How to Read Body Language & Nonverbal Communications

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Body language and decision-making expert Janine Driver shares tips for reading other people’s body language

Co-authored by Janine Driver and Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: August 4, 2026 Fact Checked

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Reading Body Language

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Key Signals

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What is body language?

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Limitations

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

If you need help understanding body language, you’re in the right place. We’ve partnered with body language and nonverbal communication experts to tell you everything you need to know about picking up on nonverbal cues. We’ll give step-by-step guidance for reading body language, as well as key signals to watch for. Let’s get started!

Tricks for Reading Someone’s Body Language

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An image depicting how to read body language using key signals like facial expressions, hand gestures, and posture.

Body language and decision-making expert Janine Driver suggests understanding someone’s baseline body language in a relaxed environment, such as their normal posture, mannerisms, and facial expressions. Then, note shifts in their face, posture, hand gestures, and movements. Remember to be mindful of context clues.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

How to Read Body Language & Nonverbal Cues

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Get an idea of someone’s baseline body language for a means of comparison. Driver says, “You always want to get someone’s baseline.” This allows you to notice when their expressions, mannerisms, or posture change and read their body language more effectively. Driver recommends paying attention to a person’s body language in a neutral, nonthreatening situation to increase your awareness of changes when they’re in distress or being dishonest.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Janine Driver
Body Language & Decision-Making Expert

Expert Interview}
- Look to see if their posture is naturally straight or relaxed.
- Observe their resting facial expression.
- Note if they tend to use certain hand gestures in regular conversation.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Janine Driver is a body language and decision-making expert based in New Alexandria, VA. She has over 30 years of experience and is a former federal law enforcement officer who trained the FBI, CIA, and ATF in detecting deception.

Dr. Abbie Maroño is a behavioral and social scientist based in Orlando, FL. She is acknowledged by the U.S. Department of State as a top 1% expert in her field.

Mansour Mansouri is a communication coach based in Quito, Ecuador. He has over 17 years of experience working with students and is passionate about helping people with their communication skills.
Nonverbal communication specialist Mansour Mansouri says the jaw tightens when you’re feeling distressed or uncomfortable, and it’s one of the first nonverbal cues you can check for.^{[2]
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Mansour Mansouri
Nonverbal Communication Specialist

Expert Interview} Watch for any clenching of the jaw to get an idea of whether someone is relaxed or tense.

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Pay attention to changes in the head and face. Driver advises looking for changes from a person’s baseline starting at their head.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Janine Driver
Body Language & Decision-Making Expert

Expert Interview} For instance, if a person tends to tilt their head slightly, and you notice they’re suddenly holding their head straight up, you might determine that their attention is piqued. Also pay attention to changes in the face, such as furrowed or raised eyebrows.
- Keep reading for key signals in the face and body to watch for.
According to Driver, paying attention to how someone sits or stands can help you read them. She notes that some people naturally sit slanted to one side or the other, or that they move or rock when they’re sitting and standing.^{[4]
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Janine Driver
Body Language & Decision-Making Expert

Expert Interview} If someone like that suddenly becomes rigid or upright, you might assume they’re feeling on edge or that they’re at attention.
Hand gestures can convey a person’s level of confidence or self-assurance. “When you use more hand gestures, you appear more likable, credible, and confident,” Driver adds.^{[5]
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Janine Driver
Body Language & Decision-Making Expert

Expert Interview} For example, someone who uses decisive hand gestures may be more relaxed and confident, while someone who wrings their hands or fidgets excessively may be more nervous.
Body language and nonverbal communication expert Dr. Abbie Maroño says that people often keep their limbs close to their bodies as a self-soothing mechanism. “We may hug ourselves, keep legs together, and keep everything closed off,” she adds.^{[6]
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Dr. Abbie Maroño
Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert

Expert Interview} On the flip side, someone who feels confident and comfortable might have looser body language, like open hands or arms and uncrossed legs.
Dr. Maroño notes that someone’s movements within their space can tell you about how confident or anxious they are. She says someone who tries to take up less space may be anxious, while someone who can comfortably move around and take up room may be more confident.^{[7]
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Dr. Abbie Maroño
Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert

Expert Interview} However, someone who takes up excessive amounts of space with over-the-top gestures may be overcompensating or domineering.
When you’re reading someone’s body language, make sure you’re considering what’s going on around you. Maybe someone you’re talking to reads as tense or anxious, so you assume they find you offputting—consider whether they’re in an uncomfortable environment or if there’s something going on in their personal life. It’s best to make sure you have the full story before jumping to conclusions.

