English learners get stuck on one specific pair of phrases again and again — “what it looks like” and “how it looks like.”
One is correct. One isn’t. Yet people hear them all the time in daily conversation, movies, and social media.
So today you’ll learn:
- The real difference between these expressions
- Why “how it looks like” is always incorrect
- How to use “what it looks like” naturally
- When “how it looks” is the right choice
- Memory tricks
- Case studies
- Plenty of examples
Everything is written in a simple style so you understand it quickly and use it confidently.
Introduction: Why These English Phrases Confuse So Many Learners
Many English learners mix up “what it looks like” and “how it looks” because they both seem to ask about appearance.
The problem comes from:
- Literal translation from native languages
- Incorrect usage online
- Hearing native speakers make informal mistakes
- Confusing “what” and “how” in different sentence structures
Here’s the good news.
Once you understand why one structure works and the other doesn’t, you’ll never get confused again.
Let’s break it all down so you can speak with confidence.
The Correct Phrase: “What It Looks Like”
This is the phrase you should use when you want a description of something.
Think of it this way:
When you ask what, you want to know the identity or appearance of something.
Examples:
- “Tell me what it looks like.”
- “I forgot my keys. Do you know what they look like?”
- “I can’t remember what the building looks like.”
Each sentence asks for a description, not an opinion.
Meaning and Purpose of “What It Looks Like”
You use this phrase when you want the listener to describe:
- Shape
- Color
- Size
- Style
- Features
- General appearance
Imagine you’re asking someone to help you find their car in a parking lot.
You wouldn’t ask, “How it looks like?”
You’d ask, “What does your car look like?”
You want facts, not opinions.
Grammar Breakdown: Why This Structure Works
Let’s keep this simple.
Structure
what + subject + looks like
- what = asks for identity/description
- looks = linking verb (connects subject with description)
- like = preposition
- object after like = the thing that completes the description
Example Breakdown
“What does your brother look like?”
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| What | asks for appearance |
| does | helping verb |
| your brother | subject |
| look | main verb |
| like | preposition |
| ? | completes question |
You need what because like requires an object after it.
“Like” can’t sit alone.
That’s the key.
Why “What” Is Correct Here
“What” refers to the thing being described.
Without it, the sentence becomes incomplete.
Try saying:
- “It looks like.”
You’ll instantly feel the need to add something.
- “It looks like… a dog.”
- “It looks like… a storm is coming.”
- “It looks like… my old phone.”
“What” helps you ask for that missing information.
Examples of Correct Usage
Here are clear examples of “what it looks like” in real life:
- “Show me what it looks like so I can draw it.”
- “I don’t remember what your house looks like.”
- “Can you describe what the thief looked like?”
- “We don’t know what the alien looks like in the movie yet.”
These sentences work because they all ask for a description.
The Incorrect Phrase: “How It Looks Like”
Now let’s talk about the phrase that causes all the confusion.
“How it looks like” is ALWAYS wrong.
There’s no exception, no special case, no situation where it magically becomes correct.
But why?
Let’s break it down.
Why “How It Looks Like” Is Grammatically Incorrect
Here’s the simple explanation:
How and like cannot be used together in this structure because their meanings overlap.
- How = asks about manner or quality
- Like = compares appearance or similarity
When you combine them, you’re basically asking:
“In what manner does it resemble?”
That’s redundant and ungrammatical.
Correct English avoids unnecessary repetition.
How “How” Actually Works in English Questions
“How” asks about:
- Quality
- Condition
- Manner
- Opinion
- Impression
Examples:
- “How does it look?” (quality)
- “How are you?” (condition)
- “How did he do it?” (manner)
BUT NOT:
- “How it looks like.” ❌
- “How does it look like?” ❌
Never combine “how” with “like” this way.
Incorrect vs Correct Examples (Quick Table)
| Wrong ❌ | Correct ✔ |
|---|---|
| How it looks like? | What it looks like? |
| How does your car look like? | What does your car look like? |
| Tell me how it looks like. | Tell me what it looks like. |
| I don’t know how she looks like. | I don’t know what she looks like. |
| How it looks like inside? | What it looks like inside? |
Print this table or save it.
