The average erect penis is 13.12 cm (5.17 inches) long and 11.66 cm (4.59 inches) around, based on 692 men measured erect by health professionals in a review of up to 15,521 men.
Newer reviews land slightly higher, between 13.61 and 13.93 cm (5.36–5.48 inches). Only about 1 in 10 men measures over 6 inches erect (our calculation).
In this article, we’ll break down average penis size by measure, percentile, decade and region, and compare it with self-reports, porn, and what partners actually prefer.
Top Average Penis Size Statistics
- The average erect penis is 13.12 cm (5.17 in) long, according to a review of clinician-measured studies.
- The average erect girth is 11.66 cm (4.59 in).
- About 10.1% of men have an erect length over 6 inches (15.24 cm), if sizes follow a normal distribution (our calculation).
- Measured erect length rose 24% between 1992 and 2021 in a meta-analysis of 55,761 men, though the trend may partly reflect study methods.
- Men in a Middle East online survey put “normal” erect length at 15.9 cm, about 21% above the measured average (our calculation).
- 72.81% of 342 Chinese men in a 2025 clinical study estimated an erect length above their measured stretched length.
- 85% of women in a self-selected online survey of 26,437 women were satisfied with their partner’s size.
What Is the Average Penis Size?
According to a systematic review in BJU International by Veale and colleagues, the average erect penis is 13.12 cm (5.17 in) long and the average flaccid penis is 9.16 cm (3.61 in). It included only studies where a health professional took the measurements.
Length is measured along the top, from where the penis meets the pubic bone to the tip. Girth is the circumference around the shaft.
Here’s a breakdown of average penis size by measure:
| Measure | Average (cm) | Average (inches) | Men Measured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erect length | 13.12 | 5.17 | 692 |
| Erect girth | 11.66 | 4.59 | 381 |
| Flaccid length | 9.16 | 3.61 | 10,704 |
| Flaccid stretched length | 13.24 | 5.21 | 14,160 |
| Flaccid girth | 9.31 | 3.67 | 9,407 |
Notably, gently stretched flaccid length (13.24 cm) came out almost identical to erect length in this review. Other reviews find stretched length up to 1 cm shorter than erect.
Average Penis Size in Newer Studies
More recent reviews put average erect length between 13.61 and 13.93 cm (5.36–5.48 in). The newest, a 2025 meta-analysis by Mostafaei and colleagues of 33 studies and 36,883 participants, found an average of 13.84 cm (5.45 in) from 5,669 men measured erect, and erect girth of 11.91 cm (4.69 in).
The spread between these reviews is less than 1 cm (0.81 cm, our calculation).
Here’s how the main reviews compare:
| Review | Men Included | Average Erect Length | Average Erect Girth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belladelli et al. 2023 (pooled) | 55,761 | 13.93 cm (5.48 in) | Not reported |
| Mostafaei et al. 2025 | 36,883 participants (5,669 erect) | 13.84 cm (5.45 in) | 11.91 cm (4.69 in) |
| King 2020 (10 erect studies) | 1,629 | 13.61 cm (5.36 in) | Not reported |
| Veale et al. 2015 | Up to 15,521 | 13.12 cm (5.17 in) | 11.66 cm (4.59 in) |
The study totals include every measure, so far fewer men contributed erect figures. In Belladelli’s review, 18,481 men had erect length data.
Penis Size by Percentile
The median erect length is 13.12 cm (5.17 in), and 90% of men fall between about 10.4 and 15.9 cm (4.1–6.2 in), based on Veale’s average and spread (our calculation).
About 10.1% of men are over 6 inches (15.24 cm) erect and about 40% are under 5 inches. Only about 0.25% are over 7 inches, or roughly 1 in 400.
