Great Responses to “What Are You Doing?” From a Guy

Your phone buzzes. You glance down. There it is.

“What are you doing?”

Three little words. (Or, let’s be honest, the much more common “wyd?”)

You’d think this would be the easiest question in the world to answer. It’s not. Oh, it is so not. That simple little text is completely loaded. It’s a social dance, a weird test, and a power move all packed into a handful of characters. And how you reply? That sets the entire tone for whatever comes next.

Are you busy? Are you bored? Are you interested in him? Are you just sitting on your couch in your oldest sweatpants, eating shredded cheese straight from the bag? (No judgment. I’ve been there.)

Crafting the perfect responses to “what are you doing?” is both an art and a science.

And honestly, your answer matters. It’s the difference between a conversation that dies a sad, awkward death and one that actually sparks. This isn’t just about reporting your current activity. It’s about signaling your interest, your humor, and your personality.

So, let’s officially banish the “nothing much” and “nm, u?” replies that lead precisely nowhere. We’re going to break down the best, the funniest, and the flirty responses to “what are you doing?” from a guy. You’ll never be caught off-guard again.

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Key Takeaways

Before we really get into it, here’s the game plan. Keep these key ideas in your back pocket:

• Know Your Goal. Your reply depends entirely on what you want. Do you want to flirt, be funny, actually get to know him, or just gently end the chat? You have to decide before you type.
• Context is Everything. The best response for a new crush is not the best response for your boyfriend of five years. We’ll break down replies based on who this guy actually is to you.
• “Nothing” is a Conversation Killer. The word “nothing” is the official murderer of good text conversations. We’re finding better, more engaging ways to say you’re free.
• Always Toss the Ball Back. The easiest way to keep a conversation going is to turn it back to him. A good reply almost always invites him to share, too.
• When in Doubt, Be Playful. A little bit of humor or a flirty remark is almost always a better choice than a boring, literal answer.

So, Why Is He Really Asking “What Are You Doing?”

First thing’s first. Before you can even think about your reply, you have to play detective. This isn’t just a simple question; it’s a social probe. His motive for sending it is everything.

I mean, if a guy texts you “wyd?” at 2:00 AM, he is probably not asking about the book you’re reading. Let’s be real.

But at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday? That’s a completely different story. Figuring out the “why” behind his text is your first step to crafting the perfect response.

Is He Just… Bored?

This is the most common reason. He’s got a few minutes of downtime. He’s on his lunch break, waiting for a game to load, or just scrolling his phone, and his thumb-tapping led to you. He’s essentially tossing a conversational pebble into your pond to see if you’ll ripple back.

He’s not necessarily planning your first date, but he’s not not interested, either. He’s just opening a door. This is a low-pressure text, which means you have total freedom. Your job here isn’t to overthink it.

It’s simply to be more interesting than the other apps on his phone.

Is This His “Move”?

Absolutely. Yes. One hundred percent.

For a lot of guys, especially those who aren’t super smooth with their words, “what are you doing?” is the new “do you, uh, come here often?” It’s a safe, non-committal way to start a flirty conversation. He’s testing the waters. He wants to talk to you, he wants your attention, and he’s hoping—praying—you’ll give him an opening to be charming.

If you’re crushing on him, this is your green light. This is it. A playful or flirty response is exactly what he’s looking for. He’s lobbed the ball; he wants you to hit it back.

Is He Just Checking In?

This is a different category, one that usually comes from a guy you’re already dating or in a more established relationship with. In this case, “what are you doing?” is often a bid for connection. It’s his way of saying, “I’m thinking about you,” “I miss you,” or “I want to feel connected to you right now.”

It’s less about your literal activity and more about a quick moment of intimacy. He wants to know you’re okay, that you’re part of each other’s day. The response here should be less about being witty and more about being warm.

What’s the Vibe? Matching Your Answer to the Relationship

Okay, so you have a theory on why he’s texting. Now, let’s factor in the other huge variable: who is this guy? The perfect response is all about context. You wouldn’t text your boss the same way you text your best friend, and the same logic applies here.

How Do I Respond to a Guy I Barely Know?

This could be a Tinder match, a guy you met at a bar last weekend, or a friend-of-a-friend. The key here is to be engaging and light. You’re both in the “gathering data” phase. He wants to know if you’re fun to talk to.

Your goal: Be memorable and easy to talk to.

Don’t be overly flirty, as that can come on a little strong. But definitely don’t be boring. This is your chance to show off your personality.

