How to Compliment a Girl: 15 Must-Know Tips & 35 of the Best Lines

Knowing how to compliment a girl in the best way shows her that you care. So, what are the best compliments for girls? Memorize a few and get complimenting!

There are many ways to compliment a girl, and they’re always going to sound nice. But, is nice enough? Let’s be honest, wouldn’t you appreciate it if you took a lot of time to dress well and your date complimented you on how nice you look? It feels good, doesn’t it? Your date did notice the fact that you’ve cleaned up. And just like that, girls love to be complimented too. But, knowing how to compliment a girl in a way that seems genuine is key.

Far too many men opt for sleazy remarks or totally unrealistic compliments when trying to make a girl smile. But, sometimes it’s far better to compliment her on her sense of humor and her intelligence than it is to compliment her on her hair or body.

Every girl is different, but the best compliments for girls tend to be those which veer away from the regular and air more towards the creative. [Read: 10 compliments for women that will definitely backfire]

How to compliment a girl

One of the first things you should know about complimenting a girl is to be sincere. Don’t just say something nice because you read it in a book or your friend texted you a few complimentary quotes.

Be genuine when you compliment a girl, and if she does see the sincerity in your eyes, she’ll be more flattered and will appreciate your compliment.

If you’re just playing out a rehearsed list of the best compliments for girls, she will only feel uncomfortable and annoyed when she realizes you’re just trying to compliment her to get your way into her pants.

To compliment a girl, you need to understand the different ways you can do it, while flattering her at the same time. To help you out when learning how to compliment a girl in the right way, here are a few things to avoid. [Read: Decoding compliments – 50 cute words and their true meanings]

1. Don’t compliment her on her looks

Unless you’ve been seeing each other for a while, of course. Everyone likes being appreciated for their looks, but it’s not what women want to be valued for most.

It’s perfectly fine to compliment your date on her looks, but only if you’re comfortable with each other. If not, commenting on her appearance just comes off as shallow and makes women suspicious of your intentions.

2. Don’t compliment any of her body parts

Not even her eyes. Again, unless you’ve been together for a while.

It’s worse when you focus on specific body parts because these areas usually cannot be changed easily. Body dysmorphia is a prevalent and serious condition, and is always connected to a woman’s anatomical standards for her body. Your commentary might exacerbate the issue. The best compliments for girls avoid this issue completely. [Read: How to feel more confident in your body and fall in love with you]

3. Never allude to her being a woman

This is the sexism card that has been overplayed time and again.

In the past, being singled out from the rest of the population made people feel special. Now, saying that a woman is better than her fellow females will only offend her.

4. Never compliment her on her age

It gives women a sense of impending doom, especially when another wrinkle appears on her forehead. It also denotes that she will have to stay young in order to receive your affection.

5. Don’t give tips that are disguised as compliments

It’s quite stupid to think that, “You’re so pretty when you wear red” or “You’re so beautiful when you smile” are legitimate compliments.

It’s quite obvious that they are manipulative nudges for you to change a woman to fit your needs. [Read: Backhanded compliment – How to reach kindly or give back in kind]

6. Don’t put too much emphasis on how much you like her personality overall

Complimenting someone’s personality overall is just as bad as complimenting their looks, because you’re disregarding the hundreds of nuances found within a certain “type” of person.

This may seem a safer bet than discussing a woman’s looks, but it’s best to wait to venture into these areas until you’re already close and you can provide her with more specific compliments. And you thought learning how to compliment a girl would be easy!

7. Don’t tell her she’s not like other girls

Being unlike other girls is not a compliment.

It seems insincere and makes a woman feel pressured to avoid getting caught up in the normal things that are expected of girls. So what if she enjoys rom-coms? So what if she likes sports, too? Being more than or less than another girl is never a compliment. [Read: People who put you down – How to face them and grow from within]

8. Don’t compliment her body shape

No matter what type of girl you like, complimenting her current state and shape is never a good idea. You do not know what kind of insecurities she’s harboring and you might end up hurting her without realizing it.

