Does He Like Me More than a Friend? — Signs He’s Catching Feelings

Sometimes, you just gotta know: “Does he like me romantically or am I just a friend?” Being in that confusing zone can be annoying. He might be texting you nonstop, and the next minute, you’re wondering if he’s like this with everyone. Does that extra-long hug mean something, or is he a hugger? Does he like me more than a friend?

Starting off as friends with someone you like can be quite the muddy waters to tread. You don’t want to assume he’s into you and make things awkward, but you also don’t want to miss the signs if he’s actually catching romantic feelings. Thankfully, there are actual signs that can help you figure out if he’s catching feelings or if you’re still in the friend zone.

Below, we discuss 20 signs that show he might want to take things from casual friendship into a romantic relationship.

Communication Patterns

1. He Initiates Contact Frequently

When a guy likes you more than a friend, he’ll find reasons to talk to you all the time. Good morning texts and good night texts are all signs of someone who wants to maintain constant contact.

If he’s the one starting most of your conversations, that’s huge. Friends don’t usually need to check in constantly. But when someone’s into you, they can’t help themselves. They want to stay connected and be part of your day, even if it’s just through a screen.

2. His Texting Style Changes

Pay attention to how he texts you now versus when you first started talking. Does he use more emojis now? Does he send longer messages? Does he double-text when you don’t respond right away?

When a guy starts caring about more than friendship, his texting gets more thoughtful. He won’t send you one-word replies or reply late to your texts. This behavior means he’s showing interest beyond what a casual friend would.

3. He Remembers Even the Small Things

When someone’s interested in you romantically, they pay attention to the little things. They remember random facts about you, not because they have a great memory but because you matter to them. Your likes, dislikes and random stories stick in their brain because they’re genuinely focused on you. These small details are what separate a close friend from someone who’s romantically interested.

Quality Time & Attention

4. He Makes Excuses to Spend Time Alone with You

When a guy wants more than friendship, he’ll find ways to get you alone. Group hangs are cool and all, but he’s constantly looking for one-on-one time. He’ll suggest opportunities to connect with you without the distraction of other friends around.

Solo time means deeper connection, more eye contact and a chance to see if there’s really something there between you two. This one-on-one preference is a major sign that he wants to explore a deeper level of connection.

Related reading: 14 Undeniable Signs the Universe Wants You to Be With Someone

5. He Prioritizes You in His Schedule

Does he cancel plans to hang out with you? Does he rearrange his day when you’re free? This is huge.

Friends are flexible about when you hang out; they’ll catch you next week if this week doesn’t work. But when a guy’s into you, he makes time happen, even when his schedule is packed. You’re not an option in his calendar; you’re a priority. He’s making plans specifically around your availability, which is a strong indicator of romantic interest.

6. He’s Fully Present When You’re Together

There are times when someone’s with you, but they’re really not. They might be scrolling on their phone, looking around the room, half-listening to what you’re saying. Yeah, he won’t be doing that.

When he likes you, he’s locked in. His phone stays in his pocket. He’s making eye contact, laughing at your jokes and is actually engaged in the conversation. You have his full attention because, in that moment, nothing else matters more than being with you. This level of presence is a clear sign he cares deeply about you.

7. He Introduces You to Important People in His Life

When a guy brings you around his close friends, his family, or people who matter to him, he’s testing the waters. He wants to see how you fit into his world.

Friends get introduced to the group, sure, but there’s a different vibe when someone’s being introduced as more than that. He’ll watch how you interact with his people, and his people will probably be watching too, because they know what’s up. This is his way of seeing if you could fit into his life as more than just friends.

Physical Cues and Body Language

8. His Body Language Shifts Around You

Body language doesn’t lie. If he likes you, his whole posture changes when you’re nearby. He’ll lean in when you talk, angle his body toward you and mirror your movements without even realizing it.

Watch for the subtle things: Does he play with his hair? Touch his face? Stand a little closer than necessary? Pay attention to these subtle cues; they often reveal more than words ever could.

9. He Finds Reasons to Touch You

No, not the creepy touching that feels like harassment. I mean those light, casual touches that feel almost accidental but totally aren’t.

Physical touch is one of the clearest signs someone wants to be more than friends. If he’s touchy with you but not with other friends, that’s your answer right there. This is a big sign that separates you from everyone else in his life.

10. He Maintains Prolonged Eye Contact

Eye contact can feel intense, and that’s kind of the point. When a guy holds your gaze longer than normal, like he’s really looking at you, it’s a sign he’s interested.

Science supports this, too. Looking into someone’s eyes releases oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone.” People naturally maintain eye contact longer with people they’re attracted to. So if you catch him staring and he doesn’t immediately look away, he’s probably caught feelings. This behavior shows he’s drawn to you on a deeper level.

11. He Gets Nervous or Fidgety

This might sound odd, but when a guy likes someone, he can get awkward. Even confident guys get nervous around their crush. He might fumble his words, laugh at weird times, or seem a little off his game.

Why? Because you make him self-conscious (in a good way!). He’s thinking about how he comes across, worrying if he’s being cool enough, hoping he’s making you laugh. That nervous energy is a dead giveaway that he cares deeply about what you think of him and sees you differently than other friends.

