different kinds of penises

Curious About the Different Kinds and Shapes of Penises? Here’s What Variety Looks Like

Let’s go explore the surprising diversity that makes nature so unique. Things will surely never look the same way again!

Penises often come in all shapes and sizes; while some are straight or curved, the heads can look pretty different too. From tiny to longer and skinny to thick, nature’s got a wild range going on. This variety is totally normal and makes every penis one-of-a-kind!

So if that grabbed your attention, let’s find out how different kinds and shapes of penises are as unique as they can be.

So What Does the Average Penis Shape, Size, and Appearance Look Like?

From an article written by David Schultz of Science.org, the average penis size is about 5.1 up to 5.5 inches long during an erection, with a girth of usually around 4.5 inches. When soft and at rest, the average length usually measures close to 3.6 inches.

For the shape, it varies widely among penis owners. Even the head shapes are different, which goes the same for the girth.

Notable Characteristics of a Penis

The penis is more than meets the eye, so how about diving into the most interesting features that make every penis one of a kind?

Girth

Depending on their circumference, penises may appear more slender or thicker.

The average girth of a healthy penis during erection is around 4.7 to 6.3 inches, while it’s 3.5 to 3.9 inches when flaccid, as stated by Dr. Kieran Seyan of Lloyds Pharmacy.

Curvature

Most penises appear straight when erect, but some may look bent or curved (upward, downward, or sideways).

A slight curve of about 10° to 20° during erection is normal and not usually bothersome. But beyond this range, like exceeding 30°, it can be noticeable.

curved upward
Curious About the Different Kinds and Shapes of Penises? Here’s What Variety Looks Like 6

But if the penis is so curved and causing some pain, it can also be a sign of Peyronie’s disease. This condition often happens when there’s an injury that makes the penis so bent that it starts to cause inconveniences during sex.

The curvature caused by Peyronie's disease can range widely, sometimes reaching 90° or more, and affects approximately 3% to 10% of penis owners, usually over 40 or 45 years old, as stated in Harvard Health Publishing

Base-to-Head Ratio

Some penises have a base and head that match in girth. But for others, they may have a larger head girth than the base, or vice versa.

large base with narrow-head
Curious About the Different Kinds and Shapes of Penises? Here’s What Variety Looks Like 7

Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised

Some penises have a layer of loose skin called the foreskin to cover the head and can be pulled back. But for people who’ve undergone circumcision, they remove this skin, usually for religious or cultural reasons.

circumcised penis
Curious About the Different Kinds and Shapes of Penises? Here’s What Variety Looks Like 8

Hair, Veins, and Color

Most penis owners have hair around the base of their penis, while their private parts can have visible veins. The color can also vary for most people, or it can be a different color from their natural skin.

The Different Types of Penises You’re Likely to Find

When it comes to the different kinds and shapes of penises, there’s no shortage of styles that you can celebrate.

Grower

Every penis is unique in how it looks and how it works. But when aroused, growers can become longer and thicker compared with others, which is a great factor to feel fuller during vaginal or anal sex.

As written by Sam Blanchard of the Daily Mail, there are about 26% of men that we can consider as growers. These penis owners have an average of 6.1 inches when they’re fully aroused.

Pro tip: There’s no special care for growers if they don’t go beyond the usual average penis size. But if they do, it’s best to wait until it’s fully hard before getting intimate.

Shower

The flip side of the grower, showers don’t see many changes once they get hard. It’s still the same size and shape, but don’t worry, because if your erect size can play nice, there’s no trouble for you or your partner.

Pro tip: Showers can fall within the typical size range when erect, so there are a lot of possibilities to enjoy all kinds of sex positions. 

Smaller Than Average (Length and Girth)

Well, thanks to our society’s obsession with penis size, many penis owners worry if they’re smaller than average. But no need to stress, because there are still a lot of things you can be confident about, just like your charm and performance.

Pro tip: If you encounter someone shorter or thinner than the usual, there are lots of sex positions that can work well for you. For example, the doggy style or missionary position, and by creating some lifts and tilts using pillows to help them go deeper.

Or better yet, you can ask the giving partner to opt for penis rings, because these toys can help stimulate the clitoris to make sex more pleasurable for the both of you.

Average (Length and Girth)

If you or your partner has a penis that’s 5.1 and 5.5 inches when fully erect, they’re considered average.

Pro tip: You have nothing to hold back if you belong to this type. You’re free to experiment and enjoy any sex position or toys (like pocket pussies) that catch your interest. 

Short With Thick Girth

This next type in our different kinds and shapes of penis list is thicker but with shorter-than-average length. 

Pro tip: During play, use a generous amount of lube to make things comfortable during penetration. And because leaning on the thicker side can feel more full, it highly increases the pleasure in the vaginal and anal openings.

For the position, the doggy style is best for this type of penis, because it allows deeper penetration.

Longer With Thick Girth

Although society often thinks that having a large penis is better, many women still enjoy an average length and girth, especially during long-term relationships.

Pro tip: If your partner belongs to this group, it’s advised to take extra care when getting some action. Use a lot of lube, and don’t forget to prepare to make sure that it’s going to be a pain-free performance.

