About Yourself on Dating Sites: What to Write, With 36 Examples

What should you write about yourself on dating sites? Three specific things in your own voice: what your days look like, what you're like to be around and what you're looking for, plus one detail a stranger could ask you about. That's it. Size it to the site, short on apps and a little longer on sites with a full About Me section.

Below is a simple formula, then 36 original examples you can adapt, grouped by length and situation, for women and men.

The formula for writing about yourself on dating sites

Most "about me" sections fail in one of two ways: a list of adjectives ("easygoing, loyal, love to laugh") or a list of rules ("no drama, no time wasters"). Neither tells anyone what you're actually like. This works better:

1. A real detail about your life. Something you do, not something you are: "I run the Saturday 5K and then eat my body weight in pancakes."
2. What you're like with people. One line about how you show up: "I'm the friend who remembers your coffee order."
3. What you're looking for, said plainly and positively.
4. A hook. A question, a challenge or an invitation that makes replying easy.

Plenty of Fish's own profile tips make the same points in fewer words: keep it short, be yourself, proofread, and avoid dwelling on what you don't want.

How long your About Me should be on each site

If you use more than one app, write the long version first, then cut it down. Cutting is easier than padding.

Short examples of what to say about yourself (dating apps)

These fit Bumble's 300 characters and most fit Grindr's 225.

1. "Nurse on nights, hiker on days off, decent cook all week. Looking for someone to share a trail and a long Sunday lunch."
2. "I read the last page of a book first. Tell me your worst habit and we'll call it even."
3. "Engineer who fixes everything except my sleep schedule. Here for something real, starting with a good coffee."
4. "Weekday teacher, weekend potter. My mugs are lopsided but they hold coffee. Looking for a relationship."
5. "Moved here a year ago and still finding the best noodles in town. Show me your favorite spot and I'll show you mine."
6. "I'll plan the trip, you pick the playlist. Looking for a partner in crime and in grocery shopping."
7. "Two cats, one sourdough starter, zero patience for bad pizza. Here for dates that turn into something."
8. "Accountant by day, choir tenor by night. Yes, I'll sing at your birthday. Quietly."
9. "Morning swimmer, terrible dancer, great listener. Let's get a drink and see if we laugh at the same things."

About me examples for women on dating sites

1. "Product designer, aunt of three, owner of too many houseplants. Looking for someone kind who actually makes plans."
2. "I'm happiest at a farmers market at 8 a.m. with a pastry in each hand. Looking for a relationship with someone who's a morning person, or willing to fake it."
3. "Lawyer who argues for a living and refuses to at home. Into live music, long walks and people who text back."
4. "Ask me about the time I got lost in Lisbon and found the best custard tart of my life. Looking for my next adventure buddy and maybe more."
5. "Runner, reader, competitive about board games in a friendly way (mostly). Want something serious with someone who can take a loss gracefully."
6. "Single mom to a funny 7-year-old, so my free evenings are precious. I'd love to spend some of them over dinner with someone who's ready for something real."

For Tinder specifically, see our good Tinder bios for women.

About me examples for men on dating sites

1. "Carpenter who can fix your shelf and burn your toast. Looking for someone to share Saturday mornings with."
2. "Physical therapist, amateur chef, recovering fantasy football addict. Here for a relationship, not a pen pal."
3. "I make a very good lasagna and a very bad first impression in photos. Come for the lasagna, stay for the conversation."
4. "Dad of one, weekend cyclist, always the one who brings snacks. Looking for someone warm who likes a slow Sunday."
5. "I've visited 30 national parks and plan to see the rest. Need a co-pilot who's good with maps or good with snacks."
6. "Software developer, cellist, the guy at trivia who knows every capital and none of the sports. Let's be a team."

More ideas for men live in our Tinder bios for men and Bumble bios for men guides.

Longer About Me examples for dating sites with full profiles

Some dating sites give you room for a proper description. Keep paragraphs short and still lead with something specific.

1. "I'm a high school history teacher, which means I'm patient, I can tell a good story and I know exactly when someone is bluffing. Outside work I'm usually on a bike, in the kitchen or at my sister's place getting beaten at cards by my nephews.

I'm looking for a relationship with someone curious and kind, who likes a mix of quiet nights in and the odd spontaneous road trip. Bonus points if you have opinions about the best diner breakfast."

1. "I moved back to my hometown three years ago to be near family, and I've been rediscovering it ever since: the lake trail, the bakery that still makes the same cinnamon rolls, the new bar with surprisingly good jazz.

I work in marketing, swim twice a week and read mostly mysteries. I'm ready for something long-term with someone who values honesty and can laugh at themselves."

1. "Retired engineer, widowed six years, finally learning to paint and not very good at it yet. My kids are grown and scattered, so I travel to see them and like company on the way.

I'd like to meet someone who enjoys a good meal, a museum and a long conversation, and isn't in a hurry."

1. "I'm a vet tech, so yes, I will want to meet your dog. Most weekends I'm hiking, cooking something new or watching a terrible reality show with my roommate.

I'm looking for a partner who's affectionate, reliable and up for small adventures. If you can recommend a good book or a better taco, we'll get along."

Funny ways to describe yourself on a dating site

1. "Pros: good cook, great hugger, owns a car. Cons: will tell you every fact I know about octopuses."
2. "I'm 5'9" on a good hair day and 5'8" the rest of the time."
3. "My love language is sending you memes at 2 a.m. and then pretending I was asleep."
4. "Professional overthinker. Amateur baker. Expert at finding the one dog at the party."
5. "Swipe right if you'll let me order for the table. I'm very good at it."
6. "Looking for someone to split dessert with. I'll take the bigger half, but I'll pay."

For a full list, see our funny Tinder bios.

Dating app descriptions for specific situations

1. Divorced: "Divorced, co-parenting well, and finally ready to date again. Looking for someone patient, funny and serious about something lasting."
2. New in town: "Just moved here for work and know exactly three people. Show me around and I'll owe you dinner."
3. Over 50: "Grandmother of two, gardener, part-time bookkeeper and full-time optimist. Looking for companionship and someone to dance with at weddings."
4. Introvert: "Quiet at first, very chatty once I know you. Ideal date: a bookshop, then coffee where we can actually hear each other."
5. Busy schedule: "Medical resident with an unpredictable calendar. If you're happy with short notice and long talks, let's find a time."

What to leave out when writing about yourself

• Lists of things you don't want. "No drama, no players" reads as bitter and says nothing about you.
• Generic interests. Everyone likes "travel, food and music". Name the trip, the dish, the band.
• Anything about an ex.
• Identifying details: workplace name, street, kids' names or school.
• Claims your friends would laugh at. If you're not really "adventurous", don't say it.
• Typos. Read it out loud once before saving.

Make sure your photos match your About Me

People read your bio after your photos pique their interest. If your About Me says "always outdoors" and every photo is a bathroom selfie, the words lose. Pick photos that back up what you wrote: the hike, the kitchen, the dog. Our guide to dating profile pictures shows which ones to use, and the dating profile bio guide goes deeper on the writing process.