You're happy to call him your boyfriend right now but is he a keeper? According to relationship experts, there are certain character traits that give a strong indication of whether he's the right kind of guy to commit to in the long term.

So how do you spot a great guy? And more importantly, how do you tell if he's not marriage material? We got the experts to give us the low-down.

1. He's nice

'Bad boys' may sound more appealing when you're under 25 and you just want lots of fun and hot sex, says dating guru, Peter Spalton. But as you're ready to settle down with someone, your 'wants' evolve: And the truth is nice guys who don't lie and cheat their way through life make better prospects than cads. "Every woman wants to find a man who is loving, kind, and loyal," says relationships expert, Amanda Kane. If you're going to pick someone to go through life with -- through thick and thin -- his integrity is of utmost importance. He must also have the capacity for empathy: "The ability to understand your partner, and put yourself in their emotional shoes, facilitates constructive communication," adds Kane.

2. He is able to deal with conflicts constructively

Squabbles are bound arise in your relationship, it's how you deal with them that counts. Think about how he usually reacts when you fight. Can you get through an argument without him flying off the handle when you raise important issues? Does he talk things out in a calm manner? Is he willing to move on from the disagreement without holding a grudge? These are all good signs that he could deal with arguments in a mature manner. "Every relationship has inevitable conflict," says Kane. "Men who are good long term partners are able to manage their anger by acknowledging feelings and expressing them constructively, not destructively."

3. He's got a good sense of humor

A good sense of humor always seems to feature highly on any list of desirable qualities in a prospective partner. It's a nice bonus to be able to have fun with a partner, especially if you're looking to be in it for the long haul. "A healthy sense of humor is a great way to diffuse heated arguments and put everyday spats into perspective," Kane explains.

4. You've got chemistry

He might seem like a great catch on paper, but what if there's just no spark between the two of you? If you've got very little in common, chances are that it'll be difficult to keep the relationship going in the long term. For Spalton, compatibility is one of the most important boxes to tick. "I believe that what you need to look for in a long term relationship is someone who you click with emotionally, intellectually and physically," he advises. "Similar sexual preferences/appetites are also very important. Trouble can be brewing if you like to experiment sexually and he doesn't, or vice versa."