The key tell is if he's actively initiating dates and making plans, according to Battle. That's usually a sign that he genuinely likes you and wants to keep connecting, and there may actually be something there.
If someone pays attention, compliments, makes an effort, and spends time with you, those are some of the frequent indications to watch for to figure out if the guy likes you.
Guys flirt with girls they like. He might ask you for your number, then call you the next day. He may act playful, wink, and flash a smile at you. If most of your conversations feel flirty, then odds are that he likes you as more than just a friend.
Guys that are into you often use lots of emojis, text first, or even double text. Watch for in-person signs, like holding eye contact, respectful little touches, or leaning in close. A follow-up text after a date or hangout, or a raincheck when he can't make it are sure signs that he wants to spend more time with you.
Men who are interested in you will likely face directly toward you during conversation. Even if you're with a group, he might turn his whole torso to face you. Watch to see if he's trying to “close you off” and keep you to himself.
If a boy really has a crush on you, then he'll be likely to give you all of his attention. He'll turn his body toward you, make eye contact, and won't look around for his other friends or text them during your conversation (unless he uses his phone as a crutch because he's nervous).
He'll go out of his way to get close because he likes you so much. When you're hanging out together, he won't leave until you do. He'll always stick close to your side, whether you spend time together alone or in a group. He might even spontaneously show up places he knows you'll be just so he can see you.
Whenever a guy has a secret crush on you, he smiles and opens up. He smiles at you when you enter the room. You can notice his excitement for you, a tell-tale sign that he secretly likes you. Even on his worst days, your presence will brighten his day.
Smiles and sparks
You will often witness a spark in their eyes when they are looking at you or having a conversation with you. They will smile at you as if you are art personified. You can tell if someone likes you if you can sense them looking at you even when you are pretending not to notice.
A friendly guy will definitely make eye contact during conversation—it's only the polite thing to do, after all—but if he looks at you randomly from afar, he's interested. If you ever catch him trying to sneak a peek at a part of your body other than your eyes while you do talk, he's definitely interested.
Mirroring your behavior
When someone is attracted to you, they'll subconsciously adopt some of your mannerisms and behaviors. To create a bond or feel more aligned with you, your love interest might hold their coffee cup like you, use the same phrases you do, or even mimic your stance.
Men love women who are thoughtful, caring, loving and kind. A woman who does little things for her man for no other reason other than that she loves him. A woman who makes him smile back whenever she smiles at him. A woman who radiates love and warmth from her heart.
If he compliments your eyes, the color of your hair, your laugh, or an admirable aspect of your personality, then he's definitely flirting with you. He may even tease you a bit while flirting with you, like if he says something like, "That's the brightest sweater I have ever seen," but he's still flirting with you.
Men can be pretty obvious when it comes to their body language. If he likes you, he'll be very open with his body. He'll likely face you. He might also lean in when he talks to you.
If he notices you've trimmed your hair, got another ear piercing or changed your nail paint, he's definitely got a soft spot for you. If someone is teasing you, making a joke about you (even in jest) or acting disrespectfully towards you, he will be the first one to sweep in and stand up for you.
Another sign that a boy likes you is when he makes a lot of effort to make you feel special. Guys are good at that when they are in love. They will do everything to touch the heart of the girls they like. They serve, give gifts, send sweet messages, and be there for these ladies whenever needed.
They are interested in what you have to say and ask you lots of questions. They laugh at your jokes, even the lame ones. They initiate physical contact. They try to find space where you can talk more privately (this does not always mean sex, but it often means they wish for more quality time with you).
When a guy likes you but is hiding it, he'll find reasons and excuses to talk to you. That way, he can use these instances as opportunities to get to know you better, but they're under the guise of him trying to get other information about a different topic.