Over a Quarter of U.S. Marriages Began on Dating Apps

What if your swipe actually led to “I do”? According to new data, meeting via a dating app is no longer just for hookups—it’s a long-term relationship engine. A report from The Knot shows more than a quarter of U.S. marriages now begin on apps. This signals a major shift in how love and commitment start in 2025.

What the Numbers Reveal About Modern Romance

According to The Knot’s 2025 Real Weddings Study, 27% of couples surveyed said they met via an online dating app or website. That’s a jump from earlier years and underscores just how mainstream digital matchmaking has become. Apps like Hinge (36%), Tinder (25%), and Bumble (20%) top the list as the most common platforms for couples who eventually walk down the aisle.

It’s not just about convenience. For many couples—especially among younger generations—apps are helping them find people who align with their values, interests, and rhythms. But the data also hints at a deeper truth: meeting online no longer carries the same stigma. Instead, it’s now one of the most accepted ways to build a lasting partnership.

What Other Ways do Couples Meet?

Online dating leads the pack but what other ways do couples meet?

• 23% Other (a variety of ways not included below)
• 16% Friends of a Friend / Friends in Common
• 15% At School
• 10% In a Social Setting
• 9% Through Work

What This Means for You (and for Dating’s Future)

Here’s how these trends could shift your perspective—and your dating strategy:

• Dating apps are more than just temporary tools. If long-term relationships start here more often, it may make sense to think of apps as places to build—not just browse.
• Investment matters. Whether it’s time, authenticity, or intention, what you put into your interactions can set the tone for something real.
• Expect more integration of matchmaking and planning. As apps play a bigger role in starting relationships, they may also evolve to support couples in relationship milestones (engagement, commitment, even wedding planning).
• Be thoughtful about your approach. If you’re using apps to find something serious, choose platforms and behaviors that reflect that goal.

At the end of the day, the rise of app-born marriages isn’t just a data point—it’s proof that in the digital age, meaningful connection can begin with a swipe. And for many, that swipe leads somewhere very real.