GOOD THINGS COME in small packages. Compact running backs can squeeze through packs of linemen more easily. Short, slim jockeys are more aerodynamic on the racetrack. And the same goes for having a small penis.
When it comes to sex, forget the idea that bigger equals better. Pleasure isn’t dependent on the size of your package—in fact, the vast majority of people with vulvas (at least 80 percent) cannot orgasm from vaginal penetration alone, according to a 2018 study. “Most of the sensitive nerve endings that contribute to the female orgasm are located on the surface of the vulva or not so far into the vagina,” says Ian Kerner, PhD, LMFT, sex therapist and author of She Comes First. “So, by penetrating deeply, you’re creating a nice sensation of fullness, but you’re not necessarily stimulating nerve endings that are directly generating arousal.”
While choosing the best sex positions for guys with a small penis can certainly help you pleasure your partner, incorporating clitoral, nipple, and other erogenous zone stimulation will actually have a bigger impact on making the sexual experience more enjoyable. Thirty-seven percent of people with vulvas need clitoral stimulation to orgasm, and an additional 36 percent say that, although clit stimulation is not necessary, their climaxes feel better if their clitoris is stimulated during intercourse, according to that same 2018 study.
Don’t Sweat the “Small” Stuff: Not that it matters, but the average length of an erect penis is 5.1 to 5.5 inches long, according to a 2020 meta-analysis in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. So, if you’re on the shorter side of that, you’re scientifically considered smaller than average. But, one consideration stated in this study is that most of these measurements required participants to volunteer to be measured—meaning there might be a chance that those who were willing to participate are bigger than those who aren’t. Basically, take these stats with a grain of salt.
Turns out, the clichéd phrase is true: It’s not about the size of your boat, but the motion of the ocean. Most people aren’t looking for “perfect” anatomy as much as they’re looking for someone who’s just plain good at sex, says Holly Richmond, PhD, LMFT, sex therapist and author of Reclaiming Pleasure. “That means someone who is communicative, takes their time, and is attentive to [their partner’s] needs.” (Take it from a woman: There’s nothing hotter than a man who puts in the effort!)
Regardless of how hung you are, it never hurts to come to the bedroom prepared. Here are 10 expert-approved sex positions that allow for deeper penetration and better stimulation for people with a small penis.
At Men’s Health, we aim to describe sexual experiences as inclusively as possible. While the positions on this list have traditionally been associated with penis-in-vagina sex, they can be adapted by couples of all genders and sexual orientations and identities. We encourage readers to modify any position to suit their bodies, preferences, and needs. To avoid making assumptions about gender or anatomy, we use non-gendered language throughout this article. The “giving partner” or “giver” refers to the partner doing the penetrating, while the “receiving partner” or “receiver” refers to the partner being penetrated vaginally or anally.
1. Doggy Style
How to: The receiver gets on all fours, while the giver gets into a kneeling position and enters them from behind. Once in position, the giver can hold onto the receiver’s hips, waist, or even hair (if they consent to a little pulling) for additional control and leverage.
Benefits: Classic doggy style is the perfect small penis position because it “facilitates deep penetration so you can utilize the entire length of your shaft,” Richmond says. “You also control the speed and pattern of your thrusts for maximum penetration and pleasure.”
Pro tip: The giver’s hands are free to provide extra clitoral, testicular, or nipple stimulation, which can make these position way more enjoyable than any amount of extra penetration.
2. Face-Off
How to: The giver sits on a chair or at the edge of a bed. The receiving partner faces them, wraps their arms around the giver’s back, and sits in their lap. Once in the saddle, the receiver can ride up and down on the giver’s shaft by pressing with their legs or knees. Want to go faster? The giver can grab the receiving partner’s buttocks to assist with lifting and bouncing.
Benefits: This position is perfect for people with small penises because it’s less about “in and out” penetration and more about “wiggling” around while inside the receiving partner. Another perk is that it allows for kissing, nipple play, and heavy erogenous zone petting.
Pro tip: Consider wearing a vibrating cock ring with this position. “If you deep thrust with a vibrating cock ring, you’ll be providing intense clitoral stimulation which will compensate for lack of cervical stimulation,” says Kerner.
3. Cowgirl
How to: There are numerous cowgirl position variations out there, and it’s tough to recommend just one because it depends on how small your penis truly is, not to mention its angle. Classic cowgirl (or partner-on-top) is always a good place to start, though. The giving partner lies down on their back while the receiving partner straddles their hips. Then, the receiver lowers themselves down on to the giver’s penis (or strap-on), guiding the speed and depth of penetration.
Benefits: Regardless of the giver’s penis size, this is “the position that’s most likely to lead to orgasm because a woman is really in control of the clitoral stimulation, pressure, and friction,” Kerner previously told Men’s Health. “It’s a great position for a woman to get the angle just right in terms of how her clitoris is going to press into the base of a guy’s pelvis.”
4. Stand and Deliver
How to: The giver stands at the edge of a bed or desk while the receiver lies back and raises their legs to their chest. The receiver’s knees are bent as if they’re doing a “bicycling” exercise. The giver grabs their partner’s ankles and enters them.