Here’s a breakdown of erect length by percentile:
| Percentile | Erect Length (cm) | Erect Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 10.39 | 4.09 |
| 10th | 10.99 | 4.33 |
| 25th | 12.00 | 4.72 |
| 50th (median) | 13.12 | 5.17 |
| 75th | 14.24 | 5.61 |
| 90th | 15.25 | 6.00 |
| 95th | 15.85 | 6.24 |
| 99th | 16.98 | 6.69 |
These are estimates. Veale’s paper shows percentiles only as charts, and a WBUR reading of its nomogram put 11 cm at about the 10th percentile, which matches our figure.
Has Average Penis Size Changed Over Time?
Measured erect length rose 24% over 29 years, from an estimated 12.27 cm (4.83 in) in 1992 to 15.23 cm (6.00 in) in 2021, according to a 2023 meta-analysis of 75 studies by Belladelli and colleagues.
The authors found no trend in flaccid or stretched length, only erect length.
Here’s a breakdown of average erect length by decade of study:
| Decade Studies Were Published | Average Erect Length (cm) | Average Erect Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 1990–1999 | 13.12 | 5.17 |
| 2000–2009 | 13.56 | 5.34 |
| 2010–2021 | 14.55 | 5.73 |
The authors themselves flag volunteer bias and differences in how erections were induced and measured. Heterogeneity between studies was very high (I² of 98.9%), so treat the 24% as a signal to study, not a settled fact.
Average Penis Size by Region
Measured erect length ranged from 14.88 cm (5.86 in) in African studies to 11.74 cm (4.62 in) in Asian studies in Belladelli’s 2023 meta-analysis. North America averaged 14.58 cm and Europe 14.12 cm.
However, the 2025 Mostafaei review found no significant regional difference in erect length, possibly because few studies measured erect length. A separate meta-analysis of Chinese men found an erect average of 12.42 cm (4.89 in), not significantly different from global data.
Here’s a breakdown of measured erect length by region:
| Region | Average Erect Length (cm) | Average Erect Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 14.88 | 5.86 |
| North America | 14.58 | 5.74 |
| Europe | 14.12 | 5.56 |
| Asia | 11.74 | 4.62 |
Be wary of “penis size by country” rankings online. Self-reported figures run well above measured ones (see below), and Mostafaei’s team notes there aren’t enough high-quality studies from Africa and South-East Asia to compare regions reliably.
Self-Reported vs Measured Size
Self-reported sizes run well above measured ones. Frequently cited self-report studies put erect length at about 15.75 cm (6.2 in), versus 13.61 cm (5.36 in) when it’s measured, according to King’s 2020 review. That’s a gap of 2.14 cm, or 15.7% (our calculation).
Self-measured figures also run higher. In a US condom-fit study of 1,661 men who measured themselves at home, the average was 14.15 cm (5.57 in), about 1 cm above Veale’s clinical figure, per Herbenick et al.
Here’s how the sources compare:
| Source | Method | Average Erect Length |
|---|---|---|
| Self-report studies (cited by King 2020) | Men report their own size | 15.75 cm (6.2 in) |
| Herbenick et al. 2014 | Self-measured at home, 1,661 US men | 14.15 cm (5.57 in) |
| King 2020 (10 studies) | Measured by researchers | 13.61 cm (5.36 in) |
| Veale et al. 2015 | Measured by health professionals | 13.12 cm (5.17 in) |
One study comparing the same men’s estimates with measurements points the same way. In a 2025 clinical study of 342 Chinese men, 72.81% gave an erect length above their clinician-measured stretched length, and estimates averaged 0.92 cm higher, per Zheng et al. Because stretched length runs slightly below erect length, part of that gap may be real.
Porn vs Reality: Is Porn Size Realistic?
Published research doesn’t include reliable measured data on the size of adult-film performers. One peer-reviewed analysis, of more than 6,900 performer profiles on gay adult sites, relied on sizes the sites themselves advertised, and it didn’t report an average, per Brennan in the Journal of Homosexuality.
