Leo Compatibility: Best & Worst Matches for Leo Zodiac Signs

I’ll admit it — I spent more time than I’d like to admit researching my family’s birth charts. Sometimes, my teens’ sun signs can explain why they didn’t want to help with the dishes (not that it’s a huge mystery), my sister’s rising sign can help me figure out how to best ask her to bake cookies for our charity fundraiser this weekend, and my husband’s sign reminds me of why we’re so good together (he’s a Leo, so we’re compatible).

Leos are ruled by the sun. Born July 23 to August 22, this sign carries a sense of royalty and status wherever they go in life. They’re confident, passionate, full of positivity, bold, and yep — somewhat theatrical at times. These fiery cats are determined, courageous, and above all, love to shine. If you’re wondering whether you’re romantically compatible with a Lion, I’ve prepared everything you need to know about the mighty Leo, including the best and worst matches for this bright and sunny zodiac sign. 

Leo 101: The Basics

A fixed fire sign ruled by the sun, Leo — called Simha in Vedic astrology — is the fifth sign of the zodiac, governing the period from July 23 to about August 22. According to Brittanica, its representation as a lion is usually linked with the Nemean lion slain by the one and only Hercules. Born to shine, Leo loves to bring big lion energy that is courageous, glamorous, passionate, and bold. Although there are many, some famous Leo men and Leo women include:

• Sandra Bullock
• Barack Obama
• Leonardo DiCaprio
• Martha Stewart

Whether you love them or hate them, the celestial Lion is a go-getter who knows that they were born to bask in the limelight — hence why so many are drawn to acting. This doesn’t necessarily mean every Leo is dreaming of a career on the movie screen, but this fiery cat is ferociously committed to building its reputation in all areas of life. In other words, nothing can get in the way when a Leo has their eyes set on something. 

Zodiac Compatibility: The Best Astrological Sign Matches for Leo

When it comes to love, the passionate Lion needs to be recognized and appreciated, and they can sometimes come off as self-centered if they’re not careful. They want to be the center of their partner’s world — but being the center of attention and the life of the party doesn’t have to go just one way; a typical Leo always treats their loved ones like superstars in return, leaving everyone in the relationship feeling seen. Think you might be a perfect match for the all-mighty Lion? Here are the most compatible signs of the Zodiac for Leos.

Leo & Libra (September 23 — October 22)

If Leo is royalty, Libra is the perfect squire. Skilled in the arts of conversation and diplomacy, the flirty air sign knows how to bring out Leo’s charm and benevolence. The best part? A Libra can do this without outshining a Leo in any way. A word of warning: Although this is certainly a match made in Zodiac heaven, Leo may get frustrated by Libra’s indecisive airiness, while Libra could be irritated by the Lion’s bossiness. At the end of the day, however, they’ll always have a blast.

Leo & Aries (March 21 — April 19)

Talk about one hot couple! When these two fire signs get together, it’s not surprising that sparks fly. Both Leo and Aries need equal parts physical and mental stimulation, so they’re well-matched there. These sensual signs love to excite each other and, in turn, themselves. In the midst of this frenzy of action, it’s not uncommon to see a Lion-Ram duo encourage each other’s independence. 

Because both zodiac signs need attention, it’s crucial to work together rather than compete to acknowledge one another’s accomplishments. Balance is key! From the outside looking in, this fierce pair may look a bit volatile, but underneath the surface, these fire signs will be having the time of their lives.

Leo & Sagittarius (November 21 to December 21)

Of all the fire signs, the bright and breezy Centaur is the least combative and the most laid-back, making this Zodiac a perfect complement to the bold, energetic Lion. Generally speaking, though, Sagittarius folk tend to shy away from commitment in important relationships, whereas Leo typically prefers the stability of formal commitments. But if an adventurous Centaur is going to settle down with anyone, a spirited Lion is most definitely an excellent choice. 

Zodiac Compatibility: The Worst Matches for Leo

Now that I’ve covered some of the best matches for the energetic and adventurous Lion, let’s take a look at the worst matches.

Leo & Virgo (August 23 — September 22)

In astrology, compatibility between signs is partially based on where they’re in relation to each other on the zodiac circle. Signs that are next to each other tend to have very little to nothing in common, and because of this, they often have a tough time relating to each other. Of course, there are some exceptions to this general rule, but Leo and Virgo’s match surely isn’t one of them.  

The brazen Lion likes to stand out in the crowd and be center stage. In contrast, the young Maiden is modest and prefers to remain in the background. Additionally, Virgo tries to help others by offering constructive criticism, which doesn’t endear a cocky Leo in the least. This is especially true as the earth sign can sometimes be rather stingy with praise. In short, these zodiac signs tend to annoy each other and are, therefore, not a great love match.   

Leo & Scorpio (October 23 — November 21)

When a romantic and passionate Lion meets an intense and mysterious Scorpion, there’s no denying the electricity between the pair. While passion is available in spades, creating an actual emotional bond can be pretty challenging. You see, both magnetic zodiac signs are wired to take charge and are extremely aware of their inner power, so this can quickly lead to clashing egos and willfulness. Plus, the water sign’s natural possessiveness can be a major turnoff to an independent Leo. Nonetheless, both the Lion and the Scorpion tend to view physical connection as an empowering form of self-expression, so if a long-term relationship isn’t in the cards, a lustful encounter likely is. 

Leo & Aquarius (January 20 — February 18)

Leo and Aquarius are complementary opposites — so with hard work and dedication, they can eventually have a harmonious relationship. That said, their first interactions can be quite disastrous, to say the least. Why? Because boisterous Lions are all about themselves. They love expressing who they are and inspiring others by example. The Water Bearer, on the other hand, is all about prioritizing community over self. Simply put, their values are vastly different, which can cause these two lovers to clash. 

The Final Word

If you’re a Taurus or Capricorn feeling self-assured, don’t forget that no matter how compatible — or not — you may seem with an ambitious Lion, sun sign compatibility is only a piece of the horoscope puzzle. You can get the most accurate idea of how well you match with your Leo partner by looking at your whole natal chart. If you ever feel the urge to dub this fire sign as nothing more than bossy egomaniacs, take a moment to check out your own birth chart, which is divided into 12 houses, each ruled by one of 12 zodiacs — including Leo. In other words, everyone has some big Lion energy in them, even you!