The Complete Body Language Guide: 80 Nonverbal Signals and What They Mean
A psychological breakdown of body language — 80 key nonverbal cues covering eyes, expressions, posture, and gestures. Learn to read emotion and intent without a word, and manage the first impression you make.
Last reviewed 2026-06-02
According to research by Albert Mehrabian, when we communicate emotion and attitude, the words themselves account for only 7% of the message. Tone of voice carries 38%, and nonverbal signals — body language — carry 55%. We say far more with our bodies than we do with our words. This guide breaks down the body language signals you’ll run into every day.
A key caveat: Body language always depends on context. Crossed arms can mean “defensive,” but they can just as easily mean “cold” or “comfortable.” Never read a single signal in isolation — look at the overall pattern.
Eyes and Gaze
Eye Contact
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Natural eye contact (60–70% of the time) | Confidence, sincerity, interest |
| Prolonged staring (near 100%) | Threat, dominance, fixation |
| Avoiding eye contact | Anxiety, dishonesty, submission — or cultural respect |
| Frequent blinking | Anxiety, tension |
| Slow blinking | Relaxation, calm |
Pupils
- Dilated pupils: interest, arousal — or simply a dark environment
- Constricted pupils: displeasure, tension — or simply a bright environment
Direction of Gaze (note: the scientific evidence here is limited)
| Gaze direction | Some claims |
|---|---|
| Up and to the left | Constructing a visual memory |
| Up and to the right | Imagining a new image |
| Down and to the left | Internal dialogue |
| Down and to the right | Emotion |
Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman’s research found that seven basic emotions produce the same facial expressions across every culture studied.
The Seven Universal Expressions
| Emotion | Key muscle signals |
|---|---|
| Happiness | Raised outer eye corners, crow’s feet, lifted mouth corners |
| Sadness | Inner eyebrows drawn together, mouth corners pulled down |
| Anger | Lowered brows, narrowed eyes, clenched teeth |
| Fear | Raised, drawn-together eyebrows, wide-open eyes |
| Surprise | Sharply raised eyebrows, open mouth |
| Disgust | Wrinkled nose, raised upper lip |
| Contempt | One mouth corner raised |
Microexpressions
Microexpressions flash across the face in less than 1/25th of a second and reveal the true emotion someone is trying to hide. Spotting them reliably takes dedicated training.
Posture and Body Orientation
Open vs. Closed Posture
Open posture (confidence, openness):
- Arms relaxed at the sides
- Body leaning toward the other person
- Palms visible
- Chest open, back straight
Closed posture (defensiveness, anxiety):
- Crossed arms
- Body leaning back
- Crossed or pressed-together legs
- Shoulders hunched
The “Power Pose”
Amy Cuddy’s research — which has drawn some controversy — suggests that holding a power pose for two minutes can boost feelings of confidence.
The power pose: feet planted wide, hands on hips, chest open.
Spatial Positioning
- Same eye level: signals an equal relationship
- Standing higher: authority, dominance
- Standing lower: submission, humility
- Sitting beside someone: cooperative
- Sitting across from someone: competitive or formal
Arms and Hand Gestures
Crossed Arms
| Situation | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Arms suddenly cross mid-conversation | Shift into defensiveness |
| Arms crossed from the start | Could just mean cold, or a habit |
| Crossed arms + clenched fists | Hostile defensiveness |
| Crossed arms + smiling | Simply a comfortable posture |
Hand Position
| Gesture | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Palms up | Openness, sincerity |
| Palms down | Authority, restraint |
| Pointed finger | Directing, emphasizing — often reads as aggressive |
| Hiding the hands | Tension, concealment |
| Touching the neck | Anxiety, discomfort |
Handshakes
| Style | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Palm turned down | Dominant |
| Palm turned up | Submissive |
| Two-handed handshake | Warmth, sincerity |
| Overly firm grip | Overt display of dominance |
| Overly weak grip | Lack of confidence |
Legs and Feet
Legs and feet are the body parts we control the least — which is exactly why they often reveal our true feelings.
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Feet pointed at the exit | Wanting to leave |
| Feet pointed toward you | Interest, liking |
| Nervous leg bouncing | Anxiety, tension |
| Legs crossed toward someone | Interest |
| Legs crossed away from someone | Blocking, discomfort |
Mirroring
Mirroring is the unconscious habit of matching another person’s body language.
Meaning: mirroring signals rapport and empathy. If someone starts mirroring your posture mid-conversation, it’s a sign they feel connected to you.
How to use it: if you want to build rapport, try naturally matching the other person’s pace, tone, and posture.
Managing First Impressions
First impressions form in about 0.1 seconds — and they color every judgment that follows.
Body language that builds a strong first impression:
- Confident posture: shoulders back, spine straight
- A genuine smile: one that reaches the corners of the eyes
- Eye contact: natural, at 60–70% of the time
- A steady handshake: firm pressure, 2–3 seconds
- Body orientation: leaning slightly toward the other person
Job interview tip: Use natural mirroring with your interviewer. If they lean forward, lean forward too; if you match their pace, it creates an unconscious impression of “we click.”
Related content: MBTI Relationship Patterns