During puberty, the penis will grow in both length and girth. Once puberty ends, there is unlikely to be any further penile growth. That said, some males may experience growth into their early 20s.
Many males have concerns about the size of their penis at some point. However, research shows that most have a penis size that is within the normal ranges.
Studies also indicate that most people are happy with the length of their partner's penis.
In this article, learn about penile growth during puberty, the average penis size, and the truth behind some of the most common penis size myths.
For boys, puberty generally occurs between the ages of 12 and 16. It can begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 14 and may last for up to 4 years.
During this time, the penis will get longer and thicker. The rate at which growth occurs varies from one person to another.
Once puberty ends, the penis will stop growing. This is typically by the time the male reaches 18 years of age.
Other changes that affect the penis and genitals during puberty include:
- testicle growth
- thinning and reddening of the testicles
- pubic hair growth around the penis
- nocturnal emissions of semen, or "wet dreams"
- more frequent erections and ejaculation
Research on 15,521 people from around the world reports that the average penis length is:
- 9.16 centimeters (cm), or 3.61 inches ("), when flaccid
- 13.12 cm, or 5.16", when erect
The average girth, or circumference, is:
- 9.31 cm, or 3.67", when flaccid
- 11.66 cm, or 4.59", when erect
Studies show that most males who believe they have a short penis overestimate the average penis length. The majority of these people are actually within the normal ranges of penis size.
Tags
Research