People’s biggest mistake when buying dildos online is choosing the wrong size. Some people realize that their purchase is too small, while others feel inadequate because they need something bigger. But how do I choose a size that’s right for me?
If you are pondering this question, this guide is for you! Our clinical sexologist Rachel Sommer, Ph.D., has summarized everything you need to know about selecting the best dildo size for your exact needs, including a breakdown of the different terms you see on the web stores. Let’s get started!
Table Of Contents
- Why Is Size Important?
- Insertable Length vs. Length
- What Is Girth, And Why Does It Matter?
- What Is Firmness?
- Dildo Size Chart
- How To Choose The Right Dildo Size?
- What Is The Best Selling Dildo Size?
- What Dildo Size Do Women Prefer?
- What Is The Best Dildo Size For Anal?
- What Is The Average Dildo Size?
- What Is The Largest Dildo Size On The Market?
- Dildo Size Infographic
- Wrapping Up
Why Is Size Important?
Choosing the right dildo size is crucial because it will influence the pleasure you get from your new purchase. Sex toys come in different sizes, and it’s a crucial consideration.
When choosing the dildo dimensions, you should look at the length, girth, and firmness. Let’s have a closer look at what these terms mean.
Insertable Length vs. Length
The insertable length is the length of the dildo itself, and it’s usually what you see on the packaging. However, there’s a difference between the insertable length and the length of the sex toys.
- The length is measured from the base to the tip, and it’s the term that most manufacturers display on the packaging. However, please note that this is not the length you can insert into the vagina; that’s actually the insertable length.
- The insertable length refers to the length when it’s fully inserted into the vagina. It’s usually measured from the tip to the area that has some type of barrier, like testicles or flared base.
What Is Girth, And Why Does It Matter?
Besides the length, the girth is another essential aspect to consider when purchasing a dildo.
Girth refers to the circumference of the dildo, and it’s the term that most manufacturers display on the packaging. Most commonly, it’s measured at the widest part of the dildo.
Please note there’s a difference between girth and diameter. Diameter, sometimes called width, is measured from one side to the other, and it’s also a term that many manufacturers use for their product descriptions. Please don’t mix these two terms up.
Pro Tip: Here’s an excellent online tool where you can convert between circumference and diameter.
From my experience, girth may be even more important than length since the girth limit is how far your vagina can stretch, while you can just choose not to insert the complete length.
It’s also important to know you can have a considerable girth without being very long. It’s the case of the VixSkin Vixen, which is a dildo that measures just 5 inches.
What Is Firmness?
Sex toys have different firmness levels. The firmness level can vary from very soft to very hard, and it’s also a key consideration when choosing your size. It’s especially crucial when buying silicone dildos.
If you buy a dildo that’s too stiff, it will feel larger. On the other hand, softer material will more easily shape to the contours of your vaginal walls, making them appear smaller.
Dildo Size Chart
The following is a chart of the different dildo sizes and their corresponding measurements. It’s beneficial if you want to make sure you choose the right size.
How To Choose The Right Dildo Size?
Now you know the basics, and we can move on to decide the perfect dildo size for your exact needs, starting with the length.
1. Choose Your Length
In my opinion, you have some leeway with the length since you can always opt not to insert the entire length. But to be on the safe side, I recommend buying a product close to the average penis length, which is between 5.1 inches and 5.5 inches.
From there, you get a feel if you want something smaller or go for something heftier next time.
Pro Tip: Always look for “insertable length,” which is what you actually will insert into your vagina.
Additionally, if you want to make sure that the dildo will fit, check the measurements against the chart above.
2. Choose Your Girth
Girth is a term that’s often misunderstood, and it’s often used interchangeably with diameter.
The most straightforward method to determine the girth is to see how many fingers you can comfortably fit inside your vagina. You can do it solo or with the help of your partner.
Try one by one until you reach the level you’re most comfortable with. Then grab a tape measure and measure the circumference.
Voila!
3. Do Online Research
When you have an insertable length and girth in mind, I recommend spending some time doing research.
But where do I start? Your best friends are the verified customer reviews. Many inexperienced customers are surprised when receiving their product since it’s much larger (or smaller) than they imagined from the photos and product description. Therefore, sex toy reviews are extremely helpful in ensuring you’re getting the ideal size, making your shopping a pleasant experience.
If you don’t know where to start, the best place is Lovehoney, since it has a very good range of dildo sizes, as well as a wide variety of brands and categories, like dildos that vibrate, G-spot, realistic, etc.
In addition, some other online stores also offer a good range of sizes, like Shevibe.com and Liberator.
Pro Tip: Be aware of marketing language such as “large,” “thick,” etc. Those are just ways to hype up the product, so always closely inspect the product description before your purchase.
Another reason to check online reviews is to understand the firmness of the product. A very firm dildo will feel much larger than a squisher, soft model.
What Is The Best Selling Dildo Size?
The most popular dildo size is very close to the average penis size: between 5.1 inches and 5.5 inches in length and 4.59 inches in average penis girth.
Hence, if you are unsure where to start, I recommend looking for a product with these measurements.
What Dildo Size Do Women Prefer?
On the whole, women tend to prefer dildos that are around the average penis size.
When you think about it, it makes sense since it’s more realistic to expect your vagina to accommodate a penis.
However, it varies a lot since many women are so-called “size queens” and prefer a lot of girths, while others just need a smaller G-spot vibrator for pinpoint stimulation.
Your preference comes from experience, so don’t worry too much about that right now.
What Is The Best Dildo Size For Anal?
Since there are differences between the vagina and the anus, the same size won’t necessarily fit both.
Obviously, the vagina has a much larger opening, making it more flexible, while the anus is much tighter. And since the anus is a lot tighter throughout, the circumference will matter more than the length.
I recommend the same approach as for vagina dildos: Use your fingers to see how many you are comfortable using. The best position for this test is doggy style (on all fours), and you can do it alone or with your partner.
If you’re an anal beginner and want a general rule, you can go with a girth of 1 inch to 1.25 inches.
Pro Tip: Ensure the anal toy has a flared base, so it doesn’t disappear inside your anus!
What Is The Average Dildo Size?
Maybe you’re wondering next what dildo sizes are most commonly sold on the Internet. Well, it seems the average size dildo ranges from 4 to 6 inches, with a girth between 4 and 5 inches.
What Is The Largest Dildo Size On The Market?
Lovehoney sells dildos with lengths over 20 inches and over 10 inches in circumference, but those are for advanced users.
The biggest size you can find anywhere is a dildo from Pipedream that measures 12-foot, 4-inch.
Dildo Size Infographic
We have summarized our article in this handy infographic. Please share!
Wrapping Up
You’re now ready to choose the ideal dildo size for you.
To recap, if you’re a beginner, I recommend starting with a dildo that’s between 5.1 inches and 5.5 inches.
You can always upgrade to a bigger dildo later, but you want to start slow and easy.
What’s more, there’s no right or wrong size.
Size is a personal choice, and there’s no wrong or right size.
Thanks for reading my dildo size guide!
Rachel
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