Penis Types

By Size, Curvature, and Circumcision Status

Medically reviewed by Matthew Wosnitzer, MDFact checked by Nick Blackmer

Many different types of penis shape and size fall within the definition of “normal.” In terms of penis type, a penis can be broadly classified by three characteristics:

• Penis size (including length and girth)

• Degree of penis curvature

• Circumcision status (circumcised versus uncircumcised)
  

This article explains the common characteristics of a penis and the normal variations in size and shape. It also describes some abnormal features that need to be seen by a healthcare provider.

A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology

Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.

• Sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.

• Gender describes a person's internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender, and the associated social and cultural ideas about the roles, behaviors, expressions, and characteristics.
  

Research studies sometimes don't use the terminology in this way. For example, terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate. 

To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like "female," "male," "woman," and "man" as the sources use them.

Penis Size

While some people have large penises and others have smaller penises, the truth is there’s not as much difference in penis size as you might think.

With that said, there are variations in the following features:

Penis Length

The length of the penis is measured along the top side of the penis from the pubic bone to the glans (the tip of the head). The measurement is typically done when the penis is erect. However, erect size can be estimated by stretching a flaccid (soft) penis.

In terms of length, a study of more than 15,500 men worldwide found that there’s not much actual variation in penis size.

Takeaway

According to research, the average length of a flaccid penis is 3.61 inches, while the average length of an erect penis is 5.16 inches.

This is telling since most men believe that the average erect penis is more than 6 inches. This is likely because porn has given many an unrealistic notion of what a “normal” penis is.

The truth is that having a large or small penis is rare. In fact, only about 5% of men have erect penises longer than 6.3 inches, and only about 5% have an erect penis shorter than 4 inches.

Penis Girth

Penis girth is defined as the circumference of the penis measured at its widest part.

The girth of the penis doesn’t necessarily correspond to the length of the penis. Some longer penises may have a smaller girth, while some shorter penises may have a wider girth.

There are also common misconceptions about the average girth of a penis. In the previously mentioned study of more than 15,500 men, it was found that the average girth of a flaccid penis is 3.6 inches, while the average girth of an erect penis is 4.65 inches.

Within an individual penis, there is often a wide variety in girth at different points of the shaft. Most penises are widest at the base and taper toward the top.

The change in girth from the base to the glans can be subtle or noticeable. Some penises appear to have a uniform girth, while others take on an obvious cone shape.

Head Size

Another subcategory in penis size is the size of the glans or head of the penis. This doesn’t always correspond to the length or girth of the penis shaft and can vary in width, length, and shape.

On average, the length of the head can range from 2/3 of an inch to 1.5 inches, though some may be longer or shorter.

The width can also vary greatly. Some heads appear thicker than the shaft. However, this may be an optical illusion due to variations in penis girth from base to tip.

The glans also come in different shapes. While some appear to be a true circle, most take on more of an oval shape.

Penis Curvature

Although most people think that an erect penis should stand straight up or out like a flagpole, the truth is that it’s common for an erect penis to curve slightly to the right or left or bend up or down.

A penile curve is not considered abnormal unless it causes pain or sexual dysfunction. Even so, some people think excessive curves (greater than 30 degrees) are unsightly or embarrassing.

How Common Is a Penile Curve?

A 2018 study from Australia reported that 19% of men between the ages of 35 and 75 had a notable curve in their penis, usually under 30 degrees. Roughly a third had a curve greater than 30 degrees, while some reported curves of 60 to 90 degrees (or greater).

While only 2% complained of pain or discomfort due to the excessive curve, one out of five said that it interfered with sexual intercourse, and one out of four thought that the curve was unsightly.

The degree of curvature of a penis is largely congenital (meaning something you are born with, called congenital penile deviation). But, there are conditions like Peyronie’s disease that cause an abnormal curve later in life (typically due to long-term microtrauma or injury to the penis shaft).

There are also congenital defects like chordee that causes a penis to curve downward, usually in tandem with other defects like hypospadias (in which the urethra opens on the underside of the penis).

Circumcision Status

Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin of the penis. As such, a penis can be categorized as either circumcised (foreskin removed) or uncircumcised (foreskin not removed).

In most cases, circumcision is an elective procedure, usually performed shortly after birth. However, some medical conditions require circumcision, including recurrent balanitis (inflammation of the glans) or paraphimosis (where the foreskin is trapped behind the base of the glans).

Circumcision rates in the United States are falling as more people have reservations about doing a procedure that is not medically necessary. Others contend that having an uncircumcised penis increases sexual sensitivity, although there is no definitive evidence of this.

Being uncircumcised does not inherently pose any health risks. With that said, the increased moisture beneath the foreskin increases the risk of fungal infections and certain sexually transmitted infections, particularly if proper hygiene is not maintained.

Circumcision Rates

A 2016 study estimated that in the United States, about 71% of males are circumcised, though the rate of infant circumcision has declined in recent years.

Summary

Penises come in all shapes and sizes, which change based on arousal. Some are long and lean, while others are short and stout. Some curve to the right or left, while others appear straight.

Size is the most common metric used to talk about penis characteristics. The average hard penis is 5.16 inches long. The average girth—measured at the thickest part of a penis—is 4.65 inches when erect.

Penis shapes can vary widely too. While all penises are round, some appear more circular, and others are oval-shaped. Most penises are wider at the base and become narrower closer to the head. However, the difference in circumference can be subtle or more noticeable.

Circumcision status is also used to describe penis types. Most males in the United States are circumcised, while uncircumcised penises are more common in other parts of the world. The size and shape of the glans can also vary greatly.

The appearance of your penis is a very intimate and personal thing. No matter your penis type, these variations are all normal. However, if erections are painful or you experience urinary problems or sexual dysfunction, talk to your healthcare provider.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.