Does Penis Size REALLY Matter? [2024 Statistics]: Is Bigger Better?

We looked at several studies to answer these questions: does penis size matter, how size affects sexual performance, what men and women prefer, and more.

does penis size matter

Whether you love them or hate them, dicks can feel like the ultimate gauge of worth for men. A big dick means confidence, pleasure, and strength, while a small dick can represent a lack of masculinity.

These are only social constructs – a man’s value doesn’t come from his penis – but why does society tend to view it that way? Why are small dicks joked about and large dicks praised? Is there any reasoning behind it, or do people just innately feel that bigger is better?

Does penis size matter? We took a look at several studies and surveys to answer these questions and more. 

These magnum stats are just the tip of our research:

  • When asked by potential partners or dates, 12% of men understate their penis length by an average of 1.03 inches.
  • In one survey, over twice as many women (24.6% overall) said width was more important than length (11%) for sexual satisfaction. 
  • 60.4% of women in one survey said that any penis size between 5 and 8 inches is enough to satisfy them.
  • One study found that only 0.2% of men wish their penis were smaller. 
  • Over half (50.8%) of women say a 9-inch penis is too big for them. 
  • About 1 in 41 women (2.4%) say they prefer a small penis for sex.
  • Only 13.55% of women say that a 5-inch penis is too small. 

What’s a Normal Penis Size?

The nerve-wracking question on most men’s minds is, “am I normal?” When it comes to penis size, you probably are. 

Here’s a look at the national and global averages for penis size. 

  • A 2014 study found that the average American penis length is 5.57 inches (14.15 cm). (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2014)1
  • In a 2019 survey, men in the U.S. reported an average of 6.41 inches (16.28 cm) for full erectile length. (Bespoke Surgical, 2019)2
  • Of all the world’s countries, the global average is 5.35 inches (13.58 cm). (World Data, 2016)3
  • 66% of American men rate their penis as average, 22% as large, and 12% as small. (Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 2006)4

Do the Inches Really Matter?

No one chooses their penis, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Does it actually matter how big you are?

The answer is more complicated than you might think. Sexual compatibility changes from person to person, and there is no sexual superhuman who satisfies everyone – at least not with their dick. 

When inches fail, the tongue prevails. A partner might complain about a tiny dick, but no one complains about great head.

So here’s some data on how and why penis size matters.

Men and Penis Size

  • By age, here’s a breakdown of how many men are satisfied with their penis size: (ZAVA Med, 2022)5
    • 18 to 24 years old
      • Very Satisfied – 15.7%
      • Satisfied – 39.4%
      • Neutral – 28.8%
      • Dissatisfied – 13.1%
      • Very Dissatisfied – 3%
    • 25 to 34 years old
      • Very Satisfied – 13.5%
      • Satisfied – 44.3%
      • Neutral – 31%
      • Dissatisfied – 9.6%
      • Very Dissatisfied – 1.6%
    • 35 to 44 years old
      • Very Satisfied – 16.9%
      • Satisfied – 44%
      • Neutral – 21.1%
      • Dissatisfied – 15.7%
      • Very Dissatisfied – 2.4%
    • 45+ years old
      • Very Satisfied – 13.5%
      • Satisfied – 51%
      • Neutral – 27.9%
      • Dissatisfied – 7.7%
      • Very Dissatisfied – 0%
    • All Ages
      • Very Satisfied – 14%
      • Satisfied – 44.5%
      • Neutral – 29.5%
      • Dissatisfied – 10.3%
      • Very Dissatisfied – 1.7%
  • 38% of men lie about their penis size to others. (Bespoke Surgical, 2019)2
    • 26% of men say their penis is bigger than it is. On average, they exaggerate by 0.98 inches (2.49 cm).
    • 62% of men report their actual penis size. 
    • The average self-reported penis size is 6.48 inches (16.46 cm), but the average size men report to other people is 6.61 inches (16.79 cm)
  • In one study, 55% of men reported being satisfied with their penis size. (Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 2006)4
    • 45% of men in the same study wished their penis was larger. 
  • Another study had 71.7% of participants say their penis was too short when flaccid, but only 28.3% said their penis was too short when soft and hard. (Urology, 2005)6
    • None of the patients in this study actually had a short penis; nearly all overestimated normal penis size. 
  • A similar study found these results: (International Journal of Impotence Research, 2002)7
    • 65.7% of men complained of a short penis while flaccid. 
    • 32.8% complained of a short penis while flaccid or erect. 
    • 1.5% complained of a short penis only while erect. 
    • Overall, 22.4% complained of insufficient penile circumference or girth. 
    • No patient in the study had a penis shorter than the 2.5 percentile. 

