Average Penis Size: What's Real & What's A Myth

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on January 31, 2022

There are different ways of knowing if your penis has the universal standards if there is an actual thing. But since our genitals were not as easily discussed as our other organs, we usually don’t have enough knowledge about it are labeled compared to others. 

Here in this article, we talk about different penis sizes, myths, and false beliefs regarding it. If you want to know more about it, keep reading, and welcome to the club! 

In the following, you will find:

- How to Measure Your Penis?

- What Is The Average Penis Size in Canada?

- Choosing Condoms For Different Penis Sizes

- What Is the Average Penis Size in Different Countries?

- What Are the Factors That Influence Penis Size?

- What Is a Micropenis? What Is a Buried Penis?

- Can You Make Your Penis Longer?

- Frequently Asked Questions

- Conclusion

- Key Takeaways

How to Measure Your Penis?

If you're going to this, here's how you should go about it.

To Measure Your Penis Length:

1- Go get a measuring tape or a ruler

2- Make sure your penis is fully erect

3- Position the measuring tape at the base of your penis

4- If you have belly fat, press down at the base of your penis into your pubic bone as far as you can until you feel the bone.

5- Measure from the end to tip.

To Measure Your Penis Girth:

1- Go get a measuring tape or a piece of string that does not stretch

2- Make sure your penis is fully erect

3- Position the measuring tape or string around the thickest part of your penis

4- Mark where the ends of the measuring tape or string meet.

5- If you're using a measuring tape, the number you marked is the girth of your penis. If you're using a string, open it and put it on a ruler to measure the girth.

To Measure Your Penis Width:

1- Go get a measuring tape or a non-stretchy string. 

2- Make sure your penis is fully erect.

3- Wrap the measuring tape around the thickest part of your penis, and make sure that you're not squeezing.

4- Mark the number

5- After you've found the girth, divide that number by 3.14. 

That's how you can calculate the width of your penis.

Measuring your penis might come in handy when you want to figure out your condom size.

What Is The Average Penis Size in Canada?

According to world data, the average size of a male organ (a penis) in Canada is 15.71 cm. The average height of a person with a 15.71 cm penis is 1.78 m. 

When we talk about the length of an erect penis, Canada's rank is 13, right behind Angola and above Egypt.

You can also find the same data on the world population review.

Choosing Condoms For Different Penis Sizes

Finding the proper condom size is important. A condom that fits you well feels better in sex as well. Now that you know how to measure your penis let's talk about condom sizes.

Condom Length

While length is a good factor for the penis measurement average, it's not the best. Condoms are usually longer than they need to be, and there's no need to roll them down entirely for them to fit. 

Unless you have an extraordinary penis longer than 22 cm, you don't need to worry about length.

Condom Girth 

This is by far the most critical factor when choosing condoms. A condom that is too tight for you might disrupt circulation, and one that is too loose might increase the risk of slipping out.

To find just the right size try this:

- For girths less than 12 cm, try snug fits

- For girths between 12 cm to 13 cm, try regular fits

- For girths between 13 cm to 15.5, try large fits

Note that different brands use different names for their sizes, and many condoms with "large" written on them are actually average.

There are many sizes, according to condom companies, including mega, huge, anaconda, etc., yet the best you can do is read the labelling and search for actual girth to guarantee a fit.

What Is the Average Penis Size in Different Countries?

There is no scientific proof that supports the correlation between race and penis size. Stating an average penis size for a nation is actually reviling nothing. The median penis size in a race or country, contrary to popular belief, is not subject to stereotypes.

There are several studies that conclude relations between race and penis size are minimal at best.

But, if you really want the averages (which will not tell you much), here they go. Average erect penis length (cm) per country.

Canada: 15.71

Netherlands: 15.87

Italy: 15.35

France: 15.74

Cuba: 15.87

Ecuador: 17.61

Cameroon: 16.67

Bolivia: 16.51

Sudan: 16.47

Haiti: 16.01

Senegal: 15.89

Gambia: 15.88

Zambia: 15.78

Angola:15.73

Egypt: 15.69

Zimbabwe: 15.68

Georgia: 15.61

Paraguay: 15.53

Chad: 15.39

The last three countries based on penis length respectively are:

- Taiwan with 10.78 cm

- Burma with 10.70 cm

- and Cambodia with 10.04 cm

Tip: Stop googling the average Asian, or Black penis size. Your race is not a contributing factor to your penis size.

