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A List of the Best Tinder Icebreakers For Guys Who Want More Responses

A List of the Best Tinder Icebreakers For Guys Who Want More Responses

How much does a panda weigh? Enough to break the ice and — in other news — don’t use that pickup line when messaging matches on Tinder. Tinder icebreakers are an essential part of turning your online connections into real-world dates. Not sure how to break the ice?

Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.

During my 100-date experiment, I analyzed thousands of online dating profiles. I saw great profiles, the really bad profiles, and even the WTF am I looking at profiles?!



Recently, I dusted off my online dating shoes (or should I say index finger?) for the sake of research.

Using a friends Tinder account (Tracy), we vetted tons of users and chose the top 12 Tinder icebreakers for guys that will help you get more responses. Take a look below. 

PS: If this isn’t enough for you, check out my other article on the Best Bumble Icebreakers for Guys. 

Best Tinder Icebreakers for Guys

#1: A Philosophical Question

tinder headlines for guysOf all the Tinder icebreakers for guys I’m going to list here, this might be the one that’s the most out there.

To be honest with you, no, I have never wondered whether John thought he was going crazy because he could hear Garfield. Why? Because it’s a freaking cartoon.

That being said, this is a really unique, quirky and funny opener as far as Tinder icebreakers go. It would definitely compel me to respond and keep the conversation going.

Tinder Icebreaker #2: Netflix Without the Chill

best tinder icebreakers for guysThis is a great example of a guy paying attention to what I put in my profile. Always make sure that you read a woman’s Tinder bio and, if able, use that information to create an icebreaker.

When you open by mentioning something she’s interested in, she’ll see you’re attentive.

Choosing my interest in Netflix was also a good move because it’s something everyone can relate to. Honestly, is there anyone that doesn’t enjoy a good Netflix binge?

Tinder Icebreaker #3: Wait…What?

tinder icebreakers for guysThis is another one that is just weird enough to work. I certainly love coffee and mentioned that fact in my profile, so props to him for paying attention. And to answer this guy’s question, coffee is my exclusive source when it comes to caffeine consumption.

Caffeine gum sounds a bit strange yet intriguing. I actually want to know more.



See why this is effective when it comes to Tinder icebreakers?

The only piece of advice I would offer is to cool down the quirk as the conversation continues. It’s necessary to grab a girl’s attention in a big way when it comes to Tinder icebreakers. But remember that you are still a virtual stranger to her.

You don’t want to leave her wondering if you’re a weirdo. So after you get her attention and have some banter, cool down and let the conversation flow naturally.

At the end of this article, I will discuss how you should transition the conversation in a way that gets you a solid date on your calendar so that you can see if the two of you click in the real world.

Tinder Icebreaker #4: Say A Lot While Keeping it Concise

tinder icebreaker for menWow. This is a lot.

This guy went all in when it came to addressing various interests I had listed in my profile. At the same time, he managed to keep this whittled down to one sentence, which is important when it comes to Tinder icebreakers for guys.

You may feel tempted to say as much as possible in order to grab a woman’s attention. But when you do this, what is meant to be a smooth, concise opener turns into a novella of text.

Even if you’re writing words worthy of Shakespeare, she’s going to get overwhelmed if you send her a massive amount of text.

Our attention spans change when we search the internet or log into dating apps. Keep it short and sweet.

Tinder Icebreaker #5: Bitmoji it Up

tinder icebreakers for guysThis is a super creative way to break the ice. Feel free to steal this one.

Tinder Icebreaker #6: The Last Question is the Best

tinder icebreakers for guysIf this guy hadn’t asked me about my favorite Netflix special, I wouldn’t have included this in my top Tinder icebreakers for guys.

But I mentioned in my profile that I loved Netflix and standup comedy. By asking this question, he’s seamlessly addressing both of those interests.



Tinder Icebreaker #7: Shared Interest + a Compliment = Win

tinder icebreaker for guysThis guy noted my love of deep dish pizza and ranch and followed it up with a compliment. I also like the fact that he added an emoji to exude even more positivity.

Always keep things fun and upbeat when it comes to Tinder icebreakers, as well as your profile.

Tinder Icebreaker #8: A Little Sarcasm Can Go a Long Way

tinder icebreakers for guysYou want to be sure to not come off as snarky or sarcastic to the point of being mean.

But some playful teasing and sarcasm can take you a long way. This guy exercises this perfectly. His funny Tinder icebreaker encourages me to respond with a joke of my own. If you two can start off a conversation playfully, that instantly builds chemistry online. And when you do that, it’ll be easier to build chemistry offline.

Tinder Icebreaker #9: Kick Things Off With a Joke

tinder icebreakers for guysThis guy nails it by doing the following thing:

  • Starting off with humor

  • Building some intrigue by not delivering the joke right away

Tinder Icebreaker #10: “Who’s Your Favorite Comedian?”

tinder icebreakers for guysOnce again, humor and playfulness are important in the early stages of dating. So are shared interests. This guy is asking about who my favorite comedian is because he noticed in my profile that I said I like stand-up comedy.

This is also a great icebreaker because my answer will automatically lead to more conversation. When I tell him about my favorite comedian, he can either agree that he also considers that comedian to be his favorite or talk about one that he likes.

If you’re not great at being funny, you can choose a funny quote from your or her favorite comedian. This way, you’re guaranteed to make her laugh without having to attempt a joke on your own that feels unnatural.

Quick Sidebar

Quick sidebar: Outside of dating apps, you can work on improving your humor by taking an improv comedy class.

