Your crush wrapped up a text by saying TTYL—but does that mean she genuinely plans to chat later today, or was she just being nice?

Should you hold off until she starts the next conversation, or is it okay for you to reach out first? We know it can be pretty confusing.

To clear things up, we dug into what girls usually mean when they use TTYL. Keep reading to find out all the details and get answers to your questions!

Important Things to Keep in Mind  

• If you’ve had conversations with her before or are already familiar with her, TTYL likely means she’s interested in chatting again. You can either text her first or wait for her to start the next conversation.  

• If you haven’t really spoken to her much or don’t know her that well, TTYL could just be a polite way to say goodbye. In this case, it’s best to wait a few days before reaching out again.  

• When replying to her TTYL, keep it simple with something like “Cool.”

What does a girl mean when she says TTYL?

When a girl says TTYL, it usually means she’s busy right now but wants to talk to you later.

The phrase stands for “talk to you later,” so if she uses it to wrap up a conversation, she likely means just that!

This suggests she intends to reach out again sometime soon.  

• For instance, if she texts TTYL at night, she may be getting ready for bed. Chances are, she’ll want to chat again the next day or when she has more time.  

• Consider how the conversation was going before she said TTYL. If you were having a fun chat, it’s very likely she wants to pick it up again later.

Responding to a girl’s TTYL text

TTYL’s meaning can be unclear if you aren;t well-acquainted with the girl. Most girls tend to use TTYL to wrap up a text or direct message with someone they’re familiar with.

However, if you don’t know her much or haven’t spoken to her before, TTYL might simply be her way of ending the conversation. It doesn’t automatically mean she wants to chat again later.

• Think about how long your conversation lasted. Have you had good exchanges before she sent TTYL, or did was it said almost right away? 

• If so, it’s likely she looks forward to talking again. On the other hand, if the TTYL came out of nowhere, she may not be interested in continuing the chat.

• If you’re not sure what she means, it’s best to wait a bit and see if she contacts you later.

Who starts the next conversation after TTYL?

Both of you can start the next chat. When she ends a conversation with TTYL, it doesn’t necessarily mean she plans to pick it up again later (though she might).

TTYL is a pretty neutral way to sign off. She might send you a message or DM later when she has some free time, or you can reach out to her again.  

• If you’re not very close yet, it might be a good idea to let her take the lead in starting the conversation. Allowing her to initiate has some great advantages. If she reaches out herself, it’s a strong sign that she’s interested in talking to you!

How long should I wait before texting her again?

Wait a minimum of four hours before sending her another text. If you have a good rapport and usually chat daily, it’s fine to message her later the same day.

On the other hand, if you don’t know her very well, the “later” can be a bit unclear. She likely didn’t have a specific time in mind. Here are some guidelines to follow when you’re unsure:

• If you consider her a friend or know her well, give it at least four hours.

• If you’ve chatted a bit but aren’t very close, wait one to two days.

• If you’re not familiar with her or have never talked before, wait several days or allow her to reach out first.

How can I start a new conversation after TTYL?  

You can kick things off with a simple greeting or a funny meme. A straightforward message like “How are you today?” works well, but if you have a crush on her, try to make it more engaging!

Here are some great ideas to begin a new chat:  

• Share a cute picture or a funny meme. Most people love adorable animal photos, so it’s a safe bet. She’ll may respond with “aww.” Be careful with memes if you unsure about her sense of humor.  

• Ask a fun or silly question. Choose something lighthearted that you think she’ll enjoy, like “What superpower would you want?” or “Who do you think would survive a zombie apocalypse—Harry Kane or Thomas Muller?”  

• Refer to something from your previous conversation. For instance, you could say, “I watched Stranger Things like you suggested, and it was amazing!” What was the name of that band you told me about?”  

What to do if she still texts TTYL

Give her some space and let her take the lead in starting the next chat. If your conversations are enjoyable but she usually ends them, she might just be really busy.

By letting her initiate the next talk, you show her that you’re not in a hurry. When she does reach out again, it’ll mean she genuinely wants to chat.  

• If she frequently says TTYL and you haven’t had a real conversation yet, she might not be interested in developing a friendship or relationship—and that’s perfectly fine! It can be tough to understand what someone is going through, so don’t take it to heart. There are plenty of other people out there!