Dating Apps Account for Over a Quarter of U.S. Marriages in 2025

A new analysis of wedding and relationship data from major U.S. studies points to a clear shift in how long-term relationships begin: dating apps are now one of the most common pathways into marriage. According to The Knot’s 2025 Real Weddings Study, roughly 27% of couples who married in 2025 first connected through a dating site or app, marking another year in which online platforms played a central role in modern matchmaking.

The figure comes from a survey of nearly 17,000 U.S. couples who married in 2024 or were planning weddings for 2025. Within that group, online dating – spanning apps and legacy websites – was the single most common meeting channel. The category includes major app-based platforms like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble, as well as long-running sites such as Match and OkCupid. Among couples who met online, Hinge accounted for the largest share of matches, followed by Tinder and Bumble.

While 27% reflects only couples active on a wedding-planning platform, the number aligns with other industry and academic findings that chart the rapid normalization of online matchmaking. Studies from Pew Research Center have consistently shown rising adoption: by 2022, about 30% of U.S. adults had used a dating app, and younger and LGBTQ adults were significantly more likely to meet partners online. Broader academic work – including Stanford’s long-running “How Couples Meet” dataset – shows online introductions becoming the dominant meeting method for new heterosexual couples as early as 2013.

Other recent research captures an even wider digital landscape. A 2024 paper referenced in PNAS suggests that when all forms of online meeting are included – not just dating apps – the share of newlyweds who first encountered each other online may be closer to 60%. Those broader numbers include social platforms, forums, and other digital channels.

Relationship outcomes appear mixed but generally stable. Earlier research suggested slight positives for couples who met online, while more recent studies show small differences – positive or negative – depending on age, culture, and how quickly couples integrate into each other’s social circles. Public perception, however, has shifted decisively. In a 2024 SSRS poll, a majority of Americans said relationships formed online are just as successful as those that start offline.