I love recommending improv comedy classes to my male clients because:

  • It teaches you to be charismatic.

  • It helps you get out of your head.

  • It makes you more engaging.

  • It gives you fun games you can play on your dates.

  • It teaches you to stop judging yourself.

Tinder Icebreaker #11: Overcoming Objections FTW

tinder icebreakers for guysIf you’ve been following my blogs, you know that I’m a believer overcoming objections.



I obviously was staying mum on Tinder since I was using it for research purposes, not as a way to get an actual date.

But my radio silence didn’t stop this guy from doing a kickass job of working to overcome objections.

Not only did he give the conversation another try, but he did it with a super compelling date idea that appealed to my interests and offered a clear TDL.

I’ll get more into compelling date ideas and what a TDL is at the end of this article. Stay tuned!

Tinder Icebreaker #12: A Novel Idea

tinder icebreakers for guysYes, women find intelligence attractive. And if you don’t believe me, I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that there is an entire Instagram account dedicated to pictures of hot dudes reading.

Anyway…

In this digital age, it’s not often that people ask you about what you’re reading. That alone makes this guy stand out. This is a great way to connect over an intellectual topic and also show off your smarts.

Tinder Icebreakers to Avoid at All Costs

There are several Tinder icebreakers for guys that you should avoid at all cost. As part of my research, I came across a plethora of cringe-worthy Tinder openers that you can check out in my article, 55 Tinder Openers for Guys Who Are Wondering Why They Aren’t Getting Responses.

Some are downright horrifying. Many are hilarious.

As far as pitfalls, here are some things I noticed again and again:

  • Guys started with “H” word. “Hi,” “How are you?” and “How’s your day” should be avoided when it comes to Tinder icebreakers. Women get inundated with these types of messages. Quite frankly, they’re boring. Show her you know how to be creative.

  • Don’t ask broad questions like, “What are you on here for?”

  • Don’t be spammy. If you’re trying to push that movie script you just completed or pitch an idea for a novel, go elsewhere.

  • Avoid love bombing or getting excessive with compliments.

  • Limit your emoji usage to one or two. A long stream of emojis is overwhelming. Use your words.

  • Unless you’re saying something funny don’t use LOL or HAHAHA. It looks weird.

  • If you’re messaging multiple girls, be conscious of which one you’re messaging each time. You don’t want to get caught saying “Hi Jessica” to someone who is actually named Amy.

  • Don’t ask her if she’s DTF.

What to Do Once You’ve Broken the Ice

Once you’ve broken the ice, don’t wait too long to ask her on an actual date. The goal of Tinder is to match with people and then meet them in real life, so try to make this happen ASAP. To help you when you get to this place- here’s an article I wrote on some of my best first date tips for men.

Look at her profile and ask her on a date that aligns with her interests. To really wow her, use a TDL.



A TDL is a date’s call-to-action. It stands for time, date and location. When you have a specific schedule in mind for the date, women are more likely to say “yes” to you.

For example, let’s say the girl you match with likes art and culture. Invite her for a bite to eat at an eclectic cafe with a rich history. Study up before the date and impress her with your knowledge.

Use My Dating Blueprint

The first three dates are crucial. These dates will help you determine whether or not the relationship has long-term potential. I always advise my client to follow this blueprint for the first three dates:

First date

tinder icebreakers for guys

Choose that won’t cost more than $15. Limit the date time to no more than an hour. The goal of the first date is to establish trust and rapport through shared interests. Not sure how to make conversation on the first date? Check out my Top 25 Questions to Ask a Girl on a First Date.

Second date

tinder icebreakers for guys

The second date should be something active and free. The goal here is to escalate sexual tension.

“Well, how am I supposed to do that without spending a dime, Em?”

Glad you asked.

There are tons of free date opportunities to woo a lady with. You can find free events, classes and other creative date ideas on websites like Eventbrite. A simple Google search is another great way to find free stuff in your areas.

Need some more inspiration?

Check out my articles on Top 20 Fun Date Ideas That Don’t Cost Money.

And if you really want to get physical, check out 18 Physical Second Date Ideas That Get You Moving.



And here’s an article on some of my best Questions to Ask a Woman on a Second Date.

Third Date

tinder icebreakers for guys

When the third date rolls around, it’s time to pull out all the stops with a fancy romantic dinner for you two. The purpose of the third date is to determine if you two are compatible when it comes to morals and values.

If you need help navigating your way through the third date conversation, check out my Top Third Date Questions to Ask a Woman When Searching for a Real Relationship.

MegaDate for Optimal Success

If you use my dating blueprint for the first three dates, you’re going on amazing dates without spending a ton of money. One reason I created a blueprint like this is to make MegaDating as accessible as possible.

What is MegaDating, you ask?

MegaDating is a dating strategy that involves dating several people at the same time. When you go out on dates with lots of different people, the following occurs:

  • Your energy is diffused

  • Anxiety lessens

  • You don’t get caught up in the chase

  • Improved self-confidence

  • You avoid settling for the mediocre

I used MegaDating during my 100-date experiment. It helped me find a compatible long-term partner and it can do the same for you! Want to learn more?

What If You Need More Than an Icebreaker?

As a dating coach and matchmaker, I’m here to personally assist you with all your dating needs. Head on over to my calendar and book a new client Zoom session with me or one of my colleagues today.

During your session, we’ll create a personalized plan to help you crush your dating goals and see if my 3 month dating coaching or matchmaking programs are a fit for you. 

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