What Is The Average Volume And Distance Of Male Ejaculate?

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat to know about ejaculate volume and distance

Medically reviewed by Matt Coward, MD, FACS — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on January 26, 2024

Averages
Causes of variation
How often
Refractory period
Tips
FAQ
Summary

The average volume of ejaculate is up to one teaspoon, and younger males tend to have more forceful ejaculations. Age, genetic features, and other factors can affect the volume and distance of ejaculation.

In general, younger males tend to have more forceful ejaculations, while the average volume of ejaculate is roughly 2–5 cubic centimeters, which is up to the volume of a teaspoon.

This article explores the average volume, distance, force of ejaculate, and what factors affect them.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Learn more.

Average volume, distance, and force of semen

a couple looking at each other lovingly in bed and wondering about how far can a man shoot — How far a person can shoot ejaculate depends on a number of factors.

The International Society for Sexual Medicine suggests males expel, on average, 1.25–5 milliliters (ml) of semen each time they ejaculate. This is roughly ¼ to 1 teaspoon.

The volume a person ejaculates can affect how far it travels. Larger volumes may also create the illusion that ejaculate travels farther than it does.

Various internet sources may make claims about how forcefully and far a person can ejaculate. The porn industry may also contribute to this misinformation.

However, there is no recent, credible, or reliable scientific research into how forcefully semen comes out or the distance it can cover.

What causes variation in the volume and force of ejaculate?

People may notice that sometimes they ejaculate more, or their ejaculate comes out more forcefully. Several factors can influence this, including:

Age: Males tend to ejaculate the largest volume of semen in their early thirties. As they age, this volume decreases.
Sexual activity: Recent sexual activity, including masturbation, may decrease semen volume, which potentially reduces the distance semen can travel. Prolonged periods of abstinence may cause a person to produce more semen than their usual amount.
Genetic factors: Genetics play a role in most aspects of health, including semen volume. Some people naturally ejaculate more or less compared to others, regardless of health or lifestyle.
Lifestyle factors: Diet, smoking, and many other lifestyle factors can affect semen quality and overall health. For example, research suggests moderate exercise may improve fertility and sperm quality.
Overall health: General health may affect semen volume. For example, a person with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, might notice a change in their semen. Hormonal issues may also influence semen quality.

How often can someone ejaculate?

Many adult males do not ejaculate any more often than once per day, and the weekly or monthly ejaculation frequency may decline as a person ages.

A person with a penis can ejaculate again as soon as they can feel arousal after sex or masturbation. So, the main factor that determines how often a person can ejaculate is how quickly they regain interest in sex after they orgasm.

Some people with a penis may be able to ejaculate multiple times in a single session, but this is very uncommon.

During a marathon masturbation or sex session, they may be able to ejaculate more. However, they should stop if they begin to experience pain.

When a person ejaculates multiple times in a short period, their ejaculate volume may decrease.

Learn how often a man should ejaculate.

Refractory period

The refractory period is the time following an orgasm during which a person is no longer sexually responsive. For most adult males it is at least several hours.

During this time, sexual stimulation is not pleasurable and may even be painful. A person with a penis is usually unable to get an erection, orgasm, or ejaculate, even with sexual stimulation.

The length of the refractory period often correlates with age and overall health. Older males tend to have longer refractory periods, between 12–24 hours or longer.

There is no direct way to shorten the refractory period. However, a person may wish to try strategies to improve sexual functioning or try different methods, such as:

Embracing a healthful lifestyle: Living a more healthful lifestyle, with exercise and a healthful diet, may help with sexual function.
Kegel exercises: Pelvic floor exercises may affect sexual function.
Erectile dysfunction medication: Some erectile dysfunction medications may help shorten the refractory period. However, further research is necessary.
Try different stimulation: Some people may find different types of sexual stimulation after ejaculation may help revive their interest quicker.

Tips to ejaculate further and increase volume

There is no specific health benefit associated with ejaculating further or producing more ejaculate. However, very small semen volumes may indicate a person has lower fertility.

Those who want to ejaculate larger volumes should try the following:

Exercising more: Exercise may improve semen quality. Some forms of moderate exercise may increase fertility and semen volume.
Masturbating less often: Leaving more time between ejaculations may increase semen volume.
Engaging in foreplay: People can use foreplay to delay ejaculation and make sex last longer. While there is no recent research that tests this recommendation, anecdotal evidence suggests some people ejaculate more with more foreplay.
Doing kegel exercises: These exercises strengthen the pelvic floor, which helps a person ejaculate.
Weight loss: Maintaining or achieving a moderate weight may help a person ejaculate more.
Diabetes management: Diabetes can cause decreased ejaculation volume and other related complications. Condition management may improve these complications.

Learn how to do kegel exercises here.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some common questions about ejaculate volume and distance.

What is the average to ejaculate?

Most males ejaculate up to 1 teaspoon, or 1.25–5 ml, of semen. However, factors such as age, overall health, and genetics can influence semen volume.

Is it normal to ejaculate a large amount?

Factors such as strengthening the pelvic floor, increasing the time between ejaculations, and engaging in moderate exercise can lead to larger volumes of ejaculate.

People can speak with a healthcare professional if they are concerned about the amount they ejaculate.

What is the largest ejaculate volume?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the top percentile of semen volume is around 6.2–6.9 ml, which is just over 1 teaspoon.

Summary

On average, a person may be able to ejaculate up to a teaspoon of semen to a distance of a few feet.

Misleading information on ejaculate volume or the ability to shoot semen far may cause insecurities in some people. However, this information is unrealistic, and the ability to do so has no real benefit.

Men who worry that their refractory period is too long or experience trouble with other aspects of ejaculation or sex should consult a doctor.

Genetics
Men's Health
Nutrition / Diet
Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Sexual Health / STDs

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today 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.

Balawender K, et al. (2020). The impact of selected modifiable lifestyle factors on male fertility in the modern world.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7848840/
Belladelli F, et al. (2023). Male fertility and physical exercise.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10307666/
Comar VA, et al. (2017). Influence of the abstinence period on human sperm quality: analysis of 2,458 semen samples.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5714597/
Gerbild H, et al. (2018). Physical activity to improve erectile function: A systematic review of intervention studies.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5960035/
Griffin-Mathieu G, et al. (2021). Exploring male multiple orgasm in a large online sample: Refining our understanding.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34404626/
Lozano-Lorca M, et al. (2023). Ejaculation frequency and prostate cancer: CAPLIFE study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10307655/
Mai H, et al. (2023). Association of diet and lifestyle factors with semen quality in male partners of Chinese couples preparing for pregnancy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10666430/
Mostafa T, et al. (2021). Ejaculatory dysfunction in men with diabetes mellitus.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8311479/
Pelvic floor awareness for psychosexual therapy: Information for men. (2020).https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/29164Ppelvic.pdf
Sunder M, et al. (2022). Semen analysis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564369/
What factors determine semen volume? (n.d.).https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-factors-determine-semen-volume/
What is the refractory period? (n.d.).https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-the-refractory-period/
WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen: Sixth edition. (2021).https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/343208/9789240030787-eng.pdf?sequence=1

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Medically reviewed by Matt Coward, MD, FACS — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on January 26, 2024

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