What Are the Factors That Influence Penis Size?

The factors that actually influence penis size are as follows:

Genes

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes that we inherit from our parents. People with penises usually inherit an X chromosome from their mother and a Y chromosome from their father. The Y chromosome is responsible for your sex determination and the growth of your male genitalia and fertility.

However, this does not mean that all siblings have the same average penis size. It appears that the girth and length of a penis are not solely based on your Y chromosome, and the X chromosome might play a part as well. Therefore, your penis size is influenced by your parents' genes and your own unique set of genes.

Rare Genetic Conditions

Klinefelter syndrome and Kallmann syndrome are among very rare genetic conditions that, among other things, affect penis size.

Hormones

A variation of hormonal imbalances during pregnancy might affect the penis appearance. Low testosterone production in fetuses, a by-product of low production of hCG hormone in expecting mothers, can also affect the development and appearance of a baby's penis. 

There are other rare conditions that cause androgen insensitivity in males, resulting in a lack of penile development, but these conditions are infrequent as well.

Diet

Malnutrition of the fetus in the womb can take a toll on penis development. 

Eating disorders in teenagers and adolescents, such as anorexia and bulimia, can also delay puberty and postpone the development of the penis. 

While people with these conditions usually catch up eventually and develop normal-sized penises, there are reports that delayed puberty can result in smaller penises and testicles. 

Environmental Factors and Exposure to Certain Compounds

Since 2015, researchers have found that parents' exposure, especially expecting mothers, to some environmental pollutants, such as plasticizers and pesticides, may have adverse effects on penis size.

Other Factors

While genetics is the most influential factor for penis size, other factors might play slight parts in how its size is perceived.

For example, less body fat, especially belly fat, makes the penis appear bigger. Shaving your pubic hair has the same effect. 

And while we have you here, let's bust some myths.

Your height, shoe size, the distance between your thumb and index finger, and the amount you masturbate do not affect your penis size.

What Is a Micropenis? What Is a Buried Penis?

Micropenis and buried penis are different conditions. A micropenis is when a penis is shorter than 7 centimetres when fully erect. In contrast, a buried penis is a condition that makes the penis partially or completely hide below the surface of the skin

Micropenis

A micropenis is a penis that is shorter than 7 cm when it’s stretched. However, that’s not a hard and fast rule. 

To identify a micropenis, your doctor will ask about the patient’s medical history and their family’s medical history as well. Then they would measure the stretched penis, and if it’s less than 2.5 standard deviations below the mean of age or stage of sexual development of the patient, they’ll give a diagnosis.

Micro penises are usually diagnosed in infancy, and when properly diagnosed, they can be treated with injections of various hormones. About 0.6 % of men worldwide have micropenises.

Buried penis

A buried penis, also known as a retractile penis or hidden penis, is a condition in which parts or all of the penis are hidden behind the skin's surface. This condition may result in urination problems and infections. This condition can be congenital or acquired later in life and is different from micropenis (an abnormally small and structurally correct penis).

This condition usually resolves itself with no need for intervention in young children as they lose weight. The same principle applies to obese adults too. However, there are surgical treatments available that can resolve this condition.

Can You Make Your Penis Longer?

The bottom line is NO. Without aggressive methods, you cannot enlarge your penis in a way that is advertised in most cases. You know the ads. If you've ever been on the internet, you've seen them. Pumps, pills, exercises, creams, surgeries, you name them. 

The fact is that there is little to no scientific support for any of these treatments, and no respectable doctor or medical establishment endorses penis enlargement surgery just for cosmetic reasons.

Let's take a closer look into these treatments that claim they will make your penis longer:

Pills

Pills usually contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, or even hormones, and their promise is to enlarge your penis. Pills are typically categorized as dietary supplements, and therefore their creators don't need to show their effectiveness or even safety before distribution. 

To this day, NO PILL has been proven to work, and some of them may even harm you.

Vacuum Pumps

Pumps are TEMPORARY fixes that will make your penis appear larger as they draw blood into your penis. Vacuum pumps are sometimes effective in treating erectile dysfunction. However, overusing them can cause damage to the elastic tissue of your penis, and it can soften your erections over time.

