Finding the right dating app openers can make all the difference. In a sea of profiles and short attention spans, a strong opening message helps you stand out and get the conversation going. Whether you’re aiming to meet in real life, go beyond just a swipe right, or skip straight to a deeper convo, the best conversation starters reflect your personality. Some go for humor, others for thoughtful curiosity, and yes, a well-placed emoji can help, too.
In online dating, especially on busy platforms like Tinder, your opening message can be the difference between starting an interesting conversation and getting lost in the shuffle. Whether you’re saying good morning, asking about someone’s go-to karaoke song, or suggesting a clever date idea, the goal is to spark curiosity and connection. A great opener doesn’t just break the ice; it shows effort, personality, and the potential for a solid meet-up. Even a dating coach would agree: how you begin sets the tone for what could turn into something real.
| For men | For women |
| Funny and witty openers Lighthearted lines that break the ice with humor. “Do you believe in love at first swipe?” “Are you Wi-Fi? Because I’m feeling a connection.” “If we were a Netflix genre, would we be rom-com or horror?” | Funny and playful openers Confident, playful lines that are easy to respond to. “On a scale of 1 to 10, you’re a 9 and I’m the 1 you need.” “Are you trouble? Because I’m intrigued.” “What’s the funniest thing that happened to you this week?” |
| Thoughtful and genuine openers Questions that show curiosity and invite meaningful talk. “What’s the most interesting place you’ve traveled to?” “If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be?” “For what in your life are you most grateful?” | Genuine and intentional openers Thoughtful lines that show you’re here for real connection. “What’s a book that changed the way you look at life?” “What’s something you’re excited about this month?” “What’s a personal goal you’re working toward right now?” |
| Creative and unique openers Unexpected, clever prompts to spark curiosity. “If you could have any superpower for one day, what would it be?” “What song would you choose as the soundtrack of your life?” “If you were a character in a movie, who would you be?” | Shared interest openers Openers based on something noticeable in their profile. “I see you love hiking. Got any favorite trails?” “As a fellow foodie, what’s the best meal you’ve ever had?” “You have great taste in music. What’s your current go-to song?” |
| Compliment-based openers Sincere compliments that invite further talk. “Your profile pics are great. What’s your favorite memory from that trip?” “You’ve got an awesome smile. What usually makes you laugh?” “I love your passion for art. What’s your favorite piece you’ve seen?” | Bold and respectful openers Direct but considerate lines to move things forward. “Coffee or drinks this weekend?” “Hey, what’s one thing that always makes your day better?” “Quick, tell me your favorite weekend plan.” |
Tired of swiping with no real connections? Tawkify takes a fresh approach to the process. With handpicked matches tailored just for you and personalized introductions, we do the work so you can focus on what matters — meaningful connections.
When we’re deciding who to date, we often look for shared passions and common interests. If you notice your match has some interests that align with yours, try an opener about that!
Some examples of such openers include:
If you’re a man using Tinder, you’ve learned the hard way: It can be a challenge to get responses from the women you’re interested in. This is no surprise, really. Men far outnumber women on dating apps, so the women have many more options to choose from. Women get a lot more matches, which means they also end up getting all sorts of dry, boring introductory messages.
So, if you want to succeed in getting a conversation going with a woman, you need to get creative. You can use some of the options we’ve listed above, or you can try:
You should also try sticking to a few guiding principles. First of all, give the conversation a direction. Secondly, don’t make her figure out what to write.
You might also want to try using a GIF. Tinder experts claim that a GIF can boost your response rate by 30%!
Tired of swiping with no real connections? Tawkify takes a fresh approach to the process. With handpicked matches tailored just for you and personalized introductions, we do the work so you can focus on what matters — meaningful connections.
Women typically have an easier time getting responses on Tinder, but it still helps to lead with something fun and creative. Some examples include:
Give the conversation a clear direction, and don’t be shy about throwing a GIF out there. Guys love that.
While the examples above can help you get things going with your match, you should also be discerning about context. Are you writing in the morning? Are you writing in the evening? Is it the weekend? Adjust based on your particular circumstance.
Here’s a good morning message:
Try this evening message:
Or send this weekend message:
Keep in mind that most Tinder activity takes place between 5 p.m. and midnight, so your best bet is to send a message during those hours. If you catch someone while they’re online, you have a much better shot of taking messages off the app.
There are a few key pointers that will help you come up with the best opener.
The dos:
The don’ts:
A good opener is a great way to set yourself apart from a crowded field. Using some of the tips above can help you get there.
But here’s the thing: You really don’t need to overthink this. Be yourself. Send a message that comes from the heart and that speaks to the unique personality of the person you’ve matched with. And if you’re not having luck getting messages back, just keep trying. The right situation will emerge.
Want help beyond just the first message?
If you’re tired of guesswork and ready to find real, meaningful connections, Tawkify’s personalized matchmaking can take things to the next level. Skip the swiping and get matched with someone who truly aligns with what you’re looking for. Find your match with Tawkify.
Starting a conversation on Tinder can feel like high-stakes small talk, but the right opener can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for something serious or just want to spark a fun exchange, here are answers to the most common questions about Tinder openers.
A great opener is authentic, specific, and shows effort. It grabs attention with either humor, curiosity, or relevance to their profile, helping you stand out in a sea of generic messages.
Either can work. Humor builds instant rapport, while a thoughtful question shows genuine interest. The best choice depends on your personality and what kind of vibe you want to create.
Look for hints in their bio or photos. Comment on shared interests, ask about a hobby, or reference a trip they’ve posted about. It shows you paid attention, and that makes people more likely to respond.
Short and sweet usually works best. Aim for one or two engaging sentences that invite a reply without overwhelming the other person.
Skip overly generic greetings like “hey” or “what’s up,” anything too forward or inappropriate, and messages that feel copy-pasted. Originality and respect go a long way.
While men and women both benefit from creative, personalized messages, women tend to get more matches and therefore more messages. Men may need to work a bit harder to stand out, while women can benefit from initiating with something fun or unique.
Send it as soon as you’re ready. People are more likely to respond when they’re still active on the app. Waiting too long could mean your match forgets or moves on.
Absolutely. A great opener can break the ice, establish tone, and kick off a conversation that leads to a real connection or even a first date.
If you’ve ever been unsure of how to start texting a potential love interest, this article is for you. Rather than composing, then deleting, then composing countless versions of the same message—all in hopes of making a strong first impression—take a look at our list of good opening lines for texting a girl so that […]
When you’re online dating, you quickly find that not every message you send gets a response. Sure, sometimes your message might get lost in the mix, or someone forgets to reply, but if you’re routinely finding your messages are going unreplied, it might be time to change how you write your first messages on the […]
Online dating has many benefits, from convenience to being able to meet a wide variety of people. But one thing that has arisen in the digital dating age is catfishing. As you interact with people online in your journey to find your person, it’s crucial to know the signs of catfishing — not only to […]