Women and Penis Size

  • In an interview with Bustle, some women said that penis size doesn’t matter: (Bustle, 2015)8
    • Penis size doesn’t really matter that much to me since penetrative sex feels good, but isn’t the end all be all,
    • As long as you can feel it and I mean decently feel it, then it doesn’t matter that much,
    • If you’re slightly smaller than average but good at sex, it’s probably no big deal, and if you’re slightly bigger than average, that’s great but not life-changing.
  • Other women said that penis size does matter: (Bustle, 2015)8
    • Not too small or not too big ― kind of like a perfect scoop of Haagen Daz ice cream. Too small-still hungry, too big-tummy ache,
    • Sorry to anyone who wants to believe otherwise but, yes, size does matter. A small penis can’t create the same sensation that a larger one can, and it can make certain maneuvers difficult ― it might fall out during doggy style or when switching positions, for example.
    • Not in like a size queen way, but it just feels nice when you can feel the dick up in yo business and whatnot.
    • Yes, dick size matters; I always roll my eyes when people say otherwise.
    • People can talk about there only being sensation in the first three inches of the vagina, but that’s bullsh*t,
    • It makes a difference, but that doesn’t mean the sex is always better or that it’s an absolute must. But if we’re drafting up a sex wish list here, then yes, please.
    • Some of us smaller ladies, for instance, are kind of terrified of monster cock. Everyone is built differently and has their own preferences. Some people are just not physically compatible, but you won’t know for sure until you try, right? Long story short: it matters somewhat.
  • Women in one survey had mixed opinions on whether or not penis size was important: (ZAVA Med, 2022)5
    • Not Important – 21.4%
    • Somewhat Important – 67.4%
    • Very Important – 11.2%
  • Another study asked the same question: how important is penis size? (European Urology, 2002)9
    • 20% of the women found the length of the penis important.
    • 1% of the women found the length of the penis very important.
    • 55% of the women found the length of the penis unimportant. 
    • 22% of the women found the length of the penis totally unimportant.
  • In one survey, 43.6% of women said they consider penis size before dating someone. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
    • 56.4% of women said they didn’t consider penis size before dating. 
  • One woman interviewed by Bustle said: (Bustle, 2015)8
    •  I have not run across too small but have run across too big, so either I’m lucky, or guys are way too f*cking concerned about it.” 
  • Another woman said connection was more important than size: (Bustle, 2015)8
    • No, because good sex is much more a result of healthy emotional connection than body part size.
  • One said that the tongue was the most important part: (Bustle, 2015)8
    • …I’d say it’s more about the size of a man’s tongue if you know what I’m sayin’. (Oral sex is KEY.)

Most Searched Penis Sizes in the U.S. 

What kind of dicks are Americans looking for on the internet? Google search data shows that sizes close to average are searched more often than large sizes. 

