The phrase, decoded
What Does 420 Friendly Mean on Dating Apps?
A plain answer, the story behind the number, and how to talk about it with a match.
What 420 friendly really means on a dating profile
On a dating app or site, "420 friendly" means the person is open to or comfortable with cannabis. It is not a confession that they smoke. Some people who write it use cannabis every day, some now and then, and some never, but they are relaxed about a partner who does.
Read it the way you read "social drinker." It tells you what someone won't judge you for, not the details, and the details are where compatibility lives.
On Tinder, Hinge, Bumble or a dedicated 420 dating site, the meaning is the same, but a two-word tag leaves a lot unsaid, which is why the follow-up conversation matters. Our other guides for 420 friendly singles pick up from there.
One phrase, a whole range of people
When people say they are 420 friendly, they usually mean one of these:
- I use cannabis regularly and want someone who is fine with it, or who joins in.
- I use it occasionally, maybe an edible at a concert or a joint with old friends.
- I use it on medical advice and don't want to explain that on every date.
- I don't use it at all, but I am easygoing about a partner who does, where it is legal.
None of these is the "right" kind of 420 friendly. The useful thing is knowing which one you are, and saying so. If you want help weighing how your habits fit with someone else's, our guide to cannabis preferences and dating compatibility goes deeper.
Where "420" and "710" come from
The best known story of "420" goes back to a group of friends at San Rafael High School in California in 1971. They called themselves the Waldos and met after school at 4:20 in the afternoon to smoke. "420" became their private code.
The code spread through fans of the Grateful Dead, and High Times magazine helped carry it much further. The number grew into shorthand for cannabis culture as a whole, and April 20 (4/20) became an unofficial day of celebration.
"710" is younger and more specific. Turn the number 710 upside down and it reads "OIL," so it refers to cannabis oils and concentrates, and July 10 is its own day in the calendar. A profile that says "420 and 710 friendly" is saying the person is comfortable with both flower and concentrates.
Words you will see on profiles, in plain English
| Term | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 420 friendly | Comfortable with cannabis, whether or not they use it. |
| 420 only | Used two ways: cannabis is the only thing they use (no alcohol or other drugs), or they only want to date 420 friendly people. Ask which. |
| 710 friendly | Comfortable with cannabis oils and concentrates too. |
| Sober curious | Cutting back on alcohol or other substances, or trying life without them for a while. |
| CBD only | Uses CBD, which does not cause a high, and stays away from THC. |
| California sober | Has stopped drinking alcohol but still uses cannabis. |
How to say it on your own profile
Say it once, plainly, then move on to the rest of you. One honest line does more than a profile full of leaf emojis. "I like a joint on the porch after work, and I'm happy dating someone who doesn't" tells a match far more than "420 friendly" on its own.
Keep it about you, not about cannabis as a product. Nothing that sounds like buying, selling or sharing, and no photos of anything that is illegal where you live. Our 420 dating profile tips include example bios and first messages you can borrow from.
How to ask a match what they mean
Ask the way you would ask about anything else that matters to you: lightly, with curiosity, and early enough that nobody feels ambushed. A few openers that tend to land well:
- "Your profile says 420 friendly. Is that you partaking, or just being easygoing about it?"
- "I'm more of an evening edible person myself. How does it fit into your week?"
- "I don't use it, but I'm relaxed about it. Does that work for you?"
Someone open about their habits, and curious about yours, is usually a good sign. When you do meet, our guide to first smoke session etiquette covers consent, pace and respect.
Red flags worth trusting your gut on
A few people use the phrase as cover. Step back if a match:
- offers to sell you anything, or asks you to bring or buy cannabis for them;
- pushes you to use, or to "take more," when you have said no or want to wait;
- asks for money, gift cards or crypto for any reason at all;
- wants to move off the site within a message or two, or insists the first meeting is at their place;
- talks about driving after using as if it is no big deal.
Laws on cannabis differ by state and country, so only use it if it is legal where you live, and never drive after using it. On 420 Singles you can block and report anyone in one tap, and a support team is on hand around the clock. The safety page has the full picture.
More questions about 420 in dating
Does 420 friendly mean someone smokes weed?
Not necessarily. It means they are comfortable with cannabis. Plenty of people who write it smoke, but plenty don't and are simply relaxed about a partner who does. Ask to be sure.
What does 420 friendly mean on Tinder?
The same as on any other app: open to or okay with cannabis. Ask a match how cannabis actually fits into their life.
What does 420 and 710 friendly mean?
It means comfortable with cannabis flower and with cannabis oils and concentrates. "710" reads "OIL" when you turn it upside down.
Is it okay to put 420 friendly on my dating profile?
Yes, and it saves an awkward conversation later. Keep it honest and simple, and never suggest buying, selling or sharing.
Can I be 420 friendly if I live in the UK?
You can be relaxed about cannabis in Britain too, but recreational cannabis is illegal in the UK. Medical cannabis is legal only on a specialist prescription, and CBD products are legal. Our page on 420 dating in the UK explains more.
Meet 420 friendly singles who already get it
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