What's the estimated erect girth for a flaccid girth of 4.5 to 4.75 inches and if their girth is 5.25 with a erection quality of. 2/5 does this mean they arent at their full potential

Checked on January 21, 2026
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Executive summary

Using large, measured datasets, flaccid-to-erect circumference typically increases by roughly 25% on average; by that rule a flaccid girth of 4.5–4.75 inches would predict an average erect girth near 5.6–5.9 inches, so an observed erect girth of 5.25 inches is lower than that population-based expectation and—when paired with an erection-quality score of about 2 out of 4—suggests the erection is not reaching full rigidity rather than necessarily indicating a fixed anatomical shortfall [1] [2] [3] [4].

1. Flaccid-to-erect change: what the big studies show

Meta-analyses and large clinical series measured by professionals report mean flaccid circumferences around 9.1–9.6 cm (≈3.6–3.8 in) and mean erect circumferences around 11.7–12.0 cm (≈4.6–4.7 in), implying an average multiplier of roughly 1.24–1.26 between flaccid and erect girth across samples [1] [2] [5]. Using that empiric factor provides a simple, evidence-based way to estimate likely erect girth from a measured flaccid girth rather than relying on anecdotes or self-report data [3].

2. Applying the math: estimated erect girth from 4.5–4.75 inches flaccid

Multiplying the reported flaccid range (4.5–4.75 in) by the roughly 1.25 average increase gives an expected erect girth of approximately 5.6–5.9 inches (4.5 × 1.25 = 5.625; 4.75 × 1.25 = 5.9375) based on population averages [1] [2]. That is an estimate, not a certainty: individual trajectories vary widely and distributions show many men fall below or above the mean [5].

3. Interpreting an observed erect girth of 5.25 inches

An erect girth of 5.25 inches is measurable and within the broader normal range reported in the literature, but it is somewhat below the simple 1.25-based expectation for someone whose flaccid girth is 4.5–4.75 in; this gap can reflect submaximal vascular engorgement or partial rigidity during measurement rather than irreversible size limitation [1] [2]. Studies emphasize that flaccid size is an imperfect predictor of erect outcome and that situational factors—temperature, anxiety, recent ejaculation or level of sexual arousal—affect both flaccid and erect measurements [1] [6].

4. What an Erection Hardness Score (EHS) of ~2 means for "full potential"

The Erection Hardness Score is a simple, validated patient-reported scale in clinical use: score 2 means “penis is hard but not hard enough for penetration,” while 3–4 indicate progressively firmer erections adequate for intercourse and full rigidity [4] [7]. An EHS around 2 accompanying a below-expected erect girth suggests the erection was physiologically incomplete at measurement—so the shortfall may be functional (blood flow, venous leak, medication, psychogenic factors) rather than fixed penile circumference anatomy [7] [8].

5. Caveats, alternative explanations and next steps

Population averages mask broad individual variability and measurement methods differ across studies, so estimates carry uncertainty; some men are “growers” who show large increases from flaccid to erect, others less so, and device- or clinician-measured values can differ from self-measurement [1] [5]. If concerns persist, clinical evaluation using validated tools (EHS, IIEF/SHIM) and, when indicated, objective vascular testing (penile Doppler, intracavernosal injection tests) is the pathway recommended by urology guidelines to distinguish functional erectile insufficiency from structural issues [9] [7].

6. Bottom line

Data-backed conversion suggests an erect girth of about 5.6–5.9 inches would be the population average for a 4.5–4.75 inch flaccid girth; an erect girth measured at 5.25 inches combined with an EHS of ~2 points to incomplete rigidity at the time of measurement—not definitive anatomical underdevelopment—and merits clinical assessment if it impairs sexual activity or causes distress [1] [2] [4] [9].

Want to dive deeper?
How is the Erection Hardness Score (EHS) used in clinical practice and what treatments improve it?
What objective tests (penile Doppler, intracavernosal injection) distinguish vascular versus structural causes of submaximal erection?
How much do situational factors (temperature, anxiety, recent ejaculation) change measured flaccid and erect girth in clinical studies?