These are a few crucial questions that need answering, particularly for guys making the first move. Misreading the signals can lead to some awkward, face-palm-worthy moments and take you from charming to creepy in short order.

In fact, there is research1 showing that sometimes men tend to overestimate a woman’s sexual interest. So, the challenge is real, and it’s enough to make one nostalgic for simpler times—think Victorian era when dropping a handkerchief was like sliding into someone’s DMs. Sure, those guys had to deal with way less tech and way more top hats, but at least they had a clear signal when someone was into them.

As Al Pacino said, “The eyes, chico, they never lie!” So take note of eye contact—and not just fleeting glances, but prolonged, intense eye contact.

A study from the Psychological Science Journal2 shows, for instance, that extended eye contact is a powerful, non-verbal way of indicating engagement and genuine interest.

If a girl is interested in you, according to relationship coach and sexologist at BedBible, Suzannah Weiss, she will give you all her attention during a conversation. “She will turn towards you. Look at you. They won’t bury themselves in their phone or a book, and they’ll make eye contact with you,” she explains.

If her pupils dilate, it’s a subtle physiological response that can indicate attraction as well. If she glances down when your eyes meet, and it happens a few times, it might mean she’s a bit nervous or not quite ready to show her cards yet, but she could still be into you.

Suppose you notice a girl mirroring your body language, like crossing her legs when you cross yours or touching her face when you do. In that case, it’s a strong indication of attraction that demonstrates growing affinity. 

When you value someone as a social companion, you deliberately seek out their company. In a crowded room, she may sit next to you, join clubs or communities you’re a part of, and even plan joint activities and outings. 

“If she frequently initiates conversations, responds promptly to your messages, and seems genuinely interested in your life and opinions, it’s a good sign,” Homan says, adding, “Communication is the bedrock of any relationship, and her effort in maintaining an ongoing dialogue can signify her interest in deepening the relationship.”

If you’re both active on social media, you may notice she likes and even comments on most of your posts. There may be regular good night texts, or if and when you abandon a conversation due to lack of time, she resumes it on the next available opportunity. 

She obviously desires a continuous connection with you, and texting and social media, in today’s world, are the tools of choice to maintain that connection. 

When we like someone, who they are, what matters to them, and how they move through the world becomes vital to us. 

When a girl is interested, she will try to attract and retain your attention. She may flaunt both her intellectual prowess and her physical appearance. She may find ways to demonstrate her knowledge, particularly on subjects of mutual interest, reinforcing your compatibility.

A growing interest in someone’s overall wellbeing is a sign of deepening emotional attachment. According to therapist and clinical director at Profound Treatment, Lindsey Tong, LCSW, when a girl is falling for you, she will express her deepening emotions by actively caring for you. 

She may look after you when unwell, encourage you to adopt healthier habits or gently nudge you towards better lifestyle choices.

“If she notices that you are feeling down or having a bad day, she will try to cheer you up or offer support. She may also go out of her way to do things for you, such as bringing you your favorite food or helping you with something,” Tong explains. 

Teasing, especially of a flirtatious variety, can be a good sign of attraction. She might playfully poke fun at you and engage in lighthearted banter, all done in good spirits to forge a deeper bond.

When a girl blushes or seems nervous around you, especially in response to your compliments or any overt attention, it’s often a sign of romantic interest. She may fidget if she is excited to be around you but also feels self-conscious. This typically happens in emotionally charged situations.

Research5 confirms that “postural expansiveness” can be taken as a sign of attraction. One caveat: Keep in mind that personal and cultural differences can affect body language.

Generally, however, when a girl likes you, she may lean towards you, uncross her arms, smile frequently, and face you directly, signaling her comfort and interest. Additionally, if she’s sitting with crossed legs, but her feet are pointed towards you, it could suggest a desire to get closer.

The harmony between our friends and romantic partners is essential; they are both important parts of our lives, and if they get along, it makes for more enjoyable future interactions.

When a girl takes the step to introduce you to her friends, it’s a meaningful act that suggests she’s fond of you and maybe hoping for a future with you.

“If this person has told her friends about you, this can be another great sign of interest. Receiving an invite to hang out with someone’s close group means they trust you and are comfortable bringing you into the fold,” Reeves tells mindbodygreen.

The everyday aspects of your life, such as your routine, favorite music, go-to recipes, and hobbies—details that might bore anyone else—would be fascinating to someone in the throes of a crush.

She will want to know these details, not just out of curiosity but also so she can find common interests and deepen your bond.

The curiosity has to go beyond mere politeness; someone interested in a deeper relationship will ask personal questions about your parents and siblings. She will inquire about and comment on your family dynamics, the personalities of your close friends, and family traditions. Furthermore, she will find a way to communicate her readiness to participate in family events.

It’s a dead giveaway and the one thing that can distinguish a friend from a romantic interest. Someone interested in you will laugh at all your jokes; friends, on the other hand, will laugh at you rather than with you. 

Spending money on someone, especially if you have it, is easy—but planning a surprise requires effort. When a girl surprises you, and it resonates deeply with you, creates a special moment, or holds personal significance, that gesture speaks volumes.

It shows that she knows you well and is willing to invest her time, energy, and resources into pleasing you. She clearly cherishes your bond and wants to nurture it. 

Smiling is a form of non-verbal communication that signals happiness, warmth, and attraction.

Ribarsky tells mindbdoygreen that incidental, flirtatious touching is a common way of signaling attraction. When we touch someone who reciprocates our interest, it causes a release of feel-good chemicals in our brains.

