The short answer is no.

You’re not here for porn-fueled myths or locker room “science” your bro made up after too many beers. You want facts, no-BS, science-backed truth. 

Well, you came to the place. We’re about to break down what really an average penis size is, and whether it’s time to feel a little cocky (pun intended) or visit your urologist. 

Penis Size: What’s Considered “Average”?

A lot of guys think average means massive, thanks to media hype and adult film fantasy. But that’s not reality. It leaves way too many men feeling low-key insecure about what they’ve got. 

However, this is just an illusion. Most penises fall into a perfectly average range, and you’re doing just fine.

Let’s look at the numbers from a 2020 study:

• Erect Length: Approximately 5.1 to 5.5 inches (13 to 14 cm) 
• Flaccid Length: Around 3.6 inches (9.16 cm) 
• Erect Girth: About 4.59 inches (11.66 cm) 
• Flaccid Girth: Approximately 3.66 inches (9.31 cm) 

Other studies back this up, and the differences are minimal. 

What Affects Penis Size?

If you’re thinking, “Okay, but I still feel smaller than average,” don’t freak out just yet. Penis size can vary for all kinds of reasons and many are completely out of your control. 

Let’s break it down:

Genetics

Just like your eye color or height, your penis size is determined by your DNA. So before you compare your Winky to someone else’s John, remember: it’s all in the genes, baby. 

Prenatal Care

Yup, this goes back to the womb. If your mom didn’t get enough nutrients or was exposed to certain hormone-disrupting chemicals during pregnancy, that could’ve influenced your development, including your penis.

Hormones

Low levels of testosterone during development can lead to a condition called micropenis. If your body didn’t produce enough of the right hormones at the right time, size might be impacted, but this is rare and typically diagnosed early. 

Age

For most of your adult life, your penis stays pretty consistent. But with age, you might notice a slight decrease in size due to lower testosterone, reduced blood flow, and decreased elasticity. We’re talking small changes, not a vanishing act.

Obesity

Technically, fat doesn’t shrink your penis, but it can make it look shorter. Excess fat pads at the base of your penis can hide part of the shaft, making things seem smaller than they are. But the good news is that’s reversible.

How to Measure Your Penis Properly

You might not be small. You might just be measuring it all wrong.

And yes, measuring your penis isn’t just about flexing on the group chat (though, we’re not judging). It serves a purpose, such as getting the right condom size (hello, STI protection), picking the perfect toy, and knowing when it’s worth checking in with a urologist. 

Here's how to size up your goods the right way:

How to Measure the Penis Length

• Press the ruler or measuring tape into your pubic bone (yep, press past any fluff if you’ve got it).
• Measure all the way to the tip of the glans (aka the head).

How to Measure the Penis Girth

• Wrap a soft measuring tape around the thickest part of your shaft.
• If you don’t have one, a string and a ruler will do the trick.

For the accurate measurement, do not include excess fat or foreskin in your measurement unless you want inflated numbers that don’t help you IRL.

What’s Considered Small?

Let’s be honest, having a smaller-than-average penis can mess with your confidence. Whether it’s feeling self-conscious at the urinal or worrying about bedroom performance.

But not all small penises signal a medical issue. Let’s talk about when size might be something to look into:

Micropenis

Just being on the shorter side doesn’t mean you have a micropenis. This condition is rare and defined by an erect length of less than 2.5 inches. It’s typically caused by genetics or low testosterone production during development (remember those hormones we talked about earlier?).

Buried Penis

This is when the penis is hidden beneath fat or excess skin, usually due to obesity, but it can also happen from scar tissue or medical conditions. The good news is that a healthy lifestyle can often reverse it. 

Do People Care About Penis Size? 

Remember, if your penis functions normally, and you don’t have a medical issue like micropenis, you’re good. Period.

Still, it’s natural to wonder what partners think. So let’s break it down with some real stats:

• According to The Pink News, 49% of 566 gay and bisexual men say that size doesn’t matter, also only 1 in 5 gay men say that they reject a hook up because of the penis size

• Meanwhile, Bad Girls Bible surveyed 1387 sexually active women, and 91.2% said size does matter, but not in the way you think. Most didn’t want anything too big or too small. Their Goldilocks zone is 6 to 8 inches. 

• Some women even preferred smaller sizes, and over half said they’d consider ending things if a penis was too large to enjoy sex comfortably. (Yes, too big is a thing.)

So, does size matter? Kinda. But not how porn made you think.

What matters more than your inches is how you relate to your body, your confidence, and your skills. No one wants a partner who’s overcompensating with ego or checking out of foreplay.

In short, love your penis. Don’t let it control your self-worth.

