- Relationships vary by commitment, exclusivity, structure and emotional health.
- Common types include monogamous, open, long-distance, casual and situationships.
- Some types describe dynamics (codependent, toxic, rebound) rather than structures.
- The healthiest type is the one both people genuinely agree to and feel good in.
When people talk about relationships, they often picture one model: two people, exclusive, moving toward moving in and maybe marriage. In reality, relationships come in many forms. Some are defined by structure, like long-distance or open relationships. Others are defined by dynamics, like codependent or rebound relationships. Knowing the difference can help you understand what you’re in and what you want.
This guide covers 12 common types of relationships, how to recognize each one and what to consider if you’re unsure where you stand. For a quick check on how your relationship is doing, take the Relationship Test.
What makes relationship types different?
Relationships differ across a few key dimensions:
- Commitment: how serious and long-term the relationship is intended to be.
- Exclusivity: whether partners date or are intimate with other people.
- Structure: living together, apart or at a distance; two people or more.
- Labels: whether the relationship has been defined out loud.
- Health: whether the relationship is supportive or harmful.
For a broader definition of what counts as a relationship at all, see what is a relationship?
1. Monogamous relationship
The most common model in many cultures: two people who are romantically and sexually exclusive with each other. Monogamous relationships range from early dating to decades-long marriages. The key feature is an agreement, spoken or assumed, not to date others. Because so many people assume monogamy by default, it’s worth confirming you both mean the same thing.
2. Casual relationship
A casual relationship involves dating or spending romantic time together without expectations of long-term commitment. It can be fun and low-pressure, especially when both people want the same thing. Problems usually arise when one person starts wanting more. Honesty early on prevents hurt later.
3. Situationship
A situationship is a romantic or sexual connection that hasn’t been defined. You may act like a couple, but there are no labels, no clear commitment and often no talk about the future. Many people end up in situationships unintentionally. If you’re unsure, the Situationship Test can help, and our guide to defining the relationship explains how to have that conversation.
4. Long-distance relationship
Partners who live in different cities or countries and rely on calls, messages and visits. Long-distance relationships can be just as committed as local ones, and some studies have found long-distance couples report similar or even higher levels of communication and satisfaction. They work best when both partners share a plan for eventually closing the distance.
5. Living apart together
Some committed couples choose to keep separate homes, a pattern researchers call “living apart together.” It’s increasingly common among older couples, people with children from previous relationships and those who value independence. The relationship is committed and often exclusive, just without shared housing.
6. Open relationship
In an open relationship, partners agree that one or both can have romantic or sexual connections with other people. These relationships depend on clear agreements, honesty and ongoing communication about boundaries. They work best when both partners genuinely want the arrangement rather than agreeing under pressure.
7. Polyamorous relationship
Polyamory involves having more than one loving, committed relationship at the same time, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Some people have multiple independent partners; others form groups. A relationship of three people is often called a throuple; see three-person relationships.
8. Codependent relationship
This type describes a dynamic rather than a structure. In a codependent relationship, one or both partners rely on the other for their sense of worth or identity, often at the expense of their own needs. Common signs include difficulty saying no, feeling responsible for a partner’s emotions and losing touch with friends. Learn more in codependency in relationships.
9. Toxic relationship
A toxic relationship is one where the overall pattern causes more harm than good: frequent contempt, control, dishonesty or emotional manipulation. Toxic dynamics can appear in any structure. The Toxic Relationship Test is a private way to check, and our guides to trauma bonds and coercive control explain more serious patterns.
10. Rebound relationship
A rebound is a relationship that starts soon after a breakup, often as a way to cope with the loss. Rebounds aren’t always doomed, but they can blur the line between real connection and distraction. Read our guide to the 3 month rule for more on timing after a breakup.
11. Transactional relationship
In a transactional relationship, partners focus mainly on what each person provides: money, status, security or convenience. Every relationship involves some give and take, but when the exchange is the main point, emotional connection often suffers.
12. Platonic relationship
A close, loving relationship without romance or sex. Platonic relationships include deep friendships and some committed companionships. They can offer much of the same emotional support and intimacy as romantic relationships. Read more about the different kinds of love in types of love.
Other types you may hear about
- Long-term relationship: any committed relationship that has lasted a significant time. See long-term relationships.
- Age-gap relationship: partners with a notable difference in age, such as older woman, younger man couples.
- Anxious-avoidant relationship: a pairing of an anxious and an avoidant partner, often stuck in a push-pull cycle. See the anxious-avoidant relationship.
- Friends with benefits: friends who are also physically intimate without a romantic commitment.
Healthy vs unhealthy relationship types
Structure doesn’t determine health. A monogamous marriage can be toxic, and an open relationship can be deeply respectful. What matters is how people treat each other. Healthy relationships of any type share:
- Honest communication and clear agreements
- Mutual respect and care
- Consent and freedom to change your mind
- Room for each person’s identity and friendships
- The ability to repair after conflict
Count the healthy signs in your relationship with the Green Flag Test, or read the full list in signs of a healthy relationship.
How to figure out what type of relationship you’re in
If you’re unsure, ask yourself:
- Have we talked about exclusivity, or are we assuming?
- Do we use labels, and do we mean the same thing by them?
- Do we talk about the future?
- Do I feel secure, or am I constantly guessing?
- Is this relationship adding to my life or draining it?
If the answers are unclear, the best next step is usually a direct, kind conversation. Many relationship problems come from two people quietly assuming different things.
Can a relationship change type?
Yes, and many do. A casual relationship can become committed. A situationship can turn into a defined partnership, or fade into friendship. A long-distance relationship becomes local when someone moves. A monogamous couple may later agree to open their relationship, or an open couple may decide to close it. Even a toxic dynamic can sometimes improve when both people recognize the pattern and get help.
Changes work best when they’re discussed openly and agreed on by everyone involved. Problems arise when one partner assumes the relationship has changed and the other hasn’t caught up, such as one person thinking you’re now exclusive while the other is still dating around. Regular check-ins prevent these mismatches.
Relationship types and life stages
The type of relationship people want often shifts with life stage. In early adulthood, many people explore casual dating and figure out what they want. In their late twenties and thirties, people often look for commitment and may move in together or marry; the U.S. median age at first marriage is now around 30 for men and 28 to 29 for women. Later in life, some people prefer living apart together, companionship without marriage, or relationships that fit around adult children and established careers.
None of these patterns are rules, but knowing where you are in life can help you understand what you’re looking for, and whether a partner is in a similar place. Curious about timing? Try the When Will I Get Married? calculator.
How to choose the right type for you
There’s no single right relationship type. The best one is the one both people genuinely want and feel good in. Think about your values, your stage of life, how much independence you need and what kind of commitment feels right. Your attachment style can shape these preferences too; the Attachment Style Test may offer some insight.
Whatever type you choose, good communication makes it work. Our guide to communication in relationships is a good place to start, and the best relationship advice collects lessons from couples who’ve lasted.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of relationships?
Common types include monogamous, casual, situationships, long-distance, living apart together, open, polyamorous, codependent, toxic, rebound, transactional and platonic relationships.
What is the most common type of relationship?
In many cultures, monogamous relationships between two people are the most common type.
What is a situationship?
A situationship is a romantic or sexual connection without clear labels, commitment or plans for the future.
Can a long-distance relationship work?
Yes. Research suggests long-distance couples can be just as satisfied as local couples, especially with good communication and a plan to close the distance.
What is the healthiest type of relationship?
The healthiest type is the one both partners genuinely agree to, with honesty, respect and room for each person to be themselves.