What is the average penis size?

Questions about average penis size are common — and if you've found yourself wondering, you're not alone.

Research shows the average penis length is around 3.6 inches flaccid and between 5.1 and 5.5 inches erect. Some people are larger, some smaller — and if things are working well for you and your partner(s), size doesn't need to be a source of concern.

The average erect penis length is between 5.1 and 5.5 inches, and the average flaccid penis length is approximately 3.6 inches. This is based on numerous studies, including a 2023 meta-analysis that looked at 75 studies conducted over 79 years on a total of more than 55,000 people. 

The average penis length is between 5.1 and 5.5 inches erect and about 3.6 inches flaccid.

Research suggests the average erect penis length increased by 24% between 1992 and 2023. The reasons for this trend aren't yet understood — more research is needed — but even with this increase, the actual average still falls short of what most people assume it to be.

One study found that most people believe the average penis length is over 6 inches. While that's not far off from the upper end of average, it's still a misconception — one that can lead many people to feel inadequate when they likely fall within a normal range.

Several factors likely contribute to this misconception. Inaccurate representation of penis size in pornography is one — and self-reported measurements, which are common in studies, may skew results upward.

Some studies rely on self-reported measurements, and people may be more inclined to report their size if they believe it's larger than average. Variation in measuring technique can also affect results.

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What is the average penis girth?

The average girth of a flaccid penis is around 3.8 inches, and the average girth of an erect penis is around 4.7 inches, according to one large study of 4,685 men who self-reported their measurements. 

An earlier systematic review found similar results: the average erect penis girth is 4.6 inches (11.7 cm), and the average flaccid penis girth is 3.7 inches (9.3 cm).

Knowing your penis size and how to measure it correctly matters most when choosing the right condom size — that's one of the few practical situations where size makes a real difference. To identify what size condom you need, follow these steps. To measure your penis length:

1. Start on the top side of the penis.

2. Place the end of a ruler firmly against the pubic bone.

3. Measure from the pubic bone to the tip.

To measure your penis girth: 

1. Wrap a flexible tape measure around the middle of the shaft.

2. Measure at the widest point.

Once you know these two measurements, you can check different brands in-store or online and choose a condom that most closely matches your erect penis size.

If a condom is too tight or too loose, it can cause performance issues — including condom-associated erectile dysfunction and difficulty ejaculating — as well as increase the risk of unwanted pregnancy or STI exposure.

A 6-inch penis is above average. The upper end of the average erect penis length is 5.5 inches — just below the 6-inch mark — and the average flaccid penis is approximately 3.6 inches. These figures come from numerous studies, including a systematic analysis of measurements from more than 55,000 men.

What counts as a "big" penis is subjective, but any penis longer than 5.5 inches is above average. Penises above 7 inches are exceedingly rare, falling into much higher percentiles, according to research. 

Only about 1 in 100 people has an erect penis longer than 7 inches, according to research.

Research has found that Kinsey's original estimate of the average penis being 6 inches is more than half an inch off. While those findings should be interpreted with caution, Kinsey's data did show that extremely large penises — above 7–8 inches — are exceedingly rare.

The original Kinsey penis-size survey found that:

• 1% of penises fall between 7–8 inches long

• 0.6% (6 in 1,000) are 9 inches long

• Just over 0.2% (roughly 2 in 1,000) are longer than 9 inches

Nearly 90% of penises are within an inch of the average size — meaning most people have a penis within the normal range.

A 6-inch penis puts someone in the above-average range. According to research, a 6-inch penis falls at approximately the 90th percentile, meaning roughly 1 in 10 people with penises would measure at or above this length.

For context: erect penis lengths tend to cluster around the average (5.1–5.5 inches), with the distribution thinning out significantly above 6 inches.

Penises above 7 inches, by contrast, occur in roughly 1 in 100 people.

