Is It “What It Looks Like” or “How It Looks Like”?

It’s all too easy for English learners and native speakers to mix what it looks like and how it looks like in daily communication and casual conversations, creating confusion in meaning across spoken English.

Many people hear this in TV shows and movies where phrases sound similar, but this creates a world of difference in meaning, often leading to awkward, incorrect, or grammatically incorrect sentences in real life use.

This common issue appears when learners feel how it feels off or get confused between phrases in informal situations and formal situations like writing emails or describing objects, showing the importance of understanding difference and learning difference to sound confident.The correct phrase is what it looks like, generally considered correct in standard English for describing appearances, describing things in English, and describing appearance with clear characteristics like the example can you tell me what it looks like.

On the other hand, how it looks is not grammatically correct and is often used interchangeably without thought due to common slip in English language, though simply use how it looks when focusing on condition, quality of appearance, referring conditions, and states of appearance.This clears a common question for English learners, helping avoid mistakes and improving correct meaning, correct structures, and expression in writing and speaking without confusing others.

Why “Is It What It Looks Like or How It Looks Like” Confuses So Many People

English can feel tricky because it borrows meaning from context more than structure. This phrase becomes confusing for a few simple reasons.

Here’s what causes the confusion:

• People speak informally more than they write correctly
• “How” and “what” both seem interchangeable in casual speech
• Other languages often translate this structure differently
• Social media captions mix grammar rules freely

When you hear someone say, “Look how it looks,” your brain tries to merge it with “what it looks like.” That blending creates the incorrect form “how it looks like.”

A simple way to think about it:
You are mixing two separate grammar paths into one sentence. English does not allow that here.

The Clear Answer: “What It Looks Like” Is Correct

Let’s make this very direct so you don’t overthink it.

✔ Correct: What it looks like
❌ Incorrect: How it looks like

That’s the rule used in standard English writing and speech.

Why this matters

If you use the wrong version in writing, it immediately sounds unnatural to native speakers. You might still be understood, but it will feel off.

Think of it like wearing two different shoes from different pairs. You can walk, but it won’t feel right.

Understanding “What It Looks Like” the Right Way

This phrase works because it follows a clean structure in English.

Break it down simply:

• What = the thing or appearance you are describing
• It looks like = the description of appearance

So together, it means:
👉 “The appearance of something”

Real examples in everyday use:

• “This is what it looks like after editing the photo.”
• “That is what it looks like when you rush your work.”
• “Here is what it looks like before and after cleaning.”

Why it sounds natural

English often uses “what” to refer to a result or outcome. It creates a complete idea without needing extra words.

You can think of it like this:

“What it looks like” = the final picture you are showing someone

Why “How It Looks Like” Is Grammatically Wrong

Now let’s fix the common mistake.

The core issue

In English, you don’t combine “how” with “like” in this structure.

Why?

Because:

• “How it looks” already expresses the manner
• Adding “like” becomes unnecessary duplication

Correct form instead of incorrect form:

Wrong Phrase	Why It Fails	Correct Version
How it looks like	Double structure error	How it looks
How it looks like this	Redundant wording	How it looks

Simple explanation

“How” already answers the question. Adding “like” is like repeating the same idea twice.

Better natural alternatives:

• “How it looks”
• “What it looks like”
• “The way it looks”

A quick example comparison

❌ “I like how it looks like on my phone.”
✔ “I like how it looks on my phone.”

The second version feels clean and smooth. The first feels awkward.

Better Alternatives You Can Use Instead

You don’t need to rely on just two phrases. English gives you options depending on tone and context.

Useful alternatives:

• What it looks like → descriptive and complete
• How it looks → simple and natural
• The way it looks → slightly more expressive
• Its appearance → formal writing

When to use each one

Phrase	Best Use Case	Tone
What it looks like	Showing examples or results	Neutral
How it looks	Describing style or appearance	Casual
The way it looks	Expressing opinion	Slightly emotional
Its appearance	Academic or formal writing	Formal

Example in real context

• Casual: “I like how it looks now.”
• Descriptive: “This is what it looks like after editing.”
• Formal: “Its appearance changed significantly after redesign.”