  • We analyzed search data from the past year in the U.S. and came up with the following estimates on Google search data:
    • “6-inch penis” – 20K searches 
    • “5-inch penis” – 17K searches
    • “7-inch penis” – 17K searches
    • “8-inch penis” – 11K searches
    • “4-inch penis” – 9.2K searches
    • “9-inch penis” – 6.5K searches
    • “10-inch penis” – 6.3K searches
    • “3-inch penis” – 5.5K searches
    • “12-inch penis” – 5.1K searches
    • “2-inch penis” – 2.8K searches
    • “6.5-inch penis” – 2.7K searches
    • “5.5-inch penis” – 2.5K searches
    • “13-inch penis” – 2.1K searches
    • “7.5-inch penis” – 1.9K searches
    • “11-inch penis” – 1.9K searches
    • “1-inch penis” – 1.8K searches
    • “14-inch penis” – 1.2K searches
    • “15-inch penis” – 1.1K searches
    • “4.5-inch penis” – 1.0K searches
    • “20-inch penis” – 800 searches
  • The three states with the largest penis sizes searched on average were:
    • Maine – 7.6 inches (19.3 cm)
    • Kansas –  7.32 inches (18.6 cm)
    • Arkansas – 7.09 inches (18 cm)
  • The three states with the smallest penis sizes searched on average were:
    • Tennessee – 6.14 inches (15.6 cm)
    • West Virginia –  6.02 inches (15.3 cm)
    • New Mexico – 5.98 inches (15.2 cm)

What Size Do People Think Is Perfect?

Most people don’t want a penis that’s too big or too small. The Goldilocks of cock is around 6 inches, but it depends on the country. 

Here’s a look at the numbers. 

  • In one survey, females thought the average penis size was 5.4 inches (13.8 cm), and males thought it was 5.6 inches (14.1 cm). (ZAVA Med, 2022)5
    • The same survey found that the average ideal penis size reported by females was 6.2 inches (15.8 cm) and 6.5 inches (16.6 cm) for males. 
  • The following data shows what different countries perceive as normal penis size and what they think is an ideal penis size: (ZAVA Med, 2022)5
    • Poland
      • Perceived – 6.18 inches (15.7 cm)
      • Ideal – 6.81 inches (17.3 cm)
    • Austria
      • Perceived –  6.14 inches (15.6 cm)
      • Ideal – 6.93 inches (17.6 cm)
    • Italy
      • Perceived – 6.02 inches (15.3 cm)
      • Ideal – 6.77 inches (17.2 cm)
    • Germany
      • Perceived – 5.83 inches (14.8 cm)
      • Ideal – 6.50 inches (16.5 cm)
    • United States
      • Perceived – 5.63 inches (14.3 cm)
      • Ideal – 6.69 inches (17 cm)
    • Spain
      • Perceived – 5.63 inches (14.3 cm)
      • Ideal – 6.54 inches (16.6 cm)
    • Netherlands
      • Perceived – 5.51 inches (14 cm)
      • Ideal – 5.94 inches (15.1 cm)
    • Portugal
      • Perceived – 5.47 inches (13.9 cm)
      • Ideal – 5.94 inches (15.1 cm)
    • France
      • Perceived – 5.35 inches (13.6 cm)
      • Ideal – 5.87 inches (14.9 cm)
    • United Kingdom
      • Perceived – 4.88 inches (12.4 cm)
      • Ideal – 5.59 inches (14.2 cm)

Girth vs. Length

Though it’s often underrated, girth is just as important as length when it comes to pleasure. To some women, it’s even more important. 

Here are some studies that show women’s perspectives on girth.

  • Some women interviewed by Bustle said girth was more important than length: (Bustle, 2015)8
    • …it’s less length and more girth?
    • If someone is five inches and skinny, that feels a lot different than five inches and thick. For me, size doesn’t *really* matter, although I won’t lie and say I don’t prefer a bigger guy… but I do like when a guy is slightly above average (and doesn’t have a super skinny penis).
    • Girth is important. Length, less so,
    • The normal 5 to 7 inches is… fine? … What’s important, though: good girth and being actually hard…
  • 21% of women in one study said length was more important than girth, but 32% said girth was more important. (European Urology, 2002)9
  • 90% of women in one study said that girth was more important and gave more pleasure than length. (BMC Women’s Health, 2001)11
  • A different survey of 1,387 women had the following results: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
    • 11% said length was more important than width for sexual satisfaction. 
    • 24.6% said width was more important. 
    • 64.5% said length and width were equally important. 
  • 89.1% said penis width was at least as important as length for sexual satisfaction. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12

How Does Penis Size Affect Sexual Performance?

