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Medically reviewed by Darragh O’Carroll, MD — Written by Markus MacGill — Updated on May 13, 2025Scientists do not really know the average length of a penis, but they believe it is probably around 5.1 to 5.5 inches. This is smaller than most people think.

Many people experience anxiety about whether their penis is big enough and if it will satisfy a sexual partner. This can affect a person’s self-confidence and self-image. Often, however, these fears are unfounded.

A 2020 research article notes that most males believe the average length of an erect penis is around 15.2 centimeters (cm) or 6 inches (in). In fact, the average is much smaller.

While sizes vary widely, the average length is probably 12.9 to 13.97 cm (5.1–5.5 in), most likely toward this scale’s smaller end. While results vary slightly, most studies estimate the average to be within this range.

In this article, we look at some facts from various scientific studies to try and provide a realistic answer to this question. For many, this will offer reassurance about what to expect of the average penis size.

You’ll notice the language used to share stats and other data points is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of “male” and “female” or “men” and “women.” While we typically avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.

When is penis size too small?

Share on PinterestWestend61/Getty ImagesA penis is only ‘too small’ if its size effects adequate sexual function or urination.

Many people seeking penis enlargement surgery do not fit this criteria and have ‘normal’ length penises. However, people may still perceive this to be too small. This is known as penile dysmorphophobia.

Micropenis and buried penis

The Urology Care Foundation states that surgery for penis enlargement is only medically necessary if a person has a micropenis. This is when a person’s stretched penis length is less than 7.5 cm.

Sometimes, an average-sized penis may appear small due because there is additional skin around it. People may refer to this as a buried penis, and surgery can resolve it.

What is ‘normal’ or average penis size?

A 2021 review concluded that the average reported erect penis size is between 5.1 and 5.5 inches. This is typically below the assumed average size.

A 2023 review went further and reported global mean estimates of:

However, research into average penis size can be difficult due to inaccuracy of self-reporting and participant biases.

For example, a 2019 study found that many males overestimate the size of their penis when self-reporting, especially if they have experienced sexual activity with another person.

The research surveyed 170 college-aged males attending a human sexuality course. Results showed that those with sexual experience with another person were more likely to overestimate than those with no mutual sexual experience.

The authors speculate that sexually experienced men have a “greater sense of masculinity, sexual competence, and prowess.”

Do partners care about penis size?

Some people worry about whether their penis size will live up to the desires of a partner. However, some older research suggests that penis length is not important for many female partners.

In one 2002 study, 77% of females who completed a questionnaire said penis length was unimportant or totally unimportant, compared with 21% who declared it important or very important. Those who said that length mattered to them also stated that girth, or width, was important.

In another survey, 45 out of 50 sexually active undergraduate females said that penis width was more important to sexual satisfaction than penis length.

What size penis do women want?

Share on PinterestA 2015 study asked 75 females to indicate their penis size preferences using 3D-printed models of 33 different dimensions.

The models ranged from 10 to 21.6 cm (4 to 8.5 in) in length and 5 to 17.8 cm (2.5 to 7 in) in circumference.

The choices varied according to the nature of the relationship that participants were considering.

• For long-term sexual partners, they chose a length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a girth of 12.2 cm (4.8 in).
• For one-time sex partners, they chose a length of 16.3 cm (6.4 in) and a circumference of 12.7 cm (5 in).

Overall, their desired size turned out to be slightly above the averages found across studies.

What about gay males?

Health experts have also raised concerns about how anxiety around penis size affects gay males. The Gay Men’s Health Project, based in the United Kingdom, surveyed 586 males. It found that 38% of respondents said their penis size causes them anxiety.

The project urges males to seek help if they have concerns and to remember that, like people, penises come in many shapes, sizes, and skin tones.

When to seek penis enlargement?

Hormone treatment, surgery, and other techniques can increase the size of a very small penis. However, these treatments carry risks, and most people do not have a small enough penis to warrant these options. Doctors do not usually recommend treatment unless a penis has a flaccid length of under 4 cm (1.6 in) or a stretched or erect length of less than 7.5 cm (3 in).

Experts highlight concerns about the number of males seeking surgery to lengthen their penis. Often, these people overestimate the size of an average penis.

