How to Respond to "How are you?

30 August 2026 Expression of the Week

  1. I’m well, thanks. / I'm very well, thanks.

This is a little more formal than “I’m good.” You might hear it more often in polite or professional situations. “I’m very well, thanks” is also possible when you want to sound especially positive.

From the US TV series, Sex in the City

From the US movie, Match Point

From the US movie, Shutter Island

From the US movie, One For The Money

From the US TV series, How I Met Your Mother

This week, instead of focusing on one expression, we’re looking at different ways to respond to the very common question “How are you?”

Here are some of the most common responses in everyday English:

  1. Good, thanks. How are you?

The classic polite response. Notice the intonation in the videos:
A: Hi, how are you? ↘
B: Good, thanks. How are you?
The stress on you shows that B is asking the same question back.

  1. Good, and you?

This is a short and friendly way to answer. It is very common in everyday conversation. You can use it with friends, colleagues, and even with people you don't know well.

You'll hear another fairly common informal response too in the Shutter Island video below: "Can't complain". This means things are generally okay.

  1. Not bad.

Very common in Australia and the UK, although you will also hear it in American English. It usually means “pretty good”, rather than actually being negative. It can also sometimes mean, "very good" or "great". It is a relaxed, informal response that you will hear a lot in everyday conversations.

From the US TV series, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

  1. Great, thanks!

This is a very positive and enthusiastic response. Use it when you are feeling particularly good or when things are going well. The word “Great!” can also be said with strong stress to show real enthusiasm.

From the US TV series, How I Met Your Mother

  1. Pretty good, thanks.

This is a positive response, but less enthusiastic than “Great.” It often means that things are going well, but not perfectly. “Pretty” here means “quite” or “fairly.”

From the US TV series, Jane the Virgin

From the US TV series, Curb Your Enthusiasm

  1. Not great.

"Not great" doesn't mean "okay" or "good", it actually means "bad" or "terrible". Used when you aren't feeling well or are having a bad day. With friends, this will often lead to another question, such as “Why? What’s the matter?”

Other common responses

  • Yeah, good, thanks. — especially common in Australian English

  • Doing alright.

  • I’m fine, thanks.

  • Really good, thanks.

  • Not too bad.

  • I’ve been better. — things aren't going well

  • Hanging in there. — life is difficult, but you’re managing

  • Can’t complain. — things are generally okay

  • Alright, thanks. — very common in Australia and the UK; things are okay

A note for English learners

Native speakers often use “How are you?” as a greeting rather than a real request for detailed information. So, in most situations, a short response is the most natural. Longer answers are more common when talking to friends or family, or when someone genuinely wants to know how you are feeling.