Thin Penis: 23 Ways To Have Sex, Enlargement Techniques, More

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Sexual Health

What Is a Thin Penis and How to Increase Size

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Alex Marceau and Tim Jewell — Updated on November 3, 2025

Average girth
Does size matter?
Sex tips and tricks
Enlargement techniques
Takeaway

There are no official measurement cut-offs to determine a thin penis. But it may be considered thin if the girth is less than 9.33 cm (3.67 inches) when flaccid or 11.86 cm (4.67 inches) when erect.

A thin penis refers to a penis that is narrower than the average penis circumference or girth of your geographic location.

Penis circumference is typically measured in two penile states:

Flaccid: This is when your penis is soft and hanging from the groin area.
Erect: This is when your penis fills up with blood and becomes hard, usually during sexual arousal.

Some people may refer to a thin penis as a micropenis, but it’s important to note that these aren’t the same thing. A micropenis is a condition in which an adult penis measures less than 7.5 centimeters (cm), or 3 inches, when fully stretched.

A thin penis is not a clinical diagnosis. While it may be thinner than other penises, it usually appears and functions the same as any other penis.

Keep reading to learn more about the average penis circumference, possible ways to increase it, and some tips for increasing pleasure during sexual activity.

A note on penis girth and circumference

Penises come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are thick, some are thin, and some are in between. And they can point up, down, or off to the side.

Many people worry about the appearance and size of their penis, often due to sociocultural expectations and unrealistic depictions of sexual activities in pornography and media.

But it’s important to note that there isn’t a “normal” or “ideal” penis. The “ideal penis” is a fabrication, rather than a representation of reality. And, what is considered “normal” varies by location.

The only “normal” penis is the one that’s normal for you.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional or licensed mental health specialist if you’re concerned about the size, shape, or appearance of your penis.

What’s the average girth?

Some research has examined the average length and girth of penises, but figures vary by geographic location and only represent the individuals included in the studies.

A 2025 review of 36,883 people with a penis from countries part of the World Health Organization (WHO) found that the average penis circumference was:

Flaccid: 9.1 cm (3.6 inches)
Erect: 11.9 cm (4.7 inches)

According to a 2021 study in 4,685 men living in Italy, the average penis circumference was:

Flaccid: 9.59 cm (3.7 inches)
Erect: 12.03 cm (4.7 inches)

Lastly, a 2014 review found that the average penis circumference was:

Flaccid: 9.31 cm (3.66 inches)
Erect: 11.66 cm (4.59 inches)

Given these three studies, the average penis circumference is around 9.33 cm (3.67 inches) when flaccid and 11.86 cm (4.67 inches) when erect.

»Learn more:What's the average penis size?

Do length and girth really matter to potential partners?

Yes and no. As with any characteristic, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Some people may derive more pleasure from longer or thicker penises, while others may prefer a partner with a shorter or thinner penis.

Research suggests that many people are dissatisfied with the size and appearance of their penis, which may lead to feelings of anxiety, low self-esteem, and even isolation.

In a 2006 study in 52,031 heterosexual men and women in heterosexual relationships, 55% of men were unsatisfied with their penis size, but 85% of women were satisfied with their partner’s penis size.

There are many other important factors that may contribute to sexual intercourse satisfaction, including:

communication
sexual desire, passion, and attentiveness
emotional state, energy, and mood
foreplay and diversity of sexual activities
underlying conditions, such as erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness

What matters most is that you’re comfortable in your own skin and that you communicate openly with your partner. Embracing your size and shape can help you feel more confident and allow you to truly be in the moment.

How to spice up your sex life

There are many different ways to spice up your sex life. Some techniques can increase how deeply the penis enters the partner’s body, while others may increase sensitivity for both partners.

Some techniques may include:

finding non-penile ways to stimulate the clitoris, penis, and anus
spending time on oral sex
trying new sex positions and using pillows
considering anal sex
trying sex toys, such as dildos, cock rings, vibrators, and anal beads

Remember, communication is a key aspect of sexual satisfaction. Talking with a partner about sex includes speaking about how you feel and what you want, but it’s crucial to listen attentively to their needs, wants, and desires, too.

»More on this:How to spice up your sex life

How can I increase my penis thickness?

Treatments for increasing penis size are only approved for people with micropenis.

Consider speaking with a mental health specialist if you’re concerned about the girth of your penis, it’s causing negative feelings, or you’re avoiding sexual activity with others — even if you want to engage.

Talk therapy can help you better understand these thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and develop ways to manage them. A licensed sex therapist can also help you communicate with a partner about your feelings and give you tips on how to increase your sexual experience.

There are some nonsurgical techniques that may help increase the size of your penis, but these are unlikely to be covered by insurance, and you may have to seek treatment privately.

These treatments may include:

penis stretches and exercises
penis vacuum pumps
penis injections with dermal fillers, such as fat, hyaluronic acid, and polymethylmethacrylate microspheres

Several types of surgeries may also increase penis size, including phalloplasty and liposuction. But a doctor is likely to recommend these only for people with micropenis.

If you think an underlying condition may be contributing to a thin penis, such as erectile dysfunction, connect with a healthcare professional like a primary care doctor. They can perform a physical and medical history examination, and if necessary, order further tests.

»FIND CARE:Find a primary care doctor in your area today.

The bottom line

A thin penis is when the circumference of your penis is less than the average, which is around 9.33 cm (3.67 inches) when flaccid or 11.86 cm (4.67 inches) when erect.

Remember, penises come in all shapes and sizes, and there isn’t an “ideal” penis.

If you’re concerned about the size of your penis, speak with a healthcare professional. They can answer any questions that you have and may help you feel more at ease.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Carson CC. (2023). Penile enhancement: Men who want more.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/tre.931
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Falagario UG, et al. (2024). Techniques for penile augmentation surgery: A systematic review of surgical outcomes, complications, and quality of life.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11123079/
Hustad IB, et al. (2022). Does size matter? Genital self-image, genital size, pornography use and openness toward cosmetic genital surgery in 3503 Swedish men and women.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1743609522014886?via%3Dihub
Lever J, et al. (2006). Does size matter? Men’s and women’s views on penis size across the lifespan.https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F1524-9220.7.3.129
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Veale D, et al. (2014). Am I normal? A systematic review and construction of nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15 521 men.https://bjui-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bju.13010

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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Alex Marceau and Tim Jewell — Updated on November 3, 2025

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