Every season of How I Met Your Mother ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of How I Met Your Mother!

When Ted's best friend Marshall proposes to his girlfriend, Lily, Ted realizes he'd better get a move on if he hopes to find true love. Ted soon meets Robin in a neighborhood bar, immediately becomes smitten and scores a first date. But when Ted can hardly wait to see her again, his eagerness threatens to scare her away.

Pilot

In a desperate attempt for a second date, Ted invites Robin to a party he is throwing. However, she doesn't show up and he keeps throwing parties in the hopes she will finally arrive.

Purple Giraffe

Ted agrees to let Barney spice up his love life, and ends up on a crazy adventure of flying to Philadelphia, encountering the law and visiting the Liberty Bell.

Sweet Taste of Liberty

Ted's outlook on his continuing search for love is altered when he rediscovers a shirt that has not seen daylight in years. Meanwhile, Barney amuses himself by coaxing Robin into sacrificing her job by saying completely outlandish things on air live for a cash reward.

Return of the Shirt

Ted and Barney start checking out the club scene with their friend Robin, whereas Lily and Marshall try to participate in some more "grown-up" activities, as they draw slowly nearer to their wedding.

Okay Awesome

Ted makes his yearly pilgrimage to the rooftop Halloween party in search of a girl dressed as a pumpkin who he met years ago. Meanwhile, Robin is dumped after driving her new boyfriend away with her independent ways.

The Slutty Pumpkin

When a matchmaker with a 100% success rate turns Ted away because he is not compatible with any of the available women in her database, he is still determined that he is going to find his match. After getting information from the matchmaker’s computer, Ted pays a visit to a very cute, but taken, dermatologist in an effort to prove the prediction wrong that there are no women out there for him. Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily are obsessed with ridding their apartment of a critter.

Matchmaker

As Lily becomes more of a permanent fixture in the apartment, Ted feels like he is being edged out of the mix by his engaged roomies. Petrified of being left alone and homeless, Ted tells Marshall that when he and Lily are married, he wants the apartment. The problem is that Marshall wants to keep the place too, so they settle it like real "grown-ups" -- launching into a sword fight that leaves one man down for the count.

The Duel

Ted and Robin are surprised to run into Barney when they volunteer at a homeless shelter on Thanksgiving. Lily is on the brink of freaking out when she goes to Thanksgiving dinner at her future in-laws house.

Belly Full of Turkey

After being forced into knocking back 5 shots, so he will stop thinking, Ted goes on a partying rampage. The next morning he wakes up with a woman in his bed, but he does not know who it is. So he turns to his friends to try and piece the night together and work out who the woman is in his bed.

The Pineapple Incident

Ted rents a limo to take the gang out to sample five New Year's Eve parties in a quest to find the perfect celebration.

The Limo

Robin accepts Ted's invite to a friend's wedding, but thanks to Ted, the couple may never make it down the aisle.

The Wedding

Ted finds a new woman at the wedding.  They want to remember the evening so they don't exchange last names or numbers; but Ted takes a big fall when he tries to find out her name.

Drumroll, Please

After agreeing to take things slowly and not have sex for a month, Ted and Victoria decide that they have waited long enough.

Zip, Zip, Zip

A mysterious tape arrives for Barney from one of his numerous ex-girlfriends, and the entire gang watches it. But, in order for them all to find out how she broke Barney's heart and made him into a suit-wearing bachelor, everyone must share their most embarrassing moment.

Game Night

Things are going great with Ted and Victoria's relationship, but when Victoria is offered her dream job, the couple have to make serious relationship decisions.  Meanwhile Marshall and Lily set out to purchase their wedding outfits and find out that none can afford what they bought.

Cupcake

Marshall interns at the corporation where Barney works and Lily finds that he is becoming a shallow jerk as he tries to fit in with his crude fratty coworkers. Meanwhile, Ted feels guilty when he receives several gifts from Victoria (Erika Singh) while he hasn't sent her anything.

Life Among the Gorillas

Robin, who is very lonely, asks Ted to come over to her apartment after 2 A.M., but he isn't sure if he wants to go as he has a phone call on the way over with his friends, and with Victoria on his mind

Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M.

Robin is nominated to receive an award for a news report and everyone needs a date to take to the show. Barney introduces Ted to Mary as a date that Ted can take to the show. Originally Ted is opposed to the idea of just trying to save face in front of Robin but when she shows up with a date he changes his mind. Robin asks Mary lots of questions, and Ted begins to really like Mary, despite her occupation.

Mary the Paralegal

Lily, Barney and Robin attend a high school prom to scout out a potential band for Lily and Marshall's wedding reception. In order to get in Lily and Robin pretend to be the dates of two kids who were going alone. Ted and Marshall are back at the apartment where they are preparing the invitations to be sent out.

