40 Flirty Responses to I was thinking about you!

Last week, I received a surprise text from someone I’d been dating: “I was thinking about you!” My heart did that little flutter thing, but then I froze, staring at my phone. Should I be casual? Flirty? Funny? I ended up sending a basic “Aww, that’s sweet!” reply and immediately regretted not saying something more memorable.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? When someone tells you they’ve been thinking about you, it’s the perfect opportunity to deepen your connection, show your personality, and maybe even turn up the heat a little. But finding that perfect balance between interested and overeager isn’t always easy.

In this article, I’ve compiled 40 flirty responses that range from sweetly romantic to playfully suggestive, so you’ll always have the perfect reply ready when someone is thinking about you.

Why Your Response Matters

Before diving into specific responses, let’s talk about why your reply to “I was thinking about you” can be so impactful.

When someone tells you they’ve been thinking about you, they’re making themselves vulnerable. They’re revealing that you occupy space in their mind when you’re not around—and that’s significant. How you respond can either strengthen your connection or potentially cool things off.

According to relationship psychologist Dr. Marisa T. Cohen, who researches relationship formation, “Reciprocal self-disclosure is key to building intimacy.” In other words, when someone shares something personal (like the fact that they’ve been thinking about you), how you respond matters to the development of your relationship.

Your response signals your interest level, your communication style, and even your emotional availability. It’s an opportunity to show your authentic personality while nudging the relationship in the direction you want it to go.

💡 Pro tip: Match your response to both your personality and the current stage of your relationship. A response that’s perfect for someone you’ve been dating for months might come across as too intense for a new connection.

Sweet and Romantic Responses

When you want to show genuine appreciation and perhaps deepen the emotional connection, these sweetly romantic responses strike the perfect balance between interested and sincere.

#1. What a coincidence—you’ve been on my mind too

This response creates an instant connection by establishing that the feeling is mutual. It’s sweet without being over-the-top and opens the door for further conversation about what you’ve been thinking.

#2. That just made my whole day better

This simple, genuine response shows that their message had a real positive impact on you. It’s affirming without being too forward, making it perfect for newer relationships or when you’re still getting to know each other.

#3. And what exactly were you thinking about me?

This gently curious response invites them to share more while adding a touch of flirtation. The open-ended question keeps the conversation flowing and gives them an opportunity to elaborate on their thoughts.

#4. I love knowing I crossed your mind

This direct yet warm response acknowledges the compliment and expresses appreciation. It’s sincere without being overly emotional, making it appropriate for various stages of dating.

#5. Your timing is perfect. I was just smiling about something you said the other day

This response creates connection by suggesting you’ve been thinking about them too, but in a specific way. Mentioning that you were smiling adds positive emotion to the exchange.

#6. Thinking about me, huh? I hope they were good thoughts

This playful response acknowledges their message while adding a touch of lightness. The hint of curiosity invites them to share more details if they choose.

#7. You just have a way of brightening my day, don’t you?

This response compliments them back by suggesting they consistently have a positive effect on you. The rhetorical question adds a warm, conversational tone.

#8. I’ve been carrying our last conversation with me all week

This response goes beyond simply saying you’ve been thinking of them too—it specifies what you’ve been thinking about. Mentioning your last conversation validates the connection you’re building through communication.

#9. That’s the best notification I’ve gotten all day

This contemporary response acknowledges the digital nature of modern communication while still being warmly appreciative. It’s casual enough for new connections but still shows you’re happy to hear from them.

#10. Knowing I’m in your thoughts makes me feel special

This sincere response shows emotional openness and vulnerability. It clearly communicates that their attention means something to you without being overwhelming.

Playful and Teasing Responses

When you want to keep things light and fun while still showing interest, these playful responses add a touch of humor and personality to your reply.

#11. I tend to have that effect on people. It’s both a gift and a curse

This humorously confident response pokes fun at yourself while acknowledging their message. The touch of mock arrogance works well when your dynamic already includes playful banter.

#12. Only good things, I hope. Actually, a few bad things are okay too…

This response starts sweet and then adds a playful, slightly suggestive twist at the end. It works well when there’s already some flirtation established in your relationship.

#13. Was I wearing clothes in these thoughts of yours?

This boldly playful response takes a direct turn toward flirtation. It’s best used when you already have an established flirtatious rapport and are confident they’ll receive it well.

