No matter what you’ve seen on TV shows, in (ethical!) porn, or in your own imagination when reading erotica, penises, much like personalities and pizza preferences, tend to vary from person to person. While you might have a singular image of a penis when you think of the word, the reality is no two are the same. “There is a huge variety in shapes and sizes of penises as well as how hard they generally tend to be when erect,” explains sex hacker Kenneth Play, author of Beyond Satisfied. This means there are more types of penises out there than you might have realized.
It’s the same way everyone’s facial features look slightly different, says Mariela Martinez, MD, a urologic surgeon in New York. You’ve got your eyes, your nose, and your mouth, but all of those different parts make one distinct face. “With penes, there’s great variation in penile length, girth, shape, and even overall look that distinguish them,” Dr. Martinez explains. But with all the variations, it’s important to note no one type of penis is better than another. They’re just all different.
So even though you might picture a cylinder-ish shaft that’s about five inches long and four-ish inches around when erect—with a cute lil mushroom cap on its head, ofc—the reality is there’s no such thing as a ~normal~ peen. When being intimate with someone new, Kelly Gordon, creative head and sex expert at Hot Octopuss, says it’s important to wipe away any preconceptions you have of penises you’ve *ahem* previously spent time with. This is because (a) all penises are great TYVM, and (b) different strokes may or may not work for different penis-having folks.
“Certain curvatures or thicknesses condition the positions with which to best reach orgasm,” says Andrés Suro, PsyD, a sexology psychologist for MYHIXEL. “Although penises seem like simple tools to manipulate, we must take into account the way we stimulate them. It’s important to use the shape of the penis to your advantage, whether you’re the giver or the receiver.”
The key here is to communicate what feels good, what you like, and what you don’t like, adds Dr. Martinez. This way you can have the hottest sex possible with your current penis. I mean, partner! The good news is that every peen offers something awesome by way of stimulation—you’ve just got to learn how to utilize it. That’s why we spoke to experts about what you can do to fully enjoy the ride, no matter what you’re working with.
1. Circumcised Penises
Also called “exposed” penises, this is when a penis foreskin (the skin that covers the penis) is removed. This typically happens when people are babies, and it’s one of the most common types of penises in the United States, Dr. Martinez explains.
What feels good: Since circumcision doesn’t have anything to do with the shape of the penis, there aren’t any specific positions to keep in mind if someone is or isn’t circumcised. It is important to note, however, that because the foreskin is full of nerve endings, removing that skin means removing some of those feel-good sensors. That’s why both Dr. Martinez and Suro suggest using extra lubricant and adding in a toy like a cock ring for added stimulation, both of which are win-wins for the receiving partner.
2. Uncircumcised Penises
On the flip side, when the foreskin of the penis is left intact, it’s considered “uncircumcised.” This is typically a cultural or religious choice. These penises sometimes look hooded, Dr. Suro explains, and the skin can either fully or partially cover the head of the penis. It’s extra important for people with uncircumcised penises to practice good hygiene and clean under the foreskin regularly—as well as before and after sex—since dirt and bacteria can easily get trapped up in there.
What feels good: The foreskin of the penis adds an additional layer of stimulation, explains Dr. Martinez, and since the head is normally covered, it’s very sensitive (oftentimes even more so than on circumcised folks). Try using a rolling motion on the foreskin during manual sex or oral sex to really turn things up. Just make sure to start with light touches when ~exploring~ the area, and keep the lines of communication open to ensure the stimulation isn’t too much.
3. Bigger Base + Narrow Head
These types of penises—which are wider at the base and then get slimmer toward the head—are sometimes called “traffic cone penises” because, well, that’s basically what they look like, minus the bright orange hue.
What feels good: These penises are super versatile, Play explains, since they can give the receiver a nice feeling of stretch and fullness. He suggests starting with penetrative positions that are a little shallower (like missionary) so you can more easily manage the depth. Also! Don’t forget the lube, which will help keep everyone comfy if and when you do decide to go deeper.
