Astrology can help us understand more about ourselves and the people we love/date/hopelessly crush on—no matter their gender. For more deets on Leo compatibility, check out our guide to dating a Leo woman and dating a Leo man.
Have you ever spent hours scrolling through old Instagram posts, desperately trying to figure out your crush’s sign? (Yeah…me neither….) Well, thankfully, there’s no need for detective work when you’re vibing with a Leo: Lions will never, ever let you forget that they’re the kings/queens/rulers of the zodiac jungle. Expect 'em to post a #tbt to their huuuuge bday party about once a week. And yeah, of course they celebrate entire bday months—and their fans friends are happy to attend every single event!
Ruled by the Sun (the literal center of the solar system), fiery Leos (born July 22 to August 22) love to shine. But before you bask in their radiant rays, it’s essential you put on some sunscreen—after all, you don’t want to get burned! Although they love to sunbathe, these lions can still roar. So here’s everything you need to know about Leo’s glow to make sure you get all the warmth without any of the scorch.
Jump to:
- The Leo basics
- What's a Leo looking for in a relationship?
- How does a Leo behave in a relationship?
- What are Leo's biggest turn-ons and turn-offs?
- What's sex with a Leo like?
- Where should I take a Leo on a date?
- Which zodiac signs are most compatible with Leo?
- Which zodiac signs are least compatible with Leo?
The Leo basics
Birthday: July 22 to August 22
Modality: Fixed
Element: Fire
Ruler: The Sun
Represented by: The lion
Tarot card: Strength
Keywords: Warm, generous, confident, self-centered, show-off-y, fun, vibrant, larger-than-life
Love anthem: "Marry Me" by Jennifer Lopez and Maluma
Famous Leos: Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Meghan Markle, Kylie Jenner, Daniel Radcliffe, Viola Davis, Chris Hemsworth, Andrew Garfield, Maya Rudolph, Jason Momoa, Cole and Dylan Sprouse, Cara Delevingne, Halle Berry, Joe Jonas, Dua Lipa, Demi Lovato
What's a Leo looking for in a relationship?
Love it or hate it, Leo knows that they were born for the spotlight. While this doesn’t necessarily mean your Leo lover is pursuing a public-facing career (although there are many Leo actors and influencers), this celestial lion is ferociously committed to building their reputation in all areas of life. Of course, Leo aspires to be a benevolent leader. These lions are obsessed with cultivating their kingdom—er, I mean community. Simply put, they take their friendships extremely seriously, so they’re constantly organizing brunches, hosting Zoom parties, and planning late-night karaoke sessions. Don’t like singing? No problem, Leo is happy to go first.
From the outside, it may seem like this larger-than-life lion is constantly seeking praise. But that’s not how Leos perceive themselves. In fact, they feel like it’s their responsibility to bring people together in fun, vibrant, and positive ways. Leo wants to help others feel more open, confident, and creative. They’re happy to lead by example—it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!
Fundamentally, Leo isn’t looking for just another subject—er, friend. They want to be with someone who genuinely understands that while their actions may appear self-centric, their intention is to cultivate a supportive community where everyone can be celebrated. Of course, Leo deserves the throne, but they want a coruler too. Leos are all about a power couple. They’re always looking for the Antony to their Cleopatra, the Michelle to their Barack, the Harry to their Meghan. (Cleo, Barack, and Meghan? All Leos, of course.)
How does a Leo behave in a relationship?
Leos function like their celestial ruler, the Sun. The Sun is dependable: It rises every morning, soars high into the sky, and then descends each evening to rest. It never goes retrograde, unlike the Moon, which is constantly shape-shifting. Loyal Leo is the same way—you’ll always have their warm, straightforward support.
Leos pride themselves on being reliable, compassionate partners. When it comes to matters of the heart (fun fact: Leo governs the heart in ancient astrobiology), these lions enjoy all types of romantic expressions. Yes, Leo loves lavish dinners, exclusive parties, and all-access passes, but they don’t want you to do all the work! In fact, nothing delights Leo more than the opportunity to show off their taste and access. So don’t be surprised if your lion lover introduces you to their friends, invites you to their fave cocktail lounge, or treats you to surprise courtside seats. Don’t get me wrong: Leo certainly wants you to impress them…but they also want you to know that they can pull some serious strings. And by strings, yes, they mean an occasional favor from Elon Musk.
As a self-proclaimed A-lister, Leo always treats their lovers like superstars—but what is fame without tabloids? It’s true: They adore drama-fueled romances that belong on Page Six. Lions believe that passion requires a little heat (after all, they’re a fire sign), so get ready for reality TV-style blowouts followed by hot makeup sex. However, don’t get it twisted: Extravagant theatrics are one thing, but genuine conflict is a different story. As over the top as Leo can be, these lions don’t want any negative, heavy clouds blocking their radiance, and if lighthearted drama turns into serious hostility, they’ll kick you off the guest list faster than you can say, “I’m with the band.”
