12 Subtle Signs Someone Can Be Trusted

Not sure if you can trust someone? Look for these signs.

A young man with short brown hair and a blue button-up shirt smiles warmly at the camera. He is seated in a casual setting, possibly a café, with blurred individuals and tables in the background creating a cozy, social atmosphere.

How can you tell if a new acquaintance or partner is trustworthy? Although it takes a long time to truly get to know a person, these 12 attributes and behaviors signal that they’re a person who can be trusted.

1. They keep their word.

A smiling man wearing a yellow t-shirt and glasses is sitting in a café, holding a paper coffee cup. The background includes blurred café furniture and shelves. The man's body language suggests he is engaged in a conversation with someone off-camera.

Whether they’re maintaining confidentiality about sensitive information that you’ve told them, respecting an agreement you’ve made, or standing by someone they’ve promised to support, they keep their promises. Even if they aren’t feeling well or something else comes up in their life, they show that their word is their bond.

2. They’re reliable.

A woman with long, wavy brown hair wearing a beige and pink sleeveless top is sitting at a table. She is resting her chin on her hand and gazing thoughtfully to the side. The background features indoor plants and a softly lit, modern interior.

When they tell you that they’re going to do something, they honor their word. Whether it’s showing up at the airport at 3 am to pick you up, or remembering to water your plants when you’re away, they’ll do it. Basically, they prove that they’re dependable to a fault.

3. They respect your space and belongings.

An elderly woman with short blonde hair stands in a brightly lit kitchen. She is holding a glass of white wine and looking at a laptop on the counter. Vegetables and a cutting board are on the counter beside her. She is wearing a striped shirt and white pants.

Whereas some people will waltz into your place and eat stuff from your kitchen without asking, a trustworthy person will ask to be invited in and won’t even touch your things without making sure it’s okay. They respect others and their belongings and as such, won’t behave inappropriately.

4. They return borrowed items promptly (and in good condition).

A man with short dark hair and a beard sits in the driver's seat of a car, smiling and looking back over his shoulder. The interior of the car is mostly light-colored, and the dashboard and steering wheel are visible.

If you lend your car to a friend and they give it back washed and full of gas, that’s a huge sign that this person is trustworthy. The same goes if you lend a book to a friend and it gets damaged, and they replace it with a new copy.

5. They respect your personal boundaries.

A man with a bald head and glasses, dressed in a green plaid shirt, stands next to a green metal fence. He is smiling slightly and holding onto the fence with his right hand. The background is a street scene with trees and buildings.

Instead of mocking you for your personal ethics or life choices, this person accepts and supports them without hesitation. You don’t eat meat? They’ll have amazing vegan options at their annual BBQ. You’re not a hugger? They’ll offer a fist-bump or handshake instead to ensure that you feel comfortable with them.

6. They take accountability for their missteps.

A man and woman sit closely on a couch in a conversation. The man, wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt and jeans, gently touches the woman's arm. The woman, dressed in a yellow shirt and jeans, listens intently, her hand under her chin. The room is well-lit and cozy.

Whereas some people blame everyone else for their transgressions, a trustworthy person won’t just own up to their mistakes—they’ll put sincere effort into making it up to the one they’ve wronged. You can trust a person who’s honest about how they messed up instead of trying to cover it up.

7. They open up to you about their own struggles.

A man with gray hair and a beard sits close to a woman with blond hair, both in a cozy indoor setting. The man has a supportive hand on the woman's shoulder while gazing at her with a comforting expression. The woman appears contemplative and slightly vulnerable.

If a person risks opening up to you about things they’re struggling with (or have had difficulty with in the past), they’re showing you that they trust you with personal details. As such, you have a pretty solid idea that you can trust them to keep your info confidential in turn.

8. They show their great integrity via small gestures.

If they borrow a single dollar from you, they’ll make a point of repaying it as quickly as possible, or will reciprocate asap if you surprise them with a drink or a snack. The speed and sincerity with which a person returns small favors speaks volumes about their character.

9. They don’t gossip to you about others.

Two women are seated on a green couch, engaged in conversation while holding white mugs. The older woman, in a gray shirt, smiles and gestures while speaking. The younger woman, in a light pink blouse, listens intently. A white brick wall and a leafy plant are in the background.

This is in the same vein of “if they cheat with you, they’ll cheat on you”—a person who tells you other people’s secrets will undoubtedly share yours with others in turn. In contrast, a person who keeps others’ information to themselves will also safeguard what you share with them in confidence.

10. They don’t boast about achievements in rule-breaking.

A man dressed in a sharp black suit and white dress shirt adjusts his left lapel. His right hand rests on the front button of the jacket. He wears a gold watch on his left wrist and a red pocket square in his breast pocket. The background is black.

If someone smirks and tells stories about how they cheated on their taxes, evaded punishment for breaking a law, or shows up with a new watch and won’t tell you where they got it, those are huge red flags. In contrast, someone who’s honest about their dealings shows their trustworthy nature.

11. They protect those who are vulnerable, rather than taking advantage of situations.

Three women are at a bar. The woman on the left appears to be asleep, leaning on the shoulder of the middle woman, who looks concerned and is touching her face. The woman on the right is holding a blue drink and gesturing as she talks to the others.

If someone passes out drunk at a party, does this person sit with them and ensure that they drink water, rather than drawing on them and laughing? Similarly, if someone’s in a crisis, does this person help them without any goal of reciprocity? Benevolence without expectation of reward is a trustworthy trait.

12. Animals love them.

A young woman gently embraces the head of a large black horse while standing in a lush green field. She is wearing a plaid shirt, and her long curly hair cascades over her shoulder. The sky is overcast, creating a calm and serene atmosphere.

This is one of the most important things to look for because animals are startlingly intuitive when it comes to people’s character. If a dog or a horse naturally gravitates towards this person, especially with affection, they’re highly likely to be trustworthy. Beware those whom animals dislike or get aggressive towards immediately.