A blood clot in the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), typically feels like:

• Throbbing or intense pain in one leg, often described as a cramp or charley horse, usually in the calf or thigh, which worsens with walking or standing

• Swelling in the affected leg, commonly below the knee, which does not improve with elevation or icing

• Warmth and tenderness in the area of the clot, with the skin feeling warmer than usual and possibly red or discolored (red, darkened, or bluish)

• Swollen veins that may feel hard or sore to the touch

These symptoms usually occur in only one leg and can develop over hours or days, though sometimes more suddenly

. The pain from a clot tends not to go away like a typical muscle cramp and may intensify when the foot is flexed upward

. If the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), symptoms like sudden breathlessness, chest pain, or coughing up blood may occur, which require immediate emergency care

. In summary, a blood clot in the leg feels like persistent, throbbing pain and swelling in one leg, with warmth and redness around the affected area, and tenderness that does not improve with usual remedies for muscle cramps