Good options for the new guy:

• The Humorous/Specific: “Just trying to teach my cat how to fetch. So far, he thinks I’m the one who’s supposed to fetch. How’s your day going?”
• The Casual Interest: “Finishing up some work and then trying to decide what to have for dinner. Any brilliant ideas?”
• The “In-Motion” Reply: “About to head out for a walk to enjoy this sunshine! What are you up to?”

These work because they (a) give a real, but not-too-personal, answer, (b) show a bit of personality, and (c) ask a question back, making it easy for him to reply.

What About a Guy I’m Seriously Crushing On?

This is it. This is the big one. Your phone lights up, you see his name, and your heart does that stupid little gymnastics routine. Now is not the time for “nm.”

Now is the time to shine.

Your goal: Flirt, flirt, and… oh yeah, flirt.

You want to be playful, a little bit bold, and clearly signal that you are very happy to be hearing from him. You want to make him smile and give him a clear, easy path to keep the flirty banter going.

Top-tier replies for your crush:

• The Classic Flirt: “Thinking about you, mostly. What are you up to?”
• The Suggestive (but SFW) Tease: “Getting into trouble. Want to join me?”
• The Confident Challenge: “Trying to figure out why you’re texting me instead of asking me out. 😉”
• The Cute/Honest: “Honestly? Just smiling at my phone because you texted me. Your turn.”

I remember this one time, I was so into this guy, Mark, from my old job. He texted me “wyd?” on a Saturday afternoon. My hands were literally shaking. I typed out “just cleaning” and then deleted it so fast. No. Stop. Be cool. I took a deep breath and went with, “Just trying to find a new show to get obsessed with. Got any recommendations for me?” It was perfect. It was honest, but it opened the door. We ended up texting for an hour about “Stranger Things” and he asked me out for the next week.

See? It works.

He’s My Boyfriend—Do My Answers Still Matter?

Yes! A thousand times, yes. It’s so easy to get comfortable in a relationship and let your texting slide into purely logistical, “on my way” or “need milk” territory. But that little “what are you doing?” text is your partner reaching for your hand.

Grab it.

Your goal: Connect and show you care.

Sure, sometimes a simple “Just watching TV” is fine. But you can do better. Use it as a chance to reinforce your bond, not just trade data.

Sweet and simple replies for your partner:

• The Warm and Cozy: “Just snuggling the dog and missing you. How’s your day?”
• The Team-Up: “Trying to survive this boring meeting. Send help (or tacos).”
• The Flirty-Familiar: “Counting the minutes until I see you later.”
• The Photo Reply: Don’t even use words. Send a selfie of you smiling, or a picture of the (probably mediocre) dinner you’re making. It’s an instant, visual connection.

Want to Make Him Smile? The Art of the Flirty Response

Okay. This is the fun part. You’re feeling brave, you like this guy, and you want to dial up the heat. Flirty responses are your best friend. The key is to be playful, not pushy. You’re hinting, you’re teasing, you’re making him think.

A good flirty text should make him feel like he’s won something by getting a reply from you.

So, Can I Tease Him a Little?

Teasing is the foundation of flirting. It’s a way of saying “I see you, and I’m paying enough attention to you to poke a little fun.” It creates a fun, back-and-forth dynamic that is incredibly attractive.

Examples of flirty teasing:

• “Trying to come up with a witty answer for this guy who just texted me. Any ideas?”
• “Oh, you know. Plotting world domination. The usual. You in?”
• “Avoiding my responsibilities. You’re a terrible influence. 😉”

The winky face is your friend here. It’s the universal sign for “I am just playing… or am I?”

How Do I Say “Thinking About You” Without Sounding… Intense?

This is the nuclear option of flirty replies. It has to be handled with care. Done wrong, it can sound a little… intense. Done right, it’s a knockout.

The trick is to undercut the sweetness with a bit of humor or confidence.

• Wrong way (too intense): “I was just sitting here pining for you.” (Yikes. Don’t do this.)
• Right way (cute/confident): “Just trying to get some work done, but you keep popping into my head. It’s very distracting.”
• Right way (playful/funny): “Wondering if you were ever going to text me. Took you long enough.”

This shows him he’s on your mind, but in a way that feels cool and confident, not desperate.

Okay, How Do I Turn Up the Heat (Just a Little)?

This is for when you’re past the initial crush phase and things are heating up. You can be a little more direct. The goal is to paint a picture and let his imagination do the rest of the work.