Method 2

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Key Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Signals

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Dr. Maroño says there are seven universal emotions that you can look for when reading faces.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Dr. Abbie Maroño
Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert

Expert Interview} Watch for expressions of happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, surprise, and contempt when you’re reading someone’s body language.^{[9]
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Research source} Pay attention to the eyes, eyebrows, and mouth to pick up on the universal emotions.
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Body movement and posture Driver says someone’s movements and posture are key signals to watch for when reading body language.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Janine Driver
Body Language & Decision-Making Expert

Expert Interview} Observe whether someone sits up straight or slouches, and whether or not they’re comfortable taking up space with their movements. For instance, a confident person might stand up taller or feel more comfortable filling the space around them.
- Dr. Maroño says mimicry is one way to be charming through body language, so if you notice someone copying your movements, they might just be trying to impress you!^{[11]
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  Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert
  
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Hand gestures are a major signal for reading body language. Dr. Maroño notes that big hand gestures are one thing to watch for when reading someone’s body language.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Dr. Abbie Maroño
Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert

Expert Interview} If someone is using big, fast gestures, it might mean they’re excited or eager. Smaller gestures could mean they’re shy or anxious.
The way someone moves within their surroundings and relative to other people can be very telling. If someone stands close to you, it might mean they’re comfortable around you or view you favorably. On the other hand, someone who keeps a distance may be more reserved or uncomfortable around you.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

What is body language?

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Dr. Maroño says we communicate everything through body language. “It’s just the outward communication of an internal state,” she adds. Body language can be anything from hand gestures to posture to facial expressions. Dr. Maroño also notes that we can pick up on even the most minor movements and read it as body language.^{[14]
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Dr. Abbie Maroño
Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert

Expert Interview}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Limits of Reading Body Language

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While reading body language can give you insights into someone’s comfort or interest in a given situation, it doesn’t always give you all the information. Remember, one of the best ways to know how someone thinks or feels is to ask! Don’t be afraid to communicate if you want to understand where someone’s head is at.
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Not all information about body language is accurate. Dr. Maroño notes that there are a lot of myths surrounding how to read body language. She mentions that microexpressions, or tiny changes in facial expressions, are one popular body language method that have been debunked by psychological research.^{[15]
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Dr. Abbie Maroño
Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert

Expert Interview}
- Dr. Maroño also notes that there are misconceptions about certain gestures, such as crossing your arms. She explains that many people believe this is a sign of defensiveness when it’s really just a default stance.^{[16]
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  Dr. Abbie Maroño
  Body Language & Nonverbal Communication Expert
  
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I tell if someone is uncomfortable around me?

Sarah Schewitz, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Sarah Schewitz, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist by the California Board of Psychology with over 10 years of experience. She received her Psy.D. from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2011. She is the founder of Couples Learn, an online psychology practice helping couples and individuals improve and change their patterns in love and relationships.

Sarah Schewitz, PsyD

Licensed Psychologist

Expert Answer

The person might be leaning away or trying to walk away if they think you're being creepy.

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Question

How do you flirt with someone using body language?

Cher Gopman
Dating Coach
Cher Gopman is the Founder of NYC Wingwoman LLC, a date coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Cher is a Certified Life Coach, a former psychiatric nurse, and her work has been featured on Inside Edition, Fox, ABC, VH1, and The New York Post.

Cher Gopman

Dating Coach

Expert Answer

Smiling is very important since it shows you're engaged and puts the other person at ease. Eye contact is also super important, but make sure you're looking away every once in a while so it's not too intense. A little bit of hair touching every once in a while is a sign of flirting. Same with leaning in a little bit when you're seated. If you're leaning back, it's a sign that you're less interested. Make sure your arms are not closed off, and don't be afraid to touch the other person if they seem comfortable.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If they touch your leg, whether it be with their own leg or their hand, they're interested in you. Some people do this on purpose, but it also may be subconscious.
If someone hides their thumbs by tucking them into their hands or pockets, they usually feel nervous.
If someone crosses their legs while standing, they probably like the person they are with.

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