What a Woman’s Body Language Says About Her Interest

Is the woman you like also into you? Unsure? Look at her body language; it’s telling you the answer.

Communication involves more than words. In the 1970s, Albert Mehrabian claimed that 7% of personal communication depends on verbal cues, 38% on tone of voice, and the majority (55%) on body language. He concluded that for communication to be effective, one must focus on how a person speaks and behaves (Smith 2023).

That said, read on to understand a woman’s body language and know where her interest lies.

8 Indicators to Unveil a Woman's Interest

What does it mean when a woman laughs a lot when you’re together? What if she plays with her hair? Are these huge signs a woman is attracted to you, or are you reading too much into her actions?

Research shows that men can experience “stress, anxiety, and tiredness due to mood swings and undetermined body language portrayed by women” (Lu 2022).

Avoid these consequences. Learn the kinds of body language women show when attracted to a man:

1. She maintains eye contact.

Intense eye-gazing can signify strong attraction. A woman who likes you will try to hold her gaze and maintain steady eye contact.

This confident body language in women demonstrates engagement and interest.

2. She smiles and laughs a lot when she’s with you.

Does she often smile at you? Does she laugh at your jokes, even if they’re not funny? If so, it could be a sign of interest.

But how do you know if it’s a genuine smile? It could be out of politeness or even contempt. According to Erin Heerey, a researcher from Bangor University in Wales, you can tell through a person’s eyes or at least the area around them. She says that a genuine smile creates laugh lines or tiny wrinkles in the corner of a person’s eyes (Mapes 2011).

3. She is relaxed around you.

If a woman makes the body language gesture of stretching her arms above her head, it indicates that she feels comfortable with you. Perhaps even interested in you. The same applies when her arms are uncrossed, her posture is upright, and her shoulders are relaxed.

4. She mirrors your body language.

According to a Forbes article, mirroring, when done in a business setting, can be one way to know whether you've built trust and rapport with a prospective client.

A previous study from researchers at the University of Parma in Italy supports this, as mirroring reflects our intentions and feelings.

Why not apply this concept in the context of dating? Cross your legs or change your arm position. See if she does the same. If so, she’s subtly showing interest.

5. She initiates or reciprocates physical touch.

If she takes the initiative to engage in casual physical touch or responds positively to your attempts, it could signify a notable level of interest.

6. She tries to be closer to you.

A woman who is uninterested in you will not give you her time. But if she’s interested in you, she will actively listen while you’re talking about your experiences and aspirations. She will lean forward a little or nod from time to time. She will rest her head on one hand. She will ask questions and show genuine interest in whatever you say. At times, she will even engage in playful teasing to feel closer to you.

7. She plays with her hair.

Women have the mannerism to play with their hair to draw attention to their femininity. They may twirl their hair, run their fingers through it, or playfully adjust their hairstyle while looking at or talking to the man they’re interested in. Try to observe if the one you’re interested in does the same.

8. She is nervous and fidgety.

While that’s not always the case, some women can be pretty nervous and fidgety around someone they like. This has something to do with the hormone dopamine, which rapidly increases when you see someone you’re attracted to.

When she’s nervous, a woman’s body language would include adjusting clothes, fiddling with her jewelry, and touching her neck.

5 Signs a Woman Isn’t Into You

A woman’s body language can also show her disinterest. Keep an eye out for these five signs that may indicate so:

1. She doesn’t make an effort.

Most people want to impress the person they like by making themselves presentable. If she does not dress up and put her make-up on, it could mean she’s not interested in you.

2. She pulls away from your touch.

Sometimes, a woman withdraws or avoids subtle touches because she wants to set boundaries. Watch out for body language, like putting her hands behind her back or covering her chest.

3. She doesn’t initiate conversations.

Are you doing most of the talking while she remains unresponsive? Are you the one consistently initiating texts and calls while she only gives you minimal responses? It's a telling sign. Typically, even if a woman’s body language is reserved, she will still try to initiate conversations if she is interested in you.

4. She’s not interested in your stories.

If she doesn’t engage with you while you’re sharing your experiences, it could be that she’s not interested in you. You would also notice that she’s on her phone while you’re talking.

5. She maintains a significant distance between you.

When a woman has her hands behind her back and tilts her body away from you, she might not be comfortable with your presence. Her distance from you communicates her feelings towards you.

Better Communication Leads to a Better Understanding

While the ability to read a woman’s body language is valuable for understanding her thoughts and feelings, these signs aren’t always definite proof. You also have to consider other factors. Everyone's body language and communication style can vary. Avoid making assumptions based solely on her actions.

The most effective approach to understanding her true feelings is to have an open and direct conversation with her. Encourage her to be honest and transparent, emphasizing your desire to avoid making assumptions about her emotions.