Is It Better to Have a Lot of Casual Friends or a Few Close Ones?

August 13, 2026 - 14:33

Friendships are integral to human health and well-being, yet we know very little about how people make friends. A new study from the University of Kansas suggests that the answer might depend on your personality and your goals. The research, published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, looked at how different types of friendships form and what people actually get out of them.

The study followed a group of college students over several months, tracking their interactions with both casual acquaintances and close confidants. The researchers found that people who valued social status and a wide network tended to report higher life satisfaction when they had many casual friends. These "social butterflies" thrived on the energy of new connections and the feeling of being part of a larger group. On the other hand, people who valued deep, meaningful conversation and emotional support felt better when they had a smaller number of very close friends, even if they saw them less often.

But the study also found something surprising. The quality of the friendship mattered more than the quantity. A single, high-quality close friend could provide as much emotional support as a dozen casual ones. However, casual friends offered something else: access to new information, opportunities, and a sense of belonging to a wider community. The researchers suggest that neither approach is inherently better. Instead, it is about matching your social life to your own needs. If you feel lonely, a few close friends might help. If you feel stuck or bored, expanding your circle of casual friends might be the key. The real trick, they say, is to be honest with yourself about what you are looking for and to invest your time accordingly.