Size determines how a man can pleasure his partner, from the positions available to the stimulation and reach. 

Penis anxiety can kill the mood for men and women. On the other hand, it can help to add oral and foreplay; if you’re insecure about your penis, don’t make it the centerpiece of your sexual experience. 

Here’s what some studies say on how size impacts sex.

  • Dick size can affect sex in the following ways: (Medical News Today, 2020)13
    • Sexual comfort – Penises that are too big can cause pain, especially without enough lube. This might also make anal sex incredibly painful or impossible. 
    • Pleasure – Length and girth can affect a man’s ability to stimulate his partner. A short wide penis may pleasure areas just inside the vagina or anus but may not reach deeper parts. 
    • Anxiety and perception – The way each partner perceives penis size can affect how they enjoy the experience. A man with an average penis may feel that it is too small and subsequently not enjoy sex. 
  • Penis size has a significant effect on the confidence of men of all ages: (ZAVA Med, 2022)5
    • 18 to 24 years old
      • No Effect on Sexual Confidence – 57.6%
      • Increased Sexual Confidence – 26.3%
      • Decreased Sexual Confidence – 16.2%
    • 25 to 34 years old
      • No Effect on Sexual Confidence – 55.5%
      • Increased Sexual Confidence – 28.2%
      • Decreased Sexual Confidence – 16.3%
    • 35 to 44 years old
      • No Effect on Sexual Confidence – 55.4%
      • Increased Sexual Confidence – 25.9%
      • Decreased Sexual Confidence – 18.7%
    • 45+ years old
      • No Effect on Sexual Confidence – 65.4%
      • Increased Sexual Confidence – 24%
      • Decreased Sexual Confidence – 10.6%
    • All Ages
      • No Effect on Sexual Confidence – 59.4%
      • Increased Sexual Confidence – 24.7%
      • Decreased Sexual Confidence – 15.8%

What Size Do Women Prefer?

For some women, their partner’s penis is an enormous part of their sexual and relationship satisfaction. For others, it hardly matters at all. 

An extensive survey of women found the following data on the most-preferred penis sizes and how many women prefer each size.

  • On average, the ideal penis size for women is 7.22 inches (18.34 cm), and the median ideal size is 7 inches (17.78 cm) (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
  • Between 6 and 8 inches is the “just right” penis size for women. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
  • The same survey found that a 7-inch penis would sexually satisfy 88.3% of respondents, which is more than any other size. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a10
  • 60.4% of women say any penis size between 5 and 8 inches is enough to satisfy them. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a10
  • The survey broke down women’s preferred penis size into percentages: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a10
    • 1-inch (2.54 cm) penis – 8.29% of women
    • 2-inch (5.08 cm) penis – 11.32% of women 
    • 3-inch (7.62 cm) penis – 15.79% of women
    • 4-inch (10.16 cm) penis – 32.66% of women 
    • 5-inch (12.7 cm) penis – 60.35% of women
    • 6-inch (15.24 cm) penis – 81.90% of women 
    • 7-inch (17.78 cm) penis – 88.25% of women 
    • 8-inch (20.32 cm) penis – 77.00% of women 
    • 9-inch (22.86 cm) penis – 46.07% of women
    • 10-inch (25.4 cm) penis – 36.77% of women 
    • 11-inch (27.94 cm) penis – 25.16% of women 
    • 12-inch (30.48 cm) penis – 14.92% of women 
  • On average, the perfect erect penis width for women is 1.89 inches (4.8 cm). The median is 2 inches (5.08 cm). (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10

Is Bigger Really Better?

So we’ve nailed down women’s average preferred size, but how do they feel about big dicks? A combination of surveys, studies, and interviews paints a picture of women’s experiences with well-endowed men. 