9. Don’t put an expiration date on your compliment

Never end your compliments with “tonight”, “today”, or any other time markers. You should always compliment a woman based on how she is every day and not just for moments when she looks extraordinary or has achieved something—emotionally or intellectually. The best compliments for girls are open-ended.

10. Don’t put a value on her earnings

Don’t act impressed when a woman earns a lot more than you, and don’t patronize her by saying she’s earning “enough, anyway.” Money is a sticky subject and should only be discussed if you’re sharing expenses and savings.

The worst compliments for girls

Yes, yes, we will get to the best compliments for girls. First, we want to just throw out some of the worst compliments. These may seem like a good idea, but they are far from compliments when you actually break them down. By knowing about them beforehand, you can avoid a major issue. [Read: How to tell a girl she looks beautiful without sounding fake or cheesy]

So, please avoid these “compliments,” if you can even really call them that.

Sure, everyone loves a compliment. But do not overdo it. This just comes across as desperate.

If you see a girl at the bar and want to compliment her, say something like, “you are just so stunning I had to come over and introduce myself.” But end it there.

If you start talking and she says she is an entrepreneur, you can compliment her on her dedication. Do not tell her she is beautiful, and then tell her she looks great in black, has amazing hair, and has perfect eyes. Take it easy. [Read: Whoa there! 8 signs you’re coming on too strong]

2. The inappropriate compliment

“I’m not usually into blondes.” Just no. Saying you are not usually into tall girls, brunettes, or God forbid you to mention her race in your “compliment” is a compliment no-go.

You might think you are making her feel like she stands out. Trust us, you’re not.

3. The backhanded compliment

“You’re pretty for being so tall.” “All that makeup is hiding how pretty you are.” If your compliment has a, but in it, it is not a compliment.

4. The sexist compliment

“You’re so different from other girls.” What the f*ck is wrong with other girls? “You’re funny for a pretty girl.” What does that even mean? Speaking to a girl as if she hates other women, how you clearly do, is just not okay. [Read: What’s a misogynist? 22 red flags that reveal a disrespectful, sexist man]

5. The uninformed compliment

This one creeps us out. Sure, if a guy approaches a girl and says that she’s pretty, that is all fine and well. If a guy on a dating app says he loves her second photo, wonderful.

But if a guy reads her dating profile, looks at her five pictures, and then continues to tell her how fun she is, how sweet she is, and how they would be great together, she will question not only how genuinely fake he is, but also what are his motives?

Do not compliment a girl on something you don’t know anything about. [Read: How to respond to a compliment and accept it without feeling awkward]

The best compliments for girls

If you’re ever confused about complimenting a girl, some of the best aspects to compliment a girl are her eyes, hair, lips, her fragrance, and her voice. It’s safe, and yet, very personal. It’s hard for any girl to forget a compliment that involves these aspects.

The best compliments are the spontaneous ones. To understand how to compliment a girl sincerely, you always need to remember this pointer. The very instant you lay eyes on her, what do you think, what caught your eye about her? As long as it’s not overly sexual, it’s definitely going to be a truthful and sincere compliment.

Now you know all the dos’ and don’ts on learning how to compliment a girl, let’s get practical. Here are some of the best compliments for girls. [Read: 50 really cute things to say to your girlfriend and make her smile]

1. “You make me feel so comfortable”

There is no greater honor than being told you are a comfortable presence. So many things in this life give stress and anxiety, so to be told that you rid somebody of those feelings is a wonderful sentiment.

2. “You have a beautiful soul”

This may sound very “hippy-dippy,” but this is a beautiful compliment to give a girl. It speaks to so much more than their looks or personality. It’s everything about them—every single layer.

3. “I like your taste in music”

Again, this compliment goes so much deeper than the surface. It speaks to your values, style, and life experiences. The type of music you listen to really says a lot about who you are as a person. So, this is one of the best compliments for girls based on that. [Read: 20 most romantic songs for the one you love]

4. “You’re always there for me”

This may sound like a “thank you,” but it really is a compliment. It says she is a nurturing and warm individual. She cares about other people more than herself at times. That really makes a girl feel good.

