The Average Penis Size (According To Science)
— Updated on 23 August 2023

The Average Penis Size (According To Science)

— Updated on 23 August 2023
Garry Lu
WORDS BY
Garry Lu

It’s almost uncanny how almost every bloke on Earth knows the exact measurement of their schmeat right down to the millimetre.

Knowing your sexual dimensions is simply essential personal knowledge — right next to your height, weight, and blood type.

A post-Pornhub world does, however, come with certain drawbacks (and we’re not just referring to the puzzling rise of “step porn“).

Given how the notoriously sensationalised form of adult entertainment requires a certain, shall we say, cinematic flair — which many take to be a hard reality (no pun intended) — never before has there been more confusion, in all respects, about the average erect penis length, or how much is too much.

It’s to the point where as much as 45% of men (99%*) believe they have a small penis (penile dysmorphic disorder, if you will).

What is the average penis size?

Average penis size (global)

The human penis and testicles typically stop growing once you hit 18; towards the tail end of puberty. After that, you’re generally stuck with what you have unless there’s any kind of medical intervention — extra-curricular or otherwise (more on that later).

So just how big is the average penis size? For the longest time, studies relied on self-reported measurements, suffering from volunteer bias and perceptions of social desirability. Which obviously impacted the reliability of data collection.

No one likes to admit they’re packing light equipment, and even the most adequate operators have been known to sell an extra bit of sizzle with the proverbial steak. Having a larger penis is simply seen as more desirable.

According to a study published in the British Journal of Urology International which has synthesised data from a total of 17 academic papers — providing a substantial sample size of 15,521 men from all around the world — here’s what’s actually considered average.

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Flaccid Penis Size

The global average penis size when it comes to a flaccid and pendulous (hanging) phallus is 3.61 inches (9.16 cm) in average length and 3.66 inches (9.31 cm) in average circumference.

While the latter detail appears improbable, keep in mind circumference is measured at the widest section of each participant’s penis. And you’d be surprised at how deceiving a circumference can be.

Average flaccid length isn’t all that surprising, so don’t pay too much attention to your flaccid penis length if you’re using it as a barometer for your status as a bastion of both sexual satisfaction and sexual arousal.

Erect Penis Size

When the soldier is standing to attention, there’s obviously more to consider. Globally, the average is 5.16 inches (13.12 cm) in erect penis length and 4.59 inches (11.66 cm) in erect penis girth.

If you’ve got anything more than that, you’re doing just fine. If you fall under, I’m sure you have an incredible personality with strengths outside of the bedroom. Chin up, kings, adult penile length ain’t the whole story.

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Distribution by country

Different populations yield a different average penis size, both for erect penises and flaccid penises.

Without delving into racial stereotypes, I think we all know where this one is going.

Based on statistics from World Data and World Population Review, the countries with the world’s largest average penis size (length) are as follows:

  1. Ecuador — 6.93 inches (17.61 cm)
  2. Cameroon — 6.56 inches (16.67 cm)
  3. Bolivia — 6.5 inches (16.51 cm)

And as for the countries with the world’s smallest average penis size (length), here they are for your curiosity…

  1. Cambodia — 3.95 inches (10.04 cm)
  2. Burma — 4.21 inches (10.70 cm)
  3. Taiwan — 4.24 inches (10.78 cm)

Source: June, K. et. al. (Updated 2022) ‘Penis Size Statistics – What is the average penis size (length and width) around the world?’ [Via Bedbible]

Distribution by size

The graph provided below shows the global size distribution of overall penis sizes (length).

As you can see, a 6.3-inch / 16 cm erect penis falls in the 95th percentile. Meaning out of 100 men, statistically speaking, only 5 would have a penis larger than 6.3 inches / 16 cm.

Australian blokes only have the world’s 43rd-biggest average penis size

We may be the world’s drunkest country by a long shot, but Australia has come up short on the global rankings for average penis size.

In yet another data set published by UK-based online pharmacist From Mars, which collated the numbers from Google (of all places), Aussies placed a lowly 43rd out of the 86 international geographies surveyed.

