Hinge is a location-based dating app built to help you find real relationships—not endless swiping. Owned by Match Group, Hinge centers your profile around prompts and photos so conversations start with something specific. Its matching system is based on a Nobel Prize–winning algorithm designed to get you off the app and onto dates.
TL;DR
- Hinge uses prompts, photos, and comments to spark real conversations
- Free users get around 8 likes per day; Hinge+ and HingeX offer unlimited likes
- Features like Standouts, Most Compatible, Roses, and Boosts enhance visibility
- Safety tools now include Selfie Verification and improved reporting
- Typical pricing: $29.99/mo (Hinge+) and $49.99/mo (HingeX), with discounts for multi-month plans
How Does Hinge Work?
Hinge works by using your location to suggest nearby matches. You like specific parts of a profile—photos or answers to prompts—and can add a comment to start chatting right away. If they like you back, you can both message. The focus on interacting with parts of a profile instead of just swiping makes Hinge feel more intentional and conversation-driven.
How To Set Up Your Hinge Profile
You’ll need 6 photos or videos and 3 prompt answers. You can add video or voice prompts and even polls for more engagement. Add captions or a quick comment to each photo—each detail makes it easier for someone to start a conversation.
Hinge is location-based, so set your city correctly. You can manually adjust your location, but local searches usually yield better matches.
To edit your profile, tap the profile icon (bottom right) → Edit Profile → preview your profile in Discover.
Photos/Videos
You must upload 6 photos or short clips. Add a caption or prompt for each to encourage comments and increase match chances.
Prompts
Prompts are Hinge’s conversation starters (text, voice, or video). Choose ones that make it easy for others to respond—like “Two truths and a lie” or “The secret to getting to know me is…”
Vitals
Vitals include name, age, height, gender, and location. Virtues cover work, education, religion, and dating intentions. Vices include drinking, smoking, or marijuana use. You can choose what to show or hide.
Preferences
Set your preferences through filters in your profile or Discover page. Free users get basic filters (age, location, gender, religion, distance). Subscribers unlock advanced filters such as politics, children, and lifestyle habits.
Basic Preferences:
- Gender
- Location
- Religion
- Ethnicity
- Maximum Distance
- Age Range
Subscriber Preferences:
- Politics
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Drugs
- Marijuana
- Education
- Children
- Family Plans
- Height
What Are Hinge Dealbreakers?
Any preference can be marked as a Dealbreaker, which hides profiles that don’t meet that specific criterion. It’s useful when you have clear non-negotiables.
What Does Boost Do On Hinge?
Boosts (1 hour) and Superboosts (24 hours) temporarily increase visibility in Discover. They work best during peak times, especially Sunday evenings.
How Hinge Discover Works
Tap the H icon to browse potential matches. Like a photo or prompt with a comment to stand out. Free users get around 8 likes daily, resetting at 4:00 a.m. local time. Paid users get unlimited likes.
You also get one free Rose per week, which pushes you to the top of someone’s Likes You list. You can buy additional Roses individually or in bundles.
What Are Standouts On Hinge?
Standouts (star icon) feature popular profiles that align with your preferences. You can only send a Rose to people in Standouts, and they refresh daily.
What Is Most Compatible On Hinge?
Most Compatible suggests a user the algorithm thinks you’re most likely to match with, based on shared interests and past interactions.
What’s The Difference Between Standouts and Most Compatible?
Standouts highlight trending profiles based on your type. Most Compatible focuses on mutual interest and higher match probability.
How Hinge Matching Works
When someone likes your photo or prompt, they appear in Likes You. Free members see only the latest like; subscribers see everyone. Tap to match or pass.
What Are Roses On Hinge?
Roses are premium likes that move you to the top of someone’s Likes You list. You get one free each week and can buy more in bundles. They’re best used on profiles you genuinely want to match with.
How Hinge Messaging Works
Once you match, either person can message first. You can send texts, voice notes, and even video calls. Hinge’s Your Turn reminder reduces ghosting, and commenting on prompts often leads to more meaningful exchanges.
How Does The Hinge Algorithm Work?
Hinge uses the Gale–Shapley stable matching algorithm to pair users who are likely to be mutually interested. The goal is fewer random swipes and more successful dates—true to its motto, “designed to be deleted.”
Hinge + Features
- Unlimited likes
- See everyone who likes you
- Advanced preferences and filters
- Option to sort likes
Hinge X Features
Includes all Hinge+ features, plus:
- Enhanced Recommendations
- Skip the Line visibility boost
- Priority Likes for 7 days
Hinge + Vs Hinge X Cost
Hinge+ — $29.99/month (discounts for 3- or 6-month plans)
HingeX — $49.99/month (discounts for 3- or 6-month plans)
How To Set Up Hinge +/Hinge X – Step By Step
If you feel like upgrading to become a Hinge subscriber, here’s how you do it:
- Open Hinge app
- Tap your profile photo
- Tap Upgrade
- Choose Hinge+ or HingeX, then select plan length
- Confirm via App Store or Google Play
How To Cancel Hinge + and Hinge X
- iPhone: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Hinge → Cancel
- Android: Google Play → Profile → Payments & Subscriptions → Hinge → Cancel
How To Download Hinge – Step By Step
Download from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android), then create an account using your phone number or Facebook/Apple ID.
Hinge Help Center
Hinge’s Help Center covers FAQ topics, safety information, and What Works, a data-driven guide with tips for better matches.
Reporting on Hinge
To report someone, open their profile or chat → ••• → Report. Hinge won’t notify the other person.
To pause, go to Settings → Pause. You’ll still chat with existing matches but won’t appear in Discover.
Pausing Hinge
Hinge User Demographic
Hinge is one of the top dating apps in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, mainly used by people in their 20s and 30s who prefer relationships over hookups. It’s especially popular in major cities and college towns.
Is Hinge For Dating Or Hookups?
Hinge is designed for relationships, but users vary. Prompts make it easy to signal whether you’re looking for something casual or long-term.
FAQs
How many likes do I get per day on Hinge
Free users receive about 8 likes daily, which reset at 4:00 a.m. local time. Upgrading to Hinge+ or HingeX gives you unlimited likes.
What’s the difference between Hinge+ and HingeX
Hinge+ removes like limits and unlocks advanced filters. HingeX adds enhanced recommendations, Skip the Line, and Priority Likes to boost visibility.
Do Roses really work
Roses appear at the top of someone’s Likes You feed, making you more noticeable. Use them thoughtfully on profiles you’re genuinely interested in.
Is Hinge adding AI features
While some apps use AI assistants, Hinge continues to focus on human-driven connections and its recommendation algorithm, not automated chatting.
How does Hinge prevent fake profiles
Hinge uses optional video Selfie Verification and automated detection systems to flag fake or suspicious profiles, plus in-app reporting for users.
When is the best time to use Boosts
Sunday evenings are usually the busiest time on Hinge, making Boosts and Superboosts most effective then.
