How to Read Men’s Body Language of Attraction: 13 Essential Tips

Kabelo Masalesa
By Kabelo Masalesa Updated on: January 8, 2025 Fact Checked by Aleksandra Gojkovic

Body language reveals much about a man’s interest and feelings for you. We’ll reveal 13 essential tips on how to read men’s body language of attraction.

Short on Time? (Summary)

A guy will give off a lot of subtle signs when he finds you attractive. When you look out for these signs, you can tell if he’s attracted to you.

In this guide, we’ll explore the role of body language in attraction, how to understand body language and type of body language. We’ll also reveal the 13 ways to read a man’s body language to know if he’s attracted to you. 

Whether he’s a coworker, neighbor, friend, or crush, reading his body language will help you discern his feelings for you.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Body language reveals how a person feels about you.
  • Body language isn’t always universal because people act differently.
  • Observe how a guy usually acts around you so that you can easily detect unusual behaviors.
  • A guy will hold eye contact, lean towards you, mirror you, lick his lips, act nervously, or grin boyishly if he’s attracted to you.

The Role of Body Language in Attraction 

Body language is a non-verbal, powerful sign that communicates attraction. These signs may be subtle or obvious. Most of the time, we do not know when we give off these signs.

Body language plays a significant role in romance and attraction as it expresses one’s feelings towards a person, whether romantic or just sexual. Humans generally speak with their bodies, postures, gestures, and facial expressions. So, when a guy is too shy to tell you how he feels about you, he consciously and subconsciously conveys his interest in you through his body language.

Understanding Body Language

Understanding Body Language 

Body language isn’t always universal because people are different. For example, it is naturally believed that if you like someone, you’ll always maintain eye contact with them. This might not be the case if he’s autistic. So, if he avoids eye contact, it doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t have feelings for you. 

Before jumping to conclusions when reading body language, we recommend knowing how a particular guy usually acts around you so you can recognize unusual behaviors. For example: 

  • If he’s not usually a touchy person and suddenly reaches out to your hair or face, it most likely means he has feelings for you. 
  • On the other hand, if he’s usually touchy from the start, don’t read too much meaning into it. 

Types of Male Body Language 

Let’s take a closer look at some examples of male body language.

  • Facial expressions: His facial expressions will give you insight into his feelings. For example, if he’s smiling, smirking, nodding, or raising his eyebrows, it means he’s interested in you. Frowning, furrowing his brows, or a look of boredom signals that he might not be interested.
  • Posture: A guy’s posture can indicate his level of confidence. If he stands with his chest and shoulders out, it means he’s very confident. On the other hand, if he slouches, it signals a lack of confidence or interest. 
  • Eye Contact: As they say, the eyes are the windows to the soul. He will maintain direct eye contact with you if he’s attracted to you. 
  • Touch: Men use touch to show attraction and affection. His touch might become more intimate as the relationship progresses. 
  • Mirroring: During conversations, a person may subconsciously mirror the other person’s behaviors to establish rapport and familiarity.
  • Eye Movement: A guy who is attracted will give you a subtle or obvious look from up to down. If his eyes are fixated on one part of your body, say your chest, it indicates he’s sexually attracted to you.

13 Men’s Body Language That Shows Attraction 

Say you’re out on a date with someone you met on a dating site or somewhere in person and you’re trying to decipher his signals; these tips will let you know what he’s feeling.

Some of these tips will also help you know if a guy is checking you out or if he’s in love with you.

1. He Holds Eye Contact

Most people tend to show interest by maintaining eye contact as it creates a sense of intimacy and connection. His eye contact may be sustained or brief, depending on his level of confidence.

Over the years, studies have shown that prolonged eye contact can lead to the release of oxytocin, a love hormone responsible for the feeling of attraction.

Pro Tip: Holding eye contact says a lot more than words could ever. However, it’s important to note the facial expression and gesture behind the eye contact as it can also mean many other things.

2. He Raises His Eyebrows

Raising your eyebrows generally indicates interest or attraction to a particular thing. If a man raises his eyebrows and smiles while having a conversation with you or even looking at you from a distance, it could mean he finds you interesting and attractive. 

Most of the time, a guy doesn’t know he raised his brows. It may only last for a couple of minutes. This short-lived reaction shows that you have piqued his interest, even if you’re across the room. 

3. He Leans In

Leaning in is one of the most positive signs of attraction. When a man intentionally leans in while conversing with you, he’s essentially trying to reduce the physical space between you two and create a sense of intimacy and connection. 

