Figuring out if a guy wants to be in an exclusive relationship with you can be tricky. When you’re dating someone new, it’s hard to know if he’s ready to commit or if he’s still wanting to play the field. There are some signs you can look for though that will give you a good idea of where his head is at when it comes to exclusivity.
He stops using dating apps and sites
One of the most obvious signs a guy is ready to be exclusive is if he deletes his dating apps and profiles. If he is serious about you, he won’t want to continue window shopping online or communicating with other women. This is a clear indication he is ready to focus his romantic efforts on you and you alone.
He calls you his girlfriend
If a guy refers to you as his girlfriend or introduces you to others as such, it’s a good hint he sees you as exclusive. Calling you a girlfriend denotes commitment and shows he considers you a significant part of his life. He wouldn’t use this term if he was planning to continue seeing other people.
He talks about the future
A man who is ready to be exclusive will often start talking about future plans with you. This could include anything from upcoming events months down the road to even bigger steps like meeting family or moving in together someday. If he sees a future with you, it’s unlikely he’ll want to continue being casual.
He wants you to meet his friends and family
Wanting you to meet the important people in his life signals he sees you as a priority. By introducing you to his friends and family, he’s hinting he wants to integrate you into his world. A guy who is still wanting to play the field likely won’t be eager to bring you into his inner circle.
He asks you to be exclusive
The most surefire way to know if a guy wants to make things official is if he outright asks you to be his girlfriend. If he says something like, “I really like you and don’t want to see anyone else – will you be my girlfriend?” or asks if you want to be exclusive, he’s ready to commit. Don’t assume a guy is on the same page just because you’ve been dating regularly though – have an open conversation about where you stand.
He gets jealous of other guys
If a man likes you and sees you as his, he probably won’t like the idea of you spending time with other men. Jealousy can be an indicator he has strong feelings for you and wants exclusivity. That said, extreme jealousy and possessiveness can also be red flags, so take note of how he reacts and if his jealousy seems healthy or unhealthy.
He makes an effort to see you often
A guy who wants to be exclusive will make spending time with you a priority. If he’s constantly asking you out, initiating dates, and finding opportunities to be together, it’s a good sign he’s not interested in anyone else. The effort he puts in is evidence you’re a big part of his life.
He only seems to flirt with you
You can often gauge a man’s interest and intentions simply by observing how he acts around you. A guy who is ready to be exclusive will direct his romantic energy and affection solely toward you. If he flirts heavily with you but not with other women he encounters, it’s a strong sign you’re the only one he has eyes for.
He leaves stuff at your place
Leaving personal items and belongings at your home is a sign of comfort, familiarity, and commitment. When a man leaves a toothbrush, clothes, grooming supplies, or other possessions at your place, he’s hinting that he envisions spending a lot of time there. It’s evidence he’s ready to get serious and comfortable.
He goes out of his way for you
A man who is ready to be exclusive will likely go out of his way to do nice things for you and make you happy. He’ll bring you chicken soup when you’re sick, handle chores you don’t enjoy, and surprise you with gifts or your favorite dessert simply because. The effort he puts into supporting you shows how much he cares.
He respects your time
Someone who values commitment will be respectful of your time. He’ll give you proper notice before asking you out instead of last-minute invites and he’ll avoid cancelling plans except in emergencies. Making you a priority and respecting your schedule is a sign he sees you as girlfriend material.
Your dates don’t always revolve around sex
A man who always expects sex or makes everything about getting physically intimate is likely more interested in a casual fling than commitment. If you notice your dates involve more quality time talking, cuddling or enjoying activities you both like, it hints he sees you as more than just a hookup.
He expresses his feelings
Being open about emotions and saying how he really feels are signs a guy is comfortable being vulnerable with you. If he says he misses you when you’re apart, tells you how happy you make him or even says he loves you, he likely wants a deeper connection. Sharing true feelings requires trust and intimacy.
He opens up to you
Similar to expressing emotions, a man ready for commitment will feel safe opening up to you about private matters, past experiences that shaped him and his inner thoughts. By confiding in you, he shows he trusts you and sees you as someone important he can let his guard down around.
He integrates you into other areas of his life
A man who wants to be exclusive will find ways to include you in various aspects of his life beyond just dating. This could mean inviting you to work functions, having you spend time with family, introducing you to friends or asking for your input on decisions. He sees you as part of his world.
He doesn’t seem interested in other women
A huge indicator a man wants to focus on you is if he seems indifferent, uninterested or even oblivious to attention from other women. A guy who is ready to commit will have eyes only for you. Other women won’t faze him because you’re the one he desires.
He talks about deleting dating apps
If a guy openly talks about wanting to delete his dating apps or says he’s tired of looking for women online, it’s a clear sign he’s ready to be exclusive. This verbal confirmation indicates he sees no need to keep his options open when he feels happy with you.
He avoids defining the relationship
On the flip side, if you notice a guy seems reluctant to put a “label” on things or gets awkward when you ask where he sees things going, he may not be ready for exclusivity. Pay attention to any vibe that he’s hesitant about commitment.
He still frequently checks dating sites
Observing a man continuing to check his dating apps regularly or even update his profile is a red flag he’s likely not ready to stop playing the field. Remaining active on sites while seeing you hints he wants to keep his options open.
He flirts with other women in front of you
A big sign a man wants to continue being casual is if he openly checks out or flirts with other women when you’re together. This inappropriate behavior clearly conveys he’s still wanting to play the field and has no plans to be exclusive any time soon.
He seems non-committal about making plans
If a guy seems to avoid concrete plans with you or doesn’t discuss the future, he may not be looking for anything serious right now. Remaining non-committal and aloof about planning dates can signify he just wants to keep things casual and uncomplicated.
Your relationship is mostly physical
While chemistry and attraction are important, exclusively physical connections aren’t built to last. If you notice your relationship is mostly about sex instead of quality time bonding and getting to know each other, he may not see you as girlfriend material.
Conclusion
Paying attention to signs like him cutting off contact with other women, making you a priority and integrating you into his life can help clue you into whether a guy wants to get serious. But if you’re unsure, have an honest heart-to-heart about where you both see things going. Open communication is the best way to gain clarity on his readiness for exclusivity.