What is a dick size women prefer?
Executive summary
The best-backed answer is that many heterosexual women in published studies prefer penises only slightly larger than the population average—roughly 6.3–6.4 inches (16.0–16.3 cm) erect in length and about 4.8–5.0 inches (12.2–12.7 cm) in circumference (girth), with a small tendency to prefer marginally larger size for one‑time partners than for long‑term partners [1] [2] [3]. That headline number sits alongside large bodies of research saying most women report being satisfied with their partner’s penis size and that other factors often matter more to sexual satisfaction, and the evidence has important sampling and method limits [3] [4].
1. The most-cited empirical finding: “slightly larger than average”
A tactile 3D‑model study—widely reported and published in PLOS ONE and indexed on PubMed—asked women to choose lifelike models and produced the clearest numeric summary: preferred erect length for a long‑term partner about 6.3 inches and girth about 4.8 inches, and for a one‑time partner about 6.4 inches length and 5.0 inches girth [1] [2] [5]. Multiple mainstream health outlets and industry writeups repeat those same central figures when summarizing the research [3] [6].
2. How that compares to “average” size in measurement studies
Meta‑analyses and measurement studies of erect penises place average lengths lower—commonly in the roughly 5.1–5.5 inch range reported across studies—and average girth estimates around 4.6–4.9 inches depending on the dataset, meaning the stated female preference is modestly above many reported averages rather than extremely larger [3] [7] [8]. Different reviews and press pieces give slightly different baselines, but the consistent story is preference > average by a little, not by several inches [7] [9].
3. Context: size is only one factor in satisfaction
Multiple sources stress that penis size often ranks behind partner behavior, technique, compatibility, communication, and other attributes for sexual satisfaction; large surveys find a high proportion of women report satisfaction with their partner’s size even while many men express body image concerns [3] [4] [10]. The PLOS ONE authors themselves and subsequent commentaries caution that a stated “ideal” in a model‑selection task doesn’t automatically translate into real‑world importance or physiological necessity [1] [11].
4. Variation, measurement limits and sampling caveats
The key experiments have limitations: sample sizes are modest (e.g., 75 women in some reports), samples often drawn from particular regions (California) and demographics (mostly white or Asian, sexually experienced women), and tasks used artificial 3D models rather than in‑bed experience, which constrains how generally the numbers can be applied [1] [5] [3]. Other surveys using different methods and larger convenience samples produce different “ideal” figures—some industry surveys and clinics report lower or higher preferred sizes—so the specific inch‑and‑fraction answer depends on method and population [8] [12].
5. Nuance on length versus girth and physiology
Several researchers note that girth (width) can matter at least as much as length for reported pleasure or clitoral stimulation, and some surveys find women prioritize girth or weight girth and length equally; the scientific literature highlights that physiological and psychological explanations remain unresolved and that preference patterns are not purely geometric [11] [8]. The PLOS ONE study observed that women more often cited a penis being “too small” as a problem than “too large,” indicating asymmetry in dissatisfaction [1].
6. Bottom line answer
Synthesize the evidence: the best empirical estimates from controlled model‑selection research indicate women tend to prefer a penis modestly above the measured average—about 6.3–6.4 inches long and 4.8–5.0 inches in girth—while broad survey literature and clinical commentary emphasize that many women are satisfied with average sizes and that technique, compatibility, and communication frequently trump pure dimensions [1] [3] [4]. The evidence base is still limited in diversity and method, so these numbers should be treated as indicative rather than universally prescriptive [5] [3].