Preferences vary from person to person. Some women may prefer a longer penis for deeper penetration, while others may find longer sizes uncomfortable and prefer something closer to average or below. Research in this area is limited, but one small study asked 75 women to evaluate 3D models of penises and rate their preferences. The results indicated a preference slightly above the average — around 6.3 inches for a long-term sexual partner. This study was small and may not reflect the broader population — more research is needed. 

Some research suggests that girth may matter more than length to some women. In one survey, 32% of women rated girth as more important than length, compared to 21% who prioritized length.

Ultimately, as long as you and your partner(s) are finding sexual activity enjoyable, individual preferences about average size are secondary.

Research suggests that partners are often less focused on penis size than people with penises tend to be. In one survey of 170 women, only 1% rated penis length as "very important." An additional 55% found it "unimportant," and 22% rated it "totally unimportant."

Size is not the defining factor in sexual satisfaction — there are many ways to engage with a partner beyond penetration. Open communication about what feels good is one of the most consistent contributors to a satisfying sex life.

Dissatisfaction with penis size is common. A large 2017 study found that while most men were generally satisfied with their genitals, only 27% of men reported satisfaction specifically with their flaccid penis length. 

The reasons for dissatisfaction aren't fully understood, but it's likely that many men would prefer a size larger than what they perceive to be average — often assumed to be 6 inches. Since most people already fall within the actual average range, much of this dissatisfaction may stem from inaccurate assumptions about what's typical.

While most penises fall within a normal size range, some people are still unsatisfied and want to explore options for increasing size.

If your penis falls within the normal range but size remains a significant source of distress, a healthcare provider can help evaluate whether this reflects a condition such as penile dysmorphic disorder(type of body dysmorphic disorder) or small penis anxiety.

In some cases — particularly for people with a micropenis — penis enlargement procedures or devices may be appropriate options.

Here are four methods that some people use in hopes of increasing penis size:

Penis pumps

A penis pump — also known as a vacuum erection device (VED) — is a device that uses suction to increase blood flow to the penis. Penis pumps can help produce a harder erection, but they will not permanently increase penis size.

Traction devices

A penile traction device is a medical tool that gently stretches the penis over time using controlled and consistent tension. 

Healthcare providers typically recommend traction devices mainly for people with certain health conditions, such as Peyronie's disease — a build-up of fibrous scar tissue that causes the penis to curve abnormally. In these cases, a traction device may support curve reduction and increased length.

A healthcare provider might also recommend a traction device after a prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland) to help maintain penile length.

Some people without these conditions also use penile traction devices in hopes of increasing length, though results tend to be modest and typically require wearing the device consistently for several hours a day over several months.

Jelqing

Jelqing is an alleged penis enlargement technique involving stretching or pulling a semi-erect penis. The idea is that this repeated motion creates micro-tears in penile tissue — and that as those tears heal, the tissue thickens and expands, resulting in increased size.

However, there’s no scientific evidence proving that it works, and healthcare providers generally advise against it, since it may do more harm than good.

Injectable fillers or implants

Although it's not common practice, some healthcare providers may inject cosmetic fillers into the penis — similar to those used for lip or cheek augmentation.

These fillers can increase girth, but do not usually have a meaningful impact on length. Additionally, the effect of fillers isn’t permanent.

Another option is a penis implant such as the Himplant — a medical-grade silicone penile implant surgically inserted through an incision in the scrotum — which may increase both length and girth.

These procedures carry risks, including infection, scarring, erosion and, in rare cases, penile deformity. A conversation with a healthcare provider can help determine whether any of them may be appropriate for you.

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If you’ve been worrying about your penis size, we hope what you’ve learned has put a rest to your concerns. 

• Most penises fall within a normal size range. While many people assume 6 inches is average, the typical flaccid penis is approximately 3.6 inches long and the typical erect penis is between 5.1 to 5.5 inches long.

• When it comes to penis health, function matters more than size. If you're satisfied with your sex life, there's no cause for concern. For those looking to explore options — such as penis pumps, traction devices, or surgical procedures — a healthcare provider can help determine whether any may be appropriate.