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New Average Penis Size Study: Did Penises Actually Get Bigger?

Updated: Apr 22


New average penis size study by Stanford is claiming a new average penis size of 6 inches

When a new study comes out claiming to have discovered the average penis size, it instantly gets clicked on by almost every guy. After all, some, if not most of us want to know if we actually measure up to these standards that society has socially instructed all of us to worry about.


It seems that penis size will continue to be a topic of debate, indefinitely, because of the poor studies we've had up to date and poor mindsets that triggers men and individuals with penises to be worried about the size of their penis.


With that being said, there has been a recent meta analysis done by Stanford University that has gone viral talking about a new average penis size being "6 inches" in the news. Today we're going to dive into this study done along with a few others and dissect them.

We'll be taking an in-depth look at the new study about average penis sizes and why it may or may not be indicative of any real change in actual averages. We'll also be examining why looking at averages alone can be misleading when it comes to assessing size. So with that being said, let’s explore what the latest research says about the realities of average penis size.


Understanding The New Study On The Average Penis Size

The new meta-study that claims the average penis size has increased over recent years seems legit and on track with real information when you look at it on the surface level. However, upon closer examination of the study, many of its data sources are found to be of questionable quality or just downright unreliable.

According to the new meta study, "The average erect penis length has increased over the past three decades across the world.". They claim that the erect penile length has increased by 24% over the past 29 years, which is quite a huge increase in size.

However, after we've done some digging and looked through their new study, almost half of the information in the study seems to be questionable, even though they claim to have vetted all of the data.

Rich from bdestyle understanding the new study on the average penis size on his laptop

The Flaws in the new meta study on average penis sizes

After going through the study, we've decided to share with you some of the flaws and questionable information that we've found that could discount this study.


For instance, some studies relied on men sending in cards with their length (self reported versus measured by researcher) while others were done on those suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) and only measured to mid-glans instead of the full length.


Furthermore, other studies such as Siminoski 1993 had bad results and claimed an average stretched flaccid length size among 63 Canadian adult men of 3.7" (9.4cm), which also stands out in contrast to the assertions of this meta-study.

The Chrouser 2013 study had 93 subjects that were in the age groups of 19-49. However, they listed 253 subjects. And the Berookhim 2013 study only measured the shaft length of penises, excluding the glans.


Additionally, several studies used self-reported data and study groups composed of participants with an average age of over 60 years, all factors that can further skew data accuracy.

One last thing that we would like to specifically point out about this study is the regions used within this study. Because where that data comes from is going to make a big difference. It's a known fact that there are small differences in penis sizes regionally (America, Europe, Asia, etc). If you look at the studies from 2000-2010, they are based in regions that have statistically smaller penises.


If you take that data and then compare it with data from regions with statistically larger penises... well... you get the idea. The information just doesn't make sense.


Other Oberservations To Note

In the study, you can also find some conflicting data.

For example, in the graphs provided in the study, you can see that from 1940 to 2020 the average stretched penis size decreased from 14cm to 12cm. But in the graph next to it, it shows that the average erect penis increased from 1990 to 2020 from 12cm to 14.5 cm. Which is essentially contradicting itself.

graph for average penis size study

In addition to the graphs, it's also important to take note of two things that have had huge effects on erection health over the past 30 years... nutrition and the invention of PED5i's such as Viagra and Cialis.


Looking at what has happened in the last couple of decades in North America and our nutrition levels. The average American male is not exactly living a healthy lifestyle. Which could contribute to the loss of approximately a centimeter in penis size according to the data. At the same time, what else become very popular over the decades? Viagra and other medications increasing erection quailty.


Due to these missteps, it's easy to see why we're not taking this new study seriously and believe its conclusions may be just downright unreliable.


The Results of This New Study & Final Thoughts On It

In this journal study, it claims that the average penis increased by 24%. However, if you take a look at the exact numbers they even provide in this document at the beginning, it says that the flaccid stretched length is 13.93cm (5.4 inches). Which is not an increase of 24%.

So, to be clear...the average penis size is NOT 6 inches. At the beginning of this new study, they outright say that the average penis is 5.4 inches in the abstract.

The "6 inch" claim is coming from a graph mid-way through the journal that shows a mean of 14.55 cm. Which is not accurate in by itself and not accurate as an average penis size.

graph showing penis sizes from study

So anyone making this claim is essentially doing it for clicks and views. And they know they can get away with it because most people won't dif through this data to find out how inaccurate this claim is.


A good suggestion that can help you analyze penis size data is to use penis size calculators like CalcSD.


If you ask us, these calculators and group of individuals who took the time to create this for guys questioning the average size, are more trustworthy than the researchers who conducted the studies we've seen so far. They took the time to analyze the data and excluded the studies that had the most biases. Although it's not perfect because the studies we have so far aren't, it's the best analysis and tool we can use to gauge where we fall in line on the bell curve.