Benefits: Also known as the Bicycle, this position allows for deep penetration and manual clitoral stimulation, Kerner says. “The vagina has far fewer nerve endings than the clitoris, which is only intermittently stimulated during most standard intercourse positions.” That’s why positions that offer more than one type of stimulation (like Stand and Deliver) are ideal for people with smaller penises.
Also, if you tend to gravitate toward the missionary position, this will feel somewhat familiar while still providing a fuller sensation.
Pro tip: What you lack in length you can make up for in creativity. Take this position out of the bedroom, and try it on the couch, kitchen counter, or any other surface that’s crotch height.
5. Elevated Reverse Cowgirl
How to: Elevated reverse cowgirl is just a simple variation of the classic reverse cowgirl position. The giver lies on their back with their legs outstretched. The receiving partner then straddles the giver’s hips, facing their feet. From a kneeling position, the receiver lowers down onto the giver’s shaft and begins riding. Then, to maximize penetration, place a pillow under the giver’s hips, Richmond says.
Benefits: As we already mentioned, cowgirl is *chef’s kiss* for deep penetration, but when you add in that extra elevation under your hips, your partner is able to sink lower, says Richmond, which allows the deep sensations to get even deeper.
Pro tip: If you can’t get enough elevation with a regular pillow, try using a wedge-shaped sex pillow instead.
6. The Spork
How to: The receiver lies on their back and raises their right leg so the giver can position their body between their legs at a 90-degree angle and enter. The receiver’s legs will form the tines of a spork.
Benefits: This position is awesome because it allows the penetrating partner to use the receiving partner’s leg as leverage, says Richmond. Plus, lifting up one of the receiver’s legs makes them feel more filled up, thus eliminating any “I don’t think I can get deep enough” worries.
7. Sideways Lazy Man
How to: The giver places pillows behind their back and sits on the bed with legs outstretched (this position can also be done in a chair with their giver’s feet on the ground). The receiving partner sits on the giving partner’s lap with their legs facing right or left rather than straight ahead, says Richmond. The giver can either use their hands to lift the receiver’s hips up and down or, if the receiver is sitting down low enough, they can use their feet to push off the floor to create momentum.
Benefits: It’s all about the added inches the side positioning adds. “This will cause their hips to drop slightly more than in normal cowgirl, and give you the extra penetration you’re looking for,” Richmond says.
8. The G-Whiz
How to: The receiving partner lies on their back. The giver kneels between the receiver’s legs and raises them, resting the receiver’s calves over the giver’s shoulders. The giver should rock in a side-to-side and up-and-down motion to bring the head and shaft of their penis in direct contact with the front wall of the receiver’s vagina or anus.
Ready for a position that maximizes penetration to a whole other degree? Enter: the G-Whiz. “Have your partner lie on their back and pull their knees up to their chest and roll back so their hips lift off the floor,” says Richmond. From there, you just scooch up in front of your partner and penetrate. She adds that if your body permits, you can actually squat next to your partner with your knees moving outside of theirs. Just make sure to do this on a carpeted floor or couch and watch out for rug burn.
Benefits: This position is awesome for two main reasons: First, the receiving partner’s hips are elevated, which allows for deeper penetration. Secondly, there’s a slightly dominate/submissive vibe to this position which—as long as everyone consents—can make the whole experience feel even more erotic.
Pro tip: If the giver’s body permits, they can also squat on top of the receiver with their feet on either side of their partner’s hips, says Richmond.
9. The Flatiron
How to: The receiver lies facedown on the bed with their knees slightly bent and hips slightly raised. For comfort, and to increase the angle of their hips, they can place a pillow under their lower abs. The giver enters them from behind and keeps their weight off the receiver’s body with their arms.
Benefits: “Because the receiver’s hips are in a position that’s more closed than open, there will be greater friction created on their vaginal walls,” says Richmond. The Flatiron creates a snug fit, making the giver’s shaft feel larger to their partner.
Pro tip: The tighter the receiver squeezes their legs, the more stimulation (and pleasure!) both partners will feel.
10. The Little Dipper
How to: The receiving partner uses either a bed, couch, or chair to hoist themselves over their partner. The giver then inserts their penis into their partner’s vagina or anus. The receiver then does tricep dips to move up and down on their partner’s shaft. If done correctly, you should be in a T-shape formation.
Benefits: This is another position that allows for both deep penetration and easy access for clitoral stimulation, Kerner says.
Pro tip: The receiving partner needs a fair amount of tricep strength to do this position, so they may need to take breaks or want to change positions after a few minutes. In that case, just switch to another position on this list!
Meet the Experts
- Ian Kerner, PhD, LMFT, is a sex therapist and author of She Comes First and So Tell Me About the Last Time You Had Sex.
- Holly Richmond, PhD, LMFT, is a sex therapist, somatic psychotherapist, and author of Reclaiming Pleasure.
Cori Ritchey, C.S.C.S., is the fitness editor at Women’s Health, as well as a certified strength and condition coach and group fitness instructor. She’s reported on topics regarding health, nutrition, mental health, fitness, sex, and relationships for several years. You can find more of her work in Men’s Health, HealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and others.
