How to Kiss Someone for the First Time

Download Article

Co-authored by Eddy Baller

Last Updated: August 17, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Preparing to Kiss

|

The Act of Kissing

|

Reacting Appropriately After the Kiss

|

Video

|

Tips

ARTICLE

VIDEO

Ready to kiss someone for the first time and feeling excited but also a little nervous? Wondering when the right time is or what you're supposed to do? We've been there, and we're here to teach you how to kiss well so your first time goes off without a hitch. Read on for all of the best first kiss tips, including how to get ready for the big moment, how to go in for the kiss, and what to do after you've locked lips.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Kiss

Download Article

1
Freshen your breath. Having fresh, kissable breath is a major component of having a knockout first kiss. Make sure that you have brushed your teeth and used mouthwash sometime before the kiss, or that you chewed minty gum or sucked on a breath mint before the kiss. You can do this an hour or so before -- you don't want your breath to be too minty or it will look like you tried a little too hard to get ready for the kiss.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- If you had dinner or ate before the kiss, you should avoid ordering any foods that are heavy in garlic, onions, or any intense spices.
2
Set the mood. It's important to share your first kiss in an intimate or romantic atmosphere. Your first kiss may be something you remember for the rest of your lives, so you should make it special. You don't have to bring out a thousand candles or serenade the person, but you should pick the ideal time and place for a kiss.
- Kiss in the evening. Kissing as the sun is setting or after it has fallen is more romantic than kissing during the day. You'll also feel less shy about your first kiss if you're kissing in the dark.
- Kiss somewhere private. Pick a private location that is free of distractions or onlookers so you can really focus on your kiss. Pick a secluded park bench, a nice spot near a beach or a lake, or even your own balcony.
- Look is nice. Dress up a little bit to signify that you're about to have a special moment. You don't want to have your first kiss in your gym clothes.
Advertisement
3
Make sure your partner is ready. This is an important point. You can set the mood and prepare your breath all you want, but nothing you do will matter if your partner is not ready for the kiss. Before you share the kiss, make sure your partner has exhibited signs of liking you, whether it's through going on a date, touching you, or even telling you how they feel.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If your partner keeps gazing into your eyes, touching you lightly, and smiling, then you'll know that they're ready for the kiss.
EXPERT TIP

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Test the waters by sparking physical contact subtly. If it feels comfortable, lightly touch their hand or gently touch their arm. If they respond positively, that may be a green light to explore further contact, leading to a more romantic connection.
4
Remember to avoid some kissing pitfalls. Before you get ready for the kiss, you need to make sure to take it slow and to be gentle. If you're too aggressive or rough, your partner will get the wrong message, and the kiss will feel too forced. Here are some things to avoid before you go in for your first kiss:
- French kissing. Don't immediately shove your tongue in your partner's mouth and leave saliva everywhere. If your partner is bold and is gently touching her tongue with yours, then you can move in for a French kiss, but don't try this in the first few seconds of your traditional kiss.
- Biting. Nibbling on your partner's lip or even tongue can be a kinky way to spice up your kisses. But if you do this during your first kiss, your partner will be caught off guard and may even jump back.
- The roaming hands. You should make physical contact with your partner, move your bodies closer, and caress your partner's head or shoulders with your hands. You should not grope your partner in any inappropriate places during your first kiss. This is doing way too much at once and will come off as sleazy and will make your first kiss feel insincere.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

The Act of Kissing

Download Article

1
Make physical contact. Start moving closer to the person you want to kiss, whether it's by moving closer together if you're sitting down, putting your arm around the person, or brushing away the person's hair. As you start touching the person, hold his gaze to make your intentions clear.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Eddy Baller
Dating Coach

Expert Interview}^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source

HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.

