How to Respond to What’s Up Without Killing the Conversation

Here’s how to respond to what’s up: in passing, just toss it back; if they’ve stopped or texted you, give one small real thing you’re doing and ask what’s up with them.

How to reply to what’s up in 4 steps

Decide if it’s a greeting or a question
Swap “nothing” for one small real thing
Send it back
Match their tone

It's your second shift as a server at a busy brunch spot, and you still don't really know the kitchen crew. As you tie on your apron, Marcus, one of the line cooks, catches your eye.

Marcus

Yo, what's good?

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How to reply to what’s up in 4 steps

“What’s up?” is usually just a friendly hello, which is why it’s easy to get wrong. Knowing how to respond to what’s up comes down to how much the other person wants back.

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Decide if it’s a greeting or a question

If they’re walking by, waving, or already turning away, “what’s up” means “hi.” Like most greetings, the rule for how to respond is to answer at the same size — a hi of your own: “Hey! Not much — you?” If they stopped, sat down, or texted you first, it’s an opening. They want a little conversation, and you get to give them something to work with.

A classmate who just sat down next to you

Hey, what’s up?

Flat reply

“Hey.”

They nod and open their laptop. Silence until class starts.

Better reply

“Hey! Not much. I just realized I didn’t do the reading. Did you?”

They laugh: “Skimmed it in the parking lot. You’re fine.”

Why it works: They sat down, so it’s an opening, not a passing hi. Give them something back.

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Swap “nothing” for one small real thing

“Nothing” is honest, but it’s a dead end. Give a tiny, true detail instead: “Just got off work,” “Trying to figure out dinner,” “Watching the game.” It doesn’t have to be interesting. It just has to be something the other person can ask about or react to. That one detail is most of how to respond to what’s up well.

A friend texting on a Tuesday night

what’s up

Flat reply

“nm u”

“nm.” The thread dies.

Better reply

“just made way too much chili. u?”

“lol how much is too much”

Why it works: One small real thing gives them something to react to. “Nothing” is a dead end.

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Send it back

End with “You?”, “What’s up with you?”, or “What are you up to tonight?” If it’s a text from someone who rarely reaches out, ask gently whether there’s a reason: “Good to hear from you! Everything okay?” People often open with “what’s up” when they want to ask for something.

A college friend you haven’t heard from in a year

Hey stranger! What’s up?

Flat reply

“Hey! Not much, just working a lot.”

“Ah cool.” Nothing else for two days.

Better reply

“Whoa, hi! Just work and trying to keep my plants alive. How’ve you been?”

“Good! Actually, I’m going to be in town next month…”

Why it works: End with a question back, especially when they’re the one who reached out.

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Match their tone

A coworker’s “yo, what’s good” gets a relaxed, same-energy reply. A neighbor’s careful “hi… what’s up?” at the door gets a clear, friendly explanation of why you’re there. When someone asks because you look off, it’s fine to say “rough day” and ask for a minute. When it comes to how to respond to what’s up, matching their tone matters more than the exact words.

Your roommate, as you slump onto the couch

Whoa. What’s up with you?

Flat reply

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

They hover for a second, then head back to their room.

Better reply

“Rough day. Give me ten minutes and I’ll tell you about it.”

“Got it. Want a beer?”

Why it works: Their tone was concerned, so a real answer fits better than a breezy “nothing.”

How to answer what’s up: mistakes to skip

“Nothing.” with no question back — it tells them the conversation is over before it starts.
A long update to someone who was just saying hi on the way past.
Answering a worried “what’s up?” with “nothing” when something obviously is. Say you need a minute instead.
Leaving a “what’s up” text on read for a day. A quick “Hey! Busy right now, text you tonight” is better than silence.

What’s up replies: examples for common moments

Good what’s up replies are short, a little specific, and hand the conversation back. Here’s how to respond to what’s up in the moments that come up most — and what to avoid.

The moment	Say this	Avoid this
A new coworker says “what’s good?”	“Hey! Just trying to survive my second shift. How long have you been here?”	“Nothing.” and back to your apron
Your brother, who never texts first	“Hey! Not much. Good to hear from you — what’s going on?”	“Who died lol”
A stranger opens the door: “hi… what’s up?”	“Hi! I’m in 14A — this got left on my porch by mistake.”	Launching into small talk before explaining
Friend texts “uh oh. what’s up?”	“Ha, nothing bad! Just wondering if I can borrow your ladder Saturday.”	Leaving them hanging after “can I ask you something?”
“What are you up to?” on a Friday	“Just got home, figuring out dinner. You have plans?”	“Nm u?”
Someone you’re texting says “what’s good”	“Not much, just finished a run. How was your day?”	“Nothing” (the conversation ends there)

How to reply to what’s up over text

Over text, “what’s up” almost always means the person wants to talk — nobody texts a greeting just to walk past. So, just as when you respond to how are you over text, give a little more than “nm”: one real thing you’re doing, and a question back. If it’s someone who usually doesn’t text first, keep it warm and open, since they may be working up to something. And if you’re busy, say that in one line and name when you’ll reply.

How to respond to what’s up: FAQ

How do you respond to what’s up?

How to respond to what’s up depends on the moment. In passing, just say hi back: “Hey! Not much — you?” If they’ve stopped to talk or texted you, add one small real detail (“Just got off work”) and ask what’s up with them. The goal is to keep it light and hand the conversation back.

How do you respond to what’s good?

“What’s good” is a friendly, casual “what’s up.” Answer with the same energy: “Not much, man — what’s good with you?” or “All good! Just getting started for the day.” You don’t need news; you just need to sound glad they said hi.

What do you say when someone texts “what’s up”?

Tell them one thing you’re doing and ask back: “Just making dinner! What’s up with you?” If you can’t talk, say so and give a time: “Busy right now — call you at 7?” A plain “nothing” often ends the chat before they get to why they texted.

How do you respond to “what are you up to”?

Say what you’re actually doing, even if it’s boring: “Just lying on the couch, honestly. You?” It’s often a lead-in to an invitation, so an open reply gives them room to ask. If you want to be invited, add “I’m free later” so they don’t have to guess.

Is “nothing much” a rude reply to what’s up?

Not rude, just short. “Nothing much, you?” is fine in passing. It only lands badly when someone clearly wanted to talk and you leave it at “nothing” with no question back.

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