You've Always Wondered: What Is Considered a Big Dick?

Key Points

• Human beings have wondered what it means to have a big penis since prehistoric times.
• There are obvious benefits to having a larger-than-average dick: sexual attraction (sometimes) and a nice ego boost, for example.
• But it's not all good news. Men with big penises have to worry about some things the "average" guy doesn't.

If you think you have it tough, imagine being the guy who has to say, "My penis is too big!"

Sure, male worry over penis size usually runs in the opposite direction, but having an abnormally large member can affect guys in various ways—and, believe it or not, they're not all good.

What is a big dick?

Some people can think of penises as silly things, wobbly and dangly one minute, proudly pointing at the sky the next. People have been obsessed with what it means to be well-endowed since prehistoric times, according to a 2017 study.

The average erect penis size might be smaller than you think.

Dating back to the Kinsey Report, most of what science believed about penis size relied on men measuring their erect size at home and self-reporting. The results of these studies saw men reporting "average" sizes ranging from 6.2 inches to 6.46 inches, numbers that became widely accepted.

However, more recent and meticulous research, such as a 2021 study in which the researchers themselves did the measuring—and from the base of the penis, not based on wishful thinking—brought in more modest results of between 5.1 and 5.4 inches as the average.

The latest research suggests that an erect penis length of 6.3 inches falls into the 95th percentile, meaning only 5 out of 100 guys are that big or bigger. On the other end of the scale, an erect length of 3.94 inches marks the 5th percentile, so only 5 guys out of 100 are that small or smaller.

Are there potential benefits to having a large penis?

Yes, a larger-than-average dick carries with it some advantages.

Sexual satisfaction

Just as some men prefer women with larger breasts, others prefer a partner with a larger penis.

"It is true that some individuals find larger penises to be a turn-on," said Martha Tara Lee, D.H.S., a clinical sexologist and relationship counselor with Eros Coaching in Singapore. "Personal preferences and attractions vary greatly, and for some, the sight or thought of a well-endowed man can be sexually arousing."

G-spot stimulation

Some women prefer a penis of a certain size and shape in order to better stimulate the G-spot—the bundle of nerves at the base of the clitoris on the front wall of the vagina. The same idea applies to some gay men who receive anal sex: Stimulating the prostate gland via penetration is often an important component of sexual pleasure.

Sexual attraction

Interestingly, the most recent and robust studies suggest that only a small percentage of women consider penis size at all when discussing attractiveness. What many men forget is that a vast majority of women don't regularly achieve orgasm from penetrative sex. As long as the man isn't well below the 5th percentile—we're talking micropenis here—size is probably not going to make much of a difference.

"I've been a therapist and a sex therapist for over 30 years, and I have never had a woman complain about penis size. Never," said Laurie B. Mintz, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville and the author of "Becoming Cliterate." "What I do hear is, 'He doesn't give me enough clitoral stimulation.' Only about 4 to 18 percent of women orgasm from penetration alone."

Ego booster

If perceiving himself as larger than average helps give a guy a confidence boost, that's great. However, it's important to remember that this kind of "big dick energy" often has nothing to do with the dick itself—at least not as far as most women are concerned. That's certainly what Mintz's research reflects about the importance of penis size to women:

• 44 percent said [penis size] wasn't important.
• 36 percent said it's important, and they prefer average size.
• 15 percent said it's important and they prefer a larger size.

"That's consistent with the literature," Mintz said. "It's often those women [who prefer larger] who orgasm from intercourse."

Is there any downside to having a large penis?

Just as there are benefits that come with having a big dick, there are potential drawbacks.

Sex, blowjobs and foreplay

Inserting a zucchini instead of a tiny pickle anywhere will present challenges, but discussing penis size in an open, playful way can help.

"The size difference may require adjustments in technique and positioning for both partners to ensure comfort and pleasure," Lee said. "Communication and experimentation are key in finding what works best for both individuals involved."

There are devices called penis bumpers that can help if a larger member is causing a partner discomfort. These rings create a buffer that prevents the penis from penetrating too deeply.

Bathroom problems

Some larger-than-average guys complain about accidentally dipping their penis in the toilet when they sit down to poop. Unfortunately, fellas, this just may be your cross to bear for having such a big dong.

Give it a wash afterward, or carry baby wipes you can use right in the stall if you're in public.

Some other well-endowed men report unwanted looks when they're peeing in public restrooms or changing at the gym. If feelings of embarrassment or dissatisfaction with your body persist, speaking with a therapist versed in this area may help.

However, practical workarounds are on the table. Pee in the stalls and avoid urinals, and when you're changing at the gym, there are ways to minimize how much you are exposed and for how long.

Recommended

• Is Penis Size Genetic?: Does the size of your penis depend on your genetic heritage?
• The Racist Origins of Penis-Size Stereotypes: Cliches concerning penile length are based on dubious research, but the impact remains real.
• How Do You Measure Your Penis?: Not that anyone has ever dreamed of doing it…but here's how to get an accurate reading.

Can you minimize a bulge with clothes?

If you're bothered by staring and are uncomfortable even with clothes on, the following are some clothing choices that may help:

• Underwear. There are plenty of options for undies for the big boys. Look for brands that feature a pouch to give your precious cargo its own separate quarters, moisture-wicking material and seamless stitching for extra comfort.
• Jeans. There's nothing more awkward than packing your package in too-tight jeans, and that goes double for larger guys. Several brands have launched that are getting good reviews for having extra third-leg room.
• Suit pants or slacks. Suit pants may present, shall we say, a larger challenge, but it all begins with the underwear. The pouch styles mentioned above help contain your large member. Consider sizing up to get yourself a looser fit, or even get tailored pants built to give you extra leeway up front.
• Shorts and sports shorts. Again, if you want to avoid stares or embarrassment, size up a bit with shorts and athletic shorts. Wearing compression underwear or at least tighter-fitting undies, while working out, may be helpful.
• Swimming trunks. If you prefer Speedo-type swimwear, you may be out of luck here. However, many guys report that wearing board short-style swimwear can help. If you want an extra layer of confidence, wear something tight underneath.

What clothes can show off your bulge?

Tight ones.

In all seriousness, you'll want to experiment with finding the line between showing off what your daddy gave you and being comfortable in public with everything on display. There are subtle ways to show a little extra, but you probably don't want to feel overexposed, either.

What kind of condoms do you need for a big penis?

A man's excessive endowment can be sexually accommodated by various forms of protection. But when you're asking, "What condom should I get," it's important to remember that condom fit is vital. Condoms are not one size fits all.

Find the right size condom by measuring both the length and girth from the base of the penis. Most websites selling condoms for larger guys will have measuring instructions and a size chart and will offer replacements if you have trouble fitting any condoms they've sold you.

Remember that your penis' girth is likely to be the issue if there is a sizing problem. "Bigger is better" isn't always the right answer, and wider condoms falling off may pose even more significant problems than smaller ones that might be too snug.

The bottom line

All bodies are beautiful.

Just as people with larger frames have to learn how to navigate a world that's out of proportion for them, men who are packing a macropenis have to learn some ways to adjust, so to speak.

Luckily, plenty of companies out there are willing to lend a hand—or two, if necessary.