#14. I charge a fee for occupying brain space, you know

This whimsical response creates a playful dynamic by pretending there’s a cost for thinking about you. It can lead to fun banter about what form of “payment” might be acceptable.

#15. That’s dangerous. I’m very addictive to think about

This confident, teasing response suggests that thinking about you might lead to wanting more. It presents you as desirable in a lighthearted, not-too-serious way.

#16. Did you get permission from the other people thinking about me?

This humorous response playfully suggests that multiple people think about you, positioning yourself as sought-after without seeming genuinely arrogant.

#17. I’ve been told I’m pretty unforgettable

This response acknowledges their message with a touch of confident humor. It’s slightly boastful but in a way that comes across as playful rather than actually conceited.

This playfully encourages them to think about you frequently. It’s flirtatious while still being lighthearted and can work at various relationship stages.

#19. Thinking about me? There goes your productivity for the day

This teasing response suggests that thoughts of you are distracting in a good way. It playfully acknowledges your appeal while maintaining a fun, not-too-serious tone.

#20. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me that… I’d have one dollar

This self-deprecating humor takes an unexpected turn and can get a laugh. It shows confidence in your ability to poke fun at yourself, which many people find attractive.

Witty and Clever Responses

When you want to showcase your intelligence and verbal creativity, these witty responses demonstrate your quick thinking and unique perspective.

#21. I’d say I’m flattered, but really, I just have excellent taste in people who think about me

This clever twist on a common phrase shows verbal creativity while still being complimentary to the other person. It’s intellectual flirtation at its finest.

#22. Is this the universe’s way of telling me to text you more often?

This response frames their message as a sign from the universe, adding both whimsy and a hint that you’re open to more communication. It’s clever while still showing genuine interest.

#23. Your brain has excellent taste in people to think about

This witty compliment personifies their brain as having good judgment. It’s a creative way to accept the compliment of being thought about while complimenting them back.

#24. I’m also thinking about me. We have so much in common!

This humorously narcissistic response creates a moment of unexpected comedy. It works well when you have an established playful dynamic and they’ll understand you’re joking.

#25. Well, I am the main character in all my favorite daydreams

This response plays with the “main character” concept popular in social media culture. It’s self-referential in a way that’s both contemporary and playfully confident.

#26. Your thoughts sound like a fascinating place. When can I visit again?

This clever response creates a metaphor of their mind as a location you’d like to visit. It’s intellectually playful while expressing interest in continued connection.

#27. I’ve been conducting a study on how often I cross people’s minds. Thanks for contributing to my research

This creative response frames their message as data for your imaginary study. It’s quirky and memorable while still acknowledging that you appreciate their thoughts.

#28. That explains why my ears were burning. Or wait, was that the hot sauce?

This response references the old superstition that your ears burn when someone is talking about you, then adds a humorous twist. It’s a clever way to acknowledge their message while showing your sense of humor.

#29. I knew I felt a disturbance in the force. That was you, wasn’t it?

This pop culture reference (Star Wars) creates a playful connection between their thoughts and you somehow sensing them. It works especially well if you share an interest in the referenced material.

#30. Your mind clearly has impeccable taste in company

This witty response compliments their thoughts (personified as having “taste”) while indirectly complimenting yourself. It’s clever wordplay that maintains a flirtatious undertone.

Bold and Flirtatious Responses

When you’re confident in your connection and want to turn up the heat, these bolder responses clearly communicate your interest and attraction.

#31. Thinking about me, huh? Maybe we should turn those thoughts into reality soon

This forward response directly suggests moving from thinking to action. It’s best used when there’s already established mutual attraction and you’re confident in taking things to the next level.

#32. If your thoughts about me are half as interesting as mine about you, we should definitely compare notes

This response acknowledges mutual interest while suggesting your thoughts might be even more intriguing. It creates curiosity and invites deeper conversation.

#33. I’ve been living rent-free in your mind? Let me make it worth your while

This takes the common phrase about living “rent-free” in someone’s mind and adds a flirtatious twist by suggesting you’ll provide value in return for their thoughts.

#34. Keep thinking about me like that and you might just get what you’re wishing for

This boldly flirtatious response suggests their thoughts might lead to something real. It works when you’re confident there’s mutual attraction and you want to acknowledge it directly.

