LEGS & FEET – BODY LANGUAGE

If you can read the many body language signals that the legs and feet
provide, than you have a reliable source of clues to that persons mood
and feelings.

This is because legs and feet body language signals are consciously
rather difficult to fake or control.

Gender is a consideration when reading signals from legs. Women and

While many open leg postures in men are not significant, they become
more notable in women.

Other things to consider when interpreting signals are, mature women are
more likely to adopt closed leg postures than younger women.

Reasons for this include clothing, social trends, equality, upbringing etc.
Leg signals are often mimicked by corresponding arm signals (crossed
legs, crossed arms), reinforcing the signal.

When sitting in general, the leg and knee indicates attraction, interest,
disinterest, feeling threatened.

When seated, the knee or knees is directed towards the point of interest or
attraction and conversely, the knee is directed away from any point of
disinterest or if feeling threatened etc.

The more obvious the positioning (toward or away from), the stronger the
interest, attraction or unsettling the feeling.

This is also the case when the legs are crossed, as the upper knee
indicates interest or disinterest (pointing towards or away from).

Consider the length of time that someone has been sitting also, as leg
crossing may be due to discomfort.
 Legs/Feet Possible
Further Detailed Explanations
Signal Indications

Seated with legs Openness or Sitting with legs open is usually a sign of openness, an open
uncrossed relaxed. attitude.

Seated with legs A closed attitude This person may just be a little couscous or is uncertain
crossed or disinterest. about something.

Seated with legs An adopted style

When a person crosses their legs, the upper leg and knee
indicate (point towards) their interest in or enthusiasm
The direction of towards someone. If the leg and knee point away from
When seated,
the upper crossed someone, this indicates disinterest or a perceived threat.
changing leg
knee indicates These body language signals are more reliable in the initial
position and
interest or seating positioning that people adopt, in relation to other
crossing the legs
disinterest. people that are present. Signs are less reliable the longer
people have been sitting, as changing leg positioning is
most likely due to getting comfortable.
 Legs/Feet Possible
Further Detailed Explanations
Signal Indications
This is a more confident version of crossing both legs at the
Can indicate knees, as the genital area is exposed and the upper body
Single leg cross disinterest or slightly leans back. However crossing the legs or a leg is
stubbornness. still a protective barrier, so the single leg cross can be more
indicative of stubbornness.
This is an extreme version of the single leg cross. The
Single leg cross
Stubbornness or opposite hand (crossed leg) clasps the angle of the crossed
with hand
resistance. leg, creating a type of locked posture, reflecting this persons
clasping ankle
feelings and mood.
This posture is generally used in a sexual context, and is
Sexual posturing, less appropriate in a formal setting. The crotch replaces the
Seated with legs combative, leg and knee pointing rule. This open leg positioning is also
open (mostly arrogance, combative, as the person appears bigger and takes up more
male) dominance and space. This position is enhanced when the arms are also
confidence. spread wide and open, making this person appear very
confident, even arrogant.
Defensive barriers
Seated with or sometimes Women often keep knees together, with men more likely to
ankles locked suppressing have knees apart.
negative emotion.
 Legs/Feet Possible
Further Detailed Explanations
Signal Indications
Generally this is an unconscious posture. The wide spread
A readiness for legs provide this person a solid base, from which to attack or
Standing with legs
action or defend. This stance also makes the body appear wider.
splayed apart
aggression. This body language signal is strengthened, when hands are
placed on hips, as if “standing to attention”.
Standing upright
with legs straight Is generally a This can also be a sign of subservience and a stance used
and parallel, arms respectful stance. by people when addressed by someone officious.
by the side
Seated with leg
crossed and This body language signal should only be interpreted with
Sexual posing or
wrapped around supporting body language signals and taking the situation
insecurity.
the supporting leg and context into consideration.
(female)
The meaning behind this body language signal differs
depending on various things. This standing posture is often
observed in groups of people in social gatherings, at a party
Standing with legs
Insecurity or for instance. Defensive signals, legs crossed, arms crossed,
crossed in a
engagement. tend to indicate insecurity and is usually reinforced with an
scissor stance
obvious lack of engagement with other people in the group.
When legs are crossed but arms are not, this can indicate a
committed agreement to stand and engage.
 Legs/Feet Possible
Further Detailed Explanations
Signal Indications
Standing with
This body language signal can indicate anticipation of
knee bent or Feeling pressured.
responsibility or burden.
buckled

Focus of interest
This subtle aspect of body language is simply the direction
when pointed
Feet direction, like of the feet, whether standing or seated, in relation to others
towards, or
knee direction close by. It is not using the feet to point someone or
disinterest when
something out.
pointed away.
Standing in a
Peoples
group setting, with This is observed amongst people in groups. The leading
perceptions of
foot forward, foot is directed at the strongest member or leader of the
dominance or
directed towards group.
leadership.
the group leader
Slipping a foot in and out of a shoe or dangling it from the
Shoe play in Flirting and foot, tends to have sexual overtones (depending on the
females relaxation. situation). Generally a woman would be relaxed in order to
do this.