What Does HMU Mean? Meaning, Replies and Red Flags

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HMU means "hit me up": get in touch, message me or let me know. It's a friendly invitation to contact someone, used in texts, on social posts and on profiles, and it's usually casual rather than urgent.

What does HMU mean in a text?

HMU stands for "hit me up", which simply means "get in touch". It began as casual American slang and is now used just about everywhere, typed in lowercase as hmu and dropped at the end of a message to leave the door open.

In a text, it usually means one of three things:

Message me: "hmu when you're home".
Ask me: "hmu if you want the recipe".
Invite me: "hmu if you're doing anything this weekend".

It's relaxed and non-committal. A hmu says the sender is happy to hear from you, but it leaves the next move with you, which is handy and also why a hmu with nothing else attached can be hard to read.

HMU with friends, on social, on profiles and when flirting

Between friends

This is hmu at its most ordinary: "hmu if you fancy a walk on Sunday". It's a loose invitation rather than a firm plan, so if you're keen, reply with a time.

On social

On social apps, hmu in a post or caption means "message me if you're interested", whether that's about a spare concert ticket or a decent plumber. It's aimed at whoever's reading, not at you personally.

On a profile

A profile that ends with hmu is saying "don't be shy, say hello". On Natter, that means a private message or a hello in a chat room you're both in, not a hunt for their details anywhere else.

When flirting

Between adults on Natter (everyone here is 18+), "hmu sometime" after a good chat is a light way of saying "I'd like to hear from you again". It's friendly interest that leaves the choice with you, so reply if you'd like to and don't read more into it than is there.

When someone's selling

Online, "hmu for prices" is a common way to advertise. On Natter, selling isn't allowed: members are here to chat as themselves. A hmu that comes with a sales pitch is worth reporting.

When is a "hmu" a red flag?

Most are harmless. A few follow patterns that scammers and spammers lean on, and they're worth knowing:

"hmu on another app" from someone you've only just met, especially in a first message.
A hmu that arrives with a link, a phone number or a username for somewhere else.
A hmu attached to something for sale, from photos to "investment tips".
Pressure, such as "hmu now, I won't be on here long".
Any hint that money, gift cards or bank details will come into it later.

If someone keeps steering you off the site, slow down. Natter warns you when someone tries to move the chat to another messaging app, blocking is instant, and you can report a profile from inside the site so the team can take a look. Never send money or share bank details with someone you've met online. Our chat safety page has more on spotting scams.

How to reply to HMU

How you answer depends on whether you'd like to hear more. A few to borrow:

If you'd like to

Will do. Are you around this evening?
Consider yourself hit up. How's your week been?
Deal. I'll message you after work.

If you're not sure yet

Maybe. Let's keep chatting here for now.
Thanks, I'll let you know.

If you're not interested

Thanks, but I'll pass. Take care.
That's kind, but I'm happy just chatting in the rooms for now.

Here's how a friendly one might play out, as an example:

Had fun chatting tonight. Hmu tomorrow if you're about.
Will do. Same time tomorrow?
Perfect. I'll bring more terrible jokes.

lmk: Let me know. Close to hmu, but usually about one thing: "lmk if Friday works".
dm me: Direct message me. On Natter, that's a private message rather than a reply in the room.
ttyl: Talk to you later. A friendly sign-off, often paired with hmu: "ttyl, hmu when you're home".
hmu later: The same invitation with a time attached: they're busy now but happy to hear from you later.
slide into someone's DMs: Send someone a private message out of the blue, often a flirty one. Done kindly and politely, it's how plenty of good chats start.

The full table of 50 abbreviations is in our chat slang guide. Someone just asked what you're up to? Here's what WYD means and how to answer it, and our how to chat guides help once the conversation's going.

On Natter, "hit me up" means message me here

Other people here know you by a username, never your real name or email, and the only place they see is your nearest town or city. Keep your chats here until you decide otherwise, and swap numbers when you trust someone, not because a hmu pushed you.

HMU questions, answered

What does hmu mean on a dating profile?

It means "get in touch". Someone who writes hmu on their profile is inviting people to say hello, so a friendly message about something they've written is the way to take them up on it.

Is hmu flirty?

Not by itself, since it's everyday shorthand between friends too. It reads as flirty when it follows a warm chat or comes with a compliment, such as "Had a lovely time chatting, hmu tomorrow".

What's the difference between hmu and lmk?

Hmu invites contact in general, while lmk asks for an answer about something specific. "Hmu sometime" is open-ended; "lmk if Saturday works" needs a yes or no.

Is it rude to say hmu?

No, just casual. In a formal message it can seem a bit offhand, but between friends or in a chat it's perfectly normal.

What should I do if someone says hmu on another app?

If you've only just met, stay on Natter. Moving to another app early is a common step in scams, and on the site you can block and report anyone. Swap details only when you trust them and you're ready.

Why Wait for Someone to Hit You Up?

Make your profile, spot someone interesting in the rooms and send the first hello yourself.