How much eye contact should you have on a first date?
11/04/25 6:00pm
View hidden comment
This post was sourced from submitted reader questions and posted by wikiHow Editorial Staff.
wikiHow forums are moderated for quality. Learn more about our moderation policy here.
On a first date, it's a good idea to maintain consistent eye contact if you're enjoying yourself. However, "consistent eye contact" doesn't mean "staring the other person down without blinking," which could make your date feel a little uncomfortable!
Instead, aim to hold eye contact for about 3-5 seconds at a time before looking away. As a general rule, try to maintain eye contact for about 50% of the time while you're speaking to your date, and 70% of the time that you're listening to your date speak. Consistent and prolonged eye contact is a great way to convey interest and help to establish an emotional connection, so if your date is making eyes at you in return, it's a really good sign!
View hidden comment
Instead, aim to hold eye contact for about 3-5 seconds at a time before looking away. As a general rule, try to maintain eye contact for about 50% of the time while you're speaking to your date, and 70% of the time that you're listening to your date speak. Consistent and prolonged eye contact is a great way to convey interest and help to establish an emotional connection, so if your date is making eyes at you in return, it's a really good sign!
I agree that the rule for eye contact is you usually hold it for three seconds and then you look away. And if they aren't able to hold it for three seconds, then chances are they're not really on the same level with you of how they feel.
View hidden comment
What’s on your mind? Ask anything.
Get advice and feedback from experts and wikiHow readers just like you.