Best Prom Ever

When a matchmaking company calls Ted claiming they have found his soul mate, he is forced to postpone his date when Lily asks for his help.

Milk

Ted tries to keep Robin from going on a camping trip so that she can spend time with him. Barney enlists the help of an old flame to perform a rain dance. At the same time Marshall finds out about Lily's interview for the fellowship in San Francisco.

Come On

The gang tries to help Marshall get over Lily, especially when he finds a credit card bill that leads to a hotel in New York City where some of her charges are listed.

Where Were We?

Barney works with Marshall on his bachelor skills, which include hitting on women. Lily is back from her venture. Robin helps her look for a new apartment but gets sick of hearing about San Francisco.

The Scorpion and the Toad

Ted's parents visit New York for their anniversary and he learns a family secret. Robin worries that they won't like her. Lily and Marshall try to adjust to the new format of their relationship now that they are no longer together.

Brunch

After Ted and Robin's first big fight, Barney tries to convince Ted that being an architect is an easy in to picking up chicks.  Lily and Robin start following his trail after discovering that Ted hit it off with a girl named Anna shortly afterward.

Ted Mosby, Architect

Marshall tries to get used to being single in a world that is very coupled-oriented. Barney intended one-night-stand won't go away. Barney uses Lily to get out of his "horrifying" situation. Lily finds a place to stay.

World's Greatest Couple

Barney seduces Marshall's law professor in hopes of getting her to grade more leniently. Lily takes a job at Ted's office, where she promptly steals to teach Ted's boss a lesson.

Aldrin Justice

Marshall goes on his first real date post-breakup with Lily.  Not only do Ted and Barney try to warn him that this girl has got the crazy eyes, but Lily decides to do everything she can to find out about this her and break them up.  Also, Barney gets a new name.

Swarley

Marshall and Lily drag the gang to Atlantic City to elope, and their quest to overcome the three-day wait for a marriage license crosses them with some Chinese gamblers, a ship captain, and a sexy novelty shirt.

Atlantic City

Ted and Barney discusses their viewpoints on knowing things about women. Barney thinks that the more you know the more likely you are to find a deal breaker. Ted wants to know the deal breakers right away, as Robin refuses to go to the mall to cover her secret.

Slap Bet

Barney's brother, James (Wayne Brady), visits and Robin, the only one in the group that has never met him, is suprised. But James has a surprise for Barney that he finds difficult to swallow.

Single Stamina

Ted almost ruins Christmas for everyone when, still carrying around anger toward Lily, he calls her a horribly disgusting name. Robin tends to Barney while he has a cold.

How Lily Stole Christmas

Robin wants to tell Ted that she loves him, but she can't tell him. Meanwhile, her sister visits and brings her boyfriend, and Robin doesn't know how to react when her sister says she's ready to lose her virginity.

First Time in New York

When Ted is constantly insulted by his former boss, who is now working for him on a project, he is told to fire the man, but he finds that a hard thing to do. Meanwhile, Barney offers Lily a lot of money to paint a nude portrait of him.

Columns

When a funeral conflicts with the Super Bowl, the gang vows to avoid hearing the score and watch it together on Monday. This proves difficult, as Marshall is threatened with the score by a boy in Lily's class, while doing the news puts Robin in danger of finding out who won.

Monday Night Football

Ted can't seem to catch a flight to interview for his dream job and he and Robin contemplate why. The story unfolds backwards as they think about it they remember when Robin and Lily went hunting for a wedding dress and when Barney got stuck on the subway.

Lucky Penny

Lily gets asked to play in an off-off-off-off-broadway play, and the gang shows up to support her.  Ted and Robin get hung up on what each kept from their past relationships.  Barney performs his own play to prove a point to Lily.

Stuff

Marshall is all set to celebrate his beloved Fiero hitting the 200,000 mile mark but it stops. While the gang sits in the mechanic's garage and waits to hear what will happen to the vehicle they think about times gone by that they have spent together in the car. We also get the story of how Ted met Marshall.

Arrivederci, Fiero

Barney takes drastic measures to prevent Ted from moving into Robin's apartment.  Meanwhile, Marshall and Lily are discovering the ups and downs of having the apartment to themselves. Barney considers moving in with Marshall and Lily.

Moving Day

Robin attends Lily's bridal shower and finds the gift that she brought is out of place. Barney hires a stripper for Marshall's bachelor party.

Bachelor Party

Thinking that Bob Barker may be his father, Barney is overjoyed to be a contestant on The Price is Right. Marshall and Lily try sleeping apart prior to the wedding.

Showdown

With everything going wrong on Lily and Marshall's wedding day, to everyone's surprise it's confirmed bachelor Barney who tries to fix it all.

Something Borrowed

It's still Marshall and Lily's big wedding day but now we're at the reception. Robin tries to tell a story but keeps getting interrupted. Barney tries his hardest to figure out Ted and Robin's secret.