Can You Increase Your Penis Size

There are a lot of claims out there promising to give you a bigger package. From sketchy pills to questionable “exercises,” the internet is basically a junk drawer of penis enlargement hacks. But the truth is, most of them don’t work, especially if you’re looking for a natural fix. 

Let’s break down the hype and what (if anything) does something:

Pills or Supplements

Pills or supplements don’t work. These so-called enhancement pills often do more harm than good, such as an increase in blood pressure and prostate issues. So, don’t take penis enhancement supplements, especially if they’re not FDA-approved. 

Penis Pumps

These create a vacuum that pulls blood into the penis, making it swell temporarily. It can give you a fuller look for the moment, but it’s not permanent. It’s kinda safe when used properly, but a repeated use can damage your penis’s elastic tissue. 

Penis Tractions

These are often used for correcting curvature (like Peyronie’s disease). Some say they can stretch the penis over time, but more research about this is needed.

Exercise

Maybe. If you’re dealing with a buried penis situation due to extra weight, trimming down can reveal more of your natural length. There’s also jelqing, a manual stretching technique. However, there’s no real proof that it works. It can lead to pain or even scarring if done wrong.

Surgical Implants

Surgical implants are a permanent solution, yes. But it comes with risks, a high price tag (usually not covered by insurance), and potential complications. Definitely not a first-line option.

Penis Size Myths That Need to Die Already

When something’s this tied to self-worth and sex appeal, of course, there’s going to be a ton of misinformation. Let’s bust a few of the biggest myths that need to go away forever: 

Masturbation Shrinks Your Penis

Absolutely not. If that were true, all those with a penis will be walking around with micro-wieners. Masturbation is normal, healthy, and doesn’t affect your size, or get your girlfriend pregnant, or give you STIs. It’s just you, doing you. 

Related: How to Create Your Own Fleshlight at Home: Easy Instructions for Beginners

Big Feet = Big Dick

We all wish it were this easy, but nope. Foot size (or hand size, or nose size) is not a reliable indicator of penis size. Your height might loosely correlate, but even that's not a rule.

The Bigger, the Better the Sex

Not always. In fact, for many partners with vulvas, too big can hurt, literally. That “huge equals pleasure” idea, it came from porn, and porn is fantasy, not a how-to guide. The bottom line is that size doesn’t make you a great lover; skill, confidence, and connection do. 

How to Be Better in Bed No Matter What Your Size Is

Even if someone tells you size matters, it’s not the full story. Just because you might be on the shorter side doesn’t mean you’re short on performance. Instead of obsessing over inches, focus on what actually makes you a good lover.

Here’s how to boost your game in and out of the sheets:

Improve Your Overall Health

Exercise, eat clean, and cut down on stress, because stress is a major boner killer and libido drainer. Also, the extra fat, especially around the pubic area, can bury Mr. Winky, making it look smaller than it is. 

Embrace Body Positivity

Stop comparing yourself. You are not a porn star (and that’s a good thing). If someone judges you purely by what’s in your pants instead of who you are, that’s a red flag, not a reflection of your worth.

Communicate With Your Partner

Good sex starts with honest talk. Share your desires, fantasies, and limits. Exploring each other’s turn-ons creates deeper intimacy and hotter experiences.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Foreplay and Afterplay

Most people with vulvas don’t orgasm from penetration alone. Foreplay isn’t just a warm-up; it’s the core of the main event. Build up the anticipation and end with intimacy. You’ll leave a lasting impression. 

Related: 15 Foreplay Ideas That’ll Get You Both Begging for More

Do Your Research in Exploring Various Sex Positions and Techniques

As mentioned, it’s not about the size, it’s all about the performance. Explore positions that allow deeper penetration or more control, like doggy style, cowgirl, or face-off. Combine that with solid rhythm, pressure, and dirty talk. 

Talk With a Health Professional

If penis size is still wrecking your confidence, talk to a counselor or sex therapist. And if you think something’s physically off, a urologist can help you rule out any medical concerns. Don’t suffer in silence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 4.5 to 4.9 inches a good size?

The short answer is yes. It is still considered average. If the size is below that, there’s still nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s how you use it, not how it measures.

Is 6.5 inches considered big?

Yup! In fact, according to research, anyone with an erect length of 6.3 inches is in the 95th percentile. That means only 5 out of 100 people are longer. You’re officially packing.

Can a penis size shrink with age?

Kind of. As you age, testosterone dips, elasticity decreases, and blood flow can slow. That might make your penis look or feel a bit smaller, but usually, it’s subtle, not drastic.

Does frequent masturbation reduce penis size?

No, masturbation is healthy, normal, and has zero impact on size.

What causes a small dick?

Size is influenced by multiple factors, which include genetics, hormones, prenatal care, body weight, and age. If you’re genuinely concerned, consult a doctor to rule out any underlying issues like micropenis.