How to find the right condom size

An outside condom that’s too big or too small can slip off of your penis or break, increasing the risk of pregnancy or disease transmission. It could also affect your ability to orgasm. That’s why knowing your condom size is important for safe and pleasurable sex.

Condom Size Chart: How Length, Width, and Girth Measure Up Across Brands

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Sex can be uncomfortable if you don’t have the right condom fit.

An outside condom that’s too big or too small can slip off of your penis or break, increasing the risk of pregnancy or disease transmission. It could also affect your ability to orgasm. That’s why knowing your condom size is important for safe and pleasurable sex.

Condom sizes do vary across manufacturers, so what’s “regular” to one brand may be “large” to another. Once you know your penis size, though, you’ll be able to find the right condom easily. Here’s how.

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In order to know what condom is best, you’ll need to measure your penis. You can use a ruler or measuring tape. To get the right size, measure your penis while it’s erect.

If you measure your penis when it’s flaccid, you’ll only get measurements at its minimum size. This means you could end up buying a condom smaller than you need.

You’ll need to know your length, width, and girth in order to know the right condom fit.

Remember that your girth is the distance around your penis. Your width is your diameter. You should measure your penis twice to make sure you got the right numbers.

To measure your penis, follow the steps below:

For length:

1. Place either a ruler or measuring tape at the base of your erect penis.
2. Press the ruler into the pubic bone as far as possible. Fat can sometimes hide your penis’ true length.
3. Measure your erect penis from the base to the end of the tip.

For girth:

1. Use a piece of string or flexible measuring tape.
2. Gently wrap the string or tape around the thickest part of your penis’ shaft.
3. If using string, mark where the string meets and measure the string distance with a ruler.
4. If using a flexible measuring tape, just mark the measurement once it reaches around your penis.

For width:

You can figure out the width of your penis the same way you’d determine the diameter of a circle. To do this, divide your girth measurement by 3.14. The resulting number is your width.

These condom measurements have been pulled from online sources such as product pages, consumer review sites, and online stores, so the information may not be 100 percent accurate.

You should always confirm a comfortable fit before use.

Snugger fit

Regular fit

Larger fit

Selecting the right size won’t matter if you don’t wear it correctly. If you don’t put the condom on the right way, it’s more likely to break or fall off. This means it won’t work as well in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Here’s how to put on a condom the right way:

1. Check the expiration date. An expired condom is less effective and more liable to break because the material starts to break down.
2. Check for wear and tear. Condoms stored in a wallet or purse may be sat on or folded. This can wear down the material.
3. Open the wrapper carefully. Don’t use your teeth, as this may tear the condom.
4. Place the condom on the tip of your erect penis. Pinch the condom top to push out any air and leave a reservoir.
5. Roll the condom down to the base of your penis, but make sure it’s not inside out before you do.
6. If the condom isn’t lubricated, apply some water-based lube to the condom. Avoid using oil-based lubes, as they may cause the condom to break more easily.
7. After you ejaculate, hold onto the condom’s base while pulling out. This will prevent it from slipping off.
8. Remove the condom and tie a knot at the end. Wrap it in a tissue and toss it in the trash.

When you wear the right size condom, you’re much more likely to prevent pregnancy and STIs. Most condoms fit the average-sized penis, so if your penis is slightly larger than 5 inches when erect , you could wear a “snug” condom just fine.

But don’t go for just any condom. Although length is often the same across different brands and types, width and girth are most important when selecting a condom.

This is where comfort comes in: A condom that’s too small in width may feel tight around the tip of your penis and has the potential to break. A condom that feels too loose around the tip or base may not work effectively and can slip off.

Condoms also come in different materials. Most condoms are made with latex, but some brands offer non-latex alternatives for people with allergies or who are looking for variety.

These materials include:

• Polyurethane. Condoms made out of polyurethane, a type of plastic, are the most popular alternative to latex condoms. Polyurethane is thinner than latex and is better at conducting heat.
• Polyisoprene. Polyisoprene is the closet material to latex, but it lacks the chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction. It’s thicker than polyurethane, but it feels soft and less like rubber. Polyisoprene condoms tend to stretch more than polyurethane condoms.
• Lambskin. Lambskin is one of the oldest condom materials. It’s made from cecum, a membrane inside a sheep’s intestines. It’s thin, durable, fully biodegradable, and can conduct heat well. But unlike other condoms, lambskin condoms don’t protect against STIs.

Inside condoms offer the same protections against pregnancy and STIs as outisde condoms do. They’re made of synthetic latex and are pre-lubricated with silicone-based lube.

Unlike outside condoms, inside condoms come in one size designed to fit most vaginal canals. You can pick up inside condoms at most health clinics. They’re also available online.

You should never use inside and outside condoms at the same time. Both condoms can break because of too much friction, or stick together and slip off.

Choosing the right condom can be confusing and even a little nerve-racking. But it doesn’t have to be! Once you measure your penis size, you’ll be able pick out the best condom for you without a problem.

Not only is a proper fit key to preventing pregnancy and disease transmission, but it also helps make sex more comfortable and can enhance your orgasm. Write down your measurements and get shopping!

