The age of consent in Texas is 17 years old for sexual activity.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

  • Under Texas law, a person is generally considered legally able to consent to sexual activity at 17.
  • Sexual activity between an adult and someone younger than 17 can lead to very serious felony charges, including forms of sexual assault and related sex offenses.
  • Texas has a limited “Romeo and Juliet” style provision that can protect close‑in‑age teens (typically where the younger person is at least 14 and the age gap is 3 years or less), but it is an affirmative defense , not automatic immunity, and does not protect large age gaps or any situation involving coercion, force, or exploitation.
  • Some Texas and federal sex-crime laws still treat people under 18 as minors for certain offenses (for example, some child pornography or indecency statutes), so “17 is legal” is not a blanket rule for every situation.

If this question relates to a real situation, it’s important to speak with a qualified criminal-defense lawyer in Texas, because the details (ages, communication method, online activity, positions of authority, etc.) can completely change the legal consequences.