Here’s the data.

  • In interviews by Bustle, some women do say that bigger is better: (Bustle, 2015)8
    • I’m generally hoping to see something around 7″ or up when I have sex with a guy, but in my experience, the size doesn’t correlate to the quality of the sex… Yet, I still hope for a large dick. I am unreasonable like that.
    • …slightly larger than average (average being 5-6 inches in my book) is the most pleasurable.
    • But really, all I ask is for something larger than a baby carrot and its owner to be flexible, hardworking, and have a sense of humor about whatever else might need to be done for us to get along well together.
  • 63.7% of women in one survey claimed to have had sex with a big-dicked man, while 36.3% did not. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
    • Of those who had slept with well-endowed men, 61.5% said the sex was satisfying. 
  • Why do some women love big dick sex? Here’s what one survey found: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
    • 67.2% liked that their partner’s penis could hit their spots (like the G-spot).
    • 63.2% of women liked the feeling of being full.
    • 59.7% of women found their attraction to their partner resulted in satisfying big penis sex.
    • 57.3% enjoyed the feeling of being stretched.
    • 56.4% of women reported that it was their partner’s other sexual skills besides penetration that made it satisfying.
    • 51.8% of women found their partner’s confidence to make it satisfying.
    • 51.4% reported that their partner’s foreplay skills made it satisfying.
    • 23.8% of women found it painful and liked the pain.
    • 5.8% of women consider themselves size queens.
    • 5.3% of participants provided additional reasons why they enjoyed their most recent sexual experience with a well-endowed partner:
      • And the amount of cum he produced. Bout drowned me trying to swallow it all after a blow job.
      • The combination of size, positions, and force he used was somewhat painful, but the overall experience was satisfying.
      • He was a freak in bed and rough… I like that.
  • Bustle also interviewed several women who don’t like big dicks. Here’s what they had to say: (Bustle, 2015)8
    • Having sex became unbearable; since then, I’ve felt that size really makes a difference.
    • Yes, it matters, but only if it’s too big. That shit hurts! Plus, guys with big dicks tend to rest on that and not actually put much effort into pleasing their partner because it’s like, ‘I have a big dick; what else do you want?’
    • I’ve found that I much prefer larger guys, but that’s a lot to do with how my own body is shaped. I’m more satisfied with big guys. However, too big is an issue too. Then it just hurts.
    • In all honesty, larger guys usually hurt a lot more…
    • There is DEFINITELY such thing as too big of a penis, and penis size is SO far from the most important determining factor when it comes to good sex,
    • I hooked up with a guy who was 6’7” for a while, and his penis was so big that a lot of positions would get painful, which meant we constantly were losing momentum and having to stop and adjust, which is sort of a mood killer.
    • I was kinda shocked because the world would have one believe that a huge one is the only satisfying way, but it just didn’t work. It was more uncomfortable than anything.
  • Only 0.2% of men in one study wished their penis was smaller. (Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 2006)4
  • When asked by potential partners or dates, 12% of men understate their penis length by an average of 1.03 inches. (Bespoke Surgical, 2019)2
  • 38.5% of women said sex with a big-dicked partner was unsatisfying. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a10
    • 13.6% said they were less likely to date someone with a penis that’s too big. 
  • How big is too big? Here’s what a survey of women found: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
    • A 5-inch penis is too big for 1.2% of women.
    • A 6-inch penis is too big for 4.5% of women.
    • A 7-inch penis is too big for 7.9% of women.
    • An 8-inch penis is too big for 19.8% of women.
    • A 9-inch penis is too big for 50.8% of women.
    • A 10-inch penis is too big for 61.1% of women.
    • An 11-inch penis is too big for 72.6% of women.
    • A 12-inch penis is too big for 83.4% of women.
  • 56.6% of women said they’d consider ending a relationship due to a partner’s penis being too big. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
  • Women reported that they would react in the following ways if their partner’s penis were too big: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
    • 43.4% of women would not end their relationship.
    • 11.2% would always end their relationship.
    • 45.4% reported that it could be a contributing factor to ending their relationship.
  • When asked if they would cheat on a partner whose dick was too big, women responded in the following percentages: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
    • 69.8% of women said, “I would not cheat.”
    • 24.6% of women said, “I may eventually cheat.”
    • 5.6% of women said, “I would c

Is it Better to Be Small?

