Signs she wants a relationship, not just something casual

No single sign tells you whether she wants a relationship, and the only reliable way to find out is to ask her. Still, some behaviors tend to show up when someone is looking for something serious, and noticing them helps you decide when to have that conversation. What follows is common-sense observation, not research, and it applies to individuals. People of any gender want different things at different times, and plenty of people want something casual and say so clearly.

Behaviors worth noticing

Look for patterns over several weeks, not one night.

She plans ahead. She mentions things weeks away and includes you: "There's a concert in November, you'd like it." Future plans can mean she sees you in the picture. They're a hint, not a promise, and some people simply don't plan far ahead.

She makes time consistently. She suggests plans herself, replies at a steady pace and keeps seeing you at a rhythm that fits her schedule. A busy week is normal. A pattern of making time is the part to watch.

She brings you into her life. She mentions you to friends, invites you to a small gathering, or talks about her family and coworkers by name. For some people, meeting their circle is a bigger step than a date for two. Meeting her friends for the first time covers what to expect when it happens.

She asks about your life and what you want. Questions about your goals, your family and what you're looking for in dating can mean she's checking for fit. They can also just mean she's curious, so look at the whole picture.

She tells you where she stands. She says she's not seeing anyone else, or that she's off the apps. Take her at her word. Direct statements beat anything you could infer.

Her words and actions match. If she says she wants something serious and she's consistent, that's likely the clearest sign on this list. If the words and the pattern disagree, weigh both and ask about the gap. Green flags in a girl lists similar behaviors that show up in a good partner generally.

Signs it may be casual for her

These are hints, too, and many have innocent reasons.

Plans are vague or always last minute, and she rarely suggests them (or she's just spontaneous or busy).
She keeps conversations light and avoids anything about the future.
You mostly see each other late at night or only at home, rarely in daytime or with other people around.
She changes the subject when you bring up labels.
She says outright she isn't looking for anything serious right now.

The last one deserves belief. If she tells you she wants something casual, that's an answer, even if you hoped for a different one. Trying to talk her out of it means pushing past what she told you.

What the signs can't tell you

A few reasons to hold your read loosely.

People show interest differently. Some are reserved and slow to open up, and they still want something real. Others are warm with everyone.
Life gets in the way. A busy job, a recent breakup, family stuff or a move can change how someone behaves for reasons that have nothing to do with you.
You may want it to be true. If you're hoping she likes you, you'll count every friendly text as evidence. It helps to check your own read against what's actually been said.
Wanting a relationship can change. What she wanted in week one may not be what she wants in week six, and the same applies to you.

The reliable move: ask

Once you've seen each other a handful of times, a rule of thumb is that somewhere between the third date and the first couple of months is a reasonable time to talk about where it's going. There's no official number, and it depends on how often you meet. The first month of dating covers a rough timeline.

Bring it up in person, at a calm moment, not mid-argument or late at night after drinks. Keep it plain, and go first with your own answer so she isn't the only one exposed:

"I'm really enjoying this, and I'm not seeing anyone else. I'd like to see where it goes between us. What are you looking for?"

"Can I ask where your head is at? I like you, and I'd like to be exclusive. How do you feel about that?"

Then listen. How to ask a girl to be your girlfriend has what to say to yes, not yet and no, and talking stage vs situationship covers what to do when it's been unclear for weeks.

If her answer isn't what you wanted

"I want something casual." Believe her. Then it's your call: stay on those terms if they work for you, or step back if they don't. Both are reasonable, and leaving politely is fine.
"I'm not sure yet." You can give it a short, defined stretch, such as a few more weeks, and agree to check in. Don't wait indefinitely on a maybe.
"I'm not looking for a relationship with you." Thank her for being honest and let it go. Handling rejection can help with the next day.

If your answer is "I don't know what I want," say that too. It's honest, and it gives her the chance to decide what she's comfortable with.

What to do next

Write down what you want in one sentence: casual, a relationship, or open to either. You'll ask better if you know.
Over the next three weeks, note the behaviors above that you've actually seen (plans ahead, introductions, direct statements) and the ones you've only assumed.
Pick a calm moment in person after you've seen each other at least three or four times. No texting it at midnight.
Say your side first, using one of the lines above or your own words.
Ask one open question, "What are you looking for?", then stop talking and listen to the whole answer.
Decide ahead of time what you'll do with each answer. If it's yes, make a plan. If it's casual and you want more, you already know you're stepping back.
Take the answer as given. Don't lobby her, and don't test her with silence. If you realize you want something different, tell her.