4. Narrow Base + Larger Head
Picture a mushroom. It’s got a slimmer stem and a larger, prominent head. That, my friends, is what this penis looks like! The size of the base and/or head can vary, but overall, these penises have a defined head and are pretty much the structural reverse of the traffic cone penis.
What feels good: Deep, targeted penetration is ideal for all involved in this penis’s pleasure. “A bigger head can be great for people who like intense stimulation deeper inside the cervix,” says Play. “Use the head of the penis to get the most intense stimulation right at the spot in/on your vagina that you like.” Also, since the head of the penis is super sensitive, if someone with a vagina uses it on *their* feel-good spots (almost like you would a wand vibrator, minus the whole vibration aspect), firework-level results will be had by all involved.
5. Thick Girth
Some penises are girthier than others, and some are even wider than they are long. Totally normal, and totally pleasurable for anyone who craves that filled-up feeling during sex, says Play.
What feels good: Warming up—like with foreplay, not calisthenics—is essential if penetration is on the menu. Play says it’s vital to thoroughly arouse your partner prior to any P-in-V or P-in-A action and to have extra lube on hand. Oh, and if you’re looking to blow the mind of your girthy partner, Gordon says to give blow jobs head-on (versus with a bent head) which will allow your jaw to extend more.
6. Thinner Girth
The opposite of a girthy penis is a slimmer penis. These are longer than they are thick, ranging from slightly to extremely. Penises like this are *chef’s kiss* for anyone who isn’t a fan of that stretched feeling.
What feels good: Right this way, anal sex fans. Play says this is one of the best types of penises for anal play since the length and girth make it manageable but v pleasurable. If you’re having vaginal intercourse, try a spooning position where the receiver’s legs are closed to give you a feeling of more girth while still getting the best of that awesome length.
7. Growers
This is one of the most common types of penises: They start out smaller and then get bigger—sometimes much bigger—when erect, Play says. You know ’em, you love ’em, and you’ve likely seen one before.
What feels good: While you’ll probs want to wait until your penis-having partner is fully erect before penetration, Play says not to forget the foreplay. “Try kissing their neck, earlobes, inner thigh, and nipples or giving a massage before you dive right into stimulating the penis,” he suggests, so don’t be afraid to interact with a soft or half-hard penis. P.S. If you’re the grower in this sitch, the key here is confidence. “There’s nothing wrong with a flaccid penis, and your penis doesn’t have to look a certain way at all times,” Play says. So go on, be confident even *before* you grow.
8. Showers
Some penises stay generally the same size when they’re flaccid and when they’re erect, Play explains. Show-ers are folks who rock penises that don’t vary much in length or girth, whether they’re chilling or aroused.
What feels good: Since these peens are pretty much ready to go from the get-go, they’re awesome for quickies or those situations when there’s not a ton of time for foreplay. When you *do* want to extend things, Gordon says to try using a penis ring—which will help the erection last longer—or give the coital alignment technique a try. The position has built-in clit stimulation, so the shower’s hardness can be used to a vagina-haver’s advantage from the get-go.
9. Shy Penises
“This is the type of penis that doesn’t want to show up to the main event when your partner does,” explains Dr. Martinez. “The shy penis either doesn’t get an erection during foreplay or takes a little longer to get an erection than expected.” Erectile dysfunction can happen for a wide variety of reasons, adds Suro, and in young, healthy people, it’s usually stress or anxiety-related.
What feels good: Foreplay and manual stimulation are major game changers here, says Dr. Martinez, so just spend some time exploring each other’s bodies stress-free. If that doesn’t work, try masturbating together. “This can often lead to a more relaxed environment for your partner to reach an erection without the added pressure of your stimulation.” Not only can this build confidence, but it’s also très sexy.
