How to measure for condom size
Grab a tape measure or a strip of paper. We walk you through measuring girth in millimetres and turning it into your width band.
By spafe ·Reviewed 18 Jul 2026 ·Backed by the database or cited
Measure in under a minute
-
1
Measure when erect. That's when a condom is worn, so it's the only measurement that reflects real fit.
-
2
Wrap around the thickest point. Usually the middle of the shaft. Bring a flexible tape, or a strip of paper, all the way around until it meets.
-
3
Read it in millimetres. Used paper? Mark the overlap and lay it flat against a ruler. Measured in cm? Multiply by 10, so 12.5cm is 125mm.
That circumference is your girth. Most people land between 100mm and 140mm.
Turn it into your size
Drag to the number you just measured. Your size band and the condoms in it update as you go.
If you land between two bands
Sizes are ranges rather than exact points, so a measurement can sit right on a boundary. When it does, the rule of thumb is to size down for security and up for comfort. A slightly snug condom grips and is less likely to slip, while a slightly roomier one trades a little of that security for a bit more room. If you are genuinely on the fence, buy one of each and feel the difference for yourself, because condoms are cheap enough to test and there is no wrong answer here.
What the number actually means
Your girth is a circumference, and it maps to a condom’s nominal width, which is the flat width of the condom as it lies down. It works out to roughly girth divided by 2.25, though you never need to do that sum yourself, since the tool above and the calculator both do it for you. If you want the full picture before you settle on a size, condom sizes and nominal width explained walks through the whole chart and it is a quick read.
| Band | Nominal width | Typical girth | Best if | Example condoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snug | 47 to 52mm | Under 110mm | Standard condoms slip or bunch up on you | Sax Extra Tight, Four Seasons Naked Closer Fit, Sax Tighter Fit |
| Standard | 52 to 56mm | 110 to 124mm | You have never really had a fit problem | LifeStyles Party Mix, LifeStyles Ultra Thin, Durex Thin Feel Regular Fit |
| Large | 56 to 60mm | 125 to 134mm | Standard feels tight or leaves a mark | Sax Bigger Fit, Durex Ribbed and Dotted, Durex Intense Next Gen |
| Extra large | 60mm+ | 135mm and up | Standard pinches or will not roll all the way down | Four Seasons Naked Larger, Sax Maxi Fit, Four Seasons Naked Black Large Flared |
Common questions
Do I measure length or girth?
Girth, the distance around rather than the length. Width, not length, is what decides fit, and girth is what maps to nominal width.
When should I measure?
When erect, since that's when the condom is worn. Measure at the thickest point for the number that matters.
What if I am between bands?
Size down for security and up for comfort. A slightly snug condom is less likely to slip, and a slightly roomy one is more comfortable. The calculator shows you both neighbours, so you can't go far wrong.
Inches or millimetres?
We use millimetres because that's how condoms are specced. If you measured in centimetres, multiply by 10, so 12cm is 120mm.
Got your number? Put it to work.
Drop your girth into the calculator for your width band and the in-stock condoms that fit it, or answer a few questions and we'll shortlist them for you.