Lotions

Just like pills, they contain vitamins, minerals, or hormones. The skin can absorb these supplements. However, they are still considered supplements, and their advertisers do not need to - nor have been able to - show their effectiveness and safety.

Exercises

Penis enlargement exercises, also known as jelqing, are designed to draw blood from the base of the penis to its tip. Granted, this method is much safer than the ones previously discussed, but there is no scientific proof behind it. 

Overdoing these exercises, which is a simple hand-over-hand motion to draw the blood from the base to the top of the penis, can lead to pain, scarring, or even disfigurement.

Stretching 

This method involves devices - sometimes called extenders or stretchers - to put on your penis. The device then exerts moderated tension onto your penis. There are few studies on this method, and its safety and effectiveness are still in question. However, some small - and inconclusive - studies have reported a 1 to 3-centimetre increase in the length of the penis.

Surgery 

This option is usually reserved for men who have suffered injuries or have congenital problems. Penis enlargement surgery is rarely a necessity and has its own set of problems and consequences, despite being advertised by cosmetic surgeons.

There are different methods to enlarge a penis with surgery. A wildly famous one is "the division of the suspensory ligament," which means the doctor will cut the ligament that attaches your penis to your pubic bone. 

This will make your flaccid penis appear about 1 centimetre longer and has NO EFFECT on the actual size. Also, you'll probably end up having unstable erections as well.

There are other methods, such as grafting or removing (or even adding fat) to the penis, none of which are safe or approved. They can even disrupt your ability to have firm and pleasant erections and lead to infections.

The decision is ultimately yours now that you have all the facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does size really matter?

The short answer is NO. Seven out of eight women are happy with their partner’s size. The matter of fact is that size does matter to some women. How many? One in eight.

Time and time again, and study after study, has confirmed that women care more about what you do with your penis than its size. 

There are not enough studies on the LGBTQI+ community and their penile size preferences to draw a conclusion, but the preliminary results point in the same direction.

What you do with your penis and how you use it is far more important than size. 

Do women like larger penises better?

The vast majority of heterosexual women report that they are happy with their partner's penis size. Women care more about the upkeep of your penis.

A 2015 study revealed that women regard grooming pubic hair and overall cleanliness as the most attractive quality in a penis.

Girth or length, which is more important?

Not scientific polling of 100 women by Men’s Health Magazine revealed that 70 percent of women prefer girth to length. Another study confirmed these findings by showing 3D models of penises to women and asking their opinions. Women tend to care more about girth than length.

Again, there are no studies about this matter in the LGBTQI+ community, so we don’t have a definitive answer.

Does penis size affect my fertility?

No. There is no proof that links fertility to size. Your fertility is determined by your sperms, and your sperms are made in your testicles, not the penis.

If you’re having a problem with getting pregnant, the best idea is to consult with a doctor. Penis size does not affect pregnancy, male fertility problems do.

What is the average size of the penis?

A 2020 study analyzed 21 previous research about penis size. The average erect penis size is something between 12.95 - 13.97 centimetres. The study dully notes that you have to take volunteer bias into account, and the actual average is shorter because people tend to report generous numbers when it comes to their penises.

Conclusion

While the average erect penis size is about 13 centimetres, the whole notion of average penis size is flawed. A normal penis has many qualities, and size is just one of them. 

Normal penises come in different shapes, colours and sizes.

The overwhelming chances are your penis is totally normal, fine, and proportional. What you do with your penis and its functionality still remains the most important aspect of it.

There is no science behind stereotypical penis size assumptions, and the size of your penis is mainly decided by your genetics. After that, there are a few things you can do to change your size. But that does not matter, as most of these treatments lack validity, and most women have reported that they are happy with their partner’s penis size.

Key Takeaways

- Average erect penis size is about 13 centimetres.

- A stretched penis that is above 7 centimetres is still considered completely normal.

- Canada's average penis size is 15.71 centimetres.

- Shoe size, nose, earlobe, or even index finger are not determining factors for penis size.

- Penis functionality is much more important than size.

- Most women (7 out of 8) are happy with their partner's size.

- Most penis enlargement treatments do not work and lack conclusive data and studies supporting them; some are even dangerous and harmful.

- Your genes ultimately decide the size of your penis.

- Penis size does not determine the quality of your sexual experience or fertility.

- Penis size does not matter; penis functionality does.