After a blind date, both men and women lean slightly toward younger partners

Psychologists at UC Davis (Paul Eastwick, Eli Finkel and colleagues) analysed about 4,500 real blind dates arranged by the matchmaking service Tawkify, covering 6,262 people. After each date, participants rated their attraction and whether they wanted a second date.

The finding cuts against common assumptions: men and women alike were slightly more drawn to younger partners, and the effect was the same size for both. The authors put it as roughly a 55 vs 45 split in favour of the younger of two people.

More striking still, the age limits people had stated in advance barely affected their actual attraction. There was no sharp cliff once someone fell outside their range.

The caveats are honest: these were clients of a paid service, and only first dates were studied, so it is unknown whether this carries into long relationships.

What it means for you: age filters are a guide, not a law. Someone just outside your range may be exactly who you click with.