The 60 Best Hinge Prompts That Will Break the Ice in the Least Awkward Way, According to Relationship Experts

The best way to truly succeed on a dating app is by being transparent. This is one of the best Hinge prompts because it allows you to give your potential suitor a little glimpse of what it’s like to be with you. If you’re more of the spontaneous type, then maybe dating you is like a day at the amusement park. If you’re more laid-back, then perhaps it’s like a being at the beach at sunset. You can also always make the answer super sarcastic so that people are forced to dig deeper.

What you can say:

• A hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter day.
• Finding a pair of jeans that fit perfectly on the first try, and they’re on sale!
• Waking up and discovering you have another two hours of sleep before you have to get up.

Were you homeschooled throughout elementary school? Did you dislocate your clavicle at your best friend’s bat mitzvah? This is the chance to share that. “Answering this prompt is excellent because it helps create some vulnerability and is a simple conversation starter,” says Leadingham. But don’t feel like you’re beholden to the serious topics. If your one surprising fact is that you once snuck in to watch Justin Bieber: Never Say Never in theaters back in 2011, by all means, let people know that. Remember, your person is going to love you no matter how questionable your past decisions are.

What you can say:

• I can parallel park in three moves.
• I can’t whistle.
• That I’m still single, duh.

Whether it’s running the New York City Marathon or visiting your college roommate in London, sharing what you want to do in the next year can be an excellent conversation starter. Maybe they ran the marathon in 2018 and want to go on a training run with you. Maybe their mom was born in London and they can recommend the best neighborhood to stay in. Sharing your goals for the upcoming year says a lot about who you are as a person and what kinds of things matter to you.

What you can say:

• Get back into playing tennis.
• Rewatch New Girl for the twentieth time.
• Go to the Taylor Swift ‘Eras Tour’

When dating, we’re always urged to look for red flags. But when it comes to answering Hinge prompts you don’t want to possibly intimidate a match by listing all the things you hate. That’s why this is a helpful prompt. It shows that you’re open and are looking for ways to let people in as opposed to reasons to shut them out.

What you can say:

• A great relationship with your dog.
• Dedication to self-awareness.
• When you treat service workers with respect.

The best Hinge prompts were made so people get an idea of who you are. For the most part, they’re lighthearted and fun and will get a casual conversation going. This particular prompt can be all that, but it also gives you an opportunity to genuinely think about what you’re actually looking for. It’s easy to go with the motions without really taking the time to evaluate your own needs and this prompt gives you some time to stop and think. Granted, your answer still doesn’t have to be super deep, but if you want to be with someone who is of the same faith or believes in saving the environment, this would be the prompt for you to express that.

What you can say:

• Looks at me the way I look at pizza.
• Doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
• Would be open to an open relationship.

Here’s a chance to show off your domain of expertise. Maybe you spent a gap year backpacking through Europe, and now your friends are mining you for tips. Or perhaps you’re the go-to person when someone feels frustrated at work and needs a measured head for advice. Whatever it is, this can be a potential commonality for you and your date to bond over.

What you can say:

• The best way to backpack through Europe.
• How to make their next career move.
• Navigating tricky family dynamics.

Ahh the shower, the sacred place where most philosophizing happens. Answers for this prompt range anywhere from, “We’ve all been in the presence of a serial killer before” to “I’ve never actually heard a baby say ‘Goo goo gaa gaa.’” The best part about this prompt is that it often brings up little tidbits that people never really stop to analyze, so you can expect a lot of enthusiastic messages stemming from this one.

What you can say:

• Aliens invaded the moon on July 20th, 1969.
• The skin on your elbow is called your weenus.
• One day your parents put you down and never picked you up again.

“The response to this statement can show a person’s level of adventure and can create a great connection,” explains Leadingham. So, if you’re the type to live life without a schedule—unplanned trips, wedding crashing, random street performances—you should probably answer it. Your partner in crime would be thrilled for a chance to embark on those excursions with you.

What you can say:

• Streaked down a hotel hallway.
• Went skydiving for my best friend’s bachelorette.
• Asked my high school crush to prom.