Go to source}
- Your first kiss will feel more natural if you're already touching the person and comfortable with it. Your hands shouldn't rove to any inappropriate places -- keep it PG.
- Your physical contact could even start from some light and gentle teasing. You can playfully hit or lightly push the other person until your actions become more serious.
- Try making a romantic compliment before you go in for the kiss. Just say, "Your eyes drive me crazy" or "You look so beautiful tonight."
2
Move closer until your faces are just inches apart. Once you've made physical contact, maneuver yourself until your face is just inches away from your partner's face. You should maintain eye contact, and you can even smile a little to show your affection for the person.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Eddy Baller
Dating Coach

Expert Interview}^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Move closer until your hips are nearly touching, and use your hands to graze the person's cheeks, hair, or shoulders.
- One traditional kissing position is when the guy wraps his arms around a girl's waist while she wraps her arms over her shoulders and behind his neck -- you can think of this as the "slow dance" position.
3
Kiss. Once you're in position, there's nothing left to do but kiss. Don't hesitate. If you've both made it this far, then it's clear that you are excited about kissing each other. Gently lean closer, and cup her chin and guide her over to your lips and lock lips.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Eddy Baller
Dating Coach

Expert Interview} and gently cup her chin and guide her over to your lips Just remember to take it slow. Have your lips touch softly as you feel the person out. Keep your lips just slightly parted, and continue kissing the person for five or ten seconds before letting go.
- Keep your hands active while you kiss. Use your hands to cup the person's face, stroke his hair, or caress his neck. You don't have to overdo it with the hands. Just make sure your whole body is engaged so your kiss is even sweeter.
- Reader Poll: We asked 930 wikiHow readers if using their hands while kissing makes the experience better, and 95% of them said yes. [Take Poll]
4
Pull away. Slowly pull away from the person. Don't abruptly stop the kiss and pull away with your whole body, jumping miles apart from your kissing partner. Instead, maintain physical contact while pulling away and holding your partner's gaze. Keep stroking your partner lightly with your hands to let her know how great the kiss was.
- Take your time to pull away from physical contact. If you're too abrupt, your partner may think you're not into it.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Reacting Appropriately After the Kiss

Download Article

1
Go in for another kiss if it feels right. If you just can't break physical contact or you keep staring in your partner's eyes, then you should keep the kissing train rolling. Lightly stroke your partner's hair or cheek and move in for another kiss. You should still take it slow as you feel the other person out, but you can be a bit more bold and adventurous as your kissing progresses.
- If it feels right, you can slowly move in for the French kiss. Just make sure your partner is also gently using his tongue so you don't catch him off guard.
2
Don't be disappointed if it doesn't go well. If the first kiss wasn't as good as you expected, don't worry. First kisses are often awkward because both people are still getting to know each other, and your kissing will improve with practice. You can take a break and try another time when it feels right.
- Even if it doesn't go well, you should still gently pull away from the person and move on. Don't dwell on what happened, and visualize success for your next kiss.

Join the Discussion...

I learned the average age for a first kiss is 15...

WikiRiverDancer770

I'm 25 and haven't had my first kiss yet. I can't help but feel like I'm behind :( I feel hopless about my love life. Am I just doomed to be alone forever? How do I have my first kiss?

Avoid Awkward Kisses with this Expert Series

Are you worried about having a bad kiss? These expert articles will build your confidence and help you avoid awkward situations.

Move in Effectively for a Kiss

How to Avoid an Awkward First Kiss

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Read Video Transcript

Reader Videos

Tips

If you have really chapped lips, don't kiss. Everyone has chapped lips at one point, so find a better time for kissing.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
Have a mint before going in for the kiss.

Thanks
Helpful 120 Not Helpful 22
Some people have their first kiss on their first date. However, you don't have to kiss someone on a date.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you know the other person likes you but the two of you are just too nervous to make the first move, there's nothing wrong with using a "game" as an excuse to push the moment. Seven Minutes in Heaven, Spin the Bottle, and Truth or Dare are all great excuses to smooch!
Test the waters by brushing up against your crush or throwing your arm around the back of their chair. If they lean into it and touch you back, it's a big sign that they're into you and would be open to a kiss.
It may seem weird to ask for permission, but it's important to make sure that the person is ok with kissing you. If you aren't absolutely positive they're down to kiss, ask for consent.
Smile before you go in to kiss them. It may seem like a small thing, but it'll really turn the energy on the moment up.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!