30 Subtle Signs That He’s Probably Got A Crush On You

Dating would be a whole lot more straightforward for everyone if people just said how they really feel off the bat. Unfortunately, that’s way too terrifying and requires more confidence than any of us can muster up.

Instead, we’re left to translate subtle signals in the hopes of establishing a romantic connection with a guy giving us very little to work with. Luckily, though, science is on our side and can tell us what we need to know. So if you’re unsure, here are 30 subtle signs that he’s probably got a crush on you:

1. He looks attentive when you speak.
If he’s hanging on to every word you say, you know that he cares to hear your voice. Watch to see if he nods along, raises his eyebrows in interest, or just looks engaged. If he prefers to interrupt or is unfocused, his affections are clearly elsewhere.

2. He trips over his words around you.
If you know he’s normally well-spoken or confident, but all of a sudden he’s stuttering and nervous, he’s probably trying to impress you. He feels pressure to speak well because he wants you to care about what he has to say.

3. He’s leaning towards you.
If he has a crush on you, then he probably wants to close the distance between you guys so as to be both physically and emotionally more connected. Often, men will lean in with one hand on their hip to look more powerful, almost as a kind of mating dance!

4. His pupils are huge.
Pupil dilation is a natural brain response to things we like. It can even occur when we see our favourite meals. So, while you definitely don’t want him to view you as a piece of meat, if his eyes are wide around you, it means he’s attracted to you.

5. His toes are pointed towards you.
The feet lead and the heart follows. A good way to test this is to lean towards him or reach in his direction. If you notice that he shifts his toes away from you when you touch him, it could be a sign he’s rejecting your advances.

6. He smiles a lot around you.
You make him feel good enough to grin. This is good news, and it means he’ll associate you with positive feelings, more likely to want your company. If he’s flashing his teeth, this is even better because he can’t even compose his smile.

7. He looks at your mouth when you talk.
Even if eye contact is lacking, looking at your lips is a clear sign that he’s got a crush on you. If he’s looking at your lips and mouth, it’s possible he wants to kiss you and is distracted by this intimate part of your face.

8. He looks for your approval.
If he gets a new haircut, does he ask if you like it? When he tells a joke to the group, does he look to see if you’re laughing? These are signs that he values your opinion of him or wants to gauge how much you like him.

9. His face gets flushed.
Assuming it’s not 100 degrees out or you’re not packed into a stuffy room, his redness and flushed face could mean he likes you. This is a natural adrenaline response when we’re around someone who makes our heart race.

10. He copies you.
Obviously, we don’t want a guy to mimic us in a mocking way, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Watch to see if he matches his tone to yours, or shift his posture when you do. This is a subconscious thing we do when we admire someone.

11. He grooms himself for you.
Have you noticed he’s been dressing better since you started hanging out? Or does he fix his hair when he sees you walk into the room? This could mean he’s trying to present the best, most attractive version of himself for you because he’s got a crush.

12. He touches you a lot.
Have you noticed him touch your back to let you walk through the door? Pick lint off your sweater? Playful tap you when he’s laughing at your jokes? These are all subtle ways to be more physically intimate with you.

13. He twitches when you’re around.
If you see him tapping his leg or shuffling from foot to foot when you’re talking, it could mean he really has to go to the toilet. But it could also mean he’s nervous around you because he likes you.

14. He shows up everywhere.
Have you noticed he’s started showing up at more group nights out? Or is frequenting your favorite coffee spot that you told him about? This is a sign he wants to see you.

15. He’s always trying to help.
Guys want to show off that they’re dependable and can provide for your needs. He might just be trying to be a good friend when he offers to drop you home or install your AC unit, or he could be trying to tell you that he cares.

16. You can see his hands.
This is another way guys show they are open and receptive of your affection. If his hands are stuffed in his pockets or behind his back, he’s not interested. However, if you can see his hands, then chances are he’s developed a crush.

17. He touches his throat.
The throat represents communication and vulnerability. It can also be a place people touch as a form of self-soothing when they’re nervous. Watch to notice if he adjusts his collar or tie in order to calm himself in your presence.

18. His voice softens when he talks to you.
This is especially good if he’s usually loud in group settings. If he speaks slowly and more gently to you than he does to others, this shows he’s trying to let his guard down and be vulnerable around you.

19. He tilts his head when you speak.
Ever notice how puppies lean their heads to the side when they’re trying to focus on a sound? Men work in a similar way. This shows he’s curious and wants to hear more.

20. He stares at you.
Men are visual creatures, so even if he’s not the best conversationalist, if he’s staring at you it proves you’ve captivated him. Maybe he’s even lost for words because of how you make him feel!

21. His palms get sweaty.
Anyone who gets stage fright knows that clammy hands are a subtle giveaway that your heart is pumping with nerves. Notice he’s wiping his palms on his pants or feels clammy when you shake hands? You’ve clearly made an impact on him already!

22. He licks his lips.
This sounds odd, but it can be kind of cute, or even seductive if a guy does this subtly without realizing it. Studies show that men produce more saliva when they see someone attractive. So, go girl — you’ve got him frothing over you already. He’s got a huge crush on you if he’s doing this!

23. He takes a deep inhale when he sees you.
Aside from simply needing air, men sometimes do this as a way to puff out their chests and seem broader. This is a masculine response to the mating process, making himself look more fit and desirable. As primitive as it seems, nature never lies.

24. He spreads his legs when he’s sitting with you.
Vulgar as it might seem, this is a sign he’s willing to be vulnerable and is also a means of encouraging intimacy. Manspreading isn’t the most attractive thing in the world, but it can signify that he’s trying to open up to you, in every sense of the term.

25. He playfully teases you.
This is a subtle way of flirting with a crush that can be hard to read at times, especially if you already have a friendship filled with banter. But joking with you shows that he’s comfortable letting lose around you.

26. He always reaches out first.
If you guys are friends already, you probably speak a lot, so watch out for him making the first move. It can be a simple as sending you a meme on social media or he could always be the one scheduling your hangouts. Either way, this shows he’s willing to put himself out there if it means you get to interact.

27. He gives you advice.
Men love to have solutions, but only in situations where they care about the outcome. If you’re having a hard time at work or are going through personal problems, and he’s there with guidance and advice, it means he’s invested in your life.

28. His behaviour changes when other men are around.
Does he change the subject when you talk about other guys? Or come across standoffish if a man approaches you in front of him? This is probably because he wants to be the main man in your life and feels threatened when he’s not.

29. He drunk dials you.
You know what they say: “Drunk words are sober thoughts.” This obviously isn’t subtle if he’s confessing his feelings to you when drunk, and it’s not flattering if he only hits you up when he’s drunk and wants to come over.

But if he’s texting you on a night out to say that he wants to do something tomorrow, or is just asking you how you are, it’s nice to know that he can’t keep you off his mind.

30. He remembers the little things.
Does he bring you cookies every time he passes your favourite bakery? Or texts you good luck for every exam you take? This is a clear sign of affection and proves that he can’t help but keep you in his thoughts. If he’s remembering all of the tiny details, then he’s definitely got a crush on you.

Although it can be hard to read guys most of the time, these 30 subtleties are a clear indicator that he’s got a crush on you. So what are you waiting for, girl? It’s time to make a move!