What condom widths and sizes correspond to common measurements (nominal width chart)?
Executive summary
Condom "nominal width" is the industry term for the lay‑flat measurement across a condom’s open end, and it is the primary metric used to match condoms to penis girth; nominal width multiplied by two approximates penis circumference (girth) in millimetres (or measure girth and divide by 3.14 to get diameter/width) [1] [2] [3]. Manufacturers and retailers therefore supply size ranges—small, regular, large, XL/XXL—or a finer custom scale (e.g., MyONE 45–64 mm) because nominal width and brand labelling are not standardized across companies [4] [5] [6].
1. What "nominal width" actually measures and how to calculate it
Nominal width is the condom’s lay‑flat width—the distance from one side to the other when the condom is flattened—and is the number printed on most condom specs [1] [7]. To check fit from a penis measurement, measure girth around the thickest part of an erect penis and either divide that girth by 3.14 to get diameter/width or divide circumference by 2 to compare directly with the condom’s nominal width (both approaches are described by product guides and sexual‑health sites) [3] [8] [2].
2. Common nominal width categories and the girth they correspond to
Standard off‑the‑shelf condoms cluster around a 52–54 mm nominal width (often called "regular" or "classic"), which corresponds to roughly 104–108 mm (10.4–10.8 cm) of girth when doubled [4] [9] [5]. Small or snugger condoms commonly sit around 45–50 mm nominal width (90–100 mm girth), while large or XL options typically run from about 56–60 mm (112–120 mm girth), and XXL or extra‑large products are generally cited around 60–64 mm nominal width (120–128 mm girth) [5] [4] [10]. These ranges are the practical mapping used by retailers and brands to recommend fits [2] [6].
3. Brand variability, custom sizing, and why a single chart can mislead
Labels such as "regular," "large," or "XL" are brand‑dependent; a "regular" from one maker may equal another maker’s slightly different nominal width, so the raw millimetre nominal width is the reliable comparator rather than the marketing term [5] [6]. Some companies now offer fine‑grained or custom systems—MyONE/MyONE Custom Fit provides many sizes in the 45–64 mm range and converts girth to a FitCode—because small increments in nominal width affect comfort and function [4] [11] [9]. Independent fit calculators and community data (calcSD, Condom Depot guides) aggregate manufacturer specs and user feedback to recommend particular models given a measured girth, acknowledging that condom elasticity and user preference alter ideal fit [12] [2].
4. Practical examples and a quick conversion rule
A practical rule of thumb used across sexual‑health resources: nominal width (mm) × 2 ≈ penis circumference/girth (mm); conversely, measured girth (mm) ÷ 3.14 ≈ diameter (mm) which can be cross‑checked against nominal width [2] [3] [8]. Example: a 53 mm nominal width condom corresponds to about a 106 mm (10.6 cm) girth and will be the "classic/regular" fit most off‑the‑shelf condoms advertise [9] [4]. For someone with a 125 mm girth, a nominal width near 62–64 mm would typically be recommended [5] [4].
5. Caveats, measurement tips and the last word on fit
Measure girth with a soft tape while fully erect and repeat to confirm; many guides suggest using string/ruler if no tape is available and emphasize that condoms differ in base width, mid‑shaft width and stretchiness so ideal fit is partly model‑dependent [3] [7] [1]. Because labeling varies and fit preferences differ, consult the condom’s nominal width in millimetres rather than category names, try a few specific models, or use brand fit tools (MyONE FitCode or retailer charts) to zero in on the best match for both comfort and safety [11] [12] [4].