20 Top Online Dating Conversation Starters

When you’re new to online dating, starting a conversation can feel daunting. That’s why having some online dating conversation starters at hand can be useful.  

How you begin speaking with someone matters, particularly when you can’t read each other’s body language. 

A good icebreaker or question can set the tone for a great chat and take a normal conversation to the next level.  

Here are 20 of the best online dating conversation starters that’ll help you make a great first impression.

20 Online Dating Conversation Starters

1. “Tell me something fun you did today.” 

This online dating conversation starter is much better than “How are you?” since it’s more detailed. 

Remember, the more you know about your match, the more you two will have to talk about!

2. “What’s your favorite movie?” 

Are you a movie fan? If you are, this might be the opening line for you. 

If their answer is a movie that you’ve seen and enjoyed, talk about it! If it’s a movie that you’ve never seen, ask them to give you a synopsis or better yet, watch it together on a date.

3. “Describe your perfect day”

This number can tell you a lot about your match’s likes and dislikes. 

Does their dream day include lots of family time? Or do they dream of alone time with nothing but a good book for company?

Whatever their dream day entails, ask them about it and see if it aligns with yours. 

4. “Have you watched any new shows this year?” 

This is a great online conversation starter, as it means you can find out what kind of tv programs they like. 

If you don’t know their favorite show, don’t worry. Simply ask them to explain the plot to you! 

5. “Are you a dog person, or a cat person?” 

Everyone loves talking about their pets. 

If you two are animal lovers, why not swap some cute pet photos with each other? 

6. “Tell me about your best vacation.” 

Traveling with a partner is a fantastic relationship goal.

If you’re looking for someone to jet-set around the world with, posing online conversation starters like this is a no-brainer. 

7. “What character from a book do you relate to the most?” 

This is a pretty insightful online conversation starter, particularly if you’re a bookworm.

If they don’t have an answer from a book, suggest choosing a character from their favorite tv show or movie instead.  

8. “What’s the best book you’ve read recently?” 

If they’re a reader, they’ll be enthusiastic about this question. Who knows, maybe they’ll have some great reading recommendations for you. 

9. “Tell me about your family.” 

If their profile mentions kids or other family members, this is an appropriate question to ask. 

However if they don’t mention their family in their profile, maybe hold back and choose another way to kick off your conversation instead.

10. “What do you do for a living?” 

Not everyone loves talking about their jobs after hours, but some people do. If your match is passionate about what they do, they’ll love to fill you in. 

You can also ask how long they’ve been with their organization or what their career is like on a day-by-day basis.

11. “What quality do you like most about yourself?” 

Maybe they’ll say something physical or perhaps they’re proud of their quick wit.

How a person values themselves can tell you a lot about who they are and what they’re looking for in a partner, so listen carefully! 

12. “What has your experience with online dating been like?” 

As conversation starters go, asking your match about a mutual interest is always a good idea. 

Right now, you both have one thing in common for sure, and that’s this dating site! Why not ask them about their experience with it? 

Don’t be afraid to admit it if it’s a new concept for you. Vulnerability can be charming.

13. “What’s your favorite joke?” 

Are you looking for a partner with a great sense of humor? If so, try this online conversation starter out on your matches. See if they can make you laugh!

14. “Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?” 

Or maybe they’re a mix of both? This question will make your match think and may even prompt some deep conversation. 

15. “What superpower do you wish you had?”

This is a fun question that everyone has thought about at least once before. 

If you opt for this number, make sure you’re prepared with an answer in case they ask you the same question in response.

16. “If you won the lottery, what would you buy first?” 

This is another question they’ve likely thought about before. Alternatively, you could ask them what charities they’d donate to if they managed to win big.

17. “What’s your favorite holiday?” 

As a follow-up to this question, ask them how they celebrate that holiday. Or ask them to share their best holiday memory.

18. “What’s your favorite quote?” 

If you’re feeling awkward about striking up a conversation, this number serves as a terrific icebreaker. Relationship quotes are always romantic and they’re real crowd pleasers. 

19. “What would you choose to eat as your last supper?” 

If you’re a big foodie, this conversation starter is perfect for you.

Who knows, maybe your match is a pro in the kitchen and will offer to whip you up a meal for your first date activity.

20. “What are you most proud of?” 

Maybe they’re proud of their career, their children, or another great milestone. Whatever their pride and joy is, ask them about it and watch them open up.

So that concludes our list of conversation starters!

Keep them with you next time you’re dating online to achieve effortless, interesting, and authentic conversation. Good luck!