What would be considered an abnormally large penis if both erect girth and erect length are considered together?
Executive summary
A penis that is unusually large by combined erect length and girth is best judged against population percentiles: studies put mean erect length around 13.1–14.2 cm (≈5.1–5.6 in) and mean erect girth around 11.7–12.2 cm (≈4.6–4.8 in); values above roughly the 95th percentile (for length about ≥16 cm / 6.3 in in some reports) would be considered unusually large by statistical standards [1] [2] [3]. Clinical accounts and surgeons treating extremes say truly problematic “macrophallia” is rare — often cited as under 5% of men with issues related to very large size — and that problems are judged by function and symptoms as much as raw measurements [3] [4].
1. How experts and studies define “abnormal”
Medical research defines abnormality statistically: sizes several standard deviations from the mean or above a high percentile. Large meta-analyses and clinical series report mean erect lengths clustering near 13–14 cm and erect girths near 11.7–12.2 cm, so an erect penis substantially above those numbers (for example, ≥16 cm length) sits near the 95th percentile in at least some datasets and is therefore “uncommon” by population metrics [5] [2] [1]. Surgeons and urologists who treat extremes describe true functional macrophallia as rare; Dr. Curtis Brown and other clinicians estimate physical problems from excessive size occur in a small minority of cases, often cited as less than 5% of men who present with concerns [3] [4].
2. Why combining length and girth matters clinically
Length and girth together determine volume, condom fit, sexual comfort for partners, and mechanical effects (weight, posture, friction). Studies typically report length and circumference separately (mean erect length ~13.1–14.2 cm, mean erect circumference ~11.66–12.23 cm) so clinicians combine those measures to evaluate whether an individual is far outside the distribution or experiencing functional trouble [1] [2]. Sources note that even though a length may be high, problems only become “clinical” if pain, difficulty with intercourse, hygiene, urination, or employment occur — length alone is not the sole determinant of abnormality [6] [3].
3. Percentiles and simple thresholds you’ll see in reporting
Journalistic and clinical summaries often use round thresholds: a 16 cm (≈6.3 in) erect length is cited as roughly the 95th percentile in at least one expert interview and popular reporting, meaning only about 5 in 100 men exceed it; other surveys place typical “rare” or “very large” categories above ~16–18 cm [3] [7]. Girth thresholds are less standardized in public reporting, but average erect girth figures (≈11.7–12.2 cm) imply that girths substantially above 13–14 cm are uncommon and would meaningfully increase penile volume [1] [2].
4. Measurement pitfalls and why numbers vary
Different studies use different methods (self-measurement vs. clinician-measured; pubic-bone-to-tip vs. skin-to-tip; medically induced erection vs. natural erection). That produces variation: pooled reviews give erect length 12.95–13.97 cm (5.1–5.5 in) while some US samples report means near 14.15 cm [8] [2]. Reporting biases (volunteer bias, self-exaggeration) push some datasets upward; clinician-measured series tend to report slightly lower averages [5] [1].
5. Functional perspective: when size becomes a medical or social problem
Sources emphasize function: pain during intercourse, inability to find comfortable positions, back strain from very heavy pendulous tissue, hygiene problems, or social/occupational impairment are what clinicians treat — not raw vanity measurements [3] [6]. Reports of extreme cases (individuals claiming very large sizes) are often covered in media but are exceptional; clinicians stress that most variation is within normal limits and that treatment is indicated only for functional impairment [3] [9].
6. Practical guidance and uncertainties in the record
If you want to know whether an individual measurement is “abnormally large,” compare it to standardized study means and percentiles: surpassing ~16 cm erect length and a girth well above average places a man in the upper tail of distributions cited by sources [3] [2] [1]. However, available sources do not mention a single, universally accepted cutoff combining length and girth into one clinical threshold; practice relies on percentile comparisons plus symptom assessment (not found in current reporting). Measurement method, population sampled, and reporting bias all shape where any individual falls in those percentiles [5] [1].
Sources consulted: large meta-analyses and systematic reviews of penis measurements [5] [8] [1], clinical series measuring erect length and circumference [2] [10], surgical and journalistic accounts about extreme cases and functional problems [3] [4], and consumer/educational summaries [6] [11].