While taking extra time to get aroused is 100 percent okay, if someone *can’t* get an erection ever, it’s a good idea to visit the doc. “There are also oral medications urologists can prescribe to improve erections in patients who are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction,” says Dr. Martinez. So don’t worry, you’re in good hands!
10. Outgoing Penises
Some penises show up to the party ready to go, and we like to call these the outgoing ones. They don’t need much time to get erect and quick boners are v easy for them to come by.
What feels good: Some outgoing penises reach climax quicker than others, which is ideal for quick sessions (and if you’re giving them oral sex and don’t want to be down there all day, tbh). If this penis-having person does want to last longer in bed, Suro suggests trying out different gels and lubes (some of which can actually extend erections/hold off ejaculation), using a device like MYHIXEL MED for training, or utilizing a cock ring to *keep* the party going.
11. Curved Upward
Not all penises are stick straight—in fact, many curve this way or that when erect. These “uplifted” penises tilt upwards—whether a little or a lot—when they’re hard, says Suro.
What feels good: Penises that curve upward are kind of amazing because the angle can actually improve orgasms for the lucky receiver. Suro suggests good ol’ fashioned missionary position for both vaginal and anal sex because the curve will hit the feel-good internal spots of the penis-haver’s partner. Cowgirl is also a good option because the curve stimulates the front wall of the vagina (where the internal clitoris is), but it gives the receiver a little more control to help them hit their hot spots.
12. Curved Downward
Instead of curving up when erect, these penises tilt downward, kind of like a pleasure-inducing claw, says Suro.
What feels good: The trick is to find the ideal angle that works for everyone, and for downward curving penises, Dr. Martinez suggests rear-entry positions like doggy-style. While you’ll want to be cautious during entry—since it might take a little finagling—this position follows the shape of the vagina and anus, and curves to hit the internal clit during vaginal sex and the prostate (for those who have them) during anal. Love that for us.
13. Curved to the Side
As you might have guessed, these peens curve to the side—whether left or right—when erect.
What feels good: For penises with side curvatures, Suro and Dr. Martinez suggest trying sideways missionary (where the receiver lies on their side with knees bent, while the partner with the curved penis lies on top in the traditional missionary position). “This position allows you to maximize pleasure and use the penile curvature to your advantage,” says Dr. Martinez.
Gordon adds that different curves and bends feel differently during penetration since they can essentially “press different buttons,” so use that to your advantage and hit those hard-to-reach spots. Looking at you, vaginal A-spot.
14. Smaller Length + Girth
“The average length of the erect penis is 5.2 inches long,” says Gordon, “But in actuality, that’s only a portion of the population.” Medically, a “small penis” is just over three inches erect, but if you have a smaller penis, remember: It isn’t all about size, Gordon says, speaking straight facts. “There’s plenty of fun you can have with a smaller penis.”
What feels good: Deep contact is key here, says Gordon, so have fun with those acrobatic positions. Try doggy-style with the receiver crouched down on their forearms or missionary with the receiver’s legs on the penis owner's shoulder. “For a shorter or smaller penis, doing a move like this can be great, because it allows the penis to get deeper inside of you, so you can feel more,” adds Play.
15. Larger Length + Girth
A “larger” penis is one that’s two or more inches above the average, so anything seven inches and up warrants use of the eggplant emoji and lube. Lots and lots of lube, says Gordon.
What feels good: Lube makes all types of sex more comfortable, no matter what type of penis you’re working with. You’ll want to use a little—or a lot—of extra when working with a larger penis, Gordon notes, and make sure to ease into any and all activity to ensure everyone feels comfortable. When giving oral sex on a larger penis, put one (or two!) hands around the base to stimulate the area you might not be able to get with your mouth.
16. Smooth Penises
If you’ve ever practiced rolling a condom on a banana or perfecting your oral sex technique on one, you might know what a smooth penis would feel like. We’re talking few ridges, hidden veins, and super soft skin.
