Average Penis Size: How long is the average penis?

All men have thought about it at some point. Everyone at some point has wondered where they measure up compared to the rest of the country, and the world. It is not really a discussion that is had all that often, and it is also not a question that, when had in public, is answered truthfully. Men all over the world will be concerned about whether or not they are an average size downstairs when in reality, it doesn’t matter that much. In this article, we will discuss the average penis sizes of men all over the world, to hopefully shed some light on what is an often misconstrued topic.

Key Takeaways

Average Penis Size:

Penis size varies worldwide, with the average erect penis being around 5.35 inches (13.58 cm). In the UK, the average size is about 5.17 inches erect and 3.82 inches flaccid. It's important to remember that penis size can differ significantly based on geographic and cultural factors.

Measuring Penis Size:

To measure the length, use a ruler or tape measure from the tip to the base, pushing past any fat or pubic hair. To measure girth, wrap a soft tape measure or string around the thickest part of the penis. These measurements help provide an accurate understanding of penis size.

Mental Health and Penis Size:

Concerns about penis size can affect men's mental health, causing stress, anxiety, and performance issues during sex. While there is no direct link between penis size and conditions like premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, anxiety about size can contribute to these issues. Open communication with partners and seeking therapy can help alleviate these concerns.

Google Web Story - How Long Is The Average Penis?

UK Meds have created a Google Web Story to explain how long the average penis is, take a look at it below:

What are average penis sizes around the world?

The average penis size will differ depending on many different factors. In fact, the average penis size is different all over the world. In some countries, it is more common to have an above-average-sized penis. In others, you are completely normal if you have a slightly smaller-than-world-average penis. The average erect penis across the whole world is around 5.35 inches or 13.58cm (Elite Aesthetics, 2024). Below is a table that contains some of the countries with the smallest penises on average, the United Kingdom, which sits about bang average, and some of the countries with the largest penises on average in the world.

As you can see from the table above, the average penis size will change drastically depending on whereabouts in the world you are. If you are in the UK, the average penis size is around 5.17 inches when erect, and 3.82 inches when flaccid (Men's Health, 2023).

Do different cultures view penis size differently?

Penis size is something that has been talked about for thousands of years. It may surprise you, but larger penises have not always been desirable. Whilst today's culture depicts men with bigger penises as being superior, in ancient times smaller penises were considered to be the preferred choice (Artsy, 2018). In some ancient sculptures and paintings, especially in ancient Egypt, peasant men would be depicted as having abnormally large penises, whereas noble men would have considerably smaller penises. 

It is only in recent culture that a larger penis has been desired, which could possibly be due to the influence of pornography (Cranney, S.; 2015). Generally, people will desire a larger penis in Western society, with the United States and the United Kingdom having the most amount of men who would wish to change their penis size (Statista, 2015). In countries such as Japan and China, there are much fewer men who actually desire a change in their size. 

Is my penis too small?

This is a question that many men will ask themselves. Because of how modern-day society views a less-than-average penis, men will be incredibly self-conscious about their own size. The fact of the matter is, if you are with the right partner then your penis size should not be a deal breaker or affect your intimate time alone together.

How do you measure penis size?

Measuring your penis is not as straightforward as you may think. There are two measurements that you will need to take when you measure your penis (Verywell Health, 2023). This is the length and the girth. Length is, well, how long your penis is and girth is the circumference of your penis. 

How can I measure the length of my penis?

Measuring the length of your penis is not as simple as grabbing a ruler and shoving it down your trousers. To correctly measure the length of your penis you will need to use either a ruler or a tape measure. You can measure your penis when it is both flaccid and erect (Men's Health, 2023), although many people will choose to measure it when it is erect. 

To measure your penis you will need to measure from the very tip of your penis to the very base, right up to the pubic bone. This is the point where the penis meets the body. You should make sure to push past any fat or pubic hair in the way to reach the pubic bone. If you have a curve to your penis you will need to straighten it when you measure as best you can. 

How can I measure the girth of my penis?

Measuring the girth, or circumference of your penis is not as simple as measuring the length. Again, you can measure girth when you are either flaccid or erect (Men's Health, 2023), however, it is more common for men to measure when they are erect. To measure the girth of your penis you are best to use either a piece of string or a soft tape measure. Wrap this around the thickest part of your penis. If you are using a tape measure you should read the measurement where the tape measure meets. If you are using a string, use your finger to mark where the string meets, remove this from your penis and then use a ruler to measure the length of the string. 

How can penis size affect mental health?

Men’s mental health is a topic that, rightly, has been at the forefront of people's minds for the last few years. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 50 (GOV.UK, 2022), and all manner of things can contribute towards negative mental health. Men are very prone to stress and anxiety when it comes to their physical appearance, especially in recent times. This is the case too for penis size, with many men often feeling stressed and anxious about their own personal size (Veale et al, 2016). 

Can penis size cause anxiety when having sex?

Yes, penis size can cause anxiety during sex for some individuals (Medical News Today, 2019). This anxiety can arise from societal pressure and stereotypes surrounding penis size, as well as concerns about whether or not their partner will be satisfied with their size. Size anxiety can lead to performance anxiety (Healthline, 2017), as well as difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. People may wish to seek therapy to address these concerns, however, improving communication with your partner is perhaps the best thing you can do to help alleviate this anxiety.

Can penis size cause premature ejaculation?

Another great concern for men regarding sexual intercourse is premature ejaculation. But can penis size actually contribute to premature ejaculation? Or is it something unrelated entirely? 

What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation is a common sexual disorder that occurs when a man ejaculates earlier during sexual intercourse than he, or his partner would like (NHS, 2023). It is characterised by a lack of voluntary control over ejaculation, is often accompanied by significant distress and can lead to relationship difficulties. There are no links towards penis size and premature ejaculation (Bodakçi et al, 2013). People that are concerned about their penis size however may be more likely to experience premature ejaculation due to the stress that they put on themselves during intercourse. 

What treatments can help premature ejaculation?

If you are suffering from premature ejaculation then you may be wondering about what treatments you could use to help your condition. Treatment for premature ejaculation can be difficult as there can be many different causes for it. Medication such as Priligy can be used to give the person taking it greater control over their ejaculation. You can also use ointments such as EMLA cream which work by numbing the area during intercourse. 

Can penis size cause erectile dysfunction?

Another condition that affects male genitalia is erectile dysfunction. This is a common condition, but is there any connection between it and penis size, both small and large? 

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED, is a condition that affects millions of men all over the world. When you suffer from ED you will not be able to achieve or maintain an erection for a sustained period of time (NHS, 2023). There are many different reasons as to why someone may have erectile dysfunction. There are both physical and mental causes of erectile dysfunction (Mayo Clinic, 2022). There is no link between penis size and ED, however, people with penis anxiety may find it harder to attain or maintain an erection. 

What treatments can help erectile dysfunction?

Thankfully, for those suffering from erectile dysfunction, there are some really good treatments available. You can get prescription medications such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Vitaros (alprostadil), or over-the-counter medications such as Viagra Connect, Cialis Daily and Cialis Together. For more cost-effective medication, you can get the generic versions of the aforementioned treatments, which are Sildenafil and Tadalafil. 

Sources

• NHS - Boys and Puberty (PDF)

• Echo Clinics NHS - Men's Anatomy

• GQ Magazine - Average Penis Size Facts

• Healthline - Average Penis Size