Hinge Prompts for Men in Their 20s & 30s Who Want a Real Connection

I know what it's like. You’re not as young as you used to be. Dating apps are getting more stressful, the stakes are higher, and the pressure is on. And trust me, it takes some serious know-how to find success. 

While your photos quickly get women's attention, it's your Hinge prompts that do the heavy lifting. They not only set you apart from the rest, but they’re a quick filter most women use to gauge who you are- and if you’re worth swiping for. 

In this post, we will discuss some strategies, prompt ideas and how to tackle the writing process in order to really find success on Hinge. 

Why Prompts Are More Important Than Ever 

Whilst photos can get you that first swipe, prompt land you the message. Prompts are a real opportunity to subtly show your personality, depth and values- things men often struggle to convey in photographs alone. 

It's also usually enough to give you the edge over a guy with similar photos- show some personality, make a woman smile- and you’re in. 

Prompts are also how most women will sense what you are looking for. 

And more importantly, it helps you figure out what a woman wants. If you show that you’re a little more serious, and willing to put yourself out there it shows women that you’re serious about dating- not just casual conversation. 

What is important to know is that your prompts should not be used as your CV. Your photos are for that. They should instead evoke curiosity and emotional resonance, not just list factors. Remember: “vibe > resume”

Core Principles of Great Prompt Answers

Principle	Why It Works	Mini Example / Contrast
Show, don’t tell	Specific quirks or stories land harder than traits	Instead of “I’m funny,” tell a wild, true anecdote
Invite interaction	Give her something to jump off from	Puzzles, questions, mysteries in the prompt
Mix humor + substance	You want to feel fun and real	A funny line with a touch of vulnerability
Be unexpected	Avoid clichés, they don’t differentiate	Use odd facts, image, metaphors, or underexplored interests
Be aligned with your goal	If you’re aiming for something serious, your tone should reflect that	Avoid ambiguous, flirty-only prompts if you want depth

Prompt Ideas + Example Answers

Playful / Quirky Prompts 

• “Two Truths & a Lie” - Now to make this wild, not boring. This one may need some jogging of your memory. Dig deep. This prompt works because it’s weird, fun, and shows you don’t take yourself too seriously — while still being impressive. You’ve just given her the perfect reason to message you first.
• “A random fact I love is…” This shows interest in the world, and invites a curious woman to respond and flick you a message, instantly finding common ground and something to connect over. Even better if it's something you know a little about. In my experience, this is one of the most successful Hinge prompts for men. 
• “My ideal Saturday night is…” Twist it- don't be generic. Every guy is saying a movie night, gym or watching football with the boys. Girls don’t like that. Be a little outrageous- say something funny that will get someone’s attention. Or alternatively, add in a movie reference.  

Tip: lean into sensory detail, surprise, or small mysteries. This shows that you’re a deep person, not just someone looking to hook up with the next lady that swipes right. 

Depth / Values Prompts

• “Green flags I look for…” Now this one’s easy to do wrong. Avoid things like ‘has her life together’ and consider something like ‘dogs trust her’, ‘drops niche film references’ or ‘always has the same coffee order’. Avoid things that may offend, but rather things that may be flattering, and are light hearted. Don't be too serious with this one- you risk coming across as arrogant. 
• “One thing you should know about me is…” This is a good time to be a little more serious, without coming across as too uptight. Revealing a little about what's important to you, in a light hearted way is a great way to show someone that you might be looking for the same thing. For example: "...that I'm always trying to get better at something. Currently: sourdough bread, changing my car's oil, and actually listening instead of just waiting to talk. Progress is slow on the bread."
• “I’ll fall for you if…” Now again, don’t come across as entitled. Even little things like “loves animals”, “loves coffee as much as I do”, or “sings in the shower” shows that you may be after someone who’s sweet, without seeming like you’re ticking things off a shopping list. It's also a great conversation starter. 
• Use vulnerability, emotional insight, or a personal perspective (not over-sharing) Save the oversharing for later, but small personal anecdotes, especially after having some light hearted prompts is a great way to show your softer side. Show that you care about your friends, family, and things you are passionate about. 