Are you a Sunday morning go-getter or do you prefer to sleep until mid-afternoon? Revealing what your typical weekend looks like is a quick way to see how compatible your schedules are right off the bat. Because let’s face it: If you like sleeping in late before a leisurely brunch and their idea of happiness is waking up at the crack of dawn for a long bike ride, you might be on different pages in other aspects of your lives, too.

What you can say:

• Sleeping until noon and then Uber Eats-ing a bagel with cream cheese.
• Sunrise hike, baby.
• Brunch and then finding somewhere to watch the Giants play.

This one’s for all the anxious folks out there. Maybe you don’t truly believe that an AC unit is going to fall and hit you on the head, but as your match laughs, you can bring up the fact that you have anxiety in a light-hearted manner. If they’re willing to listen and perhaps share that they too have dealth with mental health issues, then you know they have some serious potential. “This statement helps [a match] understand [your] mindset,” states Leadingham. “Depending on the answer, this can be really hilarious or actually create some vulnerability with a person’s truth.”

What you can say:

• Falling down a manhole in Manhattan.
• A room full of people singing happy birthday to me.
• Swallowing watermelon seeds because I was told watermelons will sprout in my belly.

“I’ve seen people answer this in two ways: Some people can get pretty bitter, or they can be honest,” says Leadingham. “Sticking to the positive is always a good thing for answering any online dating questions.” That means instead of answering with something as bleak as “cheat on me like my ex did” you can respond with “be honest” or “be transparent,” which allows people to gauge your boundaries without oversharing or giving a negative connotation about your dating history. Not all information is for everyone after all.

What you can say:

• Agree to tell my grandma we met at the supermarket.
• Feel free to be yourself always.
• Are not afraid to tell me the truth, no matter how much it may hurt my feelings.

No matter how comfortable you are talking to each other online when it comes to planning the actual date, things can be uncertain. This is one of the best Hinge prompts that will help your crush out by listing some of your favorite haunts. It gives them the opportunity to look those places up and see if they’d be down to go on a first date. If you’re a regular at museums, animal shelters or the gym, there’s an opportunity to introduce them to a new activity—and that’s always intriguing.

What you can say:

• Pure Barre because nothing beats an early morning workout.
• Comedy clubs around the city.
• The artisan donut shop by my house.

Do you put mustard on Oreos like Lizzo? Are you quick to tear up like Kristen Bell? Well, your very own Chris Evans (fingers crossed) or Dax Shepard are out there and would totally love that about you. “This prompt is really cute because it helps you focus on your unique qualities,” says Leadingham. “That commonality will help create a deeper connection online.” Picture yourself finally talking to someone who understands that you’ll always cry whenever you hear Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” playing. How sublime.

What you can say:

• Treat your pet like your actual child.
• You pour your milk before the cereal.
• You don’t take down your Christmas tree until the end of January.

Travel is at an all-time high right now and baecations have never been hotter. If you are a travel buff, how someone answers this question will let you know whether or not you’d want to be on a trip with them. Do they know when to buy tickets in order to get the best discounts? Are they an activity planner or do they just wing it? Do they act like a real tourist or do they like hanging with the locals? These are all questions that can make or break a trip so it’s best to know early on.

What you can say:

• Exploring your neighborhood.
• A trip to Belgium.
• A trip to your country of origin.

You can never go wrong with a classic, and this is a sure way to engage a person in a fun way. To make things interesting, try not to put answers that are so outrageous they’re unbelievable. Instead, go for responses that still have that shock value, but can totally be true. Something like, “I went to Europe on a class trip in high school. I’m petrified of clowns. I read my horoscope religiously.” All three are plausible, but perhaps you’re one of the few brave souls who aren’t freaked out by Bozo’s inordinately large feet.

What you can say:

• I grew up on a farm. I won a tennis city championship in high school. I wear a tiara when I clean.
• I’ve never watched When Harry Met Sally. My parents didn’t let me date until I was 18. I was vegan for two years.
• My dad has my name tattooed on his chest. I have a twin. I was once stung by a jellyfish.