Whether she wants to be a mother one day or not, it is in her nature to be nurturing to those she cares about. This compliment always makes a girl feel respected and appreciated.

5. “I miss you”

Another compliment that doesn’t really sound like a compliment on the surface, but, trust us—this three-word statement melts a girl. You’re thinking about her, and you wish she was there? Win-Win-Win!

6. “I wish you were here”

Just like the previous compliment, a girl likes to feel appreciated and missed when she’s not around. If you do something that you wish she was there for, tell her! She feels important to you, and that is truly what every girl looks for. [Read: How to make her miss you]

7. “I can’t wait to go to __ with you”

If you make future plans with a girl, this means something. Even if you casually bring something up and say that it would be cool if she went with you, she appreciates it.

If you show interest in sharing any moment with a girl she will be immediately interested in you and spending more moments with you. This compliment also tells her that you want her around for longer than just ‘right now.’ [Read: Should you ask her out? 30 clear signs she’s just waiting for you to make a move]

8. “You are my everything”

It’s cheesy, it’s old school. And it works. That’s what makes it one of the best compliments for girls.

It all comes back to the same thing: girls want to feel appreciated. Telling her that she is your everything tells her that she is incredibly appreciated in your life. And this speaks volumes about how you feel about her.

9. “I saw __, and it reminded me of you”

If you spend time with somebody, things begin to remind you of that person. It’s completely natural. If you go about your day and something reminds you of her, tell her about it.

Knowing you think about her during the day means you are truly interested in her, and she will be super flattered by this compliment. [Read: How to make a girl think about you – 22 ways to be on her mind all the time]

10. “My friends/family really like you”

You know just as well as anybody that your friends and family know you better than anybody else. Maybe even better than you know yourself. If they like her, then she’s a winner. She deserves to know those things, don’t you think?

11. “I love your laugh”

Many girls aren’t super confident in their laugh. Hearing somebody compliment their laugh is a big deal. Use this one because it works every time. It will also make her smile, undoubtedly.

12. “You’re so cute”

So, basically a lot of girls like to feel tiny and pretty. Cute implies tiny and pretty. It’s win-win. [Read: The sweetest little ways to tell a girl she’s gorgeous]

13. “You’re so strong”

Some girls won’t like to be called cute. If they don’t like to be called cute, chances are they will like to be called strong. Really though, any girl accepts this compliment with a smile on her face.

14. “Talking with you is so easy”

Similar to the first compliment, you make me feel so comfortable, girls like feeling like they make you calm.

Since it is incredibly difficult to make some guys open up and talk about their feelings, if you tell her that talking with her is so easy, she feels special and accomplished in the task of making you talk. It sounds silly, we know. But it works.

15. “Your hair looks nice like that”

Look, we know that you don’t notice when we do our hair, okay? Secret’s out. When you tell a girl that her hair or makeup, or really anything looks nice, she will be taken by surprise because this isn’t something that she hears every day, at least not from guys.

Like we said, it’s easy to tell a girl she is beautiful, so stand out with this compliment. [Read: The sweetest things to say to a girl – 117 lines and texts that WILL make her smile]

16. “You did so well”

If she has done well at something or achieved something, this compliment is basically saying “you are amazing at what you do and I’m so proud of what you’ve achieved.”

17. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have someone as caring and loving as you”

This one is sure to put a big smile on her face. Who doesn’t want to be told that the person they’re with is lucky to be with them? Telling her she’s caring and loving too is another bonus.

18. “I’m at my happiest when I’m with you”

Her presence in your life is something you want to mention and this type of compliment shows that not only are you happy she’s around, but that she makes you smile too. That’s what all girls want, so this is one of the best compliments for girls.

19. “You are very brave and I am proud of how much you strive to take on the odds”

Many women have to take on the world to succeed even in this day and age, so by telling her that you’re proud of her for doing so, gives her extra confidence to go on and continue conquering. It’s one of the best compliments for girls because it will also give her confidence.

20. “That is an excellent choice. I’m glad you picked that”

Whatever she chose, you’re grateful for it because it’s shown you something new. Tell her. Every girl would love this type of compliment.

