鼠Chinese zodiac compatibility
Rat compatibility Best and most challenging matches for the Rat
The Rat gets on best with the Dragon, Monkey and Ox, and finds the Horse and Goat the hardest to live with. Here is how the Rat matches with every sign.
- Best: Dragon, Monkey, Ox
- Opposite sign: Horse
Rat matches at a glance
Rat compatibility chart
| Pairing | Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rat and Rat | Mixed | Two Rats understand each other instinctively but share the same blind spots. |
| Rat and Ox | Excellent | Traditional “secret friends”. The Ox quietly supports the Rat, and trust builds quickly between them. |
| Rat and Tiger | Good | A workable match. The Rat’s resourceful nature and the Tiger’s confident nature can balance well when both make room for the other. |
| Rat and Rabbit | Good | A workable match. The Rat’s resourceful nature and the Rabbit’s diplomatic nature can balance well when both make room for the other. |
| Rat and Dragon | Excellent | Same compatibility triangle. The quick-witted Rat and the ambitious Dragon see the world in a similar way and bring out the best in each other. |
| Rat and Snake | Good | A workable match. The Rat’s resourceful nature and the Snake’s intuitive nature can balance well when both make room for the other. |
| Rat and Horse | Challenging | Opposite signs on the zodiac wheel. The quick-witted Rat and the energetic Horse want different things, so this match needs patience and compromise. |
| Rat and Goat | Difficult | A pairing that can rub the wrong way. Misunderstandings come easily between the Rat and the Goat, so clear communication matters. |
| Rat and Monkey | Excellent | Same compatibility triangle. The quick-witted Rat and the clever Monkey see the world in a similar way and bring out the best in each other. |
| Rat and Rooster | Good | A workable match. The Rat’s resourceful nature and the Rooster’s hard-working nature can balance well when both make room for the other. |
| Rat and Dog | Good | A workable match. The Rat’s resourceful nature and the Dog’s honest nature can balance well when both make room for the other. |
| Rat and Pig | Good | A workable match. The Rat’s resourceful nature and the Pig’s sincere nature can balance well when both make room for the other. |
How Chinese zodiac compatibility works
Traditional compatibility is based on where two signs sit on the zodiac wheel.
- Triangles of affinity: signs four years apart share a similar temperament. The Rat belongs with the Dragon and the Monkey.
- Secret friends: each sign has one quiet ally. The Rat’s is the Ox.
- Opposite signs: signs six years apart pull in different directions. The Rat’s opposite is the Horse.
- Uneasy pairs: a few pairings tend to misread each other. For the Rat that is the Goat.
These are tendencies, not verdicts. A challenging match can work very well when both people understand where the friction comes from. See the full Chinese zodiac compatibility chart.
The Rat in love
In love the Rat is devoted but slow to trust. Once committed they are attentive, generous partners who remember the small things, and they need a partner who offers security and lets them worry out loud.
What works
- A partner who appreciates that the Rat is quick-witted and resourceful
- Shared goals with the Dragon or Monkey
- The steady support of the Ox
What to watch
- Can be over-cautious or anxious
- Prone to penny-pinching
- Different priorities with the Horse
Rat compatibility questions, answered
Who is the Rat most compatible with?
The Rat is most compatible with the Dragon, Monkey and Ox. The first two share the Rat’s compatibility triangle, and the Ox is its traditional secret friend.
Who should the Rat avoid?
The hardest matches for the Rat are the Horse, its opposite sign, and the Goat. These pairings are not doomed, but they take more patience and compromise.
Are two Rats compatible?
Two Rats understand each other instinctively but share the same blind spots.
Does my element affect compatibility?
Yes. The animal sign gives the broad picture, and the element of each birth year adds detail. Elements that generate each other, such as Wood and Fire, tend to get on more easily than elements that control each other, such as Water and Fire.
Compatibility for the other signs
Check both your signs
Enter each date of birth to confirm your Chinese zodiac animals and elements before you compare.