How to Respond to What’s Up on Tinder: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Inventing a new personality for matches is tough when she can just say whats up. In common American use, this what's up greeting means it's a way to ask how it is, acting like a hello rather than a question. To keep the conversation moving, you need a solid response, but before you even get to that first message, make sure your dating profile is captivating enough to get those matches in the first place. From flirty responses to funny ones, here is how to respond to whats up to answer a friend.

Hit back with a how's it going?

Sometimes, keeping it simple is the best way to gauge interest. If you’re wondering how to respond to whats up on Tinder, remember it is different than talking to a close friend. For a casual match, a standard answer like "Not much" works perfectly. It means you’re chill and low-pressure. You can use this response to ask or say how your week is going. It’s an easy way to see if she wants a real conversation. Just don’t overshare; what's up is a light question, not an invitation for your life story.

Use her name and butter her up.

Calling her by her name is one of the best ways to pique her interest. Everybody likes seeing their own name written somewhere; it's like a little present. Like a nice glass of wine, it can lower the blood pressure. Give her this present by using her name alongside a sweet comment.

"Catherine! How has your day been going?"

"I was hoping to hear from you, Rachel."

"I've never met someone with your name, Rita!"

"Everyone I've met named Kim has been lovely."

The above messages are sorted from casual to romantic -- and it's important to decide casual or romantic based on your own personality and what the other person is like.

Make conversation about her hobby.

When a match asks what's up, she is often looking for a spark to ignite the conversation. A fantastic way to answer is by referencing a hobby from her profile. This is a great way to start a conversation because it's a sign of genuine interest in who she is.

A great response should:

• Connect to her interests: Mention something you're doing that relates to her hobby.
• Be specific: Avoid being so basic that it feels like a chore to reply.
• Show awareness: Demonstrate you know a bit about the topic without being an expert.

She won't like someone who knows nothing or someone who mansplains. In 2026, keep in mind that how to respond to whats up depends on context. Sometimes the question means she is looking for a specific update. If you’ve discussed meeting, she might use the phrase to ask for the latest status.

In this scenario, say exactly what the situation is. Use your answer to provide clarity while keeping it light. Whether she’s looking for an update or a friendly greeting, treating her like a friend is the best way to keep things relaxed.

Go for the cheesy and/or great pick-up line.

"What's up" is low-effort, everyone knows that. But maybe she's just super eager to hear what you start out with! Take this opportunity to hit back with a great pick-up line. Nothing wrong with trying to make someone laugh, right? Funny responses are some of the most successful on Tinder.

"Didn't I see you on Spotify? You were featured as the hottest single."

"Do you like raisins? No? How about a date?"

"Let's go get tacos because I can't wait to taco 'bout how amazing you are."

Some people think sarcasm is funny -- but sarcastic responses should only be attempted when you've built sufficient rapport with the other person. Only a good friend should use it, and even then only sparingly.

Ask for an opinion

If she messaged with just "what's up" or "hey," she obviously wants to talk to someone but doesn't know what to say. Ask her opinion to get her talking!

Try to keep it short and sweet. You can turn her mind towards a beautiful place by asking if she prefers to live by the mountains or the ocean.

Everyone's had the pineapple-on-pizza debate by now, so take it a step further: ask if she likes thin crust, regular crust -- or even stuffed crust.

Not every silence needs to be filled, but when it does need to be filled, you can always go with some wacky "would you rather" question:

• Would you rather go to the moon or deep down in the Mariana Trench?
• Would you rather be able to fly or turn invisible?
• Would you rather have a private boat or a private jet?

These questions just might be the spark you need to get the conversation going. Avoid ones you think she might've heard; nobody likes getting the same question again and again.

If you're trying to build a casual conversation, try not to make it too boring. Gas prices are not an ideal topic. Think of something that will pave the way for a funny response or three.

Compliment her

This is the perfect time to catch her off-guard with a polite response to make her swoon. Come up with something thoughtful and make it about something you can see in her profile. This is all about using pretty words, like writing poetry.