Last medically reviewed on September 30, 2021

How to find the right condom size

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

How we vet brands and products

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

Condoms come in many shapes and sizes. Finding the right fit can be tricky, but doing so will help people to have a better and safer sex life.

Condom size is essential for ensuring the condom is effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.

Condoms that are too small may break, and condoms that are too big can slip off the penis. Poor-fitting condoms can also feel uncomfortable during sex.

In this article, we look at how to choose the right condom based on penis length and girth, how to measure the penis, and other factors to consider when using condoms.

The first step to finding the best condom size is to measure the penis. To do this, a person can use a ruler, measuring tape, or piece of string. For the most accurate results, they should take the measurements while the penis is erect.

Use the following steps to take an accurate measurement of the penis and find the best condom fit:

1. Measure the length from the base of the penis, where the penis meets the pelvis, to the end of the tip.
2. Use a piece of string or a flexible measuring tape. Wrap it around the thickest part of the penis, which is usually near the middle of the shaft. If using string, mark where the string crosses and measure the distance with a ruler.

There are many condoms to choose from, and most people should not have trouble finding a condom that fits. Manufacturers base condom sizes on both length and width measurements.

Most condoms are longer than they need to be. If a person finds that there is too much roll at the base, they may need a snugger fit. If there is no roll left, they will require a larger condom.

Girth is more important than length for condom fit, with girth being the thickest part of the erect penis.

There is no absolute rule for who should use the different condom sizes, but the following guidelines, which are in inches, may help:

• a girth of less than 4.7″ needs a snug fit
• a girth of 4.7–5.1″ needs a regular fit
• a girth of 5.1–6″ needs a large fit

Condom companies do not always make their sizes readily available, and brand measurements vary between sources.

The following charts will give some information about the size and features of common U.S. condom brands in inches (“) and millimeters (mm), along with links to where you can buy them:

Snug fit

Standard fit

Large fit

Share on Pinterest Latex is the most common material for condoms.

Not only do condoms come in various shapes and sizes, they also contain different materials, including latex, polyurethane, and lambskin.

While manufacturers use latex to make the vast majority of condoms, some brands offer nonlatex alternatives for people who do not like latex or have allergies.

Latex

Latex condoms are very flexible, thin sheaths. Latex is an effective barrier against sperm, bacteria, and viruses. However, latex does not transfer heat, which can reduce pleasurable sensations.

A person should avoid using oil or oil-based lubricants with a latex condom.

Oils will break down latex, which may cause the condom to tear. Water- or silicone-based lubricants are the best options when using a latex condom.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a plastic material used in many contexts, from insulation to furniture and condoms. Polyurethane condoms are usually thinner than latex condoms, and they are better at transferring heat.

Polyurethane condoms provide effective barriers against HIV and bacterial STIs. However, polyurethane is less flexible than latex, which makes them slightly more fragile than latex condoms.

Polyisoprene

Polyisoprene is very similar to latex, but it lacks the proteins that can sometimes cause allergic reactions. These condoms are slightly thicker than polyurethane, but they are softer and feel more natural than latex.

Lambskin

Lambskin condoms do not contain lamb’s skin. Instead, lamb cecum, a part of the intestine, is the main constituent. The cecum is thin, durable, and good at transferring heat. Unfortunately, lambskin condoms may not protect against STIs or HIV.

Share on Pinterest A person should be careful not to damage the condom when opening the packet.

Condoms are most effective when used correctly. Use the following advice on how to use a condom properly:

1. Check the expiration date on the package. A condom past its expiry date is less effective and more likely to break.
2. Make sure the condom is still intact. Condoms that people may store in wallets or purses can be damaged. Make sure the wrapper is intact. If the condom itself is torn or shows signs of damage, do not use it, and discard it immediately.
3. Carefully open the wrapper. Avoid using teeth or ripping the package forcefully, as this can tear the condom.
4. Make sure the rim is facing the outside so that it is possible to roll the condom over the penis.
5. Pinch the tip of the condom and place it on the head of the erect penis. Pinching the tip removes excess air and allows extra space at the top to collect semen.
6. Roll the condom down the shaft to the base of the penis.
7. If the condom does not have lubrication, apply a small amount of water- or silicon-based lubricant to the outside of the condom.
8. After ejaculation, hold the base of the condom while pulling out. Doing this will prevent it from falling off.
9. Carefully remove the condom, tie a knot at the open end, and throw it in the trash.

Choosing the right condom can be a difficult and even daunting task. Once people know the correct size for them, they can do a little research and find their preferred material and style.

Condoms are an essential part of good sexual health. They protect against the spread of both STIs and viral infections, such as Ebola and Zika. They can also prevent unplanned pregnancies.

Finding a condom that fits properly will help prevent pregnancy and protect against STIs. In addition, properly fitting condoms can also enhance the experience of sexual intercourse, making sex more comfortable and enjoyable.

Last medically reviewed on January 23, 2020

• Men’s Health
• Birth Control / Contraception
• Sexual Health / STDs

How we reviewed this article:

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