So, if he deliberately leans in closer every time you’re having a conversation, there’s a high chance he’s really into you.

Pro Tip: It’s essential to take note of his stance when he’s leaning in because it might also mean aggression.

4. He Flares His Nostrils

Nose flaring could have several meanings. In some situations, it indicates how our body communicates our silent emotions and physical attraction. 

If a man flares his nostril during a conversation, it means he’s attracted to you and might want to take in your natural scent. It could also show how relaxed he feels around you.

Pro Tip: If you’re teasing him and you notice his nostrils are flared, it most likely means he’s angry and doesn’t enjoy those jokes, so you stop right away and apologize.

5. He Licks His Lips

When a man licks his lips, it is a sign of physical and even sexual attraction. He also wants to draw your attention to his lips. Most times, they lick their lips to make you think about kissing them. Licking his lips also means he’s drawn to you and charmed by your appearance. 

Pro Tip: If you’re also attracted to him and want to kiss him too, look at his lips when or after he licks them. Try mirroring that action too. This will signal to him that it’s okay for him to kiss you. 

6. He Mirrors You

Mirroring is a subconscious way of mimicking a person’s body movements, especially a person you’re interested in. When a man is talking to a woman he’s attracted to, he tends to mirror her body movements, such as:

  • Crossing his arms or legs when you do
  • Mimicking your posture
  • Touching his face when you do

If you notice he imitates your body language when you talk, it could be an indicator that he’s into you. 

Men blink less frequently when talking to a girl they are attracted to. They feel the need to maintain uninterrupted eye contact and connect with you on a deeper level. If you catch a man showing this body language, that’s a cue that he finds interest in you. 

8. He Tilts His Body Towards You

If he’s attracted to you, he might lean in or tilt his body just to pay attention to you. This is a signal that he wants to focus solely on you and grab your attention as well. So, if you’re in a bar or at a party and you notice someone repeatedly tilting his head or body towards you, chances are that he finds you attractive. 

9. He Appears Nervous

When a man is attracted to you, he might appear nervous around you. For example, he might: 

  • Struggle to get his words out
  • Adjust his tie now and then 
  • Fiddle with his fingers
  • Repeatedly touch an object 

This unease may come from a desire to impress or not to say the wrong thing. These small signs of anxiety can be an indicator that he cares about how you perceive him.

Pro Tip: We advise you to be patient and understanding during this anxious phase, as it will eventually fade away as you get closer.

10. His Grin is Boyish 

A boyish grin, sometimes followed by a slightly shy appearance, can signify attraction. It reflects a playful and light-hearted interest, as though he’s excited but trying not to show it too much. This type of smile can give away his inner feelings even if he hasn’t verbally expressed them yet.

11. His Pupils are Dilated

Dilated pupils can be a physiological response to attraction. When a man is genuinely captivated by you, his pupils widen as a sign of heightened interest and excitement. This subtle cue is often done unconsciously.

Pro Tip: Pay close attention to his pupils. The more dilated they are, the more attracted he is to you.

12. His Lips are Slightly Parted

When a man is attracted to you, he may unconsciously part his lips slightly when looking at you. This subtle movement can indicate interest and focus, indicating that his attention is fully on you. 

Slightly parting his lips is also a way of drawing your attention to them. It’s often paired with other signals, such as leaning forward or maintaining steady eye contact. 

13. His Tone is Soft 

A softer, gentler tone in his voice indicates his attraction. When speaking to you, a man’s voice may be lowered or softened to show warmth and intimacy. The shift in tone often signals a desire to create a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere.

Conclusion 

Remember that body language of attraction differs from person to person, so if you’re trying to interpret the body language of a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or crush, you should first consider his overall behaviors. For a stranger, you should not draw any conclusion until they clear the air.

Check out our recommendations of the best dating sites to find like-minded matches within your immediate vicinity or across the globe.

Kabelo Masalesa
Author Kabelo Masalesa

Kabelo Masalesa, 29, also known as Mr Fresh, is a Relationship Coach specializing in Emotional Focused Therapy (EFT) and Non Violent Communication (NVC). EFT helps individuals explore and understand their emotional responses and attachment styles in relationships, emphasizing the human need for connection and the reactions when it's at risk. NVC focuses on cultivating a non-violent, judgment-free communication style, enabling honest expression of deep feelings and needs through self-awareness, identifying emotions, recognizing personal needs, and effectively requesting them.