Here are some examples. Do NOT copy and paste these, as this message will be far more meaningful if you come up with it yourself. She's more likely to be impressed and flattered if it really comes from you.

• "You have a smile to light up a room."
• "Your face is how I imagine angels look."
• "You have a body to make a grown man cry."

You can also make it a bit silly, but don't forget that the main goal is to make her feel warm inside! That'll always elicit a good response.

Challenge her

This is like the "ask her opinion" method but with a bit more thought required. Come up with the beginning of a sentence and ask her to finish it. Bonus points if it has to do with dating.

• "My perfect date would involve..."
• "My most unpopular opinion is..."
• "People often compare me to..."
• "My favorite cuisine in the world is..."
• "I should be president because..."

"What's up" is a message that someone sends when they're bored. These great responses will get her engaged and eager to talk, so give it a shot! Try to chat a little bit about whatever she brought up, and then ask about her specifically. With luck, you'll be off to an hours-long conversation and the start of a beautiful relationship.

Keep it up with the occasional funny response and you'll be on the same page in no time.

Of course, the conversation might not go anywhere, and you're definitely not to blame if "what's up" is all she could start with. Maybe you guys are just not a thing -- and that's fine.

However, the right response can really turn things around for you. Put some thought into this, and you'll at least know that you tried.

We don't recommend starting a Tinder conversation with "what's up" or "hey" under any circumstances, but if she decides to, you just gotta roll with it. The best responses can really impress someone, so put a little bit of thought into it. Happy texting!

Frequently Asked Questions

What to respond to what's up?

You can reply to what's up with a casual phrase like "not much" or "just hanging out" followed by a return question. This approach is the most common way to acknowledge the greeting while giving the other person a chance to speak. It is often helpful to mention a small detail about your day to make the conversation feel more personal.

When you receive this message on Tinder in 2026, it is usually an icebreaker meant to test the waters. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you can say something like "just thinking about what my next meal should be" to give them an easy way to suggest a restaurant. The goal is to keep it low-pressure so the interaction does not stall out early on.

What is the best reply to whatsup?

The best reply to whatsup is usually a friendly greeting such as "hey" or "good morning" paired with a brief update on your current mood. It shows you are open to talking without requiring a long-winded explanation for your match. Keeping your answer short and sweet is the best way to move the chat toward a more interesting topic.

Since this specific phrase means the sender is looking for an easy entry point, you do not need to provide a life story. Using a playful emoji can also help set the vibe for the rest of the conversation. If you like the person, you might even ask them a specific question about a photo on their profile to show you are paying attention.

How to respond to WYD flirty?

A flirty response to "wyd" is to say something intriguing like "thinking of you" or "just looking for some trouble." Using a cheeky tone tells the other person that you're in the mood for some fun banter rather than a standard update. It is a great way to transition from small talk into something more romantic or exciting.

For a more direct approach, you could say "waiting for a cute person to text me" to let them know they have succeeded. It is all about the vibe you want to create for the match. If you want to keep it light, you can use a fun GIF or ask what they would be doing if they were currently hanging out with you. This turns a boring question into an opportunity for a real connection rather than just staying a distant friend.

Conclusion

Understanding how to respond to whats up doesn't have to be a chore; knowing what it means is half the battle. While the question is simple, the way you answer is the key to keeping a match interested. Whether you want to say something funny or keep it casual like you would with a friend, your response sets the tone for the entire conversation. It's often helpful to remember that the greeting is just a bridge to something deeper, and if you're serious about finding success, a profile review can dramatically increase your matches and quality of interactions.

Finding Your Flow

Don't let the simplicity of "what's up" throw you off. Use it as an opportunity to ask something specific about their profile or share a highlight from your day. This way, you take the pressure off the other person to lead the chat. The best answer is one that reflects who you are while making it easy for them to keep talking.

In 2026, successful dating is all about moving past the small talk quickly. Now that you have the tools for a great response, go ahead and send that message. It's time to see where the interaction goes!