Topping the list are Ecuador, Cameroon, and Bolivia, measuring up to a respectable benchmark of 6.93 inches / 17.61 centimetres, 6.56 inches / 16.67 centimetres, and 6.50 inches / 16.51 centimetres on average, respectively.

RELATED: The Dating Site For Men With Small Penises (And The Women Who Prefer Them)

At #43, Australia is apparently rocking 5.69 / 14.45-centimetre chops, surprisingly edging out the likes of Nigeria (5.66 inches / 14.38 centimetres), Switzerland (5.65 inches / 14.35 centimetres), and Norway (5.65 inches / 14.34 centimetres) in succession.

Additionally — much to our satisfaction — New Zealand at #50 (5.51 inches / 13.99 centimetres) and the United Kingdom at #66 (5.17 inches / 13.13 centimetres).

Still, while we’re not exactly winning any contests, we’re at least above the global average penis size of 5.55 inches / 14.01 centimetres. And just count our blessings we’re not at the bottom of the charts, as with the case for the Philippines (4.27 inches / 10.85 centimetres), Taiwan (4.24 inches / 10.78 centimetres), and Cambodia (3.95 inches / 10.04 centimetres) at dead last.

“Whether people are concerned about the size or the shape, or any other aspect for that matter, most of us have wondered at some point or another whether ours is big enough,” notes Navin Khosla, a pharmacist who reviewed the study.

“The truth is, that the owner of the penis is far more likely to be worried about the size of their penis than their sexual partners are!”

Check out the global average penis size rankings according to From Mars below:

  1. Ecuador — 6.93 inches
  2. Cameroon — 6.56 inches
  3. Bolivia — 6.50 inches
  4. Sudan — 6.48 inches
  5. Haiti — 6.30 inches
  6. Senegal — 6.26 inches
  7. Gambia — 6.25 inches
  8. Cuba — 6.25 inches
  9. Netherlands — 6.25 inches
  10. Zambia — 6.21 inches
  11. France — 6.20 inches
  12. Angola — 6.19 inches
  13. Canada — 6.19 inches
  14. Egypt — 6.18 inches
  15. Zimbabwe — 6.17 inches
  16. Georgia — 6.15 inches
  17. Paraguay — 6.11 inches
  18. Chad — 6.06 inches
  19. Italy — 6.04 inches
  20. Central African Republic — 6.04 inches
  21. Colombia — 6.01 inches
  22. Ivory Coast — 5.99 inches
  23. Brazil — 5.99 inches
  24. Sweden — 5.94 inches
  25. Bulgaria — 5.91 inches
  26. Costa Rica — 5.91 inches
  27. Honduras — 5.91 inches
  28. Hungary — 5.90 inches
  29. Mexico — 5.87 inches
  30. Denmark — 5.86 inches
  31. El Salvador — 5.86 inches
  32. Argentina — 5.86 inches
  33. Serbia — 5.85 inches
  34. Croatia — 5.81 inches
  35. Belgium — 5.81 inches
  36. Latvia — 5.78 inches
  37. Belarus — 5.76 inches
  38. Chile — 5.74 inches
  39. Austria — 5.72 inches
  40. Germany — 5.72 inches
  41. Algeria — 5.70 inches
  42. DR Congo — 5.70 inches
  43. Australia — 5.69 inches
  44. Nigeria — 5.66 inches
  45. Switzerland — 5.65 inches
  46. Norway — 5.65 inches
  47. Poland — 5.63 inches
  48. Albania — 5.59 inches
  49. Cape Verde — 5.53 inches
  50. New Zealand — 5.51 inches
  51. North Macedonia — 5.50 inches
  52. Ukraine — 5.50 inches
  53. Spain — 5.45 inches
  54. Finland — 5.42 inches
  55. Libya — 5.41 inches
  56. Azerbaijan — 5.40 inches
  57. India — 5.40 inches
  58. Afghanistan — 5.39 inches
  59. Israel — 5.35 inches
  60. United States of America — 5.35 inches
  61. Japan — 5.34 inches
  62. Turkmenistan — 5.31 inches
  63. Venezuela — 5.25 inches
  64. Greece — 5.24 inches
  65. South Korea — 5.18 inches
  66. Armenia — 5.17 inches
  67. United Kingdom — 5.17 inches
  68. China — 5.15 inches
  69. Turkey — 5.11 inches
  70. Ireland — 5.03 inches
  71. Mongolia — 5.03 inches
  72. Romania — 5.01 inches
  73. Yemen — 5.01 inches
  74. Pakistan — 4.80 inches
  75. Iran — 4.70 inches
  76. Indonesia — 4.59 inches
  77. Singapore — 4.54 inches
  78. Malaysia — 4.52 inches
  79. Vietnam — 4.52 inches
  80. Thailand — 4.51 inches
  81. Bangladesh — 4.41 inches
  82. Hong Kong — 4.41 inches
  83. Sri Lanka — 4.29 inches
  84. Philippines — 4.27 inches
  85. Taiwan — 4.24 inches
  86. Cambodia — 3.95 inches

