Interracial dating is increasingly common
In the US, 17% of newlyweds in 2015 had married someone of a different race or ethnicity, up from 3% in 1967, according to Pew Research Center. Among recently married Black Americans, the share was 18% (Pew Research Center, 2017). In practice, that means most people on a big dating app are open to dating interracially, and many say so in their profiles.
How to use filters on interracial dating sites
Match lets you search by ethnicity, and Hinge and Bumble offer an ethnicity preference in their free settings. You can use them to focus your search, or leave them open and let profiles guide you. Either way, what you share about yourself matters more: interests, values and what you want from a relationship attract people who are curious about you, not a type.
If you want a community built around a shared culture, our rankings of Black dating sites, Latino dating sites, Asian dating sites and South Asian dating sites cover the specialist apps.
What is swirl dating?
Swirl dating is a popular name for interracial dating, often used for couples where one partner is Black and the other is White. Some small sites market themselves as swirl dating apps or IR dating sites, but most interracial couples meet on big, mainstream apps, where the pool is far larger and more diverse. That’s why this ranking focuses on them.
Dating interracially with respect
- Lead with curiosity, not stereotypes. Ask about someone’s life, family and interests rather than their ethnicity.
- Skip the “I’ve always had a thing for…” line. It reduces a person to a type, and most people find it off-putting.
- Talk about family and culture when it matters. Once things get serious, conversations about traditions, holidays and how your families might react are worth having early.
- Report fetishizing or racist messages. Every app here has reporting and blocking built in.
Tips before you start
Lead with curiosity and respect. Avoid comments that focus on someone’s ethnicity and talk about shared interests instead; a specific detail from their profile makes a far better opener. Say what you want in your own profile too, so the right people can find you.
Report fetishizing or discriminatory behavior, and don’t feel you owe anyone an explanation for blocking them. As on any dating app, keep chats on the platform until you trust someone and video call before meeting. Our first message examples can help.