Something Blue

Robin shows up with a date and this motivates Ted to 'get back out there'. We also learn something major about 'the Mother'.

Wait For It

Ted and Barney pretend to be visitors to New York City to pick up women. Robin is still dating Gael.

We're Not from Here

Ted's new attitude attracts women in the present and one from his past. The rest of the gang pulls together to help him make the most of the situation.

Third Wheel

Barney and Ted compete for a girl. Robin is dating someone new.

Little Boys

Amid sharing stories with her about how members of the gang met each other, Ted's hot new girlfriend has a reaction to the meeting that gets her a high ranking on Barney's crazy scale.

How I Met Everyone Else

Marshall has to contemplate giving up his plan of using his law degree to help the planet when he's courted by a major firm; Lily reveals a secret to Robin that not even Marshall knows; Ted discovers a porn actor is using his name

I'm Not That Guy

Marshall and Lily's plan to buy an apartment is hampered by mistakes and Lily's hidden debt.

Dowisetrepla

Marshall awaits his bar exam results; Ted introduces his latest girlfriend to the gang, who all see the flaw that Ted has missed

Spoiler Alert

Lily and Marshall have their first Thanksgiving as a married couple; Barney is tortured by the slap bet countdown clock, worrying about when the slap will be dished out.

Slapsgiving

When Barney loses his way with women, he hopes a trip to the Victoria's Secret Fall Fashion Show will help him regain his form.

The Yips

Ted's upcoming date with his doctor leads the gang to give him their own examples of why dating someone you already see regularly is a bad idea.

The Platinum Rule

Ted lives like there's no tomorrow during a St. Patrick's Day celebration with Barney. Lily and Marshall spend the evening at their new apartment with Robin.

No Tomorrow

Ted pursues a woman named Stella, but only gets attention from her receptionist Abby.

Ten Sessions

Barney's efforts to hook up with women are being thwarted by a mysterious woman from his past. Barney and the gang must sift though his many past flings in an attempt to find out who she is.

The Bracket

After Marshall witnesses a work buddy get yelled at after handing in a report, he becomes paranoid that the same will happen to him.

The Chain of Screaming

Robin's musical past emerges again as the group learns of someone named Simon from Robin's past. Barney searches for more Robin Sparkles memorabilia.

Sandcastles in the Sand

Barney and Marshall have a discussion about "The Bro Code" because Barney has broken it and wants advice.

The Goat

Barney gets a new wingman and Ted meets Stella's daughter.

Rebound Bro

When Barney and Abby realize that they have one thing in common - their mutual hatred of Ted - the "couple" decides to go to the bar to flaunt their new relationship in Ted's face.

Everything Must Go

Ted is in a car accident that prompts Marshall to talk about miracles. Everyone flashbacks to prior moments in their lives.

Miracles

Ted and Stella get engaged, but Ted soon learns that he doesn't know anything about her. Meanwhile, Barney confesses to Lily that he's in love with Robin.

Do I Know You?

Marshall claims that he had the best hamburger in the world during his first week in New York City, but he forgot where the burger joint is located. The gang then hits the streets of Manhattan to help him find it.

The Best Burger in New York

When Stella's babysitter cancels, a night out turns into the gang hanging out at her place, and Ted talks up New Jersey... until he learns Stella wants him to move there after marriage.

I Heart NJ

When Ted is packing his stuff for his move to New Jersey, he discovers that the gang was going to hold an intervention for his engagement to Stella and demands they hold it anyway.

Intervention

Ted and Stella move up their wedding date, but the wedding may not go off as planned after Ted breaks the "No Exes Rule" and invites Robin to come in from Japan for the wedding.

Shelter Island

A serendipitous meeting with someone from his past has Ted thinking about how he would handle running into someone he would prefer to forget.

Happily Ever After

Barney creates a holiday to celebrate not being a father. Meanwhile, Lily and Marshall are considering having a baby, but Lily first wants advice from Ted and Robin.

Not a Father's Day

A birthday party for one of Lily's co-workers leads to Robin connecting with a group of single partiers known as the "Woo Girls". Ted presents a plan for Goliath National Bank's new HQ.

Woooo!

The gang learns a new way to get their dates to sleep with them after Ted walks in on Robin's date sitting naked on the couch.

The Naked Man

Ted (to prove he's not a milquetoast) and Barney (to impress Robin) pick a fight with a group of guys sitting in the gang's favorite booth at MacLaren's.

The Fight

Ted tries to keep his irresponsible sister from hooking up with Barney during her trip to New York, and Robin starts hanging out with Marshall at a bar for Minnesotans, not telling them that she's really Canadian.