We all have that one topic that we completely lose our minds over and are ready and willing to debate about. Be it Harry Potter movies, ‘90s boy bands (98 Degrees was underrated and that’s that!) or going all out for Halloween or Christmas, it’s worth letting potential suitors know what excites you because odds are, they geek out on something too.

What you can say:

• Mariah Carey songs at any karaoke bar.
• The Kardashians (sorry, not sorry).
• The Lord of the Rings trilogy and its spinoffs.

As Ury has previously advised, it’s best to skip the small talk. “Your profile should be an extension of your personality, so lean in to both your silly side and your more serious one,” she tells PureWow. “You’re not just one thing. Regularly refreshing your profile with new information about yourself will help you get more matches and likes.” So, what better way to lean into both the serious and the silly than with a question like this? Whether your life goal is to live in Portugal for a year or have a pint at every single brewery in NYC, answering this Hinge prompt is a great way to get personal without getting too personal.  

What you can say:

• To live abroad.
• Own a business.
• Eat every chocolate chip cookie in NYC.

Not every Hinge prompt you answer has to be mind-blowingly profound. In fact, simple pleasures are incredibly important, because they can reveal the things that you value, like time alone, activities and personality. You want someone who would, bare minimum, give you time and space to pursue these things, or, at best, want to do them with you.

What you can say:

• Lady Grey tea with cream and three sugar packets.
• Walking outside after it rains.
• Aimless drives through the countryside.

Hardballing is in. While you shouldn’t make a habit of talking about what you don’t want in a relationship on a dating profile, you most definitely should communicate what you do want. While this Hinge prompt can also be answered humorously, it doesn’t hurt to assess what you need and want and then lay it (politely) on the table. “It’s not a demand,” Ury says. “[Ask] yourself, what’s going on for me right now? Do I want to be in a relationship? Am I looking for something fun? Do I have the time and energy to invest in a long-term partnership?” Once you have that figured out, go forth.

What you can say:

• A French-fry eating buddy.
• Someone compassionate and charmingly funny.
• A person who is just as obsessed with Jane Austen as I am.

One of Ury’s rules for a successful online dating experience? Make it easy to have a conversation. “Think of your profile as your opening line—something your match can respond to or ask a follow-up question about,” she says. A Hinge prompt like this can also reveal how great of a conversationalist someone is—or that they’re willing to make the attempt.

What you can say:

• Which is better: East Coast or West Coast?
• Best rom-com of all time?
• What is one pressing global issue you’d like to solve?

If you’re a naysayer when it comes to love languages and personality types, think again. I think that this is one of the best Hinge prompts because it can completely transform a relationship. Take this platonic example: After I learned that my mother received love in the form of quality time, I started focusing on spending time with her instead of trying to do things for her (acts of service), which she didn’t like. I stopped feeling under-appreciated and our relationship went from tense to now close and happy. Knowing how someone receives and gives love allows you to meet them where they are—and also provide insight as to why you might by butting heads.

What you can say:

• Words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, gifts or physical touch.
• You can also name your top love language as you give love and receive it.

Yes, the pros advise steering away from negative responses, but here’s an opportunity to be lighthearted and humorous. Don’t take this Hinge prompt too seriously. Use it to highlight some of your interests. It’s not like I wouldn’t go out with someone who didn’t care for the above...but the chances that I would if they did skyrocket 1,000 percent.

What you can say:

• You’re allergic to dogs.
• You don’t enjoy reading.
• You don’t believe in Taco Tuesday.

Here’s your chance to hardball it. Lay it on the table. What are you looking for? Just remember to keep it positive and list qualities you’d like someone to have, as opposed to things you don’t like. However, you can also keep it lighter with a pithy one-liner about being texted lines of Lord Byron’s poetry or them being an excellent cuddler.

What you can say:

• You make a mean tequila sunrise.
• You love The Eagles as much as I do.
• You’re a pseudo-intellectual social activist who loves being outdoors.

This Hinge prompt is the perfect opportunity to dive into a quirky or random interest. AKA, what’s your Roman Empire?

What you can say:

• Hockey pucks are frozen before games.
• The Eiffel Tower grows 15 centimeters in the summer.
• It’s illegal to own a solitary guinea pig in Switzerland.

