Conversation Starters Over Text

How it works

Choose who you’re texting (a crush, a partner or a friend), or pick Dare for a playful challenge to send. Tap New text until one feels like you, then tap Copy and paste it into your chat. On a phone, Send opens your messaging apps directly.

Why “hey” dies

“Hey” asks the other person to do all the work. A good opener does the opposite: it gives them something easy and fun to answer, like a choice, a tiny debate or a question about them.

30 texts that start real conversations

1. Settle this for me: is cereal a soup? I need a ruling.
2. I just found out octopuses have three hearts. What’s your favourite useless fact?
3. Be honest: what’s the most overrated film everyone loves?
4. I’m choosing a new book. Give me one you’d stake your reputation on.
5. What’s the best thing you’ve eaten this week? I need inspiration for dinner.
6. Quick question for science: do you sleep with socks on?
7. If you could live inside any film for a week, which one?
8. I’m making a playlist for a rainy Sunday. Add one song.
9. You seem like someone with strong opinions on pizza toppings. Am I right?
10. Rate today out of ten, then tell me what would make it an eleven.
11. What’s a small thing that made you smile today?
12. Okay, real question: what’s your comfort show?
13. If you had a free afternoon tomorrow, how would you spend it?
14. I’ve just walked past a bakery and now I need to know your favourite cake.
15. What’s a piece of advice you ignored and then wished you hadn’t?
16. What’s a skill you’d love to learn this year?
17. Who’s the funniest person you know, and what’s their best line?
18. I need a holiday idea. Where’s the best place you’ve ever been?
19. What’s on repeat in your headphones right now?
20. Name one thing you’re looking forward to this week.
21. What would your perfect lazy Sunday look like?
22. Morning person or night owl? This decides a lot.
23. What’s a hobby you’d pick up if nobody would ever see you do it?
24. Dog videos or cat videos? Choose carefully.
25. What’s something you were obsessed with as a kid?
26. If you could teleport for one day, where would you go first?
27. What made you laugh so hard today you had to put your phone down?
28. I’m writing a list of the best snacks of all time. What’s your number one?
29. What’s a place in this city you think everyone should try?
30. Tell me something I don’t know about you yet.

Texts for a crush, a partner or a friend

For a crush, keep it light and specific, and leave room for them to be funny back. With a partner, skip the logistics and ask how they really are. With a friend, pick up a running joke or plan the next hangout. For more ideas, see questions to ask someone you like, flirty questions to ask a girl and conversation starters with a girl.