Picture this: You’re snuggled in bed, surrounded by an embarrassing impressive number of throw pillows, when your phone buzzes next to you (...or in your hands, because fine! You were scrolling, okay?!). Your heart skips a beat as you see the name of your crush, partner, or significant other, and when you read their goodnight text message? It's full-on butterflies, bb.
You see, in a world where fancy dates, extravagant vacations, and luxury gifts are often seen as the ultimate way to show your partner you care, it's easy to overlook the simple yet profoundly impactful romantic gestures. You know, the dreamy good morning texts, random love notes, and small acts of service. But the truth is, it’s those seemingly small acts of love and respect, done continuously over time, that build the foundation for a really strong relationship.
The catch, however, is that you have to know how to craft the perfect goodnight text. It might seem like NBD, but there’s actually a lot to consider before hitting send. For example: Are you dating exclusively, navigating a situationship, or just hooking up? What are you trying to accomplish with this text? Are you merely wishing them a good night, hoping to get a lil spicy with a sexting sesh, or are you trying to keep the momentum going so the convo picks back up in the AM? Once you’ve got your motive, you can draft the perfect nighttime note to let that special someone know they’re on your mind.
Oh, and if you’re feeling a little stuck, don’t worry. We’ve curated a list of the best goodnight texts to send to your person, no matter what type of relationship you have. Whether you’re trying to flirt with your crush or let your long-distance partner know you wish they were in bed next to you, these 90 messages will make sure they know you’ll be dreaming of them tn.
If you’re still in the early stages of getting to know each other…
- “Goodnight!” (Because sometimes it’s really that easy.)
- “Sweet dreams.”
- “As much as I’d love to keep you up, I’ll let you get some sleep.” (Word to the wise, there is some room for horny interpretation here, so proceed with caution if you’re not there yet.)
- “Wait, omg, I forgot I have a story to tell you.” (Then ‘fall asleep.’ You’ll rest real easy knowing you pretty much just guaranteed they’ll text you tomorrow. Just make sure you actually have a story to tell them when the time comes.)
- “Wow, it’s so late. I have to get to bed. I haven’t stayed up this late talking to someone in forever.” (Go ahead, make ’em feel a little special—in a chill, low key kinda way, ofc.)
- “Night! You’re a good time.” This works best if you’ve just met or hung out for the first time. (Telling them that they, specifically, are a good time somehow hits different than ye olde, “I had a great time tonight!”)
- “Night! Talk soon.” (So chill, so effortless. Borderline cold, even, but the understated promise that you will talk again tells them everything they need to know.)
- “Maybe if I’m lucky, you’ll give me just as much attention tomorrow as you gave me today. 😜 Goodnight!” (Be careful with this one—like, the emoji is absolutely necessary, but 8/10 it’s a surefire way to get a flirty text the next morning.)
- Say nothing. Pretend you fell asleep and wake up the next morning with, “Ah, sorry, I fell asleep on you!” and then pick up the conversation where it ended. (FWIW: This helps keep the conversation going so no one needs to worry about who is texting who first. Game changer.)
- “Goodnight, talk to you tomorrow.”
- “I liked talking to you again today! Let’s do it again tomorrow.”
- “Goodnight! I really like talking to you. 🙂”
- “Ugh, I have to go to bed, but what do you say we pick up where we left off tomorrow?”
- “Night! Hope you have sweet dreams. 💖”
- “Goodnight! Let me know how it goes with [*insert whatever project/presentation/big thing they have going on*] tomorrow! You’ve got this. 💪🏼”
- “Have a good night! Hope tomorrow goes smoothly.”
- “Loved our convo today. Hope you have sweet dreams. ☁️”
If you’re horny…
- “I know I need to get some rest tonight, but I’m not sleepy yet. Wish you were here to help tire me out.”
- “Gonna get some sleep, even though I’d much rather keep you up all night.” (Suggestive emoji optional.)
- “Heading to bed, wish you could come along…” (A little cliché? Yes. Works like a charm? Also yes.)
- “Wish you’d be here to wake me up right tomorrow…”
- “I’m about to pass out, but if you were here I’m sure you’d find a way to keep me up all night.
- “This bed is awfully lonely without you, but I guess I’ll have to wait for [insert next time you’ll see them].”
- “Wish you were putting me to sleep instead, but I guess I’ll take care of things myself.”
- "I have to wake up early and shower tomorrow because I'm going to have filthy dreams about you tn.💦"
- “I can think of more fun ways to fall asleep if you were here, but I guess it’ll have to wait.”
- “Hmm, what kind of goodnight text would it take to get you in my bed right now?”
- “Based on everything I’ve been thinking about doing to you, my dreams will be real nice tonight.”
- "Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite—that's my job.😈"
- “Just know I’ll be thinking of you in bed tonight, all night…”
- “Goodnight cutie… wish you were in bed with me tonight.”
- “I bought some *very* sexy new PJs…can’t wait for you to see them.”
- “Can’t wait to kiss you all over, goodnight. 😘”
- “Guess what? I’m wearing those PJs you like… wish you were here to take them off me.”
- “I hope you dream of all the sexy things we’re going to do next time we’re together.”
- “Not gonna lie, I’m too turned on to sleep. See you soon, please? 🥵 ”
If you’re in your feels and want to be sappy…
- “See you in my dreams tonight?”
- “WHY is it so hard for me to stop talking to you and get some sleep?”