So if all women aren’t jazzed about big dicks, is it better to be small? Not really. Small dicks can also create problems during sex. 

Here’s what some surveys and interviews found on women’s experiences with small penises.

  • One woman interviewed said, “I’ve found that men with even the smallest dicks know how to work them in a way that size doesn’t come into play.” (Bustle, 2015)8
  • 72.7% of women have slept with a partner who had a small penis. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
  • On average, women estimated their small-penised partner’s size to be 3.79 inches (9.63 cm) (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
  • Roughly 1 in 5 (20.5%) women found their most recent experience sleeping with a small-penised man to be satisfying. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
  • Women in one study gave the following reasons for enjoying sex with a man who had a small penis: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
    • 73.9% of women reported their partner’s “focus on making me orgasm” made it satisfying.
    • 66.7% of women said their partner’s foreplay skills made it satisfying.
    • 61.4% of women reported their partner’s oral sex skills made it satisfying.
    • 53.1% of women reported the sex positions made it satisfying.
    • 59.9% of women said their attraction to their partner made it satisfying.
    • 43% of women reported their partner’s confidence made it satisfying.
    • 9.2% of women choose “Other” as the reason why they found small penis sex satisfying. These “Other” responses included:
      • It was easier to try new positions and for me to be in control of how I moved. Also, he focused on clitoral stimulation and not just penetration.
      • So many other things he did were pleasurable that penetration was down the list, so to speak.
      • He also used his hands and mouth to please me, so I still enjoyed being with him.
      • He was tender, sensual, took his time, moved slowly, and made sure I came orally before penetration. I felt like he cared about my satisfaction and that I was enjoying it, which was great.
      • He got me off with foreplay before we had intercourse.
      • It’s the BEST sex I’ve ever had in my life.
      • He knew how to compensate for his size.
      • By knowing how to eat pussy really good before putting my legs up on his shoulders and ramming his punishment in me.
      • It wasn’t his penis; it was what he did with his hands, mouth, and the combination of his hands and penis.
    • 2.4% of women reported that they prefer a partner with a small penis for sex. That’s about 1 in 41 women who prefer small penises for sex.
  • How small is too small? One survey asked women, with the following results: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
    • A 9-inch penis is too small for 3.1% of women.
    • An 8-inch penis is too small for 3.24% of women.
    • A 7-inch penis is too small for 3.89% of women.
    • A 6-inch penis is too small for 13.55% of women.
    • A 5-inch penis is too small for 38.50% of women.
    • A 4-inch penis is too small for 66.11% of women.
    • A 3-inch penis is too small for 83.56% of women.
    • A 2-inch penis is too small for 87.74% of women.
    • A 1-inch penis is too small for 91.2% of women.
  • 38.7% of women said they were less likely to date someone whose dick is too small. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
  • 79.5% of women said their most recent small-penis sexual experience was unsatisfying. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
  • Women who don’t enjoy sex with a small-dicked man gave the following reasons why: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022b)12
    • 79.9% of women said they could not feel their partner inside them.
    • 48.7% of women reported that their partner kept slipping out
    • 47.6% of women reported that their partner possessed few or no sexual skills.
    • 37.6% of women reported that there was not enough foreplay or no foreplay at all from their partner.
    • 30.5% of women reported that their partner came too quickly.
    • 29.5% of women reported that their partner was sexually selfish.
    • 15.6% of women reported that their partner had erection issues.
    • 6.1% of women reported “Other” as their reason for unsatisfying sex with their not well-endowed partner. These “Other” responses included:
      • The contraception we had didn’t fit him, so in order to continue, I had to agree to take after morning pill in the morning and not use contraception. There is more to the myth about most women preferring a bigger penis. There are lots of things to consider, not just being picky. The same can be said about too big penises as well.
      • Had to hold the condom in place, which was awkward.
      • Didn’t have sex often enough.
      • He cried afterward every time because he felt inadequate.
  • What would women do if their partner’s penis was too small? Here’s what one survey found: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
    • 34.6% of women would not end their relationship.
    • 12% would always end their relationship.
    • 53.4% reported that it could be a contributing factor to ending their relationship.
  • 65.4% of women said they’d consider breaking up with a man whose dick was too little. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
  • Some women would cheat if their partner’s penis was too tiny. Here are the numbers: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
    • 59.8% of women say, “I would not cheat.”
    • 29.5% of women say, “I may eventually cheat.”
    • 10.7% of women say, “I would cheat.”
  • 40.2% of women say penis size is important enough that they’d at least consider cheating on a small-penised partner. (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10

