stance demonstrates he's making himself completely approachable and non-threatening. On the other hand (or foot), if his feet are pointing away from you, this can indicate he's closed-off and detached from the situation, and he can easily leave the conversation (and you) at any time.

His gaze

Another distinctive indicator of his interest is that he looks for opportunities to bring himself closer to you. While this can simply be found in his proclivity to lean in close when you're chatting with one another, this can also be evident in terms of his desire to maintain eye contact with you. And it might work — it's been shown that when men and women lock eyes for prolonged periods, it can increase their desire for one another.

In fact, one study revealed that when two members of the opposite sex looked deeply into each other's eyes while simultaneously engaging in mutual touch, they also expressed greater interest and attraction to one another and even had elevated heart rates. So if he looks for opportunities to put his hand on your shoulder or slightly graze his hand against yours, his quiet touch is a blatant indicator that he's interested in you.

He really listens to you

When a man is highly interested in you, he listens to you without interruptions or distractions. While his desire to listen can act as a basic means of attracting you, it can also give him the opportunity to show just how much you mean to him. His ability to recall specific information and topics you once talked about, particularly the smallest details, can allow him to demonstrate his listening skills, as well as how much he values the things you say. In other words, when he can recall tiny details from your past conversations at the drop of a hat, he's definitely falling for you.

He compliments you

If you're wondering if a man is interested, one tell-tale sign is that he looks for more opportunities to compliment you. In fact, research from the University of Kansas says it's pretty common. So when he takes the time to compliment you, he's probably saying he likes you, without having to say it at all.

It's important to listen to the type of compliment that he gives you, too. While a compliment about your appearance is a clear-cut sign he's into you, another indicator can be found when he compliments you on an emotional level rather than a physical level. For example, when he praises your kindness, your sincerity, or your devotion to a friend, he's surpassing the superficial and is hoping to show you just how much he understands, appreciates, and cares about the real you.

He asks you personal questions

If you're wondering whether or not a guy likes you, one definitive sign is that he asks you a lot of questions. However, it's important to pay attention to the kinds of questions he chooses. For example, when a guy is into you, he'll ask you personal questions, as opposed to asking you for directions to the nearest restroom.

By asking you personal questions, he's not only hoping to get to know you better, but he's also looking to create a bond between the two of you. Plus, peppering you with questions gives him an easy and stress-free way to initiate and sustain a conversation with you, so he can keep the dialogue flowing and hopefully create some sparks.

He initiates plans with you

If you're wondering if a man likes you, another indicator is that he makes plans with you. Rather than acting uninterested, playing hard-to-get, or making you always do the asking, he takes the lead and will follow through in order to spend time with you. Along these lines, a man who has feelings for you will likely respond to your texts and calls with rapid speed. In a word, instead of leaving you hanging, he'll take the lead and keep the communication going.

However, it's important to pay close attention to what kinds of plans he's making — and when. As noted in one study, if a man initiates last-minute plans with you for what's known as a "booty call," he's not showing very much interest or investment in you besides that of a sexual nature. On the other hand, if he initiates plans in advance that involve more conventional date-like activities, he truly wants to spend quality time with you.

Keep an eye on the clock, too. If he texts you between noon and five o'clock, it's also a good sign he's waited long enough in the day to reach out to you, but not too late to make you feel unimportant or unappreciated.

He introduces you to his friends and family

Another sign a man is truly interested is when he introduces you to the important people in his life. Not only does inviting you to meet his friends and family enable him to show you a different side of himself, it also helps him judge the possibility of a future. In a word, when a man introduces you to his friends and family, he wants to see how you interact with them in order to determine if there's potential for you to have a real future together. After all, if you don't get along swimmingly with his friends and family, it's possible that his hopes for a relationship with you may sink.

Further, by introducing you to his friends and family, he's also looking to get their impression of you. And since the opinions of his friends and family can be quite meaningful, he's clearly into you if he's choosing to include you in these different gatherings, events, and occasions.

He does favors for you

Another definitive sign a man truly cares about you is that he goes out of his way to do nice things for you. Whether it's bringing you coffee, giving you a ride, or offering to help set up your new TV, when he makes a concerted effort to give you his attention, he's actually showing his affection for you. And rather than feeling like he owes you, he wants to do these things for you out of the goodness of his heart — because you've captured it.

He tells you in his own way

Sometimes, the best way to figure out if a guy is into you is to simply listen to what he says. And while the words, "I really like you," may not come directly from his mouth, there are other key expressions that can clue you in regarding his romantic interest. For example, if he tells you he misses you, he's really telling you that you're a significant and meaningful person in his life and that he wants to have you in it.

In addition, if a man really likes you, his words will indicate just how much he cares about you and your overall well-being. For instance, he might remind you to bring a jacket or to ask you to let him know when you're home safely, simply because he wants you to be well taken care of, safe, and happy. And by showing his interest and concern for you with these simple phrases, he's actually letting you know that he's really into you.

So...does he like you?

The next time you're wondering if a man is truly into you, it's important to pay close attention to the many facets of his behavior. When you know what to look for, it's not really that difficult to decipher. And with these tips and tools at hand, the next question on your mind shouldn't be if he likes you, but rather if you like him in return.