Emotional Support and Connection

12. He Opens up about Personal Things

When guys start sharing deep stuff, like their fears, their dreams, family issues, things they don’t tell just anyone, that’s a big deal. It means they trust you and want you to know the real them, not just the surface version everyone else sees.

Opening up emotionally is vulnerable, and people typically don’t do that with someone they only see as a friend. If he’s telling you things he doesn’t share with the group, he’s building an emotional connection. This emotional intimacy creates a safe space where both of you can be vulnerable, which is essential for any romantic relationship.

“It’s not always easy to talk with a partner about your inner life, and it takes time to build a foundation of talking about deep and personal topics, [but] it’s worth it to foster more trust and openness in the relationship.”

Dr Amanda Forest, psychologist.

13. He’s Genuinely Interested in Your Life

When someone’s romantically interested, they want to know everything about you. Your day, your thoughts, your feelings: all of it matters to them. They’re actively trying to understand who you are and what makes you tick through every conversation. A guy friend likes you more than just a friend when he remembers even the small things about your life and follows up on them.

14. He Supports You Consistently and Cares About Your Well-being

He shows up when you need him, even for the small stuff, too. If you had a bad day at work, he’s sending you memes to cheer you up. If you mentioned that you have a presentation, he’s checking in to see how it went. Feeling stressed? He’s offering to help however he can.

This consistent emotional support shows he cares about your happiness and well-being. Friends support each other, obviously, but when someone goes above and beyond repeatedly, it’s because they’re emotionally invested in you more deeply.

15. He Gets Protective (not Possessive)

There’s a difference here, and it’s important. Protective means he looks out for you. He walks you to your car at night, makes sure you get home safe and stands up for you if someone’s being rude. Possessive means jealous, controlling and crossing boundaries. We’re talking about the first one.

When a guy cares about you romantically, he wants to make sure you’re okay. Not because he owns you, but because your safety and comfort matter to him. He wants to protect your well-being because you matter to him on a deeper level than other friends.

Romantic Signals

16. He Compliments You Beyond the Superficial

Sure, “you look nice” is great. But does he compliment things that go deeper? Your sense of humor, your intelligence, the way you handled a tough situation and your kindness toward others?

When someone notices the things that make you you, not just how you look, they’re seeing you as a whole person they admire. These meaningful compliments show he’s paying attention to who you are at your core, which is definitely more than friend vibes. He’s noticing things that other guys might overlook.

17. He Shows Signs of Jealousy Around Other Guys

A little jealousy can actually be a good indicator that he likes you.  If he seems bothered when you mention other men or other women in your life, it’s because he has strong feelings for you.

Jealousy (the healthy kind, not the toxic possessive kind) shows he doesn’t want to lose you to someone else. He’s worried about competition because he wants you for himself. Just make sure it stays on the healthy side and doesn’t cross into controlling territory.

Related reading: Unconditional Love—Fantasy or Reality?

18. He Hints at a Future with Plans Together

If he’s talking about future plans that include you, then he’s likely catching feelings. When someone sees you in their future, even in casual ways, it means they’re thinking long-term.

Friends make plans too, but there’s something different about the same way he says it, like he’s imagining a future where you’re still a part of his life in a bigger way. He’s making plans that suggest a deeper desire to have you in his life beyond casual friendship.

19. He Treats You Differently from Other Friends

Pay attention to how he acts around you and how he acts around everyone else. Is he more attentive? More thoughtful? Does he remember details about your conversations that he’d probably forget with other friends?

If he treats you differently from how he treats his other friends, you’re special to him, and even if he hasn’t said it out loud yet, his actions are showing it. This is one of the signs that separate friendly behavior from romantic interest, when you’re treated as a love interest rather than just a friend.

20. He’s Testing the Waters with Subtle Questions

Maybe he makes subtle flirty comments and sees how you respond. Maybe he casually mentions what it’d be like if you two dated. Maybe he asks questions like “what’s your type?” or “would you ever date a friend?”

All these are ways of testing the waters without fully putting himself out there. He might be trying to gauge your interest before making a move because he doesn’t want to risk the friendship if you’re not feeling the same way. This playful teasing and questioning is a strong indicator of romantic interest.

What to Do Next When a Man Shows That He Might Like You More Than a Friend

Okay, so you’ve noticed some (or all the signs). Now what? First, check in with yourself and your own feelings: do you like him back? If you’re interested, try giving him some signals too. Flirt a little, touch his arm when you’re laughing, maintain eye contact.

And if you want to be direct (which, honestly, is the best approach), just talk to him about it. Yeah, it’s scary, but it’s better than wondering for months and giving mixed signals. Before you have this conversation, reflect on your past relationships and what you want in a romantic relationship. Consider whether you want to move from just friends to something more, or if you’re happy with the current dynamic.

Your love life is in your hands. If you feel that deeper connection and you’ve noticed strong feelings developing, it might be time to have an honest conversation about where this could go. After all, the best relationships often start with a solid foundation of friendship, and sometimes, that guy friend who’s been there all along is actually your perfect match.

Related reading: Signs He Wants a Serious Relationship with You