Many men find themselves whipping out a measuring tape to check their penis length at one point or another. While it may seem silly, doing so can be useful for identifying certain conditions like Peyronie’s disease.
Typically, men measure their penis length while the glans is erect. This is more satisfying and usually gives more accurate results than measuring when flaccid.
Getting Erect
Men have long been self-conscious about their penis size. Some might consider it a badge of honor, while others are more worried about the consequences of a penis too short or too big when it comes to using condoms. Fortunately, knowing how to measure the length and girth of the penis is easy and can help avoid the discomfort, pain and possible sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that come with incorrect condom size measurements.
While it’s a good idea to take a few measurements over several days and times to get the most accurate picture, the best and only true way to measure your penis is while it’s erect. This is why most research on penis length involves a wide variety of volunteers, including those with varying degrees of sex drive and other factors that can affect the degree to which their penises curve when erect.
Use a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string to measure the length and girth of your penis while it’s erect. Ideally, the measuring tape or string should wrap around the thickest part of your erect penis. Make sure you don’t measure the glans, the foreskin that covers the head of your penis. Then, mark where the ends of your measuring tape or string meet. This is your penis length. If you’re measuring your girth, you may want to mark the corresponding point on your penis shaft where it’s at its widest point.
Wrapping the Tape
Using tailor’s tape is ideal for measuring penis length, as it can conform to the curve of your member. While it’s possible to get a close measurement with ordinary tape, it’s better to have something that will be able to stretch and adjust around the shaft. This is especially important if your penis is curved in one of the three ways: erect, upward, or downward. Severe penile curvature can be a sign of Peyronie’s disease, so if you have a problem like this it’s essential to visit your doctor for treatment.
To measure the length of an erect penis, hold the top side of the penis firmly with one hand. With the other, place the ruler or flexible tape measure on the base of the penis and extend it to its tip. Be sure to move the measuring tool past any belly fat or pubic hair that might get in the way, so you’re getting an accurate measurement.
Most men measure their girth by wrapping a flexible tape measure around the thickest part of the erect penis, which is normally the middle or slightly below the head (glans). Make sure that the tape measure is snug but not tight, as this can impair accuracy. Once the measurement is complete, mark it and remember it. It’s also a good idea to repeat this measurement a few times for consistency.
Getting the Right Measurement
Most men find themselves whipping out a ruler or tape measure and pressing it against their penis at some point—it’s sort of a male rite of passage. Whether you’re measuring to compare your length with your friends, or trying to buy a condom that will fit comfortably, there are right and wrong ways of doing it.
The key to getting an accurate measurement is ensuring your penis is fully erect. It’s also important to measure from the top side of your penis instead of the bottom, as measuring down into the pudendal area (aka “the taint”) can skew results.
If you don’t have a ruler or tape measure, you can use paper, a shoelace, or string to wrap around the base of your penis and mark where it overlaps. This method is less precise, but should still provide a fairly accurate measurement.
It’s also important to remember that the size of your penis doesn’t necessarily determine your sexual worth, or your inherent sexual prowess. There are many other factors that can contribute to a long-lasting, happy, and healthy relationship—such as emotional and physical compatibility, communication, and sexual skills.
Getting the Girth
At some point in your life, you’ve probably grabbed a ruler or tape measure and measured the length of your penis. It’s almost like a rite of passage for most men, or at least a good way to kill time on a rainy Sunday afternoon. But did you do it right? It turns out there’s a right and a wrong way to measure your penis, and knowing how can make a difference in everything from what type of condom you should wear (to avoid tearing) to helping you diagnose Peyronie’s disease or other sexual health issues.
First, remember that length and girth are two different measurements. Length is simply the distance from the base of the erect penis to the tip. The best measurement is from the top side of the penis to the pubic bone, as this allows for a clear stopping point and pushes past any hair or belly fat in the way. It’s also better than measuring from the underside of the penis and extending to the testicles, as this gives a less clear measurement and can lead to falsely shorter results.
To determine your penis girth, use a flexible tape measure or string and gently wrap it around the widest part of an erect penis shaft, marking the point where the tape or string meets. Then, stretch the string or measure against a ruler or tape measure to get the measurement.
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