Little Minnesota

Ted and Robin discover that sex with each other solve their fights as roommates, which makes Barney very jealous and angry. Meanwhile, Marshall reveals that he's too embarrassed to use the office bathroom.

Benefits

Lily and Marshall try to continue their airport reunion tradition. Barney and Ted offer to keep MacLaren's open during a blizzard so they can meet up with some college girls.

Three Days of Snow

Robin, desperate to find a job before she is deported, agrees to let Barney produce a video resume for her.

The Possimpible

The gang thinks that Barney must have a secret girlfriend after noticing his bizarre behavior.

The Stinsons

Marshall and Lily are less than thrilled when they hear that Ted's college girlfriend (Laura Prepon) has moved to New York.

Sorry, Bro

Ted learns that not only did Lily plant another woman's earring in his bed for Karen to find, she has meddled in some of his other relationships as well.

The Front Porch

Marshall and Barney lie to keep Ted from finding out the headquarters he'd been hired to design for GNB has been cancelled.

Old King Clancy

When Barney learns Ted has a list of things he thinks the gang is too old to do, he sets out to do every task within 24 hours in order to prove Ted wrong.

Murtaugh

Ted goes out on his own as an architect and hires an intern to help get things started, but the intern gets a little too close to others in the gang.

Mosbius Designs

Ted breaks one of Barney and Marshall's relationship rules, texting a woman he recently met, so the pair play a joke on Ted by pretending to be the woman.

The Three Days Rule

Ted ponders how being in the right place at the right time can impact a person's life; Barney celebrates his 200th female conquest.

Right Place, Right Time

Ted is trying to find a new job, and when an old acquaintance tries to help nothing goes as planned. Barney tries to smooth talk his way out of a ticket.

As Fast as She Can

Ted is trying to keep his architecture firm afloat by doing an all-nighter, but Marshall tries to lure him to the roof for a surprise 31st birthday party, on the fourth season finale.

The Leap

After sharing a kiss at the beginning of the summer, Robin and Barney are unsure how to handle their mutual attraction. After some consideration they tell the gang they have decided to remain just friends, but secretly continue seeing each other. They are able to get away with their secret romance for a couple months, but are discovered when Ted, Marshall and Lily walk in on them together. They explain to the gang that they are happy with their casual relationship, and didn’t want to complicate it by defining it. This is unacceptable to Lily, who pressures them to label their situation, and ultimately locks them in Robin’s room to force them to address it. Meanwhile, Ted is anxious about his first days as a professor at Columbia, which is made worse when he shows up at the wrong class and starts his lecture.

Definitions

Barney takes Marshall, and Robin to a strip club where they find a stripper who looks almost exactly like Lily. Meanwhile, Ted discovers he had been fixed up with the same woman, Jen seven years earlier.

Double Date

When Robin fears that Barney is cheating on her, she soon discovers that he is spending his evenings with Ted learning everything there is to know on how to date her.

Robin 101

Marshall and Lily want to hook up with Barney and Robin for double-dating and fun, but their desperate eagerness to please is a huge turn-off. Meanwhile, when a succession of girls come to his apartment and immediately fall asleep, Ted is bummed to learn he is a "Sexless Innkeeper" whose "dates" are only interested in a comfy place to crash

The Sexless Innkeeper

Barney tries his best hoping to convince Robin into becoming an American citizen, while Ted and Marshall's road trip takes an unexpected turn for the worst when Marshall invites Lily to come along.

Duel Citizenship

Even though they do their best in order to be the perfect couple, Barney's attitude of know-it-all lands him in trouble with Robin and they are forced to seek Marshall and Lily for advice.

Bagpipes

Lily comes up with a perfect plan to break up the relationship between Barney and Robin when they have a rough patch, but she needs help from Robin's famous friend, Alan Thicke, in order to make it work.

The Rough Patch

After his relationship with Robin ends, Barney dusts off his "playbook" to help him back into the dating scene

The Playbook

Barney freaks out when Marshall bequeaths a "slap bet" slap to Ted and Robin. Meanwhile, Lily's estranged father shows up for Thanksgiving.

Slapsgiving 2: Revenge of the Slap

When a perfect girl finally shows up, the gang tries everything to help Ted, while Marshall takes action when he discovers a letter written by younger himself.

The Window

When Marshall picks up smoking again, it prompts Lily, Ted and Barney, ex-smokers all, to succumb as well. Meanwhile, Robin gets a new co-anchor at her show...

Last Cigarette Ever

When Barney debates giving up wearing suits in order to land a hot bartender, his conflicted feelings lead to an amazingly awesome musical number. Meanwhile, Ted gets one step closer to meeting the future mother of his kids.

The Best Seasons of How I Met Your Mother

The Best Seasons of How I Met Your Mother

Season 2

Season 1

Season 3

Season 4

Season 6

Season 5

Season 7

Season 8

Season 9