Whether your mate has been bragging about how well endowed he is after a few drinks or you’ve heard the myths about a link between shoe size and penis length – at some point in your life, you’ve likely wondered the actual truth behind the average penis size.
Although global research has been gathered quite extensively to answer this question, the vast majority of studies are compiled using self-reported data. When information is collected in this way, rather than in a controlled lab environment, it often leads to a variation in numbers and a less accurate result.
That being said, we’ve compiled the information from a number of these studies to bring you what men around the world are reporting as their average penis length.
Average penis size – Australia
Let’s get to the long and short of this tricky question.
Most recently, studies have shown that the average penis size of men in Australia puts us at 43rd in the world rankings. With an accurate measurement, reporting reveals that the average length in Australia is 14.46cm.
While 43rd in the world may not seem impressive at first glance, these figure reveal that Australian men are measuring an average erect length that sits closer to the top of the charts, with the longest average length being 17cm recorded in Ecuador, compared to the lowest average of approximately 10cm in Cambodia.
Erect penis length vs Flaccid penis length
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The average erect penis length for men in Australia is 5.69 inches, with data from Google analytics showing that Aussies come in above the global average of 5.55 inches.
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The average size for a flaccid penis length is between 3 and 4 inches, or approximately 9.16 cm.
Girth
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Much like the results seen for measurements of flaccid length, studies show that the girth or circumference of an average flaccid penis is also around 9.16 cm. The erect size for circumference increases with a measurement of between 10 and 13 centimeters.
How do Aussie men stack up against the global average?
Average erect penis length vs Average flaccid penis length
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Coming in at a penis size of 5.69 inches, Aussie men are above average, when compared with other nations around the world.
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The top 10 contenders for average erect penis size are: Ecuador, Cameroon, Bolivia, Sudan, Haiti, Senegal, Gambia, Netherlands, Cuba and Zambia.
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While we may not rank in the top 10, we can be proud that we beat the poms, who come in with 5.2 inches in 70th place.
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On the lower end of the scale, the smallest average sizes can be found in: Cambodia, Taiwan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.
How to measure your penis
If all this talk of average girth and length has you curious about yourself, here’s our step by step guide on the correct way to measure your penis.
Although you may eventually want to measure when flaccid, measuring generally works best when your penis is erect.
Measuring the length
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When measuring the length, you may choose to use a tape measure, as the rigid plastic surface can make for more easily readable results.
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Using the top side of the shaft, measure the erect penis from the tip to the pubic bone. When you reach the pubic bone, be sure to push gently into the skin to compensate for fat, loose skin or hair.
Measuring the girth
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When it comes time to measure the circumference of the shaft, switch to a soft measuring tape for accurate results.
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The measuring tape should not be placed too close to the tip or the base, rather mid-shaft, where the most even thickness is found.
Is porn affecting our expectations?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, you’ve likely heard the rumours that most men are packing a penis length of at least 7 inches.
If this figure has you a little concerned about how you’re measuring up in the world, we’re here to tell you – with scientific data on our side – that this is simply not the case.
But, if there’s no truth behind this whopping figure, why is it something we’re so widely told?
More than 45% of men believe that they have a small penis. When we consider the overload of sexual imagery in our culture, it’s easy to understand why some men are under the impression that they’re not living up to expectations.
The visual stimuli we are exposed to on a daily basis has the potential to impact our self image – and we’re not just talking about porn. Mainstream media, such as television, relevant advertising, magazines and movies, often portray a warped version of what the average person should look like.
Whether it’s female breast size or the length of a penis, studies have revealed that on-screen portrayal is generally exaggerated by at least 2 inches from the global average.
The impact of expectations vs reality
Negative self image
In some cases, unreal expectations of penis sizes can lead to an increase in self conscious behaviour. If the lingering feeling of negative self image isn’t addressed, it has the potential to spiral into feelings of depression and anxiety.
One of the most productive ways to deal with these negative feelings is to talk to your partner about your concerns. As we’ve seen, the average penis size is about 2 inches smaller than what most men think.
While there are some short term or invasive procedures to potentially increase your penis size, you’ll likely find that your partner will welcome a chat about what’s going, so you can both come up with some exciting and creative ideas to feel good in the bedroom.
Performance anxiety
When it comes down to it, studies show that most people aren’t all that concerned with their partner’s penis size. If you’re anxious about your penis length and worried that these thoughts may be affecting your sexual performance, it’s time to talk about it.
It’s important for long term partners to discuss any concerns they may have regarding sexual function or other health concerns, as an open dialogue will allow you to create an environment in which both partners can achieve sexual satisfaction.
While performance anxiety can sometimes be a short term problem, it also has the potential to develop into more complex sexual health issues, such as erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
Does size really matter?
Research across multiple sources concludes that men really do care more about average penis size than their women counterparts.
New York Times Best Selling Author and former Google Data Scientist, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, released a book revealing the truth behind what we’re all really Googling late at night. The numbers revealed that the most googled body part is the penis, and for every 170 penis related searches made by a man, only 1 related search was made by a woman.
In a separate study, 20 women were interviewed and asked about their preferences for penis size and if they thought a bigger penis was always better. While each of the participants had their own unique opinions on the matter, more often than not, the women expressed that they prefer an average penis size.
The take away from the interviews was primarily that most women were happy with an average or below average penis size, but there was an emphasis on a good balance between length and girth, and whether or not the man knew how to use the equipment he’d been dealt.
Is the average penis size still on your mind?
Regardless of whether you’re swinging well above the average penis size, packing thick girth or coming up a little short in comparison to the average, more than 50% of men will experience some kind of sexual dysfunction throughout their lives.
When it comes down to it, penis size isn’t always a determining factor for sexual performance. Your perceptions regarding penis size, on the other hand, can unconsciously influence your behaviour in the bedroom and cause erectile dysfunction.
Let’s get your health sorted!
If you think erectile dysfunction may have become a third-wheel in your sexual relationships, start a conversation with a Stagger doctor for suitable treatment options.
Sources
Daily Mail UK. (2019) Dating beyond border [Interview]. (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7823225)
Mens XP. (2021) Does Size Matter? 20 Women Tell Us About Their Preferred Penis Size. (https://www.mensxp.com/relationships/sex/42238-does-size-matter-20-women-tell-us-about-their-preferred-penis-size.html)
Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. (2017) Everybody Lies. (http://sethsd.com/)
World Population Review. (2022) Penis Size by Country. (https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/penis-size-by-country)