Longer With Thin Girth

For penis owners who are longer but thin, you surely won’t have a hard time reaching the P-spot and G-spot. However, a thin girth may leave your partner wanting more contact in their internal walls.

Pro tip: If your partner is thin, you can opt for positions that let you squeeze your legs to add more pressure.

Circumcised

Once that flap of skin covering the penis head is removed surgically, that’s considered circumcision. And it makes no difference nor affects the sexual experience when done properly.

Pro tip: Always have lube nearby to keep things smooth and protected during longer sessions.

Uncircumcised

For men who want to keep their foreskin so it covers the penis’ head, it can also likely create a hiding place for bacteria or any buildup. But it’s not going to be a problem for penis owners who practice good hygiene.

Pro tip: Once uncovered by pulling the skin, the penis can become quite sensitive, so lube is your best friend. Pulling skin can also cause some tightness and discomfort for some penis owners, so as always, communication is key.

Veiny

Some penises have smooth skin, while others show visible veins that create a textured look. These features are totally normal and don't usually affect sex or penetration.

Because the skin is thinner, the veins tend to come out, and this entirely depends on your genetics. So, having pronounced veins doesn’t mean they’re bigger; they just tend to show up more.

Pro tip: The veiny texture of the penis can add some extra feeling inside the vagina, so take advantage of it. But if your partner has a smooth penis, you can always go for textured condoms for an added sensation.

Or, if your partner isn’t around, then this ugly tongue toy is a must-try! It also offers the same textured sensation as a veiny penis to satisfy your cravings any time.

Straight

Penises often come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, and having a straight one is usually thought of as “normal.” But that’s not really true! You can definitely enjoy sex with any shape or size.

Pro tip: If you or your partner has a straight penis, there are no special rules, so you can enjoy what your straight joystick can offer. 

Curved Upward 

Some people's penises can bend or curve a little when soft, and for some, the penis curves when it becomes hard. 

A penis that’s curved upward is considered advantageous, as it can directly hit the frontal wall of the vagina to stimulate the G-spot for vulva owners. For penis owners, upward-curved penises are also beneficial if they want to hit their P-spot during rear entry.

Having a slight curve is normal, but if you're worried about the way your penis curves, let your doctor check to make sure that everything is okay.

Pro tip: To better reach the G- and P-spots, the receiver can sit on top of their partner. And doing the cowgirl position can also help you touch and stimulate these very sensitive areas directly.

Curved Downward

This next type of penis on our list is curving downwards, which points toward the floor.

Pro Tip: If the curve of the penis points away from the G-spot during missionary or face-to-face positions, try to switch things up by changing into doggy, reverse cowgirl, or spooning.

C-Shaped

C-shaped penises can clearly curve to the left or right. However, a small curve usually doesn’t cause any problems during sex, but a bigger curve might make things difficult.

Pro tip: If you can direct an upward or downward curved penis toward your partner’s G- or P-spots, you can do the same with a penis that curves to the side.

Try positions where you and your partner lie at angles to each other, like the Spork position, as this position allows different angles of penetration that can suit sideways-curving penises.

Wider Base, Narrow Head

This next penis shape is sometimes called cone-shaped or carrot-shaped, because it has a wide base that gets thinner as it goes toward the tip.

Pro tip: These are like butt plugs, as they have a wide body that narrows to a thin tip to make them easier to insert but still feel full.

For penises with a wide base, using some lubricant can make things more comfortable for the receiving partner.

Narrow Base, Bigger Head

This penis shape is the opposite of a cone; it has a thin shaft that suddenly gets wider at the head, which makes the head look big and noticeable.

Sometimes, people call this a mushroom or hammer shape because the big head sits on a narrow shaft.

Pro tip: It may be harder to start the penetration because of the big head, but once inside, it creates a lot of friction that the receiver can enjoy. 

Lube makes things smoother, and choosing positions where the vagina or anus is more open can help make sex more comfortable and pleasurable.

Some Mythbusting FAQs

Are penile shapes related to sexual performance or fertility?

Penis shape is mostly anatomical and doesn’t impact erectile function, fertility, or overall sexual health.

Is a penis with a large head but a narrow shaft more prone to injury or breakage?

Surprisingly, it doesn’t. Penis tissue flexes and stretches normally, and shape doesn’t determine fragility unless there’s an injury or disease.

Is it true that sex toys are made for the standard shapes only?

Not true, because many toys accommodate many shapes and sizes, while some are even designed for curved or uniquely shaped penises.

Celebrating Penis Diversity

Penises come in all shapes and sizes, like nature’s very own collection of unique sculptures. 

So if you’re ready to embrace your uniqueness, at BeYourLover, your pleasure and confidence always come first.

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Sexologist

Liz B.

Liz has always been passionate about helping people with intimacy, relationships, and personal well-being. She finds joy in creating a judgment-free space where her readers can feel informed, comfortable, and confident in their own skin. Professionally, Liz has been a writer for over 12 years. In her free time, you’ll find her in a martial arts class or swimming lesson. She is also on her way to becoming a wellness instructor. When she is not on the move, she enjoys reading or listening to self-help, romance, and sci-fi books, or learning new skills just for fun.