OkCupid Ultimate Guide: 2024 Edition [Get Better Matches!]

If you’re looking for a hookup or a casual dating relationship, OkCupid is a great choice. It’s free, popular, and has a large user pool especially if you’re in a big city.

OkCupid’s largest demographic is singles in their 30s & 40s. So if you’re looking for a long-term relationship, you *could* find like-minded online daters on OkCupid.

But in general it has a more casual vibe, so you’re likely better off giving a paid dating site like Match a try first.

If you want it to be! You can search for matches looking for casual sex using the search filters. You’ll find the “hookup” filter in the “Availability” section of the search filters.

You can also let your potential matches know that’s what you’re seeking in the “Looking For” section of your profile. You can select “Hookups” in the “Connections” section.

In terms of age, OkCupid’s core user base is singles in their 30s & 40s, according to a SurveyMonkey study.

But it’s a hugely popular free dating site, so you’ll find people of all ages. It’s also one of the most inclusive dating sites when it comes to gender identity and sexual orientation, with the entire spectrum of options to choose from.

You can check out profiles in Discover and DoubleTake.

When it comes to messaging, how OkCupid works now is a bit different so if you’re back on it after taking a break you may be surprised.

To send a message to another user, you have to “like” their profile first. That will allow you to send an introductory message (called an intro) that’s displayed on the screen when they’re checking out your profile.

If that person “likes” you back, then you can see their profile (and vice versa) in the Conversations section, and you can freely exchange messages.

OkCupid only allows you to send one first message, so if they don’t bite you’ll have to move on.

You won’t have a choice - OkCupid hides profiles after you’ve sent an introductory message to them, and they won’t reappear unless they “like” your profile.

If you’re not interested in someone who “liked” you and sent an introductory message, simply “pass” on their profile. They are not notified that you passed, and you won’t see their profile again, nor they yours, for at least 30 days.

OkCupid provides a match percentage for each profile that’s assigned by the algorithm as an indication of how compatible you are with a particular person.

The number is based on data like you and your match’s specified criteria, as well as how you both answered the multiple-choice questions.

DoubleTake is a feature where you can swipe through profiles one at a time, just like on Tinder.

Your potential match feeds are separated into "Stacks". Stacks include currently online, match percentage, passport (where you can interact with people all over the globe), nearby and more. The "popular" and "new users" stacks both cost $1.99 to unlock for a week.

The profiles you see in DoubleTake are filtered by the criteria you set in your “looking for” section. But unless you upgrade to OkCupid Basic and start specifying “dealbreakers”, you may see profiles who don’t meet all of your preferences.

Yes. You can “reset” your passes, meaning those profiles could pop up in various places again.

To reset your “passes” on OkCupid’s dating site:
1. Click “Settings” from the pull down menu underneath your profile picture in the top right menu bar.
2. Then select “Privacy” from the menu on the left.
3. Then “Reset your passes.”

To reset your “passes” on the OkCupid dating app:
1. Tap “Profile” in the bottom menu bar.
2. Then tap “Account Settings”.
3. Then “Privacy”.
4. And then“Reset”.
5. Confirm your action by tapping the blue “Reset Passes” button.

The basic functions of the site are free. You can create a profile, check out who’s in your area (or anywhere you’d like to date) and message other users without paying for a subscription.

There are 2 upgrade levels available - Basic and Premium.

Depending on which subscription you choose, you can see which users have already liked your profile, filter users by their attractiveness rating, and send unlimited “likes” daily. (The upgraded memberships used to be called A-List).

OkCupid offers two upgraded membership options. You can choose from 2 membership levels: Basic and Premium. Basic costs around $9.99 for 1 month, and Premium costs around $19.99 per month. Pricing can vary depending on your location.

Check out this complete list of what premium features are included with your subscription!

OkCupid doesn’t offer a free trial, as you can use the site effectively without paying.

To permanently delete your OkCupid profile from the mobile app:
1. Tap the “Profile” icon on the bottom menu bar
2. Then tap “Account Settings”
3. Then “Disable your account”
4. And then “Next”
5. Select the reason you’re leaving, and provide more info if prompted
6. Answer the questions
7. Choose whether you’d like to disable your account or permanently delete it. To just take a break, you can disable OkCupid, then reactivate it by signing in again.
8. If you choose to delete OkCupid, you’ll be prompted to provide your password, then confirm the action.

To permanently delete your OkCupid profile from the dating site:
1. Click “Settings” in the drop-down menu underneath your profile picture (top right of menu bar)
2. Scroll to the bottom and click “go here” where it asks if you need a break and want to disable or delete your account.
3. Select the reason you’re leaving, and provide more info if prompted
4. Answer the questions
5. Choose whether you’d like to disable your account or permanently delete it. To just take a break, you can disable OkCupid, then reactivate it by signing in again.
6. If you choose to delete OkCupid, you’ll be prompted to provide your password, then confirm the action.

If you’re an upgraded user and want to cancel your subscription to OkCupid, click here for a full set of instructions.

No. OkCupid no longer uses unique usernames.

“Who likes you” on OkCupid is a premium feature, so you’ll have to upgrade if you want to see the full list of users who have already ‘liked’ your profile.

As a free member, you’ll receive a pop-up notification when you “like” the profile of someone who has “liked” you already. If that user hasn’t “liked” your profile already, you’ll receive a notification when they do.

OkCupid also typically puts the profiles of users who are interested in you in your Discover and Double Take sections, to increase the odds of a mutual opt-in.

Tapping the blue star brings up the “Likes” section of OkCupid. From there, you can see which profiles you’ve already liked. And if you’re an A-List member, you can see all the profiles of users who have “liked” you already.

Yes. Each OkCupid Boost will promote your profile for 30 minutes. They are available as an in-app purchase for $6.99 each. Purchasing them in bulk can get that price down to $4.99 each.

OkCupid also offers an extended Boost option, called a SuperBoost. How much each SuperBoost costs depends on the length of time it lasts.

SuperBoosting your OkCupid profile for 3 hours costs $29.99, $44.99 for 6 hours and $59.99 for 12 hours. (Pricing could vary by location.)

Okcupid activity starts heating up around 7 pm, and peaks at 10. Boosting your profile during that time frame helps ensure maximum exposure.

Yes - you can link Instagram. To connect Instagram to OkCupid, access your profile page and scroll all the way to the bottom. Tap “Connect” under Instagram at the bottom of the page.

Yes. You can download it via Google Play and the App Store.

OkCupid is in the Match Group portfolio, which also includes dating apps and sites like Tinder, Hinge, Match.com and Plenty of Fish.

OkCupid was founded by Sam Yagan, Christian Rudder, Chris Coyne and Max Krohn in 2004.

Cupid's Picks are a special Stack containing profiles of users the platform's algorithm thinks are especially compatible according to your preferences and recent interactions. It's free to scroll through these profiles, and they refresh daily.