What feels good: A smooth penis will feel a lot like that lucky banana during oral sex, and it’ll typically be pretty easy to slide in during all types of penetration (again, with lube)! If you *want* a little more texture, a buzzing lube or textured condom will switch things up for a different feel.
17. Veiny Penises
“Some penises look like they've been to the gym, with veins all over them,” says Play. For some people this is a result of genetics, for others, it’s because they actually *do* go to the gym and have more all-over muscle tone. For almost all receivers, veiny peens can feel very pleasurable.
What feels good: Penis veins are like natural nubbins you might find on sex toys, so use that extra texture to your advantage. A position where the receiver has more control (like them on top), will allow them to rub and grind up on veins to their liking. Which, yes, will feel just as awesome for you.
18. Freckled and Pigmented Penises
Not all penises are one color. In fact, some are multi-colored, dotted, freckled, or splotched. Sometimes the penis is a different color than the rest of the penis-haver’s body and sometimes the penis has different areas that are different shades.
What feels good: The color, pigment, or markings of a peen won’t typically affect what does (or doesn’t) feel good, Gordon says, and you shouldn’t treat a pigmented penis any differently. Most of the time discoloration is totally normal and nothing to be concerned about, but you’ll want to keep an eye out since skin changes, color spreading, spots growing, or new marks could be a sign of something more serious, like an STI or cancer. Before you freak TF out, Dr. Martinez says a simple visit to the doc is in order. Oh, and regardless of pigmentation, she says practicing safe sex and having open convos about your sexual history is always an A+ idea.
19. Hairy Penises
Hi! Hello! Reminder: Pubic hair is normal. And a hairy penis—which means hair around the base and balls—simply means the person chose not to remove their body hair. Whether it’s an all the time or occasional thing, going au natural is totally valid and absolutely someone’s right, says Gordon.
What feels good: Public hair won’t really make a difference in positions, but it does work to keep dirt and bacteria away from the genitals, which is a good thing! If you’re not a fan of your partner’s look, have an open, respectful convo and see if you can come to a compromise. Ultimately, it’s their call, so if they don’t want to remove their hair (again, totally their right), try pushing it back with your hand when giving them oral or hopping in the shower together before hooking up to wash away any hygiene or odor-related woes.
20. Shaved Penises
Shaving is a personal preference and some people like the look or feel of a hair-free peen. There’s no harm in shaving, but you’ll want to be on the lookout for the occasional nick or ingrown hair to stay sleek and comfortable, Dr. Martinez notes.
What feels good: Since you can easily see everything sans hair, take the opportunity to really explore your partner’s erogenous zones and find out what they like. If the penis-haver is recently shaved, their skin might be extra sensitive so take things slow and ease up on stimulation if it’s too much. And don’t forget the lube, which will make their hair-free peen feel even sleeker.
21. Symptomatic Penises
Lumps, bumps, redness, or discharge could be a sign that there’s something going on that should be checked out, says Dr. Martinez. If anything about the penis doesn’t look healthy to you, that means it might be symptomatic.
What feels good: A good rule of thumb for symptomatic penis pleasure is to pause activity immediately and urge your partner to get checked out, says Dr. Martinez. Sometimes it could be benign or an STI, but penile cancer is also important to look out for.
“Red flags to look out for in a symptomatic penis are lumps or bumps that look like a little cauliflower, painful skin lesions, and any type of discharge from the tip of the penis,” she explains. “Although rare, penile cancer can also present as a painless fungating in the penis, therefore, if you notice a painless bump that grows over time, encourage your partner to get checked.”
Rachel Varina is a full-time freelance writer covering everything from the best vibrators (the Lelo Sona) to the best TV shows (The Vampire Diaries). She has over 10 years of editorial experience with bylines at Women's Health, Elite Daily, Betches, and more. She lives in Tampa, Florida, but did not feed her husband to tigers. When she's not testing out new sex toys (100+ and counting so far!), she's likely chilling with her dogs or eating buffalo chicken dip. Ideally at the same time. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