• “Just got out of the shower. Now trying to decide what to wear…”
• “About to pour a big glass of wine and put on a movie. Only thing missing is you.”
• “Currently fantasizing about that Italian place we went to. And maybe what we did after.”
• “Just admiring my new [whatever you bought]. You’ll have to see it in person soon.”

The power of these replies is that they aren’t just about you; they’re about you and him. You’re creating a “we” scenario, which is a powerful psychological pull. And according to researchers at the University of Rochester, this kind of self-disclosure and connection is fundamental to building a strong, intimate relationship.

See? It’s science.

How Can I Be Funny Without Trying Too Hard?

Maybe flirting isn’t your main goal. Maybe you just want to be the fun, witty girl he loves talking to. Humor is, in my opinion, even more attractive than straight-up flirting. It shows intelligence, confidence, and a unique personality.

But “trying” to be funny over text is a minefield. The secret is to not try so hard. The best funny responses are often absurd, overly specific, or just a little bit weird.

Why Is a Ridiculously Specific Answer So Funny?

A boring, general answer is “eating.” A-funny, specific answer is “Currently in a very serious relationship with a burrito. Please don’t interrupt.”

This is my go-to move. It takes a mundane activity and makes it hilarious.

More examples:

• Instead of “cleaning”: “Currently waging a one-woman war against the dust bunnies under my sofa. I’m losing.”
• Instead of “watching TV”: “Mentally preparing myself for the next episode of [Show] by eating my body weight in popcorn. It’s a tough job.”
• Instead of “working”: “Trying to convince my computer that I’m working, but I think it knows I’m mostly just staring at it.”
• Just for fun: “Fending off a pack of wild squirrels who want my sandwich. Send backup.”
• Or: “Building a pillow fort. The password is ‘tacos.’ You can’t come in.”

What About Sarcasm? Is That Safe?

Tread carefully. Sarcasm is so hard to read over text. Without your tone of voice and a playful eye-roll, your “funny” sarcastic comment can just land as “mean” or “rude.”

If you’re going to use sarcasm, you must use an emoji or a “lol” to soften it.

• Risky: “Wow, what a great question.” (He’ll think you’re annoyed.)
• Safer: “Oh, just the usual. Inventing cold fusion, solving world hunger. The regular Tuesday stuff. 😂”

My rule: Don’t use sarcasm unless you know him well enough to be sure he’ll get your sense of humor.

What If I Want to Sound Mysterious and Interesting?

This is a fun one. This is a power move. Maybe you don’t want to be an open book. You want to make him work for it a little. You want him to think, “Wow, she seems like she has a really cool life.”

The key to being mysterious is to be vague, but in a way that invites more questions. It’s not about shutting him down; it’s about opening a different, more intriguing door.

Can I Be Vague in a Good Way?

Yes. There’s a huge difference between “vague-boring” and “vague-interesting.”

• Vague-Boring: “Not much.” “Things.” “Stuff.” (These are dead-end answers. Don’t send these.)
• Vague-Interesting: “You’d never believe me if I told you.” “That’s top secret, I’m afraid.” “Getting into a little bit of trouble.”

These answers beg for a follow-up question. He has to reply with “Try me,” or “What kind of trouble?” And just like that, you’ve got him hooked.

How to Turn the Question Back on Him

This is a classic move. It’s polite, it’s engaging, and it puts you in the driver’s seat of the conversation. It shows you’re interested in him, which is a very attractive quality.

• “I’ll tell you if you tell me first.”
• “Depends on what you’re doing. Is your day more exciting than mine?”
• “Finishing up a few things. Why, did you have something in mind?”

That last one is especially good. It’s a direct but smooth way to see if he’s just chatting or if he’s actually trying to make plans.

Is It Ever Okay to Just Be… Honest?

This feels like a trick question, right?

Of course, you can be honest! But there’s a world of difference between “honest-and-boring” and “honest-and-engaging.”

The Case for the Simple, Direct Answer

Sometimes, you don’t need to be a comedian or a flirt. You can just be real. A simple, warm, and direct answer can be incredibly refreshing.

• “Just got home from the gym. I’m exhausted!”
• “Making dinner and listening to a podcast.”
• “Finally sitting down for the first time all day, ha. How are you?”

These answers are simple, but they’re not lazy. They give him a real snapshot of your life and an easy way to connect (“Oh, what gym do you go to?” “What podcast?”).

What If I’m Genuinely Doing “Nothing”?

This is the ultimate trap. You’re just chilling, scrolling your phone, or staring at the ceiling. You are, by all literal definitions, doing “nothing.”

