How to Tell a Girl You Like Her

Drop some hints.

Give her a few compliments about her outfit or her nice laugh. Tell her about a pretty flower you saw that made you think of her at the park today. If you give enough hints as to how you’re feeling, she’ll be better prepared for when you tell her you like her. Try saying some things like, “I saw a gorgeous rose bush on my walk earlier today. It made me think of you!” Or, “You have the best smile I’ve ever seen.” Try to pay attention to how she reacts to these compliments. If she smiles and laughs, it’s a good sign!

Set a deadline for yourself.

It will give you the motivation you need. If you’ve been thinking about this girl for a while, try setting a deadline for when you’re going to tell her that you like her. It doesn’t have to be immediately, but it should be within the next few weeks at least. To really hold yourself accountable, try writing it down in your planner or setting a reminder on your phone.

Pump yourself up first.

Remind yourself of how awesome you are for a confidence boost. You could write a list or just say things out loud to yourself. You don’t have to get cocky, but try saying things like: “This is gonna go well.” “We’ll be friends no matter what.” “Even if she doesn’t like me back, I’ll feel better after I’ve said it.”

Tell her in person, if possible.

Try to approach her when she’s alone and not busy. If you two are friends, you can suggest hanging out one on one. If you don’t know her that well, try to catch her when she’s by herself at school or work. You don’t have to be completely isolated (that’s a little scary!), but try not to confess your feelings around a group of friends. Try going for a walk in the park or meeting up in the food court at a mall. You could say something like, “Hey, do you wanna hang out after school today?” When you’re making plans to meet up, don’t say, “I need to talk to you.” She might think you have something bad to say.

Text her if you can’t meet up in person.

This can help if you live far away or you’re feeling shy. It’s a little less scary since you won’t be talking to her in person. Try having a light, casual conversation over text before you dive into your feelings for her. Phone calls and video chats are good options, too! If you’re texting her, send something like, “I know it’s weird to say this over text but I really like you.”

Write her a note to be romantic.

Then, drop it in her locker or on her desk. Throw in a few compliments, explain how much you like her, and sign it with your name. If she likes you back, it’s a sweet note to read that will probably make her blush (in a good way). Try writing something like, “Dear Anna, I really like hanging out with you, and I feel like we get along well. I think I like you—do you like me too? Dylan.” But be cautious and try not to sound eager cause they might think it's a bet.

Simply say, “I like you.”

It’s clear and direct, so she’ll definitely get the message. If you’ve been chatting for a little bit, pause the conversation and look into her eyes. Say, “Hey, I really like you,” then wait for her reaction. You could also say something like, “So, I’ve been meaning to tell you: I think I have feelings for you.” Or, “Y’know, I’ve been thinking, and I’m pretty sure I like you a lot.”

Ask her if she likes you.

This is a nice way to test the waters if you’re nervous. If she’s been giving you hints but you aren’t exactly sure, ask her if she has feelings for you. She might be a little nervous to answer this question, so you can reassure her with your feelings right afterward. For example, you could say, “So, we’ve been hanging out a lot lately. Do you like me?” Or, “Hypothetically, if I asked you if you liked me, what would you say?”

Ask to be more than friends.

Make your intentions clear as you confess your feelings. Instead of just saying you like her, you can ask her if she’d be open to dating you (or even becoming your girlfriend). Try asking something like: “Have you ever thought about being more than friends?” “I think I’d like to take our relationship to the next level. Could we be more than friends?”

Tell her you can’t stop thinking about her.

Let her know how much she really means to you. If the chemistry between you two is really strong, this is a good option to choose. You can even throw a few other compliments in there, like: “Whenever I think about you, I catch myself smiling. I really like you.” “I just can’t get you off my mind. I think I have feelings for you.”

Tell her how awesome she is.

Explain why you like her as you tell her about your feelings. This might make her blush, which is a great sign! Don’t go overboard—one or two compliments is probably enough. Say something like: “You’re just so fun to hang out with, and I love your sense of style. I really like you a lot.” “You’re so easy to talk to, and I feel like I’ve known you for years. I think I like you.”

Ask her out on a date.

Go bold by planning a fun activity for the two of you. Instead of dropping your feelings and running, you can take the next step by inviting her out. This is a great one to choose if you’re texting or you can’t hang out for long. Say something like, “So, I really like you. I was wondering if you’d want to catch a movie with me on Saturday.” Or, “I think I like you. I’d love to take you out for dinner tomorrow night.”

Try to maintain your friendship no matter what.

She might not like you back, and that’s okay. You can confess your feelings without ruining your friendship. If you feel up to it, try to continue your friendship the same way it was before. That way, you won’t lose her completely. Just because you told her you like her doesn’t necessarily mean anything needs to change. You can still do the same stuff you used to, like hanging out, texting, or spending time together in school. If the girl doesn’t like you back, she might also want a little space afterwards. Try not to take it personally, and let her know that you’re around to be her friend whenever she’s ready.

Be respectful of her decision.

She might like you back, or she might not. Rejection is never fun to deal with, and it doesn’t mean you aren’t a likeable person—you two just weren’t meant to be. You can continue being friends, or you can take some time for yourself to get over your feelings if you need to. Try focusing on other things you enjoy, like your hobbies or playing sports. They can help you work through your feelings in a healthy way.