#35. I wonder if we were thinking about each other at the exact same moment

This response creates a romantic notion of simultaneous thoughts. It suggests a special connection while clearly indicating you’ve been thinking about them too.

According to research on attraction, creating a sense of synchronicity or shared experience can heighten feelings of connection. This response taps into that psychological principle in a natural, flirtatious way.

Mysterious and Intriguing Responses

When you want to pique their curiosity and leave them wanting more, these mysterious responses create intrigue while maintaining interest.

#36. That’s quite a coincidence, considering what was just going through my mind

This cryptic response suggests you were having thoughts about them too, but doesn’t reveal what those thoughts were. It creates curiosity and invites them to ask for more details.

#37. I have ways of knowing when I’m on someone’s mind. It’s both a blessing and a curse

This playfully mysterious response suggests you have some special intuition, adding an element of intrigue to your interaction. It’s whimsical without being too serious.

#38. And just what prompted these thoughts? I’m curious about what triggers them

Rather than directly responding to their statement, this reply shifts focus to what caused them to think of you. It shows interest while creating a sense of mystery about why you’re asking.

#39. The universe works in mysterious ways… I was just about to reach out to you

This response suggests a cosmic connection between you. It’s romantically mysterious while also indicating that you were thinking of them too, creating a sense of special connection.

#40. Some thoughts are better shared in person. When are we seeing each other next?

This intriguingly suggests that you have thoughts too, but they’re best discussed face-to-face. It creates anticipation while smoothly suggesting a meetup, advancing the relationship naturally.

When to Be More Reserved

While flirty responses can be fun and effective, there are times when a more measured approach might be appropriate. Understanding context is key to successful flirtation.

Consider the timing of their message. If it comes at an unusual hour or during a time when you’ve been distant, they might be reaching out for reassurance rather than flirtation. In such cases, a genuine response might be more appropriate than a flirty one.

Think about your relationship history. If things have been complicated or unclear, be mindful about sending mixed signals. Your flirty response should align with your actual interest level and the type of relationship you want.

Pay attention to their communication style. Some people express “I was thinking about you” in a friendly, non-romantic context. Make sure your response matches the actual intent behind their message.

💡 Pro tip: When in doubt, start with a more moderate response. You can always escalate the flirtation as the conversation continues if their replies indicate they’re receptive.

Final Take

When someone tells you they’ve been thinking about you, it’s both a compliment and an opportunity to nurture your connection. Your response can set the tone for your future interactions, whether you’re looking to build a friendship, a casual flirtation, or something more serious.

The best response will always be one that authentically reflects your personality and comfort level while considering the specific context of your relationship. Whether you choose something sweet and romantic, playful and teasing, witty and clever, boldly flirtatious, or mysterious and intriguing, let your genuine self shine through.

Remember that successful flirtation isn’t about following a script—it’s about creating a meaningful exchange that leaves both people feeling good about the interaction. Choose a response that feels natural to you, and you’ll be more likely to create a genuine connection.

What’s your go-to response when someone tells you they’ve been thinking about you? Do you prefer sweet sincerity or playful banter? Having a few reliable responses ready can help you navigate these moments with confidence and authenticity.

FAQs About Flirty Responses

How can I tell if someone is flirting when they say “I was thinking about you” or just being friendly?

Look for context clues: the timing of their message, any accompanying emojis, your relationship history, and their general communication pattern. If they frequently use heart emojis, reach out during evening hours, or follow up with questions about seeing you, they’re likely flirting. If the message comes amid functional conversations or alongside group messages to others, it might be more friendly than flirtatious.

Is it too forward to send a very flirty response to someone I don’t know well yet?

It’s generally best to match or slightly escalate the flirtation level they initiated. If someone you don’t know well says they were thinking of you, a moderately flirty response is safer than jumping to something very suggestive. You can always increase the flirtation as you gauge their response and comfort level.

What if I send a flirty response and they don’t respond well to it?

If you sense discomfort or receive a lukewarm response, simply adjust your approach in future interactions. You might say something like, “Hope that didn’t come across wrong! I just meant…” followed by a more casual clarification. Most importantly, respect their comfort level moving forward. Not everyone responds to the same flirtation style, and finding the right communication balance is part of building any relationship.