What research can show is how far expectations sit above measured reality. Men in an online survey of 804 Arabic-speaking men in the Middle East put a “normal” erect length at 15.9 cm (6.26 in), as reported in a 2026 review in the Asian Journal of Andrology. That’s 2.78 cm, or 21%, above Veale’s measured average (our calculation, comparing different populations).
Here’s how measured size compares with what people report, expect and prefer:
| Figure | Erect Length (cm) | Erect Length (inches) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s preferred size, one-time partner | 16.3 | 6.4 | Prause et al. 2015 (75 women; about 60 gave preferences) |
| Women’s preferred size, long-term partner | 16.0 | 6.3 | Prause et al. 2015 |
| Men’s idea of a “normal” size | 15.9 | 6.26 | Online survey of 804 men, Middle East |
| Self-reported (study average) | 15.75 | 6.2 | King 2020 |
| Self-measured (US condom study) | 14.15 | 5.57 | Herbenick et al. 2014 |
| Clinician-measured average | 13.12 | 5.17 | Veale et al. 2015 |
Does Porn Make Men Feel Smaller?
The evidence is mixed. A two-wave Dutch study of 1,879 people found more frequent porn use didn’t increase men’s penis-size dissatisfaction over time, per Peter & Valkenburg, and a Swedish study of 1,641 people with a penis found porn use didn’t predict genital self-image (β = −0.001), per Hustad et al.
One small online experiment found a short-term dip. Men shown nude images of adult performers scored 3.33 on genital esteem, versus 3.57 for men shown none, a small difference reported by Skoda & Pedersen.
Among men who seek lengthening, erotic images play a role for some. In a clinic series of 67 such men, 37.3% said their concern began in adolescence after seeing erotic images, and 85% overestimated what a normal penis is, per Mondaini et al. None fell below the 2.5th percentile for size.
Women’s bodies get the same research-vs-expectations check, starting with how deep the average vagina is. Porn performers’ listed cup sizes also differ from the real-world average breast size.
How Satisfied Are Men With Their Size?
55% of men were satisfied with their penis size and 45% wanted a larger one in an online survey of 25,594 men, while just 0.2% wanted a smaller one, according to Lever, Frederick & Peplau.
National samples show lower dissatisfaction. In a nationally representative US survey of 3,996 men, 19% were dissatisfied with their erect length, per Gaither et al.. The questions differ, but that’s well below the 45% who wanted a larger penis in the self-selected online survey.
Here’s how the main satisfaction figures compare:
| Finding | Share | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Men wanting a larger penis | 45% | Online survey, 25,594 men |
| Swedish men who said their penis was too small | 35.0% | Online survey, about 1,556 men |
| US men dissatisfied with erect length | 19% | National survey, 3,996 men |
| US men dissatisfied with their genitals overall | 14.1% | National survey, 3,996 men |
| Men who rated their own size as small | 12% | Online survey, 25,594 men |
Does Penis Size Matter to Women?
85% of women were satisfied with their partner’s penis size in a self-selected online survey of 26,437 women, according to Lever, Frederick & Peplau. Only 14% wished their partner were larger, as reported by Psychology Today.
Preferences sit only modestly above average. In a lab study using 3D models with 75 women, participants chose 16.0 cm (6.3 in) long and 12.2 cm (4.8 in) around for a long-term partner, about 1 inch longer than the measured average, per Prause et al.
In a Croatian survey of 556 women, 24.6% said length was unimportant and only 18.0% called it very important, according to Stulhofer.
When Is Penis Size a Medical Concern?
Very few men have a medically small penis. A micropenis is defined as stretched length more than 2.5 standard deviations below average, which works out to under 8.5 cm (3.35 in) stretched, based on Veale’s figures. Veale’s paper puts that at 0.14% of men, though a strict normal curve would give about 0.62% (our calculation), so treat both as rough.
Definitions vary. Cleveland Clinic uses a stricter adult cut-off of 6.8 cm (2.67 in) stretched or less.
