The Best Compliments for Girls: 25 Genuine Lines She’ll Love to Hear

These compliments for girls will make her blush, but just remember, when you compliment her to be sincere and respectful.

Nowadays, the best compliments for girls mean more than telling her that you think she is pretty. And in case you didn’t know, compliments have never included catcalling, unwanted touching, or calling her honey or sweetheart.

Truly complimenting a girl means knowing her and knowing what matters to her. Sure she likes to hear that you think her top looks nice or that red is her color, but a genuine compliment is more than that.

[Read: 15 atypical secrets all guys must know to impress a girl]

Discovering the best compliments for girls

Not just any compliment will be right for all girls. All girls are amazing and strong badasses. To compliment a girl the right way, you should know a bit about her.

Compliment her on her skills, talents, strength, voice. There are compliments you can give a girl you barely know for sure, but the more you know about her, the more those compliments will mean. [Read: Fun and flirty questions to get to know a girl better]

The worst compliments for girls

Yes, yes, we will get to the best compliments for girls. First, I wanted 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.

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

Sure, everyone loves a compliment. 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: The signs you’re coming on way 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. Really you are just an awful human being.

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. [Read: Girls spill on what are the manliest and unmanliest things a guy does]

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. 

5. The uninformed compliment

This one creeps me out personally. Sure, if a guy comes up to me and says I’m pretty, that is all fine and well. If a guy on a dating app says, he loves my second photo, wonderful.

But if a guy reads my dating profile and looks at my five pictures and then continues to tell me how fun I am, how sweet I am, and how we would be great together, I question not only how genuine *fake* he is, but also what are his motives?

Do not compliment a girl on something you don’t know anything about. [Read: 32 mistakes that ruin your chances with her]

The best compliments for girls

Now that you know some of the non-compliment compliments to stay away from, here are some golden compliments. These are the best compliments for girls that are likely to get you into a decent conversation and, at the very least, a smile.

1. You make me laugh/smile

This is a simple one for sure, but it works. Telling a girl that she makes you smile is sweet and sincere. It is not over the top or cheesy. [Read: The 25 sweetest romantic gestures for everyday life]

2. 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 me means much more than hearing that I am pretty.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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. [Bustle.com: 8 ways men don’t realize they’re subtly shaming women]

7. You are always teaching me something 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.

8. Your hair looks great

Noticing a change is not just a shallow compliment.

Noticing that she changed her hair or got eyelash extensions doesn’t mean you are only drawn into her looks, but that you take the time to pay attention to everything about her.

9. You’re easy to talk to

I love hearing this. Even after talking to someone new for 15 minutes, hearing that someone thinks I am easy to open up to says a lot more than a basic compliment. It tells me that I am comforting and trustworthy and that that is seen pretty quickly.

10. Thank you

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. [Read: How to express your appreciation without words]

11. You have the best laugh

I swear everyone is self-conscious of their laugh. It seems to be a universal thing.

Even the most confident people are embarrassed by their own laugh. Telling her that you love hers and find it endearing will make her more comfortable around you.

12. You have such great taste

Again, instead of saying I love that design or top, telling her, she has great taste, compliments more than one specific thing or moment. It is you telling her that you have confidence in her opinion.

13. What’s your opinion on…?

How is asking for her opinion a compliment? It is a compliment and one of the best!

It shows you care what she thinks. She sees her voice matters to you, and you take her opinion into account on everything, like which shirt to wear or if you should accept a new job.

14. You make me a better person

Everyone wants to be with someone who not only accepts them for who they are but also inspires them to be the best version of themselves.

Telling her that she makes you want to be better is telling her that you look up to her in a way. You want to be worthy of her love. [Read: The 10 important traits to be a good boyfriend]

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. I can’t believe you remembered that

I am 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. [Read: 117 sweet things to say to a girl and make her smile]

18. You are so strong

For years, girls have been told we are delicate like flowers, and sweet like sugar, well, blah blah blah. Women are strong.

Not only do we run businesses, plan marches, and birth children, but we do it all without equal pay, with sexism and periods.

Tell her how strong she is. She may not even realize it day to day. She constantly does so much that you can’t even fathom. Remind her of her strength. How proud you are of her and how proud she should be of herself.

19. You are so open-minded

I don’t know about you, but even though I consider myself open-minded, I am always worried I judge people unfairly. But, if someone that knows me well tells me I am not judgmental but am open-minded and fair, I can reassure myself 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 easy ways to make your girlfriend incredibly happy]

20. 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.

21. I’ve never thought of it that way before

Next time a girl explains something to you or just tells you something, let her know that she really got to you. Telling her, she helped you be more open-minded and understanding is a wonderful compliment for a girl.

22. You are so funny

Telling a girl she is funny is a solid compliment for the ages. Don’t tell her this when she is talking about her childhood, but if she makes you laugh, double down and tell her she has a great sense of humor.

23. 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: How to make a girl feel truly special]

24. I am so lucky to know you

Let her know you realize how lucky you are to be around her and spend time with her. Showing her, she is special and that you enjoy every moment with her is a wonderful compliment for girls.

25. 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: Effortless, small gestures that girls notice and appreciate]

The best compliments for girls are the ones that flatter who she truly is and what you genuinely know about her. Dig deep and flatter her outside and in.