What are Leo's biggest turn-ons and turn-offs?
So you think you can handle the glitz and glam of dating a Leo? Remember that lions love to have a good time. Nothing is a bigger turn-on than endless positivity, fearless confidence, and unabashed adoration. Like a classic Hollywood movie, Leo has big feelings, which they want to express freely and shamelessly. This lion believes that each day is a new opportunity to create their own blockbuster rom-com. How epic!
Leo doesn’t mind if their partner has a bit of an ego—after all, this lion wants to make sure their co-ruler looks good in a crown. On the flip side, however, too much pomposity is a total turn-off. Not only does Leo abhor arrogance (so gauche!), but they do not want to be upstaged. Unless you’re planning on joining Leo’s double act, don’t you dare touch their mic. You’re in their kingdom, show a little respect!
What's sex with a Leo like?
Unsurprisingly, Leos are ah-mazing in bed. They're both confident and generous, which makes for pretty much the perfect lover. They're bold enough to give pretty much any sex position, kink, toy, etc. a try, and they're confident enough to laugh it off if it turns out not to be their thing. And as much as they love being the center of attention, they also love to pleasure their partner. They're all about a power couple, including in the bedroom.
Leo is ruled by the Sun, so yes, they like to feel like the center of the universe...and they might have a voyeuristic streak. Try some seated sex positions with your Leo lover—they belong in a throne, after all. They also loooove makeup sex—it speaks to the actor inside of them.
Where should I take a Leo on a date?
Take your Leo somewhere they can PERFORM. Karaoke, an open mic for standup comedy, or a park where you can have an impromptu photoshoot...they're at their best when they're showing off a little. Or, take them on an EXPERIENCE. Cocktails? BORING. Take them on a roller coaster. These kitty cats want to STAND OUT.
Which zodiac signs are most compatible with Leo?
Leo and Aries (March 21 to April 19)
Who’s ready for a royal wedding? Fellow fire sign Aries amplifies Leo’s natural glow. This brazen zodiac sign appreciates Leo’s dynamic charisma and is nurtured by the celestial lion’s cheerful warmth. Aries’ spark electrifies Leo’s radiance!
Leo and Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21)
Leo is also a great match with fellow fire sign Sagittarius. Sagittarius’s passionate wanderlust helps Leo expand their territory. World domination, anyone?
Leo and Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
Similarly, Leo finds a fun, playful relationship with witty air sign Gemini. Air and fire signs go together almost as well as two fire signs.
Leo and Libra (September 23 to October 22)
Together, Leo and Libra are the life of the party. They both thrive in social situations where they can flirt with anyone and everyone. Libra is also happy to let Leo take the lead.
Leo and Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)
Leo also has opposites-attract style chemistry with their zodiac opposite, Aquarius. They're opposites on the zodiac wheel, but in a good way—they complement each other!
Leo and Leo (July 22 to August 22)
Of course, who could be a better match for a Leo than another Leo? Talk about a power couple!
Which zodiac signs are least compatible with Leo?
Leo and Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
Leo should expect some serious power struggles with fellow fixed sign Taurus. All four fixed signs are stubborn, and that means they're constantly butting heads. Stubborn Taurus finds Leo’s theatrics exhausting!
Leo and Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)
The same goes for Leo and another fixed sign, Scorpio. When it comes to how they live their lives, secretive Scorpio ruthlessly judges Leo’s attention-seeking habits. Both signs are super-stubborn and not willing to compromise!
Leo and Capricorn (December 21 to January 20)
Leo and earth sign Capricorn don't vibe too well together, either. Capricorn is just way too serious for party person Leo!
Leo and Virgo (August 23 to September 22)
Introvert Virgo can also struggle to keep up with Leo's always-out-and-about-and-befriending-everyone-they-can lifestyle. To make it work with a Leo, Virgo needs to remember that not everyone shines under the same light!
Leo and Cancer (June 21 to July 22)
Similarly, Leo can struggle to make it work with homebody Cancer. Leo is go, go, go, and Cancer is stay home, stay home, stay home!
Leo and Pisces (February 19 to March 20)
Yeah, fire and water don't really go together, and that's true for the zodiac, too. Bold and brash Leo and whimsical and sensitive Pisces often clash.
Let's talk compatibility!
The Signs You're Most Romantically Compatible With
The Signs You're Most Sexually Compatible WIth
Think You're Not Compatible? You Might Be Wrong
Erika W. Smith (she/her) is the current Senior Astrology Editor at Cosmopolitan. In her 4+ years at Cosmo, she's worked on everything from editing weekly horoscopes, to reporting on how astrology influences album release dates, to launching The Cosmo Tarot. Before joining Cosmopolitan in 2020, she worked at Refinery29, HelloGiggles, and BUST magazine. Her book series Astrosex: How to Have the Best Sex According to Your Star Sign was published in 2021. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @erikawynn.
