Table of Contents

While most people have heard of sexual orientations, far fewer know about romantic orientations. But there’s a big difference between who you want to get physically intimate with and who you actually catch feelings for.

Romantic orientation refers to who you develop romantic feelings for, which may—or may not—match up with your sexual orientation.

For example, someone might be asexual (no sexual attraction) but feel romantic love toward more than one gender. Knowing your romantic orientation gives you clearer self-awareness and can help you better connect in relationships, without making false assumptions about yourself or others.

Why Understanding Romantic Orientation Matters

If you only focus on sexual orientation, you could easily mislabel yourself—or misunderstand others. You might think you’ve been “straight” your whole life, yet realize you’ve only ever developed romantic feelings toward people of the same gender, without wanting sex with them.

Once you separate your sexual preferences from your romantic ones, you’ll see the full picture of how you love and who you love. That insight can explain past relationship mismatches and help you build healthier, more authentic connections.

Romantic Orientation vs. Sexual Orientation

They’re not the same thing—though many people mix them up.

• Sexual orientation: Who you’re physically and sexually attracted to.

• Romantic orientation: Who you’re emotionally and romantically attracted to.

It’s entirely possible to want a sexual relationship with someone you don’t have romantic feelings for—and vice versa.

The Most Recognized Types of Romantic Orientations

1. Aromantic

People who don’t experience romantic attraction toward anyone. They may still want sexual relationships or deep friendships, but romance simply isn’t part of the equation.

2. Biromantic

Romantically attracted to both men and women. This doesn’t mean they want sexual relationships with both—it’s purely about romantic interest.

3. Heteroromantic

Romantic attraction to a different gender than your own. This often—but not always—aligns with being heterosexual.

4. Homoromantic

Romantic attraction toward someone of the same gender. This isn’t always paired with same-gender sexual attraction.

5. Panromantic

Romantically attracted to people regardless of gender. Personality, emotional bond, and energy matter more than gender identity.

6. Polyromantic

Able to be romantically attracted to multiple genders, but not necessarily all genders—unlike panromantic individuals.

7. Gray-romantic

Rarely experiences romantic attraction, but it occasionally happens without a clear pattern. Not the same as being aromantic.

8. Demiromantic

Romantic attraction only develops after forming a deep emotional bond. No instant crushes—they love slow-burn connections.
[Read: Demiromantic traits to look for]

9. Sapioromantic

Romantic attraction is sparked by intellect and meaningful conversation. Mind first, everything else later.
[Read: Sapiophile signs you love intelligence]

10. Autoromantic

Feels romantic love primarily toward themselves. Self-love isn’t just a mindset—it’s their true romantic orientation.

11. Androromantic

Feels romantic attraction toward people with masculine traits—regardless of their actual gender identity.

12. Gynoromantic

The opposite of androromantic—feels romantic attraction toward people with feminine traits or appearance.

13. Pomoromantic

Doesn’t identify with any romantic orientation labels and avoids categorizing their attractions entirely.

How Romantic Orientation Works with Sexual Orientation

Often, a person’s romantic and sexual orientations align—e.g., someone heterosexual might also be heteroromantic. But sometimes, they differ. For example, you might be sexually attracted to multiple genders but romantically attracted to only one.

And in some relationships, people navigate having different emotional and sexual needs with open or non-monogamous agreements—with full consent and honesty.

A Final Word on All Orientations

Even if you don’t personally relate to every romantic or sexual orientation out there, they’re all valid. Being informed helps you respect others’ identities—and may help you better understand your own.

Romantic orientation may not be discussed as much as sexual orientation, but it plays just as big a role in how we connect, love, and build relationships.