How to correctly measure your penis

Contrary to the assertations of South Park, there isn’t a complex weighted formula for working out how much cock you’ve got.

The scientific method simply requires you to start from the pubic bone all the way to the tip of the glans (on the top side of the penis). Make sure you compress any fat covering the pubic bone before breaking out the measuring tape — and no, the foreskin does not count.

Circumference, on the other hand, should be measured from the base of the penis or around the middle of the shaft.

The penis size women prefer

As to be expected, the ideal size will vary from woman to woman. You’ll come across a size queen every now and then, but you’ll also come across someone looking for more reasonable sexual dimensions.

Research has proven that while the preferred penis length stays the same for both casual encounters and long-term partners (6.4 inches), circumference was the true determining factor of satisfaction with their partner’s penis size.

As per the following study from UCLA, on average, women prefer a more moderate 4.8-inches in long-term partners “for reasons such as physical comfort and a preference for less masculinity,” in comparison to 5.0-inches for one-night stands.

And as an added bit of reassurance, 29.1% of women actually view the average physique as quite desirable.

So once again, as we’ve previously communicated, there’s no need to get anxious having to be about Johnny Sins. Above or below the belt. Like we’ve said before, make an effort with the foreplay, work on the motion of the ocean, and try not to be a one-pump chump.

global average penis size Men With A Larger Nose Have A Bigger Penis (According To Science)

RELATED: How To Beat Premature Ejaculation (According To Johnny Sins)

“How do I get a bigger penis?” (Do penis enlargement procedures work?)

Contrary to all those articles about jelqing — stretching the soft tissue out through exercises — cutting-edge penis pumps, and “miracle supplements” which falsely claim to guarantee results, there is no natural way to increase the size of your penis.

The only option is surgery — and it should be deemed an absolute last resort. Penile lengthening procedures don’t have the best track record and can devastate sexual function. They haven’t been shown to do much for erect length, either.

Plenty of men have been known to use vacuum devices to try and treat impotence or erectile dysfunction, with the goal of improving penile dimensions both for the flaccid and erect states. A refusal to admit you edge closer to the average penis length has plagued the male ego forever and has resulted in an epidemic of insecurity.

From silicone implants to cutting a ligament so it can hang further, whatever fat injections/plasma injections/fillers a surgeon may want to peddle — for all the potential risks these so-called expensive solutions offer, by in large, they simply aren’t worth it. If something goes just a little wrong, you’re looking at permanent and irreversible damage that’ll likely compromise your penis functioning properly at all.

Where 45% of men believe their penis to be small, the same set of statistics indicates 85% of women are satisfied with what their partner brings to the table. So our advice? Keep ya pubic hair trimmed for a good sense of scale, have some confidence in who you are, and as always, foreplay is key.

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Garry Lu
WORDS by
After stretching his legs with companies such as The Motley Fool and the odd marketing agency, Garry joined Boss Hunting in 2019 as a fully-fledged Content Specialist. In 2021, he was promoted to News Editor. Garry proudly retains a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, black bruises from Muay Thai, as well as a black belt in all things pop culture. Drop him a line at [email protected]

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