What Is the Average Penis Size?

Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on June 18, 2024
Written by Mallika Bhattacharya, Nicole Schmidt
9 min read

If you have ever been concerned about your penis size, you're not alone. The size of the male sex organ has long been thought to be an indicator of a person's testosterone levels and sexual abilities. But this is a myth. 

Many people wish their penises were larger when in reality they have normal-sized penises. Studies have found that most people are satisfied with their partner's penis size. If you have similar worries, know that your penis may be in the average range. And even if it isn't, it by no means reflects your masculinity or your ability to sexually please your partner.

The porn industry has also played a role in how some people think about their penis size. Male adult film stars tend to have large penises, which doesn’t reflect the actual average size, so it's important not to compare yourself based on these standards. One study found that those who watch porn tend to be more unhappy with their penis size than those who don’t. Penises come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and one kind isn’t necessarily better than another.

Sex organs like penises grow during puberty, which usually starts between the ages of 9 and 14 and continues for another 5 years. This means your penis would have grown to its maximum size by the time you’ve reached your early 20s. 

If you are wondering what the average penis size is at this age, the answer may surprise you. Most men believe that an average penis measures 15.24 centimeters (6.0 inches) or more when erect. This belief is partly spread by popular studies relying on self-reported measurements. Since people often judge their sexual attractiveness based on their penis size, some might give answers they think will be viewed more favorably. This results in incorrect data.

However, a few studies have been carried out in the past decade in which penis size measurements were taken by health experts using standard procedures. According to one of those studies, these are the average sizes of penises in their different states:

  • Flaccid penis length: 9.16 centimeters (3.61 inches)
  • Flaccid stretched penis length: 13.24 centimeters (5.21 inches)
  • Erect penis length: 13.12 centimeters (5.17 inches)
  • Flaccid penis girth: 9.31 centimeters (3.67 inches)
  • Erect penis girth: 11.66 centimeters (4.59 inches)

It’s worth noting that the size of a flaccid penis isn’t a good indicator of how big it will be when it’s erect. Smaller flaccid penises do tend to lengthen more when they become hard compared to larger ones, but there’s still a lot of variation.

Men with male sexual partners may not find these numbers surprising. Studies show that they have more accurate ideas of average penis sizes since they are exposed to greater numbers of penises.

What is a micropenis? 

A micropenis works just like any other penis, but it’s smaller in size, measuring less than 3.67 inches when gently stretched. It’s estimated that only 0.6 percent of people in the world have a micropenis. Hormones or genetics can prevent the penis from growing to a larger size. Most commonly, it happens during pregnancy if the fetus doesn’t get enough testosterone. 

Is penis size genetic? 

Penis size, like eye and skin color, is mostly determined by genetics. Studies have found another factor to be a strong indicator of flaccid penis size: height. Not surprisingly, your height is also influenced by your genetics.

Besides macro factors, these micro factors could influence your penis size: 

Hormones. Hormonal issues during pregnancy can affect how a male fetus develops, including its penis. This can happen if the expectant mother can't produce enough human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that helps develop testosterone in the fetus. Abnormal penis size can also result from conditions that cause low testosterone levels. For example, a rare condition called androgen insensitivity prevents the fetus from responding to testosterone during pregnancy. A more common condition, called hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, stops the brain from making the hormones needed for the testicles to produce testosterone. 

Nutrition. Not getting enough nutrients during pregnancy could prevent the fetal penis from growing properly. Similarly, teens who don't get enough nutrition around the time of puberty could have delayed puberty — a condition known to cause smaller testicles and penis.

Environmental chemicals. Many environmental chemicals, like fertilizers, plasticizers, pesticides, and phthalates, can affect penis growth in the fetus. This happens because they disrupt your endocrine system, which creates and releases the hormones that help the testicles work normally.

There are many myths associated with penis length. For example, many believe foot size and masturbation habits affect penis size. But research hasn't found any evidence for this. There’s also little evidence that connects penis size to race or sexual orientation. 

Knowing how to measure your penis size correctly is important so that you can buy condoms that fit. To measure the size of the penis, you should consider not only the length of the organ from the tip to the pubic bone but also its girth (where it's the widest). This is especially crucial in countries like the United States where manufacturers categorize condoms by their length and girth. 

Before you begin measuring, your penis should be erect, and you should have a measuring tape, a ruler, or a piece of string at hand.

To measure the length of your penis, follow these steps:

  • Press the measuring device into your pubic bone so that it's positioned right at the base — where your penis attaches to your body. This is all the more important in those with belly fat.
  • Measure your erect penis from the base to its tip.