Conversations go two ways, so don’t be afraid to ask someone about themselves. It’s admittedly the subject we’re all the most well-versed in. I love asking people this question because the conversation often turns introspective, and I learn about their dreams. But sometimes, it’s also just funny. And humor always breaks the ice.

What you can say:

• Your favorite book.
• One regret.
• The last time you felt truly happy.

Not all conversation starters have to be serious. This one’s a lighthearted approach that allows you to showcase some humor. Because I mean, learning you can eat three hot dogs (with all the fixings) in 30 seconds or juggle pears while solo-riding a tandem bike would certainly put me at ease!

What you can say:

• I can drive stick shift, so we’ll never be without a getaway car.
• I can bake 15 different types of pie.
• I can name 50 different types of flowers in one minute.

In my opinion, the best Hinge prompts don’t just dump information on a prospective date. They also invite someone to engage in a conversation. Make it easy for someone to ask you a question, and I guarantee they’re more likely to swipe right because they’re not sweating about what they’ll say.

What you can say:

• My favorite color.
• The number of languages I speak.
• How many times I’ve read Pride and Prejudice.

I don’t know about you, but nothing quite hits the spot like scream-crying All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault) when life gets you down. (Like, “You kept me like a secret, and I kept you like an oath,” OOF.) This prompt is also a handy way to give people insight into how you cope with stress. The last thing you want is to be dragged out of the house (well-meaningly, of course) when all you want to soothe your sorrows is a pint of ice cream and the latest pick from Reese Witherspoon’s book club.

What you can say:

• Staying up all night reading mystery novels.
• Going out dancing. (Disco only, please.)
• Taking a walk in the park.

This is one of the best Hinge prompts to share your values. Don’t be afraid of honesty—you want to attract someone whose values align with yours. Otherwise, it’s highly likely you’re doomed from the start. Just remember to keep a positive spin on things, because no one wants a Debbie downer.

What you can say:

• Honesty.
• Putting each other first.
• Commitment.

Now’s the time to share any specific tastes in food, music, literature, flowers, cinema and any other pertinent part of your life. (AKA, the stuff you like to be surprised by. Personally, I’m not saying no to a giant bouquet of anemones on a Tuesday afternoon.)

What you can say:

• French fries (extra points for truffle).
• Movie night at the Metrograph—I’m nuts for classic cinema.
• Books! Murder mysteries, rom-coms, high fantasy—I read it all. 

Use this Hinge prompt to talk about the interest you hope a future partner would share. Keep it lighthearted but honest—because if you *really* need someone who also has a passion for chocolate chip cookies or all-inclusive resorts, speak now or forever hold your peace. 

What you can say:

• Take an annual backpacking trip through Asia.
• Host Sunday suppers for our friends.
• Catch all the indie film premieres at the IFC.

Have a fun life mishap? Now’s your chance to share it. Whether you seriously regret sampling a fried tarantula or accidentally drank seven cups of what you thought was decaf coffee at midnight, write it down.

What you can say:

• Drink three Vietnamese iced coffees at 11 p.m.
• Eat a snail (I don’t care how much parsley and butter are on top).
• Babysit three sets of twins simultaneously.

Yeah, Dad jokes are super cringey, but they do break the ice. Plus, this voice prompt is a fun way to introduce someone to the sound of your voice.

What you can say:

• What do you call a bear caught in the rain? A drizzly bear.
• What is Beethoven’s favorite fruit? BA-NA-NA-NAAAAAA (to the tune of Symphony No. 5).
• Which days are the strongest? Saturday and Sunday; the rest are weekdays.

When it comes to the best Hinge prompts, this one might come in handy if your name is often mispronounced. Set ‘em straight the first time with a voice recording of exactly how it should be.

What you can say:

• Your name, as you want it pronounced. Say it at regular cadence, and then do it slowly.

You can answer seriously or opt for something silly. Taking the serious route is a good opportunity to showcase what you value in a relationship, and how you’ll potentially carry yourself in conflict.