Most men worried about size are in the normal range. All 92 men complaining of a short penis at a Cairo clinic had normal-sized penises, as the Globe and Mail reported, and the European Association of Urology estimates that how men perceive their size affects the sex lives of about 10% of men.
Here’s a breakdown of key clinical thresholds and findings:
| Finding | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Micropenis cut-off, 2.5 SD below average (stretched) | Under 8.5 cm (3.35 in) | Veale et al. 2015 |
| Share of men below that cut-off, as stated by Veale | 0.14% | Veale et al. 2015 |
| Cleveland Clinic adult micropenis cut-off (stretched) | 6.8 cm (2.67 in) or less | Cleveland Clinic |
| Men below 2 SD (stretched under 9.5 cm) | 2.28% | Veale et al. 2015 |
| Men still seeking cosmetic treatment after counselling | 3.6% (9 of 250) | Ghanem et al. 2007, cited by Jeong et al. |
Enlargement procedures carry real risk for little benefit. Cutting the suspensory ligament doesn’t change the penis’s actual length, injected fat can spread unevenly or be reabsorbed, and these surgeries should be considered experimental, according to the Mayo Clinic. A systematic review of 773 men found extenders gave under 2 cm of flaccid gain. The European guideline is somewhat more permissive, giving weak recommendations for some options, so guidelines differ.
Guidelines recommend counselling first. A urologist or mental health professional can help assess concerns about size.
How We Compiled These Statistics
We used systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinician-measured studies (Veale 2015, King 2020, Belladelli 2023, Mostafaei 2025) as the baseline, and kept self-reported and self-measured figures separate. Survey data on satisfaction and preferences come from peer-reviewed studies, with populations and sample sizes stated.
Inch conversions, percentiles, shares above set lengths and percentage gaps are our own calculations. Percentiles assume a normal distribution using Veale’s mean (13.12 cm) and standard deviation (1.66 cm).
Measured data on adult-film performers isn’t available, so we say so rather than repeating estimates from forums.
Key Takeaways
The average erect penis is 13.12 cm (5.17 in) long and 11.66 cm (4.59 in) around, and newer reviews put length at up to 13.93 cm (5.48 in).
Only about 1 in 10 men is over 6 inches erect, yet men in one survey put “normal” at 15.9 cm, and most men in a clinical study estimated their size above what was measured.
Most women in the largest survey weren’t bothered: 85% were satisfied with their partner’s size. Some men link their worries to porn, but studies haven’t consistently shown that porn causes size dissatisfaction.
FAQ
What is the average penis size?
The average erect penis is 13.12 cm (5.17 in) long and 11.66 cm (4.59 in) around, based on 692 men measured erect in a review of up to 15,521 men. The average flaccid penis is 9.16 cm (3.61 in) long. Newer reviews put erect length slightly higher, at 13.61–13.93 cm.
Is 6 inches a big penis?
It’s above average. Only about 10% of men measure over 6 inches (15.24 cm) erect, so 6 inches sits around the 90th percentile. Yet most men believe the average is over 6 inches, according to King’s 2020 review.
What percentage of men are over 7 inches?
Only about 0.25% of men, or roughly 1 in 400, measure over 7 inches (17.78 cm) erect, based on Veale’s average of 13.12 cm and standard deviation of 1.66 cm. That’s our calculation assuming a normal distribution.
Are porn performers really bigger than average?
No published study has measured them. One peer-reviewed analysis relied on sizes advertised by adult sites, which are marketing claims. What studies do show is that men’s idea of “normal” (15.9 cm) sits 21% above the measured average.
Does penis size matter to women?
For most, not as much as men think. 85% of women were satisfied with their partner’s size in a self-selected online survey of 26,437 women, and women in a lab study preferred about 16 cm (6.3 in) for a long-term partner, only about 1 inch above average.
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