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When Does Penis Size Matter?

Sure, penis size doesn’t matter when you’re at the movies or buying groceries. But it can matter in relationships, one-night stands, or friends-with-benefits situations.

These numbers show how women view penis size in different types of sexual relationships. 

  • Relationships/Marriages
    • 85% of women in one study were satisfied with their partner’s penis size. (Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 2006)4
    • 20% of women said their relationship ended because their partner’s penis was too small for them. (PLOS One, 2015)14
    • Women’s average preference for penis size was 6.3 inches (16 cm) in length and 4.8 inches (12.2 cm) in girth for long-term partners – just slightly larger than the average size. (PLOS One, 2015)14
  • One Night Stands
    • When asked if penis size mattered in one-night stands, women in one survey said the following: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
      • 52.6% of women said penis size matters during a one-night stand.
      • 47.4% of women said penis size does not matter in bed.
      • 43.6% of women reported that a penis that is too small would be less pleasurable during a one-night stand.
      • 18.9% of women reported that a penis size that is too large would be less pleasurable during a one-night stand.
    • For a one-night stand, one study found that women prefer an average penis length of 6.4 inches (16.3 cm) and a girth of 5 inches (12.7 cm) (PLOS One, 2015)14
  • Friends With Benefits
    • When asked about penis size for a friends-with-benefits relationship, women said the following: (Bad Girls Bible, 2022a)10
      • 68.5% of women say penis size matters in an FWB situation.
      • 31.5% of women say the penis does not matter in an FWB situation.
      • 63.6% of women reported that a penis that is too small would be less pleasurable during a friends-with-benefits relationship.
      • 27.4% of women stated that a penis that is too large would be less pleasurable during a friends-with-benefits relationship.

Why Is Penis Size Such a Big Deal?

If there’s one takeaway from our research, it’s that different women feel different ways about dick size in different encounters.

No one can please everyone, but everyone can please someone. 

With that in mind, why is the size of a man’s penis widely considered to be such a big deal? Here’s some info on the social and psychological factors that make penises so important to men. 

