Last Updated on October 24, 2023 by Dean Williams

Text dating in the digital age can be super confusing. You meet a cute guy, exchange numbers, and then what? Over-analyzehttps://sova.pitt.edu/overanalyzing-emotions-in-text/'>¹ every text he sends to decode his true feelings~? BEEN THERE. That’s where this guide comes in.

After enduring my fair share of text relationships, I’ve learned how to read between the emoji lines. Ready to become a textpert and find out if he’s crushing on you or just hitting reply-all? Let’s go!

1. He Texts You…Frequently

Remember when you first swapped numbers and he waited 3 days to text you like some ancient ’90s dating guide told him to? Yeah, those days are gone. If a guy you’re seeing texts you first thing in the morning, after work, during TV commercials, and sends the last “night!” text, he’s into you.

That man is picturing you in his bed with his arms wrapped around you. JK…kind of. But frequent texts do mean you’re on his mind a lot, and he wants to engage with you as much as possible. He finds you interesting and wants to keep the chat going. This is great!

Pro tip: Don’t overthink the time between texts. Live your life! But if he consistently takes 8+ hours to respond…sorry girl, you’re a back-burner babe.

2. He Kicks Off Convo

Pay attention to who initiates your text threads. Do you always text first, asking how his day was? Does he only reply and never start conversations? Red Flag City!

A guy who’s into you wants to hear from you and know what’s happening in your world. He’ll send little check-in texts just to get the ball rolling. And he’ll do it consistently, not just when he’s bored on a Wednesday night.

Of course, you can (and should!) also text him sometimes. But if he never initiates, he’s just not that interested. Don’t waste precious data plan dollars!

3. He Asks Questions

Text conversations can get stale fast if you’re both firing off statements and emojis back and forth like robots.

A guy who’s invested in you will steer the conversation by asking follow-up questions. Something deeper than “How’s your day?” (because let’s be real—no one wants to answer that.)

He’ll ask about your favorite music, movies, childhood vacations, hopes, and dreams! This shows active listening and care.

Pro tip: mirror him by asking thoughtful Q’s back. Don’t just unload details about your improv class and leave him ghosted. Engage the man!

4. He Texts at Odd Hours

Texting conversations that only happen between 9 and 5 He’s treating you like a colleague, not a crush.

A guy who’s falling for you will text outside the boring old business hours. Seeing a message from him late at night or on Sunday morning puts a smile on your face and makes your day!

Getting a text from him late at night or super early in the morning shows you’re on his mind during the usual friend times.

When a guy texts you hours after a typical conversation ends, it’s a clue you’re on his mind. He’s chilling on the couch, catching up on shows, cooking a late dinner, or laying in bed, and he decides to reach out to you spontaneously.

Now, his late-night “hey” text doesn’t automatically mean he’s imagining you as his future wifey, baking muffins in the kitchen of your dream house while your golden retriever snuggles at your feet. Mostly kidding! He could just be bored, and you happened to pop into his head.

But consistent late texts do reveal you’re becoming an important part of his day, not just a fleeting blip. They show he wants to nurture your bond. And that he associates you with comfort and happiness—the kind of things he wants on his mind before drifting off to sleep!

Sure, everyone gets busy and can’t always reply instantly. But a consistent pattern of quick responses means you are a priority to him.

Meanwhile, a guy who Consistently Takes Hours or days to get back to you? Send that man directly to voicemail jail. You deserve someone who’s excited to chat with you!

6. He Opens Up

Small talk is boring. You want a MAN who skips the shallow texts and gets intimate!

When a guy truly likes and trusts you, he’ll confide more personal details, like a drama with his sister, getting passed over for a promotion, or his weird obsession with Star Wars.

This emotional availability shows he feels comfortable being vulnerable with you. It’s a green light that he sees you as girlfriend material!

Pro tip: open up right back. Build intimacy by sharing your own weird papaya obsession.

7. He Gets Flirty

One of the biggest signs a guy likes you over text is that he’ll flirthttps://news.ku.edu/2020/09/09/new-study-asks-flirting-real-and-shows-flirting-can-work'>²!

