The Zodiac Signs That Are Totally Compatible With Leo—And the Signs That Most Definitely Aren’t

Key Leo traits

Leo’s ruling planet is not an actual planet but the sun itself, which represents identity, creativity, and vitality. As one of the brightest, boldest signs of the zodiac wheel, the sun’s influence on Leo’s characteristics are clear. The celestial lions are renowned for their warm aura and a magnetic presence that commands the spotlight, and as a fire sign through and through, they are bold, authoritative, and confident in their expression.

While Leo’s energy tends to run hot, they are also a fixed sign, and therefore, “understand how to ground or root their fire,” astrologer Corina Crysler previously told Well+Good. This fixed and fire combo makes Leo steadfast, reliable, and stalwart. As such, they always pour their heart into everything, be it their career, creative pursuits, or their relationships. (The sign is associated with the heart, after all.)

“Leos are sympathetic, big-hearted, conscientious, natural leaders, and tend to be popular, protective, energetic, self-sufficient, and motivating,” says Emily Newman, psychic reader, spiritual healer, counselor, and astrologer at The Best of Psychic Reader. Their vivacity can bring sunshine to those around them, and they have a natural way of making others smile and enjoy life, which can make for a lot of fun and adventure.

While Leos will happily share the spotlight with their mates, their ego, pride, and jealousy can take over when they start to fear they will be eclipsed. “Leos can also be possessive, narrow-minded, self-conscious, approval-obsessed, and attention seeking,” says Newman. At their lowest, they’ll prioritize themselves at the expense of others to maintain their need for recognition and esteem.

Leo compatibility in relationships

Typically, people most compatible with Leo can match their energy and passion, and just as important, invest the same amount of effort and attention Leos look for in their relationships. The zodiac signs who will be most drawn to Leo will seek out a bold, bright “star” of the zodiac to show off, and they’ll be able to handle any theatrics that may come with dating the lion.

Fellow fire signs Aries and Sagittarius will have the easiest time relating to Leos as they can match their passion and their heat. Leos can also find a complementary match in air signs such as Gemini and Libra. As Juliana McCarthy, astrologer and author of The Stars Within You, told Well+Good: “Air signs can fuel fire signs with brilliant ideas and intellectual stimulation, while fire signs help bring air signs’ mental energy into action.” Air sign Aquarius can bring balance to Leo too, proving that opposite zodiac signs can attract one another.

Ahead, learn more about which zodiac signs are the most (and least) compatible with Leo.

Leo and Aries compatibility

Clever and understanding with a fiery energy to match, Aries is an ideal match for Leo—and it seems that the stars are ever in their favor, as Aries is trine, or four signs apart, from Leo, which can make for a harmonious relationship between the two fire signs. While they are forces in themselves, they can emit an even brighter flame when paired together.

“Aries can readily meet Leo’s requirements and they can do great things in life if they work together,” says Newman. They possess similar standards and vigor for life, and they likewise have an unwavering drive to make their aspirations a reality. If anything, both are highly competitive and like being in charge, which can result in ego conflicts. However, as long as they work together, they can overcome diversity as a dynamic duo.

Leo and Taurus compatibility

Fixed earth sign Taurus is square, or three signs apart, from Leo—and this astrological aspect can breed conflict and tension between the two signs, says Tenae Stewart, astrologer, spiritual coach, and author of The Modern Witch’s Guide to Magickal Self-Care. While both are fixed signs that are loyal and commitment-oriented, this also means that they can be rigid and inflexible in their behaviors and beliefs.

What’s more, “Leo is forward-moving while Taurus won’t move without a lot of provocation, and they can really butt heads in that way,” says Stewart. If neither is willing to be flexible or compromise, this can ruin their chances of forging a long-lasting partnership. However, that isn’t to say that they can’t overcome adversity. “They just have to honor and respect each other’s differences,” Stewart says.

Leo and Gemini compatibility

Gemini, the third sign of the zodiac, and the mutable air sign, is often compatible with Leo. “Both are pleasant and welcoming personalities, and they may quickly capture the hearts of each other,” says Newman. Gemini is also sextile, or two signs apart, from Leo, and their respective astrological elements can result in a complementary relationship between the two signs.

Gemini is infamous for getting bored quickly and more easily than other signs. However, they’ll never experience a dull moment with a Leo, who thrives on adventure and fun. Plus, Leo likes to shine and stand out, which will keep Gemini entertained. “Another thing to consider is that Gemini is an air sign, which means they never compete with a Leo partner, and instead, assist them in achieving their success,” says Newman.

Leo and Cancer compatibility

Cancer is a cardinal water sign that is semi-sextile, or one sign apart, from Leo, and though Cancer and Leo are on the cusp of each other on the zodiac calendar, Cancer is generally too emotional for a Leo. “Leos are sensible and enjoy trying new things, whereas Cancer is conventional in thinking and in matters of relationships, and so this relationship often appears one-sided,” says Newman.

What’s more, Leo loves attention and can be self-absorbed at times, so they are more unwilling to try and understand or worry about Cancer’s sensitivity and emotional mood swings. Although Leo and Cancer have unique approaches to life and relationship, they’re likewise loving, loyal, and commitment-oriented, and if they learn to understand one another, they can forge a relationship with lasting potential.

Leo and Leo compatibility

When two Leos come together, you can expect a passionate and fiery relationship. Both are romantic and value loyalty, and it’ll likely be easy to create an emotional bond because they will understand one another’s wants and needs. While a Leo-Leo couple will have what it takes for a long-lasting bond, it’s important that each continues to cultivate their heart’s passions outsidethe relationship.

