Men tend to overestimate the size of their penis, according to British psychiatrist David Veale. Even so, they worry that they’re below-average. Veale and his team decided to get accurate measurements.
Their study pulls together data on 15,521 men from around the world. The magic numbers?
The researchers concluded that the average flaccid penis is 3.61 inches (9.17 cm) in length and 3.66 inches (9.3) in circumference. When erect, it grows to 5.16 inches (13.1 cm) long and 4.59 inches (11.66) in circumference.
The easy way to remember it is just over three and a half inches in length and girth when not erect and an erection adds about an inch and a half both ways.
I don’t know any women under this illusion, but men, primarily heterosexual men, may be worrying that there are lots of 10-inch penises out there. Actually, you’d fall into the top 5% if your penis is 6.3 inches (16 cm) when erect. Porn stars get the job because their penis size is rare.
How small is really small? Men are in the bottom 5% if you’re 4 inches (10.16 cm) when erect.
To measure, start from the pubic bone (push down any fat) and end at the tip of the glans on the top side. Don’t count foreskin. You can measure girth at either the base or the middle.
No, penis size does not vary with height, body mass index, shoe size, race or ethnicity.
What do women want? Well, yes, some research confirms that women rate below-average size penises lower. In one study, using computer-generated male figures, (non-erect) penises began getting lower ratings around 3 inches (7.62 cm). But a bigger penis helped boost ratings more—and a smaller penis hurt ratings less—if the figure was taller and fitter. And even the biggest penis in the world won’t do much good for a guy that isn’t otherwise attractive.
Of course, a woman’s preferences looking at videos projected on a wall aren’t a sure indication of how she’ll feel in real life. There are lots of ways to please. If you’re worried about your size, think about becoming more attentive.