You’ll notice the tone becomes more playful, even banter-y. He might tease you about always being late when you meet up or how you weirdly love pineapple on pizza. Inside jokes emerge that only the two of you understand.

The texts get a little sweeter, too. You’ll receive genuine compliments about how beautiful your smile looked the other night or how he loves the way you laugh at his ridiculous jokes.

He’ll reminisce about fun moments together, maybe telling you again how much fun he had spending time with you on your last date.

These cute, sentimental textshttps://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_tips_for_reading_emotions_in_text_messages'>³ indicate he’s very attracted to you. He’s making an effort to let you know specifically what he likes about you, going beyond boring “hey, what’s up” texts.

Some especially flirty guys will get super spicy and start sexting if they have strong feelings. You might want to reciprocate if you feel comfortable doing so.

But be cautious here too! As amazing as you are, don’t let a new guy cross your boundaries or overtly sexualize you too fast. Make sure he still shows you respect while flirting.

If he can balance sweet compliments, fun banter, and respect, he’s probably really feeling you. Let yourself get excited when he flirts over text! But don’t lose yourself; you deserve adoration and self-worth from a partner.

Remember, no matter how hard he’s crushing, you must set the pace for sexual intimacy based on your comfort. A good guy will honor that. Keep communicating your needs openly!

Conclusion: How Guys Text When They Like You

Figuring out if someone is feeling you over text can be confusing AF. However, paying attention to texting patterns and content can provide valuable insight into his intentions and level of interest.

Each guy has his own unique texting style. Some are meticulous grammarians, while others throw in emojis like confetti. Some text compulsively, while others keep it minimal.

The key is not to get hung up on any one texting sign. Instead, look at the overall picture and timeline of your communication. It’s easy to over-analyze one emoji-less text and assume he’s gone cold. But if the previous weeks show consistent interest and effort, don’t stress about one anomalous message. Look at the patterns.

Listen to your instincts as well. You’ll get a “vibe” or gut feeling about his level of interest from the energy between you two. Don’t ignore red flags just because you want it to work. But also, give a genuinely nice guy a chance if the patterns are positive overall, but he’s not a perfect texter.

Most importantly, don’t waste time making excuses for guys who don’t put in the effort. You deserve more than leftover crumbs of attention. Hold out for someone truly interested who prioritizes chatting with you.

Healthy, mutual relationships are built on open communication and genuine interest from both people. If you’re not getting that consistently, move on. The right person will be excited to talk to you frequently and get to know you better.

Trust the process. Pay attention to patterns. Go with your gut. Don’t settle. You’ve got this dating thing on lock!

FAQ: How Guys Text When They Like You

Q. What if we just started dating? Is it too soon for him to text a lot?

In the early stages, it’s normal for him to text frequently to show interest. But don’t confuse the quantity of texts with quality. He could just be bombarding you before revealing he’s actually a bore. Or married. Make sure the conversations have depth too.

Q. What if he takes forever to reply but his texts are super flirty?

Ugh, mixed signals are the worst! But here’s a sad truth: no matter how witty his banter is, if he’s regularly taking 8–12 hours to respond, you’re not a top priority. Give your attention to someone who replies within a day.

Q. Am I being needy if I always text first? Should I wait for him?

Don’t play games trying to follow arbitrary texting “rules”! If you want to talk to the guy, reach out. If he’s into you, he’ll appreciate you initiating and continuing to ask questions to keep the conversation flowing.

Q. What if he only texts late at night? Is he just trying to hook up?

Not necessarily! He could work long hours and only have the mental energy to chat in the evenings. Pay attention to the content—is he asking you deep questions or just lazily hitting on you with eggplant emojis? Have an actual conversation before assuming he just wants a booty call.

Q. How do I tell if he’s smiling and happy when texting me?

LOL, unless you secretly installed spyware on his phone, you can’t tell his facial expressions. But you CAN tell he’s in a good mood if he’s using exclamation marks, emojis, humor, etc. Rely more on the vibe of your chats, not imagined visuals.

Q. What’s the #1 sign a guy isn’t interested over text?

Easy—he flakes on plans or never initiates them in the first place! You can have the most scintillating text banter ever, but it doesn’t matter if he won’t actually ask you out. Don’t waste time on a man who won’t commit to a proper date!