
How to measure penis size
If you’ve ever wondered how to measure your penis the right way, you’re not alone. Whether you’re just curious or wanting to get an accurate size for comparison, measuring yourself correctly is super important. So, let’s get rid of the guesswork and break it down step by step. No stress—this is all about getting the facts.
What You’ll Need:
A ruler or measuring tape (a flexible tape is best for girth)
A relaxed, private space
Ready? Let’s go.
Measuring Length (Flaccid & Erect)
We’ll measure both flaccid and erect lengths for full accuracy.
Flaccid Length:
Stand up straight and relax your body.
Gently hold your penis at the base (where it meets your body) and stretch it out naturally. Don’t pull too hard—just enough to get the full length.
Place a ruler or tape measure along the top side of your penis, starting from the base where it connects to your pubic area.
Measure from the base to the tip of your penis. That’s your flaccid length! Write it down if you like, but remember, flaccid size can change a lot depending on temperature, stress, etc., so don’t worry if it varies from time to time.
Erect Length:
Achieve a full erection
Press the ruler or measuring tape against your pubic bone at the base of your penis (this is important—press firmly to get an accurate measurement).
Measure from the base to the tip again, along the top side of the penis. That’s your erect length! This is often the measurement people refer to when talking about penis size, so keep this number in mind.
Measuring Girth (Circumference)
Now let’s measure girth, which is the thickness or circumference of your penis. Again, we’ll measure both flaccid and erect girth.
Flaccid Girth:
Take a soft measuring tape (or a piece of string if you don’t have one).
Wrap it around the thickest part of your flaccid penis (usually the middle of the shaft).
Mark where the tape meets or measure the string against a ruler if you used string. That’s your flaccid girth. Like flaccid length, it can change with temperature, so don’t stress about variations.
Erect Girth:
Get a full erection
Wrap the measuring tape around the thickest part of your erect penis (again, usually the middle of the shaft).
Record the measurement where the tape meets. That’s your erect girth—aka the thickness!
Some Quick Tips
Be consistent: Measure a couple of times at different points to make sure you’re getting an accurate average.
Use the same tools: Stick with the same ruler or tape measure for all measurements so there’s no variation.
Relax: Penis size can vary with temperature, arousal, and mood, so try to measure when you’re relaxed and comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Before you get too caught up in the numbers, it’s important to remember that penis size can fluctuate. There are a bunch of factors that can temporarily affect the size—especially when it’s flaccid.
Here are a few common things that might make your penis seem smaller or larger at any given time:
Temperature: Ever noticed things look smaller when you’re cold? That’s totally normal! Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, and your body naturally pulls everything closer to keep warm. In warmer conditions, you might notice more "hang."
Stress and Anxiety: Being nervous or stressed out can shrink things down a bit temporarily. When your body is tense, it’s not sending as much blood to your genitals as it would when you’re relaxed.
Arousal: Your level of arousal can also affect size. Sometimes, a partial erection might make your penis appear bigger than it would flaccid but smaller than when fully erect.
Time of Day: Yep, even time matters! Many men notice they have larger erections in the morning due to higher testosterone levels.
So if things seem a little different from one day to the next, don’t sweat it. Penis size can change with all these factors, and that’s totally normal. The important thing is to focus on the bigger picture rather than the small variations.