Where Do Most People Meet Their Spouse? To Start, Dating Apps Take The Top Spot

Rom-coms have led me to believe that most love stories begin with a chance encounter. But how many couples actually meet serendipitously buying the last pair of gloves at a crowded store during the holidays, driving from Chicago to New York after college graduation, or at the top of the Empire State Building? Like me, we're left to wonder: where do most people meet their spouse? Whether you're single and debating whether you're more likely to meet on an airplane or an app or you just crave a good love story, we've got you covered.

The Knot 2024 Jewelry & Engagement Study* surveyed nearly 8,000 recently engaged couples and found that the overwhelming majority met on dating apps. This has been consistent for the three years that we've surveyed soon-to-be newlyweds. Here are more tidbits, including the other top ways couples met, the apps most likely to lead to "I do," and some seriously swoon-worthy stories.

In this story:

• Where Do Most People Meet Their Spouse?
• Finding Love on a Dating App
• Finding Love Through Mutual Friends
• Finding Love at School
• Finding Love at Work
• Finding Love When You Least Expect It
• Remember, You Can Meet Your Spouse Anywhere

Where Do Most People Meet Their Spouse?

You've Got Mail was ahead of its time. Our data shows that most couples meet online, though you're much more likely to meet on an app than in an online chat room for people over 30. If you want to meet your spouse, we suggest you start swiping. Nearly 30% of the engaged couples met on an app. The five most popular ways couples met, ranked in popularity, include:

1. On dating apps
2. Through mutual friends
3. At school
4. At work
5. Via a chance encounter (oh la la!)

Design: Falak Khoja

Finding Love on a Dating App

Most rom-coms don't show the reality for many modern-day daters: setting up dating profiles, swiping, sending messages, and going on *so* many first dates. The good news is that there's a high likelihood that your persistence will lead to lifelong love. We've got the data to prove it. What percentage of relationships are from dating apps? Our survey found that 27% of engaged couples met on the apps, down slightly from 29% in 2023 and 28% in 2022.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

If you're wondering which to download ASAP, the top three apps to lead to marriage have also stayed consistent. For the third year in a row, Hinge took the top spot, followed by Tinder and Bumble. Of the engaged couples who met online, 36% met on Hinge, 25% on Tinder and 20% on Bumble. The remaining 19% met on other apps including Facebook Dating, OkCupid, Match, Plenty of Fish, Coffee Meets Bagel and eHarmony.

Finding Love Through Mutual Friends

It's unlikely that your friends will literally take out a Rolodex when you announce a breakup like Sally's friend did in When Harry Met Sally, but that doesn't mean you can't meet through friends of friends. In fact, it's the next most common way engaged couples meet. Our stats show that 16% met through common friends, consistent with 15% in 2023 and 16% in 2022. The key to meeting someone through mutuals is to be open: ask friends to play matchmaker and go to get-togethers and parties where you're likely to meet friends of friends.

If you're looking for a rom-com-worthy meet-cute, we suggest RSVPing "yes" to weddings even if you don't have a +1. While we don't recommend showing up to dozens of weddings uninvited a la Wedding Crashers, we can attest that weddings are a great way to meet someone who has the stamp of approval from the couple. Some of the engaged couples shared that they met at a wedding, proving that you can meet the love of your life while celebrating someone else's love story!

Finding Love at School

School continues to be a popular way to meet your match. Our data shows that 15% of engaged couples met in college or grad school. Some couples got their start even sooner: 8% were high school sweethearts. Oh, and there were even some middle school sweethearts in the mix – swoon!

If your school days are long behind you, you could run into someone when you're home for the holidays, reconnect at a reunion, or swipe right on a former classmate's profile. Multiple couples shared that they met in high school, middle school or even kindergarten but didn't date until years later. Although they didn't meet at school, 4% met as kids at sleepaway camp, after school activities, or growing up in the same town.

Finding Love at Work

Inspired by Jim and Pam from The Office? Our findings show that 10% of engaged couples meet at work. Since we spend most of our time working, it makes sense that a lot of couples meet at their 9 to 5. While it might seem fun – and convenient – to mix business and pleasure, consider checking your HR handbook first to see if there are any rules you need to follow. Oh and you're not limited to meeting at work, some couples said sparks flew at a networking event, their retail or restaurant job, or when a coworker set them up.

Finding Love When You Least Expect It

One of the adages daters hear frequently is that you'll find love when you least expect it. That rang true for 9% of the engaged couples. Some of the respondents had some surprisingly refreshing meet-cutes. We went through stories of now-engaged couples meeting on trains, connecting at the dog park, picking up fresh produce a farmer's market or the grocery store, bumping elbows at the library, driving past each other in a parking lot, and, even, meeting in magical Disneyland.

If you change your zip code, you might change your relationship status too. Like Chandler and Monica from Friends, many people fell in love with a neighbor. And in true New Girl fashion, one person met their significant other when they answered a roommate ad and moved in.

Other people met because of common interests like religion, working out, or adult sports leagues. And if your family members keep trying to play matchmaker, you might want to take them up on the offer. Multiple couples were set up by family members or met at family functions.

Other couples met online without using the apps. Like a more modern You've Got Mail, 5% of couples met on social networks and messaging tools. Instead of an online chat room, people are sliding into the DMs and multiple couples connected on a gaming stream.

Remember, You Can Meet Your Spouse Anywhere

The key to finding the right person is to be open to it, whether that means signing up for a dating app, agreeing to a blind date or, evidently, making small talk at the farmer's market. While you might wish you had a rom-com-worthy meet-cute to share, the most important thing is that you met your person. And that's worth celebrating.

*The Knot Jewelry & Engagement Study captured responses from 7,856 US couples who were engaged from January 1 to November 8, 2024; respondents were recruited via email invitation from The Knot and/or WeddingWire membership.