21. “You make me feel loved and wanted”

Relationships can be confusing, so by being open and telling her that she makes you feel wanted and loved will make her smile and give her relationship clarity. [Read: What does love feel like? 33 signs you will feel when you love someone]

22. “I always have such a great time with you”

Again, this may not be the most unique compliment for girls, but it is one of the best.

Knowing that someone genuinely enjoys spending time with you means much more than hearing that you’re pretty.

23. “I would love to see you again”

Whether you just met or are on a first date, letting her know you are excited to see her again is a compliment. Maybe not directly, but hearing that will make her feel relieved and excited as well.

24. “That is so impressive”

When she tells you what she does for a living, what her hobby is, or really anything about herself, letting her know you are impressed by her accomplishments is refreshing to hear.

Even at this age, men seem to be intimidated by women. Letting her know how awesome you think she is, is so great to hear. [Read: How to impress your crush – 25 tips to steal her heart effortlessly]

25. “You inspire me”

Whether it is her humanitarian work, her love for animals, or her patience for dealing with the lazy guy at work, let her know how what she does makes you feel like you can do more.

26. “I love your style”

Why is this better than saying, “you look great”? It is more about her than how she looks. Loving that she can put an outfit together that reflects who she is, is what impresses you, not that it shows off her cleavage.

27. “You’re always teaching me somethng new”

With mansplaining still on the rise, telling a woman and even thanking her for teaching you something you didn’t know before is refreshing. Even admitting that she knows something you don’t is a compliment of sorts. [Read: Mansplaining – 25 ways girls spot a dick when talking to one]

28. “Thank you”

Without a doubt, one of the best compliments for girls. Appreciate her. Tell her that you appreciate her. Whether you are thanking her for fixing your collar or going with you to a work dinner, make sure she knows that you do not expect anything of her but that you would and will do the same for her.

29. “I feel like I can be myself with you”

Knowing that you feel comfortable around her will really matter to her. It will also let her be herself around you.

We all hold back a little, especially at first, but when you feel safe with someone, all your quirks come out, and it makes a stronger connection.

30. “I trust you”

This may not sound like a compliment. But earning someone’s trust is a very big deal. When you trust her with your heart, a key to your apartment, or to make dinner for you, all of those things matter. Hearing it will make her very happy. [Read: How to build trust in a relationship and learn to be loyal and loving]

31. “I can’t believe you remembered that”

We’re sure you are continuously amazed by the thoughtful things she does, whether she brought you your favorite cupcake for your birthday or planned a surprise trip to your favorite place.

But showing your gratitude and awe at how she remembers even the things you say in passing will make her feel like you notice everything she does.

32. “I love how open-minded you are”

Even though most people consider themselves open-minded, many are always worried they judge people unfairly. But, if someone that knows you well tells you that you’re not judgmental but that you’re open-minded and fair, you can reassure yourself of that.

Don’t only make her feel good about how you see her. Make her feel good about how she sees herself. [Read: 20 positive ways to make someone feel happy and sparkle]

33. “I love your confidence”

One mistake many people make when complimenting a girl is making it about them instead of about her. It does not always have to be about what you think, but what and how she thinks.

A lot of compliments are built in a way that tells a woman she shouldn’t know how amazing she is until a man tells her. Instead, tell her she deserves to believe in herself, and you love that she is confident.

34. “You are capable of anything”

She probably already knows this, but it doesn’t hurt to remind her.

Whether she is feeling down on herself or not, let her know she can do anything. If she knows that you know her well, this reminder could be the pep talk she needs. [Read: Follow your dreams – All the amazing reasons why it’s worth it]

35. “You continue to surprise me”

A great compliment for girls is letting her know she surprises you with her intellect, humor, or capabilities. She isn’t boring or dull. She is full of excitement and is always doing things that you find amazing.

[Read: How to charm a girl and flatter her into liking you a lot more]

Understand how to compliment a girl and use these ideas the next time you’re with the woman you like. It’ll definitely make her feel special, loved, and a lot happier.