Vibe / Metaphorical Prompts 

• “Dating me is like…” - use imagery and analogies for this one. This one is a great opening to share your sense of humour. Movie references, funny comments, and little insights into food/sports/hobbies you’re into are great starts. 
• “Let’s make sure to…” - Set expectations wisely. Here’s a great time to be casual, but to the point. “Get coffee as x cafe” is a great start. Now’s not the time to rant about failed dates- trust me!
• “Together we could…” - Hint at something fun and exciting you’d enjoy together. You can even add in a tinge of self-deprecation for a little laugh. Or, if you’re the adventurous type- show off! Are you into abseiling? Great! Put that in. 

Filter / Boundary Prompts

• “We’ll get along if…” This will help you narrow down what you’re looking for. If you put “love getting up before 7am on a Sunday” sure, you narrow down your options, but on the other hand- you’ll be attracting the kind of woman you may be searching for. And it's miles better than saying “you work hard”. 
• “What I’m looking for in a partner…” This is not the time to list a whole bunch of good qualities. And let's face it- everyone is looking for someone caring, smart and funny. So don't be generic, and don't make her feel like you have a big check list. “Who will have breakfast in bed with me”, “who can harmonise in the car”, “who will chase sunsets with me” are great options. 
• “All I ask is that you…” Don't sound desperate- here, the worst thing you can say is “give me a chance”. Instead, think of something witty. Do you have a funny story from a failed date? “All I ask is that you don’t x” and finishing with a story is a great conversation starter. Keep it light hearted here. 
• These help set guardrails and weed out mismatches, gently.

How to Craft Your 3 Best Prompts

A mini-workshop:

1. Brainstorm 8 - 12 personal facts, quirks, interests, life stories
2. Pick 3 prompts that match your strongest theme(s)… humor, depth, values. You can even use ChatGPT for this one (or of course, that overly charming friend we all have) 
3. Draft answers, then sharpen: remove filler, heighten intrigue, tighten wording
4. Show to friends (or a coach) for feedback
5. Rotate and test: swap in new prompts periodically, track which ones spark replies and keep those in. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Generic, vague statements such as “I like music, travel”- Who doesn't? It comes across as boring. 
• Trying too hard to be clever or funny. If it doesn’t come across as natural then leave it. Is sweet your strong suit? If so- then use it!
• Overloading with details, leaving no mystery. She doesn't need to know each and every punch line. 
• Creating dissonance between your prompts and your photos. Try to get your photos, and your prompts to somewhat match up. If your photos show you and your friends having a great, fun time, then reflect that light hearted part of you in your prompts. 
• Being negative or overly listing dealbreakers. Look, online dating can be frustrating. But the worst thing you can do is come across as frustrated, and impatient. Be cool, be calm, and have some confidence in yourself. 

How Prompts Should Complement Your Photos & Bio

The prompts should add nuance, not repeat what your photos or bio already show. The best Hinge prompts for men, from my experience, are those that add some niche details, show a sense of humour and are thoughtful. 

Make sure to think about the flow of your photos and prompts. You want to make sure that you have a good photo of you (and only you) as your top photo, and your best prompt first, too. Leave the more ‘get to know me’ prompts till later. 

These prompts, once you have gained someone's attention are great conversation openers after a match. It may be that she messages, in response to one, or you comment on how your prompts may be similar to one another. 

In addition to this, you should consider changing your prompts after a couple of months. Leave in the ones that are working (the ones that get you messages), and swap out the ones that don't. 

Your Prompts are 50% of the Battle. Your Photos are the Other 50%. 

The wittiest prompt on Hinge won't matter if your lead photo is a blurry selfie from your driver's seat. 

But on the other hand, photos can't do all the heavy lifting. Your prompts create the intrigue; your photos confirm the vibe. They have to work together. A great prompt makes her pause. A great photo makes her swipe right.

Whilst coming up with a witty, thoughtful prompt is hard work, and lets face it, most of us guys aren't pro copywriters or pro photographers there are other avenues you can explore. Because of the demands of online dating- we’ve created the Wingman Plus Profile Makeover. 

We handle the entire process. We’ll direct a professional photoshoot to capture you at your best, then we’ll help you craft the authentic, high-converting prompts to match. We build the complete vibe for you."

Ready to stop wasting time and start getting the matches you deserve? Apply for your Profile Makeover Here.

Your WingMan - Hunter