Do not text him “nothing.”

“Nothing” is a conversation killer. It tells him you’re boring and you have nothing to say. You have to re-frame “nothing.” What is “nothing” really?

• “Nothing” is “Decompressing from the world. It was a long day.”
• “Nothing” is “On a quest to find the perfect Netflix show.”
• “Nothing” is “Having a staring contest with my dog. I think he’s winning.”
• “Nothing” is “Enjoying a few minutes of glorious, uninterrupted peace. What’s up?”

Here’s my other personal story. My ex, Ben, and I got into this awful rut. Every day, we’d have the same text exchange: “Wyd?” “Nothing.” “U?” “Same.” It was hollow. We weren’t connecting; we were just performing a daily, empty ritual. That “nothing” was a symptom of a much bigger problem. We had stopped trying to engage each other.

Ever since then, I’ve banned the word “nothing” from my “wyd” replies. It’s lazy. And you’re not lazy.

How Do I Tell Him I’m Busy Without Sounding Rude?

This is a critical skill. You’re a person with a life. You have work, friends, hobbies, and responsibilities. You can’t always drop everything for a text-a-thon. But you don’t want to seem cold or uninterested, especially if you like him.

How to Say “I’m Busy” and Still Sound Warm

The trick is to be warm, clear, and specific.

• Bad (cold): “I’m busy.” (Ouch. So harsh.)
• Good (warm/clear): “Hey! I’m swamped with a work deadline right now, but I’ll text you as soon as I’m free?”
• Good (flirty/clear): “I’m just about to head into a movie with my friends. Can I text you after?”

See the difference? The good replies validate his text (“Hey!”), explain the situation (“work deadline,” “movie”), and—most importantly—create a future promise (“I’ll text you later,” “Can I text you after?”). This makes him feel acknowledged, not rejected.

What’s the “Rain Check” Move?

This is even better. You’re not just postponing the text; you’re upgrading it to a real-life plan.

• “I’m actually about to [run errands/go to the gym/etc.], but I’d love to hear about it over a drink later this week?”
• “Just in the middle of a family dinner. But are you free to chat tomorrow?”

This is confident. It says, “I’m busy now, but you are a priority, and I want to give you my full attention.”

Let’s Be Real: What If I Don’t Want to Talk?

Look, it happens. You’re tired. You’re in a bad mood. Or you’re just not that into him. You don’t owe anyone an instant, lengthy conversation.

What’s the “Polite Eject Button”?

If you’re in a chat that’s dragging on, or you just don’t have the energy, you can wind it down politely.

• “Well, I’m about to call it a night. Talk to you tomorrow?”
• “Just about to start making dinner, but it was great chatting!”
• “Alright, my phone’s about to die. I’ll catch you later!”

These are the polite “eject” buttons of a text conversation. They’re clear, they’re kind, and they work.

Is It Rude to Just… Not Answer?

I want to frame this and put it on a billboard:

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TEXT BACK IMMEDIATELY.

This is not a 911 emergency. It’s a text. You are allowed to have a life. You are allowed to finish your thought, your meal, or your episode of “The Bachelor.” In fact, not replying instantly can often be a good thing. It shows you’re not just sitting by your phone, waiting for him.

A 20-minute, 60-minute, or even a few-hour delay is perfectly normal for a busy adult. When you do reply, just be normal. Don’t apologize. (“Hey! Just saw this. I was in a meeting…”)

Are There Responses That Are Guaranteed to Kill the Conversation?

Yes. We’ve covered them, but they’re worth repeating. If you want a conversation to die a quick and painful death, by all means, use these.

• “Nothing.”
• “Nm.”
• “K.”
• “Cool.”
• “Idk.”

These one-word, low-effort replies are a brick wall. They signal in no uncertain terms that you do not want to talk. Which, as we just discussed, is fine if that’s your goal. But if you actually like the guy, this is self-sabotage.

The Final Word on “WYD?”

That three-word text isn’t a quiz to be feared. It’s an opportunity. It’s an invitation. It’s a blank canvas. The guy on the other end is, more often than not, just trying to connect.

The next time your phone buzzes with a “what are you doing?” take a second. Breathe. Think about who’s asking, and think about what you want. Do you want to make him laugh? Make him think? Make him… think about you?

You’re not just a girl on her couch eating cheese (or maybe you are, and that’s fine). You’re a witty, flirty, interesting, and busy person.

So, go ahead. Give him a reply that’s as awesome as you are.

FAQ – Great Responses to “What Are You Doing?”