Durex Penis Size Survey

Penis Size Survey Executive Summary

• Who answered the questions?
• Penis sizes: small medium or large?
• Condom fit: too tight, too loose, or just right?
• Condom breakage and slippage
• Conclusions

When the Durex Scientific website was updated and re-launched earlier this year, we asked the men visiting the site to take part in a ‘penis size survey’. This was a serious survey – the size of a man’s penis is a key part of the equation that decides whether a condom fits properly or not, and if a condom fits properly it is more likely to be used consistently and successfully.

The survey was designed to provide us with feedback on a range of penis and condom issues – we wanted to know how the people taking part felt about the fit of the condoms they use and, if they thought they could be designed better, what they would like to see done to improve them. As well as asking about condom fit we tried to find out to what extent condom breakage or slippage had been experienced by those taking part and then see whether there was any correlation between condom fit, penis size and condom breakage.

The survey results are reported in detail in the main report, but here are some of the highlights:

Respondents

Just under three thousand (2,936) men took part in the survey – most of them under 25 – from all over the world. The bulk of the responses came from those in the US, with the second highest number of responses coming from Britain. Half of those taking part had been circumcised, but we found that whether or not you have a foreskin does not seem to affect the way condoms fit or perform during sex.

Penis Sizes

The data on erect penis length and circumference that was collected in this survey is very consistent with other data that SSL International plc has obtained, previous studies on penis sizes and another Internet survey. Both length and circumference vary quite widely but in each case there is an average value and in this survey they were 163 mm (6.4 inches) for erect length and 133 mm (5.2 inches) for erect circumference. As well as variation in penis size there is also wide variation in penis shape, with the widest point most likely to be the head of the penis.

Condom Fit

Condom usage by respondents was across a broad range of different condom brands. Approximately half of those taking part felt that the condoms they used regularly fitted them properly. One-quarter felt they were too tight and a further 10% thought that condoms were much too tight. 15% of respondents felt that condoms were too loose or much too loose.

When it came to suggesting improvements to condoms that would make them fit better, 42% said that they should be ‘better-shaped’. There was also a clear majority in favour of increasing the width of condoms around the head of the penis. One-fifth of respondents, however, wanted nothing to change.

Condom Breakage & Slippage

Whilst over half of respondents had never experienced breakage or slippage there was a significant proportion who had, although only 6% had experienced both problems on many occasions. Condom breakage was less common than slippage. Neither was affected by circumcision status.

Analysis of the results suggests that having an erect penis whose circumference is bigger than average increases the chances of experiencing condom breakage. This ties in with the finding that high levels of breakage were experienced by those who thought the condoms they use were much too tight.