It fixes 99% of the problem.
“What It Looks Like” vs “How It Looks”: The Real Difference
Many learners assume both mean the same thing.
They don’t.
In fact, they ask two very different questions.
Meaning Difference
“What it looks like” = description
- Facts
- Visual details
- Objective appearance
“How it looks” = opinion
- Judgments
- Quality
- Condition
- Evaluation
Quick Examples
- “Tell me what it looks like.” → Describe the appearance
- “Tell me how it looks.” → Give your opinion
See the difference?
One asks for facts.
The other asks for feelings or evaluation.
Examples Comparing Both
Example 1
What does the cake look like?
→ Describe the shape, color, frosting.
How does the cake look?
→ Does it look tasty or messy?
Example 2
What does your new car look like?
→ Sedan, SUV, red, black interior.
How does your new car look?
→ Cool, stylish, impressive, old.
Descriptions vs Opinions (Table)
| Question | What it asks for | Example Response |
|---|---|---|
| What does it look like? | Description | “It’s tall, red, shiny.” |
| How does it look? | Opinion | “It looks amazing.” |
Why Learners Get Confused
Let’s explore the deeper reasons.
Common Non-Native Speaker Mistake
Many languages use one structure for both meaning types, so learners mix them up in English.
Reasons include:
- Translating word-for-word
- Thinking “how” equals “what” in every scenario
- Hearing incorrect informal usage
- Not understanding that “like” needs an object
If English isn’t your first language, this confusion is normal.
Misinterpretations Among Native Speakers
Yes, some native speakers casually say:
- “How it looks like is…”
- “Explain me how it looks like.”
These are mistakes.
Native speakers make grammar errors too, especially in speech.
Learners should not copy these.
How to Avoid the Mistake Permanently
You’ll stop mixing these phrases once you follow a simple strategy.
Quick Correction Strategy
Ask yourself one question:
Do I want a description or an opinion?
If you want a description, use:
✔ What … look like?
If you want an opinion, use:
✔ How … look?
Memory Trick
Use this simple trick:
WHAT = shape, color, size
HOW = good, bad, beautiful, terrible
Try it with examples:
- “Tell me what she looks like.” → Describe her
- “Tell me how she looks.” → Give your opinion
Easy.
Real-Life Examples and Mini Practice
Try these to test yourself.
Fill in the Blanks
- “Can you tell me ___ your house looks like?”
- “I wonder ___ the dress looks.”
- “Do you know ___ the thief looked like?”
- “I don’t know ___ it looks like inside.”
- “Please tell me ___ my new haircut looks.”
Answers
- what
- how
- what
- what
- how
Rewrite the Sentences
Try correcting these:
- “How he looks like?”
- “I don’t know how your phone looks like.”
- “Tell me how it looks like from inside.”
Corrected
- “What does he look like?”
- “I don’t know what your phone looks like.”
- “Tell me what it looks like inside.”
Short Case Study
Situation:
A student named Maria keeps saying:
- “Tell me how your brother looks like.”
Her teacher corrects her:
Incorrect: How your brother looks like
Correct: What your brother looks like
Maria practices 5–10 sentences using both structures.
Over time, she learns:
- “What” for description
- “How” for opinions
One simple rule changes her confidence when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is correct: “what it looks like” or “how it looks like”?
Only “what it looks like” is correct. “How it looks like” is never correct.
Why is “how it looks like” incorrect?
Because “how” and “like” cannot work together. Their meanings overlap and create redundancy.
What does “what it looks like” mean?
It asks for a physical description such as color, shape, or size.
Can I say “how it looks”?
Yes. This form is correct when asking for an opinion or evaluation.
How do I know when to use “what” vs “how”?
Use “what” for description and “how” for opinions or judgments.
Conclusion
You now understand the major difference between:
- “What it looks like” → description
- “How it looks” → opinion
- “How it looks like” → always incorrect
You’ve seen examples, tables, case studies, and practice sentences.
So next time you describe something or ask someone to describe something to you, you’ll know exactly which phrase to use.
The key is to pause and ask yourself:
“Do I want a description or an opinion?”
That one question makes everything clear.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