If you ask us, CalcSD in comparison to other calculators is by far the most updated and reliable calculator that analyzes studies on penis size with the least amount of variances or biases (again, it's the best we got because CalcSD is not performing the studies, it's the medical researchers who publish these studies with so many variances and biases that we have to factor when determining averages and variables to consider, etc.). CalcSD is just a tool that analyzes what has been published so far and has done a great job at keeping size in perspective.


The Realities of The Average Penis Size in 2023

In truth and backed by real and accurate data, the average penis size is approximately between 5.1–5.5 inches when erect and 3.5 inches when flaccid.


This is the average size of a penis in 2023 and it's important to note that this number will vary from person to person. Just like any other body part, people come in all shapes and sizes. But if you are an adult male scared about the size of your penis, there is no need to worry. You are most likely completely normal sized and there are plenty of other guys in the same boat as you.


You also have to factor in statistical analysis, range and standard deviation. Average means average of the population being measured. But most researchers also like to put things on a bell curve to determine ranges and other measurements that are +/- of the average (1 or 2 or 3 standard deviations over.... left or right of the average).


Here is an example of a bell curve for educational purposes.



bell curves and penis size


Again, this just an example of a bell curve, but if you've ever seen or heard that the "average range" is from 4.5 to 6.25 inches or 5 to 7 inches, these "ranges" hold the most "probable" measurement you'll see in real life with most guys being smacked in the middle with an average penis size length.

So, if you're with a group of friends (all male or individuals with penises), it's safe to say that it is very likely that all of them will most likely or "probably" have a penis size that is 5.5 inches.

Let's Keep Penis Size In Perspective...Objectively


Sure, most guys may be around 5-5.5 inches, a few of them may even be 6 inches, or some will be 4 inches, etc.


But If a guy you know is claiming they're 9 or 10 inches, it's most likely bullshit based on statistics and probability. They're probably:

  • Secretly competing with you (male to male competition)

  • Lying to women, which skews their perception on size (although, it has been speculated that women tend to already have a warped perception on size/measurments...aka "girl inches")

  • Lying on dating apps (as it appears this is common among LGBTQ dating/hookup culture)

  • Measuring incorrectly (yes! some, if not most guys don't know how to measure correctly)

  • Inflating their measurements because of a fear of embarrassment or wanting to fit in a category that our society has socially instructed us to believe is socially desirable (our society is fixated on the old notion of "bigger" always being better).


guys comparing penis size from the new average penis size study

This is why it's important to actually know how to read statistics rather than play a game of "telephone" with your friends on what they hear from others online or freak out if a friend says they have 10 or 12 inches below the belt.

It's also important to read a full study past the abstract to make your own conclusions. Reading a social media post or a headline on a publication site claiming 6 inches is going to do nothing but disrupt the internet while will triggering insecurities of men from all communities.

And I hate to add this next section to this blog post, but it paints a reality that some, if not most of us don't want to admit happens when we see conflicting information online like this.


Now For The Harsher Realities On Penis Size...

Penis size is something that men are pushed to obsess over because of societal expectations, movies and shows using huge prosthetic penises to portray male nudity, unrealistic pornography and a skewed perception of size and lastly, your typical bullying on social media or in the locker rooms.

And with some partners, size will matter. Unfortunately, you can't avoid or pretend these populations of people don't exist. They have their preferences and regardless of how good your sexual chemistry, technique or personality is, this may drive you to go down a rabbit hole in search of more answers about this topic.

size doesn't matter infographic

Sadly, there are still questions left partially unanswered about penis size in relation to pleasure, which is still considered a controversial topic to this day. If you ask us, size does matter in relation to sex and pleasure. That's our personal perspective. You don't have to agree, but keep an open mind, because the studies on preferences for both heterosexual women and LGBTQ men have biases and flaws themselves. Not to mention, these studies are rather older/alittle outdated to be considered relevant today.


Sure, bigger isn't always better, but what constitutes "big" or the perceptions of what people mean by what they think is "big" is going to be different among the masses. Again, if you ask us, size definitely matters. But based on the current data on this topic, and on anatomy and attraction, we don't think a "huge" dick is the ideal notion here. We believe somewhere in between 6-8 inches may be the "sweet spot", which many of us fall short of.

Despite what we know "objectively" about penis size, it does not always translate to what men experience "subjectively" in their own personal lives or in the dating world.


Poorly Designed Penis Size Studies And Debates May Trigger Men To Explore Penis Enlargement


Poorly Designed Penis Size Studies And Debates May Trigger Men To Explore Penis Enlargement

And Despite the warnings and risks associated with penis enlargement, some of you will go down the rabbit whole of starting a penis enlargement journey. If that is something that you truly want to start, regardless of the initial reason, there are ways to go about it right and wrong.


Now before some of you call me a hypocrite or that I'm giving contradicting information ("Do it" versus "don't do it") because I am a PE (penis enlargement) enthusiast, practitioner, too, or whatever you want to call me. I'm going to give you both sides.