What you can say:

• Staying calm in a crisis.
• Knowing the best takeout spots in town.
• Never raising my voice in an argument.

We all have an inner dweeb, so why be embarrassed about it? The best Hinge prompts invite someone into a conversation, and showing your geeky side is a easy, fun and low-stakes way to break the ice.

What you can say:

• I’m writing a science-fiction novel.
• All my sneakers are stored with the laces tied in perfect bows.
• I can’t sleep without my teddy bear, Bartholomew.

Word from the wise: You probably don’t want to incite a *super* spicy conversation. Instead, opt for some popular controversy, like Coke or Pepsi, or a lighthearted rib, like “Taylor Swift is overrated.” Make it fun so that you start the conversation off on the right foot—after all, I’m pretty sure no one got together after a fiery debate.

What you can say:

• Denzel Washington should retire.
• Cake vs. pie.
• Is Central Park overrated?

Maybe you’ve been toying with the idea of picking up a new hobby. Or, you just find an activity interesting (but don’t actually want to do it yourself). Now’s the time to cast a line to find someone who’s an expert about it. Because truthfully, I’ve always thought it would be cool to say that my husband is an art history professor.

What you can say:

• Modern art.
• Chinese classical poetry.
• The golden age of cinema.

Therapy can be a useful way to work through life’s challenges, and hopefully, you learn a thing or two along the way. (People pleasing is selfish! Life comes and goes in seasons! It’s OK to take time to think! Ask for what you really want!) Share something positive that’s impacted how you care for your mental health. 

What you can say:

• It’s OK to take time to make a decision, instead of deciding on the spot.
• I have perfection paralysis, and I want to challenge myself to try things even if they might not be perfect.
• People pleasing is selfish.  

Say the word “vulnerability” and you’ll probably get some audible gulps. No one likes it, but newsflash: Vulnerability is the key to friendships and any relationship. You don’t have to spill your guts right away, but here might be a good place to start with something happy. And, it shows what’s most important to you.

What you can say:

• When I saw my mom finally earn her college degree after doing night classes for five years.
• Reuniting with a friend I haven’t seen in a decade.
• When I got my dream job.

Another way to invite someone to have a conversation, but again, keep it casual and fun. Stick to anything hobby and interest related, like food, movies, fashion, travel and reading, and shy away from anything that would engender a yes/no response.

What you can say:

• The 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice is better than the BBC version.
• The cronut was a stroke of genius.
• Adidas Stan Smiths are overrated.

Singing in the shower, running a 5k before work, buying yourself flowers. Hinge prompts like these showcase your habits—and also help cue in a potential partner into how they can help hype you up, too.

What you can say:

• Singing the Beatles.
• Going for a run.
• Picking up a huge bouquet of flowers at Trader Joe’s.

Most conflict arises due to unmet expectations, so use this prompt as an opportunity to set yours out in the open. Tell a potential match exactly what you need when you’re feeling down, anxious or just needing a little bit of encouragement.

What you can say:

• You ask how my day went.
• Finding surprise notes in my lunch box.
• You lend a listening ear.

Time to rattle off the qualities you want in a person. And remember: keep it positive. For example: You’ll brag if they buy you flowers. Not: You’ll brag if they don’t forget your birthday. (You could say you’ll brag if they always remember birthdays, though.)

What you can say:

• You love to cook.
• You’ve memorized Taylor Swift’s complete discography.
• You have impeccable style.

If you’re feeling exceptionally brave, this voice prompt will let you show off your singing chops. But even if you’re just rattling off a bunch of songs, it’s still fun—and maybe you can play a medley in the background.

What you can say:

• “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift
• “Tonight Tonight” by Hot Chelle Rae
• “Summer, Highland Falls” by Billy Joel

Maybe you really want to meet someone who shares your passion for classic English lit, anime, ‘70s rock bands or camping. Tell them what you’re looking for, and (hopefully) they will come.

What you can say:

• You also belong to a cookbook club.
• You want to visit every country on earth.
• You’re training for a marathon, too.

OK, depending on that journal entry, complete honesty may *not* be the move, but don’t be afraid to be a little vulnerable. But lean away from existential crisis and more towards goals, dreams and epiphanies that are affecting a positive change in your life.