To measure the girth of your penis, follow these steps: 

  • Take a non-stretchable piece of string or a soft measuring tape. A string that stretches could lead to measurement errors.
  • With gentle hands, wrap the string or tape once around the thickest part of your erect penis.
  • Check where the ends of your measuring instrument meet. Make a note of it if it's a tape. If you're using a string, mark where one end meets the rest. 
  • Straighten out your tape or string. Measure the length from the end to the mark using a ruler.

Many people look for ways to make their penises bigger. There are several penis-enlargement methods and products that claim to increase penis size. However, research does not support these claims. In fact, these techniques can actually do more harm than good.

Some of the popular techniques said to increase penis size include:

Penile enlargement surgery. Studies of penile enlargement surgeries show mixed results in their effectiveness, their safety, and how satisfied patients are. Surgeries like penoplasty can at best add a little bit of length to a flaccid penis or slightly increase its girth, but they don't change the length of an erect penis. After surgery, there can be complications like scarring, infection, and loss of function. Because of these risks, experts consider these surgeries very risky.

Penis pumps. These are often used by people with erectile dysfunction. They work by creating a vacuum around the penis to draw blood into it, making it swell temporarily. But penis pumps have no long-lasting effect on length or girth. Repeated use can actually damage the elastic tissue in your penis and prevent you from getting firm erections.

Supplements and pills. These products usually contain minerals, vitamins, or hormones like testosterone. While there's no scientific proof that they work, some studies have found them to be harmful when taken continuously.

Exercises. People who are unhappy with their penis size sometimes try stretching exercises like jelqing, where they manually push blood from the base to the tip of the penis. While these exercises are safer than other methods, there's also no proof that they work. When done wrong, they can actually cause scarring, disfigurement, and pain.

Penile traction devices. A penile traction device is a medical tool designed to stretch the penis over by applying gentle, steady tension over time. These devices were created to help treat Peyronie's disease, which causes the penis to curve due to scar tissue, affecting its length and sexual function. One study found that using a penile traction device for 3 months led to an average increase of 1.6 centimeters (0.6 inches) in penis length for those with the disease. More research is needed to determine whether it can also increase penis size in people who don't have Peyronie's disease.

Studies show that many people worry about their penis size and perceive it to be smaller compared to others. If you share these concerns, it might be because you also associate penis size with your sense of masculinity and sexual performance.

In reality, studies also show that penis size tends to be much less important for women than for their male partners. And since people with penises often underestimate their own size, your concerns may not be warranted.

Still, if the thought of your penis size makes you anxious or stresses you out, consider talking to a therapist or a mental health expert. It can also be a good idea to talk to your partner about your concerns. Open communication can give you a better sense of each other’s needs and desires, and help ease any anxiety you might have about being able to please them sexually.

Best sex positions for all sizes 

Trying new sexual positions can help you and your partner figure out what feels best for both of you. Here are some that work for all penis sizes: 

Doggy style. Have your partner kneel on their hands and knees while you enter them from behind. This sex position works well if you have a small penis because it lets you use the full length of your shaft.

Face-off. Sit on the edge of a bed, couch or chair with your feet on the floor and have your partner straddle you facing the same direction. This position focuses more on grinding than thrusting, so it's easier to keep your penis in place.

Cowgirl. Lie on your back and have your partner straddle you facing your head. You can thrust as they grind to create more friction. If you want deeper penetration, have your partner squat instead of kneel.  

G-Whiz. Your partner lies on their back with their legs resting on your shoulders. You can lift their hips to enter them. If your partner has a vagina, raising their legs narrows the vaginal opening, creating more friction for both of you.

Getting in shape might also help improve your sexual performance. For instance, a beer belly can get in the way during sex, limiting your range of motion. Fat stores at the base of the penis can also make it look shorter than it is. But ultimately, it’s important not to compare yourself to others — especially those in porn. Everyone's penis is different, and with good communication, you can find many ways to please your partner. 

It’s normal for people to worry about their penis size, but size varies widely and doesn't determine your worth or ability to please your partner. Instead, prioritize open communication to better understand each other's desires and preferences. Taking care of your overall health can also enhance your confidence and sexual wellness.

What is a buried penis? 

A buried penis is when the penis is partly or completely hidden under the skin and fat around the pubic area, making it appear smaller or not visible at all. This can happen at birth or develop later in life. 

Does foot size correlate with penis size? 

There is no scientific evidence to support that penis size is connected to shoe size.

Does height affect penis size? 

Studies suggest that taller men may, on average, have slightly larger penises than shorter men, but height alone is not a reliable way to predict penis size.