Real-Life Examples You See Every Day

Let’s bring this into daily life so it sticks.

Social media captions:

• “This is what it looks like at sunrise 🌅”
• “This is what it looks like after a long workout”

Work or email communication:

• “Here is what it looks like in the final report”
• “This is what it looks like after applying the update”

Tech or design context:

• “This is what the interface looks like on mobile”
• “Here is what it looks like after the redesign”

Before vs after comparison

Situation	Correct Phrase
Showing progress	“What it looks like now”
Describing style	“How it looks on screen”
Explaining result	“What it looks like after changes”

You will notice one pattern clearly. “What it looks like” fits results and explanations much better.

Quick Memory Trick So You Never Get It Wrong

Here is a simple trick you can use instantly.

Rule:

• If you describe a result → use “what it looks like”
• If you describe manner → use “how it looks”

Easy mental shortcut

Think of it like this:

“What” = picture of the thing
“How” = style of the thing

Example:

• “What it looks like after rain” → showing result
• “How it looks in rain” → describing appearance style

Once you get this, you rarely make mistakes again.

Common Mistakes People Make (And How to Fix Them)

Let’s go through real errors people often repeat.

Mistake: Adding unnecessary “like”

• ❌ “How it looks like in real life”
• ✔ “How it looks in real life”

Mistake: Mixing both structures

• ❌ “What how it looks like”
• ✔ “What it looks like”

Mistake: Overthinking formal grammar

People try to make sentences sound fancy. That often creates errors.

Fix it with this mindset:

• Keep it simple
• Use natural speech as your guide
• Avoid stacking extra words

Quick correction checklist:

• Remove “like” after “how”
• Use “what it looks like” for results
• Keep sentence structure clean

Mini Case Study: Why Native Speakers Rarely Make This Mistake

Let’s look at real usage behavior.

Native speakers:

• Say “how it looks” when describing appearance
• Say “what it looks like” when showing examples
• Avoid “how it looks like” entirely

Why they avoid it

Because it sounds repetitive. English prefers efficiency.

Observation from real usage:

In conversational English:

• “What it looks like” appears in explanations, tutorials, and comparisons
• “How it looks” appears in opinions and casual descriptions

You almost never hear the incorrect form in professional or native contexts.

Read More: Is It Correct to Say “Thanks a Million”? Meaning and Usage

Quick Grammar Comparison Table

Here’s a simple breakdown for fast reference:

Phrase	Correct?	Meaning	Usage Example
What it looks like	✔ Yes	Shows result or example	“This is what it looks like after editing.”
How it looks	✔ Yes	Describes appearance	“I like how it looks on screen.”
How it looks like	❌ No	Grammatically incorrect	Avoid using

Keep this table in mind and you’ll avoid confusion instantly.

FAQs:

What is correct: “what it looks like” or “how it looks like”?

The correct phrase is “what it looks like.” It is used when you want to describe the appearance of something. “How it looks like” is not correct in standard English.

Why is “how it looks like” wrong?

It is wrong because English grammar does not allow “how” and “like” together in this structure. The correct form is simply “how it looks.”

When should I use “what it looks like”?

You should use it when asking or explaining the appearance of something, such as an object, place, or picture.

Can native speakers also make this mistake?

Yes, even native speakers sometimes mix it up in casual speech, especially in informal conversations or media, but it is still considered incorrect grammatically.

How can I remember the correct usage?

Just remember: use “what it looks like” for descriptions, and avoid adding “like” after “how.”

Conclusion:

Understanding the difference between these two phrases is important for clear and correct English communication. Many learners get confused because both expressions sound similar, but only one follows proper grammar rules.

By practicing the correct form “what it looks like” and avoiding “how it looks like,” you can improve your speaking and writing skills. With regular use, your English will sound more natural, accurate, and confident.