How To Know Your Condom Size

Close-fitting? Extra-large? Standard? If you have a penis, odds are you know what it’s like to stare at a drugstore shelf and ask yourself, “What is my condom size?”

In a world of seemingly endless condom options, finding the right size for you can take a lot of trial and error. We’re here to help you spend less time wondering and more time playing the field. Keep reading to learn how to measure yourself and how to find the best-fitting condom size for you. 

Why Does Fit Matter?

Fit is key when it comes to condoms. Think of using an ill-fitted condom like using faulty equipment. If your condom is too loose, you run the risk of it slipping or moving in the middle of the action. Not only is this distracting, but it also lowers the condom’s ability to protect you from STDs and STIs. In fact, a condom that’s too loose could come off entirely during sex and also increase the risk of unwanted pregnancy.

On the flip side, a condom that’s too tight could cut off circulation to the penis and get in the way of staying hard. Plus, the discomfort and pain that could result from an overly tight condom can easily take you out of the sexy-time headspace. Aside from comfort, using a condom that’s too tight could cause it to rip or tear. This could allow fluids to seep through the condom and put both partners at risk for STDs and STIs. It may also increase the risk of unwanted pregnancy.

How to Measure Yourself 

Time to get some hands-on experience. Measuring your penis may sound like an easy task, but many people do it incorrectly. 

Accurately measuring yourself can be a daunting task, and even the best of us can’t escape the occasional bout of penis anxiety. We get it. But what’s most important is to remember that fit is always more important than size. Ill-fitted condoms can become a clunky and annoying obstacle to MVP-level sex, and cheating an extra inch won’t do much good if your condoms don’t fit right. So get ready to roll up your sleeves, grab a ruler, and start measuring. 

Here’s how to measure your penis length: 

1. Find the top side of your penis. This is the side that faces up when you look down at it. 
2. Place your measuring tape or ruler up against your pubic bone, which is where your penis and body meet. Gently push the ruler past any pubic hair or fat until you feel the resistance of your pubic bone. 
3. Measure the total length from the base to the tip of your penis.

And just like that, you have your penis length. Now, let’s talk about measuring girth: 

1. Find the widest-looking part of your shaft.
2. Wrap a measuring tape around this point and record the measurement. 
3. If your shaft changes in width from tip to base, you can take a few measurements at each point and calculate the average girth. 

Finding the Right Equipment

Now that you know your penis length and girth, it’s time to match your measurements to the right condom size. The four standard condom size categories are snug, standard or regular, large, and extra-large. Exact condom dimensions can vary from brand to brand, and specific measurements are not always listed on the condom’s packaging. That’s why it’s important to know the general measurements for each condom size category, and compare your length and girth to each size range. While exact measurements of these size categories can vary slightly from brand to brand, the majority of condoms will fall under these ranges.

Before you continue, here’s some important penis math to consider. Some condom measurements give a flat width—not a full circumference. You can think of flat width as the condom’s width when laid flat on a ruler. This means that a well-fitted condom will likely have a flat width that’s around half of your full girth or circumference. 

In other words, these measurements are the dimensions of the condoms themselves and not penis length or width. 

Snug 

• Length: 152 to 178 mm
• Width: 43 to 50 mm

Standard or Regular 

• Length: 179 to 190 mm
• Width: 51 to 53 mm

Large 

• Length: 191 to 203 mm
• Width: 54 to 58 mm

Extra-Large

• Length: 203 mm and up
• Width: 58 mm and up

Pro tip: For those playing with bigger equipment, Champ’s Slugger-Fit XL Condoms offer additional length and width for fun, safe play. 

Keep in mind that a quality condom will have a bit of stretch. These measurements are a great starting point, but if you’re between sizes, try purchasing single samples of both sizes. This will help you figure out which size has the right amount of stretch and fits the best. If you find that your length and girth measurements don’t line up with a specific condom’s dimensions, remember that it’s more important for a condom to fit your girth. If a condom is a bit too long, you can roll it up at the base and be mindful of it’s positioning during sex. But a condom that’s too tight is more likely to tear or otherwise malfunction.

Signs Your Condom Does or Doesn't Fit

At the end of the day, your condom should feel comfortably snug. While it shouldn’t feel overly tight or cut off circulation, it also shouldn’t feel loose or move around during sex. Even if you’ve matched your measurements to a condom’s dimensions, it’s important to test out new condoms before you get up to bat. Here are some signs of well-fitted and ill-fitted condoms: 

Good Fit 

• About a half-inch of space remains at the condom’s tip or “reservoir”
• The condom is comfortable and doesn’t restrict blood flow 
• There are no gaps or saggy edges on the condom’s rim
• The condom doesn’t unroll or come off during sex 

Bad Fit

• The condom doesn’t reach the bottom of your shaft 
• You have to stop mid-session to pull the condom back up
• The condom moves around just from a light touch
• The condom’s rim is so tight that your penis bulges around it

Remember that condoms should add to your sex life, not take away. A condom that’s too big or too small can cause interruptions during sex and put you and your partner at risk. Meanwhile, a well-fitted condom will be snug enough to enhance pleasure and sensation, while still keeping you and your partner safe. 

Like with all things, there’s no one size fits all option when it comes to condoms. A winning play is to get familiar with your own measurements and test out a few options to find the best size for you. Now that you know how to find your ideal condom size, you can go forth and wrap it up with confidence.