What you can say:

• Realizing I actually want to get a Ph.D. in art history.
• How I should probably try to call my mom more often.
• Trying to find the resolve to commit to exercising every day. 

You want somebody to match your freak. This is one of the best Hinge prompts to lay out exactly what you’re looking for. Oh, you have a season pass to the Opera? Me too. You love cliff diving? I was going to go next year. You’re practically married to your De’Longhi espresso machine? Same. Don’t be afraid to be bold here.

What you can say:

• You love extreme sports.
• You want to live abroad.
• You dream of owning five dogs.

These can be personal boundaries or ones you’d set in a relationship. Boundaries are good (and healthy!)—just remember to frame them in a way that doesn’t come across as a negative Nelly.

What you can say:

• 10:30 p.m. bedtime because yes, I am a granny.
• I believe in sleep divorce.
• Never going to bed angry.

Some people need to fall asleep to a blasting podcast. Others need a white noise machine, or to power down their electronics an hour before bed. It’s good to have an understanding of people’s habits so you know if your lives will intertwine seamlessly—or if you’ll have to do some negotiating.

What you can say:

• Listening to classical music.
• Meditating before bed.
• Turning off my electronics at 9:45 p.m. every night.

Another chance to lay it all on the table. Whatever’s most important to you, put it here, whether that means you need them to share your obsession with Totoro or that you value open-mindedness. (Though while humor is fun, it’s probably better to take the more serious route here.)

What you can say:

• Empathy
• Patience
• Open-mindedness

Your idea of relaxing is baking zucchini bread on a rainy day while watching Sex and the City. His is…roaring down an open road on a motorcycle that kissed its catalytic converter goodbye. Fine. But make your preferences known so that you don’t end up with your hair flying in the wind, arms wrapped tightly around his waist for dear life.

What you can say:

• A day at the beach with a picnic + good book.
• Curled up on the couch with a rerun of Friends.
• Going out for a hike.

We all have non-negotiables, so don’t shy away. But before you hit publish, take a moment to think about what your real priorities are, lest you fall into the trap of everything being a non-negotiable. The only guarantee if that happens? You’ll be swiping for a while.

What you can say:

• Living in Europe for at least a year before I’m 50.
• Being child-free.
• Living in [insert your city] long-term.

Happy to scream Avril Lavigne, Olivia Rodrigo or Chappell Roan any time.

What you can say:

• “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo
• “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan
• “Please, Please, Please” by Sabrina Carpenter

Another conversation starter best kept lighthearted. Pineapple on pizza, ranch on everything, not being a dog person. Fun and mildly scintillating, inviting conversation without ruffling feathers.

What you can say:

• All condiments are gross.
• Despicable Me is the greatest animated franchise of all time.
• DC is better than Marvel.

Yes, weird is in the question, but it goes without saying…not too weird.

What you can say:

• Big laughter
• Bookworms
• Bow ties

We love a little friendly competition. Incorporate your interests and challenge a potential match to outdo you. (I mean, if you challenge me to eat more fries than you, I will totally be there.)

What you can say:

• Eat more French fries than me.
• Recite the opening line of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
• Name ten women artists.

OK, not the most riveting of Hinge prompts, but who you turn to for counsel in crisis can say a lot.

What you can say:

• My dad.
• My best friend.
• The psychic. (Holler to Linda’s $10 palm readings on Avenue A!)

Time for some spicy hot takes, whether that means you put pineapple on pizza or think sweatpants should never be worn outside the house.

What you can say:

• The beauty of kalamata olives.
• The fact that athleisure isn’t real clothing.
• That a slow burn is better than a spark.

Part of getting to know someone is knowing their habits and routines. It might seem simple, but can actually reveal a lot about your personality type. Do you read a book before bed? Introvert. Have a PureBarre membership instead of running on the treadmill at home? Extrovert. 

What you can say:

• Skincare, yoga and tea before bed.
• Reading a book, baking cookies and walking in the garden.
• Going for a hike, making brunch and watching Gilmore Girls.