“As primitive as it may sound, we often ‘groom’ people we like. We may do something as simple as picking fuzz off someone’s sweater, brushing something out of their hair, etc. Sometimes, it’s very purposeful. Most of the time, it’s subconscious behavior when we like or care about someone,” Ribarksy says. 

Furthermore, if she indulges in physical displays of affection, she is very comfortable with you, trusts you, and desires to create intimacy with you. 

She may get jealous when she sees you spending time with other women if she is interested. She may express this jealousy by inquiring about your interactions with them, asking if you’re interested in any of them, or showing a hint of possessiveness when other women are around you.

Parmar notes that if a girl desires more than friendship with you, she may share personal aspects of her life with you. “People share personal stories with those they feel comfortable around,” he explains, adding, “If a girl starts sharing intimate details about her life, it could be a sign that she trusts and likes you.”

Sharing intimate details of our lives makes us vulnerable, and there is an inherent fear in that, but we brave this fear for those we deeply trust and desire to have in our lives. Also, if you can read the signs, this will not simply be a gesture of trust. The act will stem from a deep need for you to know her. 

She may bring up other guys in conversation or talk about them in a way that seems intended to make you jealous. You may also notice her being overly friendly with other guys when you’re present while simultaneously glancing your way to see how you respond. 

This is one of the more obvious signs that a girl likes you and is not just being nice. For instance, there might be a noticeable difference in how she treats you compared to her other friends.

This could manifest in several ways—she remembers trivial details about you that others might find inconsequential, makes plans well in advance, shows an obvious preference for your company, seizes every excuse to be around you, and becomes noticeably more flirtatious and attentive when you’re together. These behaviors suggest that you have a special place in her life. 

Her interest in your relationship status, subtly expressed or not, is telling. She will also find a way to ensure you know she’s single and open to a relationship. This behavior is not just about understanding your availability or communicating hers; it’s her way of opening the door to whatever is possible between you. 

If she makes no effort to be around you or initiate contact, whether in person, online, or via text, it might signal disinterest in a relationship.

Homan believes that if a woman takes her time responding to your messages, avoids sharing personal details, and seems disinterested in your life, these are signs of disinterest.

When she displays closed-off body language, like crossed arms, facing away or maintaining a physical distance during conversations, it shows her disinterest. According to Weiss, it may be time to abandon your pursuit if you notice such behavior. 

“It all comes down to how they reciprocate your tone or actions. For example, if they are ignoring your texts or dodging your invitation to get drinks, this can be a more obvious sign that they aren’t interested,” warns Reeves. Or as Haro adds, you might buy her gifts or do things for her, but she never reciprocates.

“If a girl isn’t interested in you, she’ll avoid being alone or going on dates. She may make excuses or cancel last-minute plans,” Haro tells mindbodygreen. 

Physically moving away from you, avoiding contact, never paying any compliments, and giving a half-hearted response to the compliments you give indicate a lack of physical attraction.

The first obstacle on the path of romance often involves making the critical choice of either risking rejection by expressing interest, or potentially missing a romantic opportunity by not acting. 6

Research6 suggests that regret over missed love opportunities often outweighs the embarrassment of rejection and may have more significant life consequences. So with this in mind, it may be wise to pursue your interest cautiously, even without clear signals.

Whenever you’re flirting, it’s essential respect boundaries and seek consent. If you want to express your interest without active encouragement, do so respectfully and calmly. If you notice signs of discomfort, back off.

Being approachable and friendly without being pushy is critical. Weiss recommends testing the waters with something simple like, “I’d love to hang out if you’d be open to that,” or, “Could I get your number? I think it would be nice to chat more.”

Before revealing your feelings, ensure they’re not committed to someone else, advises Parmar, emphasizing respect and reducing the likelihood of rejection. To express your interest, behave in a way that indicates attraction, such as asking about their interests and offering compliments that go beyond physical appearance.

“Maintain a light-hearted, humorous approach,” Brown advises, adding to move forward with a balance of confidence and humility, and “avoid dominating conversations or making it all about you.” 

If you receive encouragement, you can build on that. If her response is muted, you can try to woo her. Remember that sometimes, the lack of encouragement is not out of disinterest. Even confident women, when it comes to love and romance, can become shy because of fears around rejection and vulnerability that are so much a part of dating. 

Show genuine interest in her life, and as part of your campaign, maintain a happy disposition when you’re around her. Happy people light up a room by their sheer presence, and if the girl associates positive emotions with you, it will be a point in your favor.

As psychologist and relationship expert Rod Mitchel, M.C., M.Sc., recommends, you can always take a more straightforward approach. “A simple, sincere expression of your feelings, without elaborate schemes or games, speaks volumes about your respect for her and the potential relationship,” he says.

“The best response is to respect their feelings and space and move on. It might be hard at first, but remember, everyone deserves someone who reciprocates their feelings just as intensely,” says Tong. 

Understanding whether a girl is interested in you can be like playing a game of mental Jenga. You have to observe how she talks and acts with and around you. Keep an eye out for any special hints in the way she treats you, and see if there’s a pattern that might give you that much-needed encouragement to make your move. But you must do this detective work without letting your feelings cloud your judgment. It’s tricky, but who doesn’t love a good challenge? 

Even if you notice positive signs, there’s still no guarantee that your interest will be reciprocated. Each individual is unique, and there are cultural, social, and familial influences at play that you cannot account for, no matter how much you try. 

What you can do is be respectful and considerate in how you move forward. If the feelings are mutual, it opens the door to a potentially beautiful and fulfilling relationship. If not, respect her decision, cherish the friendship if it remains, and remember that this experience has taken you one step closer to finding someone more compatible and capable of giving you the love you deserve.