The Secret To Reading People Accurately Lies In Observing These 12 Nonverbal Cues

These “tells” can allow you to read other people.

A person with short, dark hair and a straight fringe looks to the side. They wear a light-colored top and a beaded necklace. The background is softly blurred with warm, natural lighting.

When it comes to “reading” other people—their emotions, intentions, and so on—what isn’t said often speaks much louder than actual words. The 12 nonverbal cues that follow can offer immense insights about those around you, so keep an eye out for them.

1. Posture.

A young man with short brown hair stands against a light wooden background. He wears a light blue button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up and blue jeans. His hands are in his pockets, and he has a slight smile on his face with a relaxed posture.

How a person holds their head and trunk will say a lot about them. Are they sitting up straight, paying attention to what’s going on around them, with a firm, confident posture? Or slouching with their head leaning to one side? The former implies intelligent engagement while the latter speaks of boredom.

2. Where their feet are pointing.

Several people stand together indoors, viewed from the knees down. They are wearing casual sneakers, and the floor appears to be smooth and light-colored. The background shows a window with a blurred view outside.

When observing other people, take note of the directions in which they’re pointing their feet during the conversation. If they’re facing forward towards the person they’re talking to, they’re engaged in the discussion and likely enjoying it. In contrast, if they’re facing away, they’re eager to end things and leave.

3. Eating habits.

A woman in a white shirt is sitting at a table eating spaghetti with a fork. She looks focused on her meal, with a plate of pasta in front of her and a woven placemat on the table. The background is a plain gray wall.

Pay special attention to how they eat. Do they wrap an arm around their plate protectively, or stab their food aggressively? Note whether they chew their food thoroughly or gulp it to get the meal over with quickly. Every aspect of how they eat will tell you what kind of a person they are, or how they are currently feeling.

4. Eye movement.

Close-up of a person's face wearing round glasses. The focus is on their eye and the bridge of the glasses, with curly hair partially visible. The lighting highlights the texture of their skin and the glass lenses.

Watch their eye movement to determine aspects of their personality. Are they maintaining eye contact confidently, or occasionally glancing upwards to remember facts? Or is their eye movement shifty, avoiding anyone’s direct gaze, or fixed elsewhere? The former implies sincerity while the latter may indicate untrustworthiness or, depending on the individual, possible autism.

5. Microexpressions.

A close-up of a woman with long brown hair looking downward in a contemplative manner. Her expression appears thoughtful, with soft lighting highlighting her face. The background is blurred, focusing attention on her facial features.

Microexpressions are a person’s instant, unconscious facial reactions to things before they can control their features. An involuntary wince or pout of disdain might imply that they’re uncomfortable or disgusted with something they’ve seen or heard, while a slight smile implies amusement. These only last a fraction of a second, so you’ll have to pay close attention!

6. Major expressions.

A man wearing a white dress shirt and a loosely knotted black and white striped tie is standing in front of a plain wooden background. He has a surprised expression on his face, with wide eyes and raised eyebrows, while holding his head with one hand.

These are the opposite of microexpressions and are fairly obvious to anyone nearby. For example, someone whose hands are visibly trembling despite their even voice might be feeling quite anxious. Similarly, clearing their throat or coughing repeatedly can imply discomfort, while playing with their hair implies romantic interest in their companion.

7. Repeated gestures.

A person sits in a chair in a warmly lit room, hands clasped, looking thoughtfully forward. Sunlight streams through a window, casting bright patterns on a wooden door. The atmosphere is calm and contemplative.

Keep an eye out for repeated, unconscious behaviors such as if someone keeps bouncing their leg up and down, stroking their own hands, or playing with an object in a repetitive manner. This is self-soothing behavior that can indicate that the person is experiencing anxiety, stress, or agitation.

8. How they’re breathing.

A woman with long brown hair wearing a yellow shirt is standing against a plain background. She is holding a paper bag close to her mouth, appearing to be breathing into it. Her eyes are slightly closed, conveying a sense of anxiety or distress.

Breath is the foundation of life, and how a person is breathing can indicate a surprising amount about them. A calm, confident person will breathe slowly and rhythmically, whereas someone who’s stressed or nervous will take quick, shallow breaths. Deeper, rapid panting is also an indication of distress, pain, or something very wrong.

9. The way they move.

A woman with curly red hair, wearing a striped dress, is walking through a green park. She appears relaxed and content as she strolls along a tree-lined path with lush foliage in the background.

Do they move confidently, or weasel around? Being smooth on their feet implies that they have some skill in dancing, or a martial arts background, whereas a limp could indicate a prior injury. Similarly, do they use tools and utensils gracefully and confidently? Or like alien objects they’d never picked up before?

10. Pupil dilation.

A close-up of a human eye seen through a keyhole. The eye has a bright blue and yellow iris with a dark black pupil in the center, surrounded by the dark edges of the keyhole. The surrounding area is mostly black, focusing the viewer's attention on the eye.

Are their pupils dilated or constricted, considering the light levels around you? Dilation can indicate certain types of drug use, as well as fear or arousal, while constriction can imply use of opioids, or exposure to some type of poison. Compare their pupil size to their behaviors to glean a bigger picture about them.

11. How they observe others.

A group of people sitting around a table in a restaurant, eating and talking. A woman with curly hair wearing a pink top and beige vest is smiling in the center, while others around her are holding pieces of pizza. The atmosphere appears lively and social.

Be sure to watch how they observe other people when they think nobody’s looking. Do they look people up and down judgementally, or glance at them with neutrality? Are they watching with a predatory stare, or with their head tilted in curiosity? Watch to see how their observational methods inform their actions.

12. How other people are behaving around them.

A group of five young adults is sitting on a park bench, engaged in conversation. They are casually dressed, and the background shows trees, grass, and a pathway. The individuals appear animated, with one gesturing while others listen and respond.

One of the best nonverbal cues to watch out for is how other people react to the person you’re observing. If they’re leaning in closely and smiling, that person’s energy is having an uplifting or intoxicating effect. In contrast, if they’re giving this person a wide berth, even if they seem pleasant, proceed with caution.