100 best small talk questions that will help you make conversation with anyone

Small talk can feel like a chore—surface-level exchanges that don’t lead anywhere. But the secret to great conversation is keeping a list of small talk questions handy—although it isn’t just about asking questions; it’s about asking the right ones. Whether you’re at a networking event, on a first date or stuck in an elevator with a colleague, knowing how to steer a chat into something engaging can make all the difference.

Good small talk is an art. It’s the foundation of strong relationships, professional connections and even friendships. The key is curiosity: asking thoughtful, open-ended questions that make the other person feel heard. But instead of defaulting to the usual “What do you do?” or “How’s the weather?,” why not shake things up?

We’ve compiled a list of 100 best small talk questions, covering everything from lighthearted and funny to insightful and deep. The key, always, is to centre the focus on your speaker—and instil in yourself the belief that everyone you meet knows something you don’t—everyone has something valuable to share, and it is your job to excavate that kernel. Whether you want to make a lasting impression or simply avoid awkward silences, these questions will help you ace small talk in any situation.

Casual icebreaker questions

1. What are you looking forward to today?
2. Do you have a favourite spot in this city?
3. What are you reading these days?
4. What’s the most fun you’ve had so far this year?
5. What’s your go-to coffee order?
6. What’s one thing you always carry with you?
7. What’s your idea of a perfect weekend?
8. What’s your guilty pleasure TV show?
9. What’s your dream vacation destination this year?
10. What’s your signature dish in the kitchen?
11. What’s one song you always sing along to, no matter where you are?
12. Have you ever met a celebrity? What was the experience like?
13. What’s your favourite way to unwind?
14. If you had a free afternoon with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?
15. Do you prefer podcasts or music while commuting?
16. Are you more of a morning person or a night owl?
17. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
18. If you could master any instrument overnight, which one would it be?
19. What’s one TV show or movie you think everyone should watch?
20. If you could instantly teleport to any place right now, where would it be?
21. What’s a fun memory that always makes you smile?

Quirky questions

1. What’s a conspiracy theory you actually find interesting?
2. If you had to describe your last meal in three words, what would they be?
3. If you could only wear one colour for the rest of your life, what would it be?
4. What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever spent money on?
5. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
6. What’s your weirdest talent?
7. If you could swap lives with a fictional character for a day, who would it be?
8. What’s your ultimate karaoke song?
9. If you could have dinner with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be?
10. What’s one meme-slang you refuse to stop using?

Questions for networking and work events

1. What inspired you to get into your line of work?
2. What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
3. What’s an industry trend that excites you?
4. What’s one job you’d love to try for a day?
5. What’s the most exciting project you’re working on right now?
6. What’s one workplace habit that has made your life easier?
7. What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
8. If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
9. If you could have lunch with one leader in your industry, who would it be?
10. What’s one piece of work-related wisdom you live by?
11. What do you enjoy most about your job?
12. What’s the best work-related book or podcast you’ve come across?
13. How do you stay motivated on tough workdays?
14. How do you approach professional networking—do you enjoy it or find it challenging?
15. What’s a work-related accomplishment you’re really proud of?
16. Have you ever had a mentor? What’s the best advice they gave you?
17. How do you handle difficult conversations or workplace conflicts?
18. What’s your take on work-life balance—do you think it’s achievable?
19. If you could create the perfect job for yourself, what would it be?
20. If you could work with any company or brand in the world, which one would it be?

Pop culture questions

1. What’s the best TV show you’ve watched this year?
2. Is there any current internet discourse you just can’t understand?
3. If you could reboot any TV show, which one would it be?
4. What’s your all-time favourite movie scene?
5. What’s a book that completely changed how you think?
6. If you could star in any movie, which one would it be?
7. Do you have any guilty pleasure movies?
8. What’s your favourite song to sing?
9. If you could meet any musician, who would it be?
10. What’s the last song you had stuck in your head?

Deep and thoughtful questions

1. What’s something you’ve learned about yourself recently?
2. If you woke up and found out the world was going to end in a week, how would you spend it?
3. What’s one belief or opinion you’ve changed your mind about?
4. If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what advice would you give?
5. What’s a cause or issue that you’re passionate about?
6. What’s your idea of a fulfilling life?
7. If money weren’t a factor, how would you spend your time?
8. What’s something you’ve done this year that you’re really proud of?
9. What’s a moment in your life that you’ll never forget?
10. How do you define happiness?
11. What’s one fear that you overcame, and how did you do it?
12. If you had to write a letter to your future self, what would it say?
13. What’s a core value that guides your decisions in life?
14. If you could relive one moment from your past, which one would it be?
15. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to say to someone but never did?
16. How do you personally define success, and has that definition changed over time?
17. What’s a challenge you faced that made you stronger?
18. If you could only be remembered for one thing, what would you want it to be?
19. What does personal growth mean to you, and how do you actively work toward it?
20. When in your life have you felt the most at peace?

Random and unexpected questions

1. If you had a time machine, what era would you visit?
2. What’s the most interesting fun fact you know?
3. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
4. If your pet could talk, what’s the first thing they’d say?
5. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but never have?
6. If you could live in any fictional universe, where would it be?
7. What’s one mystery in history you wish you knew the answer to?
8. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
9. If your pet turned into a human for a day, would they like having you as their pet?
10. What’s something you’re currently learning?
11. Do you believe in fate or free will?
12. What’s a quote you live by?
13. If you could make one wish right now, what would it be?
14. What’s your most used emoji?
15. Do you believe in luck?
16. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
17. What’s a random act of kindness that made your day?
18. What’s a small thing that instantly makes your day better?
19. If you had to describe your personality as a weather forecast, what would it be?