99% of Men Measure Their Girth WRONG – Are You One of Them?

I remember the first time I decided to measure my penis girth. I had just finished reading an article about average penis sizes, and curiosity got the best of me. I mean, who wouldn’t want to know where they stand? But as I grabbed a measuring tape and stood there in my bathroom, I realized—I had no idea how to do this correctly.

Was I supposed to pull the tape tight? Just rest it gently? Measure at the base or the middle? These were questions I hadn’t considered until I was in the moment, and surprisingly, there wasn’t much clear guidance online. 

So, after a lot of trial and error (and a bit of frustration), I finally figured out the proper way to measure penis girth. And now, I’m here to help you get it right the first time.

Why Measuring Penis Girth Matters

For a lot of guys, penis size is a topic wrapped in self-esteem and confidence. We often focus on length, but girth is just as important—if not more so—when it comes to sexual pleasure.

Knowing your girth can help with:

• Finding the right condom size (too tight = discomfort, too loose = risk of slipping off)
• Understanding what might feel best for your partner
• Tracking changes over time (yes, your penis girth can fluctuate!)

So, if you’re going to measure, you might as well do it right. Let’s get into the details.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Measuring Tool

A standard ruler won’t work for measuring girth. You need something flexible that can wrap around the circumference of your shaft. The best options are:

• A tailor’s measuring tape (the soft, flexible kind used for sewing)
• A piece of string (which you can mark and then measure with a ruler afterward)

Avoid using things like paper strips or non-flexible rulers. They’re awkward and often lead to inaccurate results.

Step 2: Getting a Full Erection

For consistency, you’ll want to measure when fully erect. Girth can vary significantly between a flaccid and erect state, so if you’re trying to get a measurement that reflects your actual size during sex, make sure you’re at 100%.

How to ensure you’re fully erect:

• Give yourself enough stimulation until you reach maximum hardness.
• Take your time—rushing may lead to a partial erection, which skews results.
• Stand up, as this is typically the most natural way to measure.

Step 3: Wrapping the Tape Measure (How Tight is Too Tight?)

Here’s where a lot of guys mess up. When wrapping the tape or string around your shaft, you should aim for firm contact with the skin, but without squeezing.

Think of it this way:

• Too loose? You’ll get an inflated measurement that isn’t accurate.
• Too tight? You might artificially shrink the girth, giving yourself a lower number than reality.
• Just right? The tape should be snug against the skin, but not pressing in hard enough to indent or restrict blood flow.

You should be able to comfortably slide a finger under the tape without it feeling like it's cutting into your skin.

Step 4: Measuring at the Right Spot

Not all parts of your shaft have the same girth. Some men are thicker at the base, while others are thickest near the middle or head. To get the most representative measurement:

• Wrap the tape around the thickest part of your shaft (usually the mid-shaft, but this varies by individual).
• Make sure the tape is parallel to the ground, not tilted or uneven.
• Read the measurement where the tape meets itself.

If you’re using a string, mark the meeting point with a pen, then straighten it out and measure it against a ruler.

Step 5: Double-Check Your Measurement

For accuracy, take two or three measurements and see if they match. If you get inconsistent results, re-evaluate how tightly you’re wrapping the tape or whether you’re measuring the thickest point.

Also, don’t stress if your number isn’t exactly what you hoped for. Remember: girth is just one aspect of sexual pleasure, and a difference of a few millimeters won’t make or break anything.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using a Metal Tape Measure – Those rigid measuring tapes from the toolbox? Bad idea. They won’t wrap smoothly, and you’ll get an inaccurate reading.
2. Measuring While Semi-Erect – Your girth when you’re only half-hard isn’t an accurate reflection of your true size during sex.
3. Pulling Too Tight – This compresses the skin and gives a smaller-than-real measurement.
4. Measuring in Different Places Each Time – Always go for the thickest part for consistency.
5. Not Writing It Down – If you’re tracking size over time, keep a note so you don’t have to measure again unnecessarily.

So, What’s the Average Penis Girth?

In case you’re wondering where you stand, here’s what studies show:

• Flaccid girth: Around 3.67 inches (9.31 cm)
• Erect girth: Around 4.59 inches (11.66 cm)

That means anything in the 4.5-5-inch range is completely normal. And even if you’re below that, remember—girth isn’t everything! Sexual technique and chemistry matter far more than raw numbers.

Final Thoughts

Measuring penis girth may not be a conversation topic at your next dinner party, but it’s something a lot of guys are curious about. If you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right.

To recap:

• Use a flexible measuring tape or string.
• Measure when fully erect.
• Wrap the tape snugly, but without squeezing.
• Take the measurement at the widest part of the shaft.
• Double-check for accuracy.

Now that you know the right way to measure, you can finally put those doubts to rest. And hey—if you ever find yourself in a conversation about penis size, you’ll be the guy who actually knows what he’s talking about.