  • A study of 6 men who chose to undergo penile augmentation surgery uncovered the following factors in why men find penis size important. (Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2019)15
    • Pornography
      • Participants believed that porn had changed all men’s perceptions of normal penis size. 
        • It does alter your perspective a bit on what’s normal, I think.
      • This made them feel as if they didn’t meet societal expectations and might not be able to sexually satisfy a partner. 
        • Yeah, definitely because that’s … around people’s confidence because they think that they’ve got to measure up to that [pornography] all the time.
        • Probably just sort of a general sort of feeling there. [You] need to be bigger to satisfy.
    • Comparison to Peers
      • All men in the study had compared their penis with other men, often in sexual or locker-room situations. 
        • I’ve grown up with blokes … I’ve been in football teams and all the rest of it.
        • Obviously, I’m gay, so I’ve seen a few!” 
      • The comparisons gave participants the impression that their penises were average or below average. 
        • Well, [I’m] smaller.
        • I’m probably on the lower side of the average.
      • Some participants noted that comparisons were always with larger-sized men, who are more comfortable displaying their genitals in public. 
        • … those who think they’ve got it, they flaunt it … so you’re always kind of comparing yourself to someone bigger, really aren’t you?
    • Indirect Teasing
      • None of the men in the study had ever received a negative comment on their penis size. However, all had heard jokes or comments about small penises regularly, usually by women. 
        • Oh well, you know, there’s all these jokes, comedy and that sort of thing … There was that one [episode of TV show __Seinfeld__] where George … was standing and the girl caught him naked … and he said it’s shrinkage due to the cold.
        • It’s always a group of women … sitting around in … any sort of television series, and if they mention it, they’re always like, ‘oh wow, look at the size of that!’
        • But actually it’s not women’s experiences with small penises are that bad. It’s just that men are too sensitive.
      • Participants said these comments sent a social message that masculinity is linked to penis size. 
        • I mean, how often have you seen a TV show … where a woman … might be angry with a guy and make a comment about his penis. And it’s a way of sort of emasculating him.

Conclusion

Penises are interesting, fragile, beautiful pieces of the male anatomy that contribute to sexual activity and personal confidence. Unfortunately, society puts a high value on penis size, which can cause distress for men born with smaller penises. 

On average, penises are about 5 to 6 inches, and most women say this is enough to satisfy them sexually. However, many men with that penis length or shorter feel inadequate due to porn, small penis jokes, or comparing themselves to peers. 

When women are asked, they have a wide range of answers about their preferred penis size. Some prefer larger dicks, while others prefer smaller dicks. For sexual satisfaction, some say that small dicks can’t do enough or that big dicks simply hurt. 

However, they also mention skill, foreplay, oral, and other factors that make or break a sexual experience. In the end, sex isn’t all about the penis. With communication, reciprocation, and emotional connection, size can be more than compensated for. 

And like any other physical feature, there will always be someone out there who’s attracted to your dick size – no matter how big or small.  

For more interesting sex studies and statistics, consider checking out our guide here.


Footnotes

  1. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2014. A study on penis length and circumference using data from 1,661 sexually active men in the U.S.
  2. Bespoke Surgical, 2019. An article on the average penis size by U.S. state authored by Dr. Evan Goldstein and using data from a survey of 1,300 American men.
  3. World Data, 2016. A statistical report on penis size by country and relative comparison to body size citing data from several studies.
  4. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 2006. A study on men and women’s perspectives on penis size using data from 52,031 Americans.
  5. ZAVA Med, 2022. A survey on penis size satisfaction in 2,121 American and European respondents.
  6. Urology, 2005. A study on the potential treatments of 92 men who complained that their penises were too short.
  7. International Journal of Impotence Research, 2002. A study on the length of the penises of 67 men seeking penile extension treatments.
  8. Bustle, 2015. An article on women’s opinions of whether or not penis size matters for relationship satisfaction.
  9. European Urology, 2002. A study on the importance of penis size to 375 sexually active women in the Netherlands.
  10. Bad Girls Bible, 2022a. An article on whether or not penis size matters using survey data from 1,387 women.
  11. BMC Women’s Health, 2001. A study on female perceptions of sexual satisfaction in 50 sexually active American undergraduate students.
  12. Bad Girls Bible, 2022b. An article on penis size and how small is too small to satisfy a woman.
  13. Medical News Today, 2020. An article on how genital size affects sexual compatibility in couples.
  14. PLOS One, 2015. An article on women’s preferred penis size using 75 American women’s reactions to 3D models.
  15. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2019. A study on the factors that influence male perceptions of penis size.
Dainis Graveris

Dainis Graveris

Over last 4 years Dainis have helped millions of people through his advice on this site (200+ guides and 1M+ visits/monthly). His work & advice has appeared on sites like: Healthline, Vice, Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, WomensHealthMag, MindBodyGreen & more. Read More.

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