According to a 2019 report, motivation for seeking treatment often focuses on self-image, fears of inadequacy, a desire to impress others, and other psychosocial factors.

A 2017 review notes that many people drop the idea of penis enlargement once they understand the risks and possible treatment complications.

Impact of obesity and age

A person’s penis size varies with age. For example, during youth and adolescence, it grows as a natural part of puberty. Later in life, a person’s penis may also shrink slightly.

Body composition can also have an effect. An increase in fat tissues around the pelvis due to obesity can make a penis seem smaller– a condition known as buried penis.

Obesity in youth can also lower testosterone levels and reduce penis growth.

Frequently asked questions

Is 4.5 inches erect a good size?

Penis size varies from person to person. Research suggests the average length of an erect penis probably ranges from 5.1 – 5.5 inches. If a person is concerned about their penis size, they should consider talking with a healthcare professional.

Summary

Many males worry about the size of their penis, and this can affect their self-confidence and self-image.

Guidelines that most doctors follow when helping someone decide if they need treatment state that the average size for a flaccid penis is 8.8 cm (3.5 in), while the average size for an erect penis is 12.9 cm (5.1 in).

In addition, research suggests that small penises are relatively rare. Anyone concerned about their penis size should speak with a doctor or sexual health specialist, who can advise them.

Read this article in Spanish.

• Men’s Health
• Psychology / Psychiatry
• Sexual Health / STDs

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- Belladelli F, et al. (2023). Worldwide temporal trends in penile length: A systematic review and meta-analysis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10523114/

• Byard RW, et al. (2022). Buried penis and morbid obesity.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12024-022-00461-w
• Campbell J, et al. (2017). A review of penile elongation surgery.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5313298/
• Eisenman R, et al. (2001). Penis size: Survey of female perceptions of sexual satisfaction.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC33342/
• Francken AB, et al. (2002). What importance do women attribute to the size of the penis?https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0302283802003962
• King BM, et al. (2020). Average-size erect penis: Fiction, fact, and the need for counseling.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32666897/
• King BM. et al. (2019). Social desirability and young men’s self-reports of penis size.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2018.1533905
• Littara A, et al. (2019). Cosmetic penile enhancement surgery: a 3-year single-centre retrospective clinical evaluation of 355 cases.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6474863/
• Mancini M, et al. (2021). Obesity is strongly associated with low testosterone and reduced penis growth during development.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34283215/
• Penile augmentation. (2024).https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/penile-augmentation
• Penile anxiety is affecting gay men’s self esteem. (n.d.).https://www.lgbthero.org.uk/fs160-penis-anxiety-is-impacting-gay-mens-self-esteem
• Prause N, et al. (2015). Women’s preferences for penis size: a new research method using selection among 3d models.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4558040/

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SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- Belladelli F, et al. (2023). Worldwide temporal trends in penile length: A systematic review and meta-analysis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10523114/

• Byard RW, et al. (2022). Buried penis and morbid obesity.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12024-022-00461-w

• Campbell J, et al. (2017). A review of penile elongation surgery.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5313298/

• Eisenman R, et al. (2001). Penis size: Survey of female perceptions of sexual satisfaction.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC33342/

• Francken AB, et al. (2002). What importance do women attribute to the size of the penis?https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0302283802003962

• King BM, et al. (2020). Average-size erect penis: Fiction, fact, and the need for counseling.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32666897/

• King BM. et al. (2019). Social desirability and young men’s self-reports of penis size.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2018.1533905

• Littara A, et al. (2019). Cosmetic penile enhancement surgery: a 3-year single-centre retrospective clinical evaluation of 355 cases.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6474863/

• Mancini M, et al. (2021). Obesity is strongly associated with low testosterone and reduced penis growth during development.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34283215/

• Penile augmentation. (2024).https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/penile-augmentation

• Penile anxiety is affecting gay men’s self esteem. (n.d.).https://www.lgbthero.org.uk/fs160-penis-anxiety-is-impacting-gay-mens-self-esteem

• Prause N, et al. (2015). Women’s preferences for penis size: a new research method using selection among 3d models.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4558040/

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