Stewart also mentions that a Leo pairing needs to honor their partner’s mode of self-expression. “This is true for any relationship, but it’s paramount for two Leos,” she says. Things can take a tumultuous turn if Leos end up competing for the same spotlight or they refuse to compromise their own aims or demands, making it all the more important for them to maintain their sense of self while honoring what their partner brings to the table.

Leo and Virgo compatibility

Virgo, the mutable earth sign, and Leo are semi-sextile, which as mentioned, can indicate difficulties or challenges between the two signs. While Leo and Virgo share a cusp, it seems they have more differences than similarities. Intelligent and practical, Virgos have a forward-thinking attitude that’s intentional and analytical, which unfortunately, won’t always resonate with Leo. “Leos want to live in the current moment,” says Newman.

As such, Leo places greater emphasis on having fun and seizing the present opportunity, while Virgos can be all business and move forward with deliberate caution. Newman adds: “Virgo is highly intellectual, and it may be too much for Leo, who might view them as competitors.” As a result, they might struggle to form a positive connection.

Leo and Libra compatibility

Cardinal air sign Libra is known to offer their partners unconditional love and comfort—two things that Leo lovers want and value most in a relationship. As such, Libra and Leo are sextile, or two signs apart, from each other, which, as mentioned, can make these two signs a complementary match. “All of Leo’s wishes may be fulfilled with Libra, and they become a power couple when they get together,” says Newman.

What’s more, “Libras are givers who like gratifying their partners, which Leo will value,” she says. They also have the foundation for a lasting friendship. “The friendship is strengthened by their commonalities and heightened by their variances in personality,” says Newman, adding, “they both are hard workers and complement one another.”

Leo and Scorpio compatibility

Astrologically speaking, it seems that Leo and Scorpio have the odds stacked against them. They have opposing elements (Scorpio is a fixed water sign and Leo is a fixed fire sign), and they are square, or three signs apart, which often denotes struggles and difficulties. While these signs do share some similarities—both are ambitious, bold, and love being in the spotlight—their differences might push them further apart than pull them closer together.

As Newman told Well+Good: “The true challenge occurs when both partners begin to compete for power rather than working together, and both partners in a relationship must be on the same page for it to work.” And indeed it will take work seeing as they are fixed signs who can be inflexible in terms of their thinking and actions. Otherwise, “both will be unable to comprehend each other,” says Newman.

Leo and Sagittarius compatibility

Fellow fire sign Sagittarius is trine, or four signs apart, from Leo, and with much in common, it’s easy to see why they’d be drawn to one another. Both maintain an optimistic approach to life and both value excitement and novelty. As Newman told Well+Good: “One of the key elements that make Leo the ideal companion for Sagittarius is their shared perspective on making life and love interesting and joyful.”

Still, this relationship isn’t without its fair share of challenges. Sagittarius can be non-committal as a result of their mutable nature, while Leo values commitment and loyalty as a fixed fire sign. For their relationship to flourish, “Sagittarius must take their feelings toward Leo seriously,” says Newman, as Leo typically seeks the same amount of commitment they offer their partners.

Leo and Capricorn compatibility

Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign that is quincunx from Leo, and much like the celestial lion, the sea goat also enjoys the spotlight and can be very persistent in keeping the attention to themselves, rather than sharing it with a partner. As a result, “both partners would begin the battle for power,” says Newman, which can create jealousy and unhealthy competition, and over time, resentment and obstacles in their relationship.

Even if there’s not a present situation that calls for comparison, such feelings tend to linger and become more chronic by nature. “Because they are holding grudges against each other, both partners fail to understand each other’s feelings,” says Newman. If they can’t reach a place of mutual respect and understanding, it’s hard to see how Capricorn would be compatible with Leo, and vice versa.

Leo and Aquarius compatibility

Fixed air sign Aquarius sits opposite to Leo on the zodiac wheel. “They are natural opposites,” says Stewart. According to astrologer Rachel Lang in a previous interview with Well+Good: “For Leo, passion is extremely important. For Aquarius, intellectual stimulation is important.” Their relationship can go one of two ways— either they balance each other out, or they clash more often than they get along.

In the best-case scenario, “Leo can help Aquarius find themselves and their own unique value as an individual, while Aquarius can help Leo see the value of the people around them,” says Stewart. They also work well when they play together, adds Lang, and it’s important for the two signs to focus on keeping things fresh, fun, and light to truly thrive as a pair.

Leo and Pisces compatibility

Mutable water sign Pisces and Leo are quincunx, or five signs apart, from one another—and while this can point to irreconcilable differences within their relationship, they can find commonality in their shared passion for self-expression. As Stewart previously told Well+Good, “Self-expression is vital to both Pisces and Leo.” What’s more, the signs are similarly heartfelt and sensitive.

While they can forge a lasting relationship over their shared characteristics, it won’t be without conflict. “Pisces and Leo’s mode of expression are so different from one another that they may rub each other the wrong way at times,” says Stewart. If they can’t understand echo other’s communication style or keep their emotions in check, even the smallest issue can send their romance into a tailspin.

Frequently asked questions

What does a Leo need in a relationship?

Passionate and heartfelt, Leos seek loyalty and commitment in a relationship with those they love. As they will often shower their partners with attention and affection, they likewise want their loved ones to offer them the same.

Who is Leo not compatible with?

Astrologically speaking, Leo are not usually compatible with water signs Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio. They can often dampen Leo’s fire, and conversely, Leo might come off as harsh for the emotional water signs. However, this isn’t to say that a fire-and-water partnership is off the table—as with any relationship, it can thrive with mutual respect and understanding.