- “I don’t know why I even bother going to sleep anymore when I already have the [woman/man/person/etc.] of my dreams.”
- “I’m so obsessed with talking to you. It almost feels like you WANT me to be sleep-deprived.”
- “I have to get some sleep, but just know that I literally can’t stop thinking about you even when I’m unconscious.”
- “Let’s hope my dreams are as sweet as you.”
- “Goodnight, [insert any pet name like ‘babe,’ ‘love,’ ‘handsome/gorgeous,’ etc.].”
- “If you could get out of my head and let me sleep for a little while, that’d be great.” (A little cliché but a classic for a reason.)
- “Ughhh. I don’t want to go to bed because that means I don’t get to talk to you for seven hours.”
- “Sweet dreams. Think about me.” Literally no emoji or exclamation point. Period.
- “Goodnight, I already miss you!”
- “I love my bed but I love you in it even more.”
- “I hope you get some good sleep tonight! Can’t wait to hold you tomorrow. <3”
- “Goodnight! I hope you know I’ll be thinking about you as I fall asleep. I feel so lucky to have you."
- “Goodnight! Wish you were here so we could snuggle.”
- “You’re the best part of all my days! Goodnight.💋”
- “I wish we were spooning right now. Missing you extra tonight. 💗”
- "You're the reason they call it 'beauty sleep.' Goodnight, gorgeous."
- "Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow." I know it's cheesy, but Billy Shakespeare knew what he was talking about with the whole "not wanting to say goodnight" thing.
If you’re long distance…
- “Goodnight, my love. I miss you.”
- “Would give anything to wake up next to you tomorrow.”
- “Falling asleep is the highlight of my day, because it means I’m one day closer to seeing you again.”
- “I hate not getting to say goodnight to you in person, but at least I know I’ll see you in my dreams.”
- “Heading to bed. Wish you were here to tuck me in.”
- “[Insert amount of days] until I can lie beside you. Can’t wait.”
- “I’m going to bed with you as my last thought, and I can’t wait to wake up to you as my first.”
- “You know, it’s a good thing you’re so [*insert attribute you love about them*] because that would make this whole long-distance thing really, really hard if not. But you’re worth these nights alone in bed.”
- “Day [*insert how long it’s been since you’ve seen each other*] of not seeing you, but one day closer to seeing you again. Goodnight, my love.”
- “I'm going to bed, but I'd much rather be between your sheets right now. Nighty-night.”
- “Ugh, how much would it cost to get you in an overnight jet to my bed rn?” This is borderline horny, but go big or go home.
- “Goodnight! Love you so much, can’t wait to be reunited again so soon.”
- “I’m going to bed, but very soon we’ll be going to bed together!”
- “Sweet dreams! I’ll be thinking of all the hugs I’m going to give you when we’re reunited as I fall asleep.”
- “I love you! Can’t wait to close this distance so we can fall asleep next to each other every night.”
- “Goodnight baby, I hope you fall asleep thinking of all the things we’re going to do together next time. And I do mean *all* the things.😉”
- “We’re so close to our next reunion! Think about that in your dreams tonight. Love you 💕.”
- “Ugh, is teleportation real yet? I miss you, babe. Sweet dreams. 😴”
If you want them to know how much you love them…
- “I can’t wait to wake up even more in love with you tomorrow than I was today.”
- “Every night I fall asleep knowing I’m yours is a good night. Sweet dreams, my love.”
- “Goodnight. I am so in love with you.” (Sometimes the 'in love' vs. standard 'love' makes all the difference.)
- “Every night I go to bed so happy knowing you’re mine.”
- “I wish I could fall asleep in your arms tonight, and every night.
- “I hate saying goodnight to you.”
- “I love that you’re my last thought before I go to bed.”
- “I’m obsessed with being your last thought before you go to bed.”
- “I don’t want to sleep because I know my dreams can’t compare to you in my reality.”
- “I love you. Goodnight.”
- “Goodnight! I feel so lucky I get to love you!”
- “I can’t believe you’re all mine. 😍 Sweet dreams baby!”
- “Goodnight! I love you more than all the [*insert your favorite candies/snacks*] in the world. 😇”
- “I hope all your dreams are as sweet as you are, baby.”
- “I just want you to know that I’m so grateful for your love. Goodnight. 💘”
- “You make me feel soooo 🥰😍🤩. Goodnight baby!”
- “You’re a dream come true. I love you the most! 😘 ”
Tianna Soto is a writer, editor, and professional wellness speaker based in New York City. Previously, she was a contributing editor on the dating team at Elite Daily and an associate editor at Her Campus Media. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling, singing, and speaking with college audiences about mental health. You can connect with her on Instagram and Twitter.
Kayla Kibbe (she/her) is the Associate Sex and Relationships Editor at Cosmopolitan US, where she covers all things sex, love, dating and relationships. She lives in Astoria, Queens and probably won’t stop talking about how great it is if you bring it up. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Rachel Varina is a full-time freelance writer covering everything from the best vibrators (the Lelo Sona) to the best TV shows (The Vampire Diaries). She has over 10 years of editorial experience with bylines at Women's Health, Elite Daily, Betches, and more. She lives in Tampa, Florida, but did not feed her husband to tigers. When she's not testing out new sex toys (100+ and counting so far!), she's likely chilling with her dogs or eating buffalo chicken dip. Ideally at the same time. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
