A condom that pinches your cock is difficult to ignore. So is one that keeps slipping while you're trying to enjoy yourself. You don't have to accept either as the price of using protection.
The aim is a condom that rolls down comfortably and stays in place. Start with width, then consider shape and material. The impressive word on the front of the packet can sit this one out.
Condom width means the condom laid flat
“Nominal width” sounds needlessly fancy, but it simply means the condom's width when laid flat, measured in millimetres. It isn't your penis diameter, and it isn't the distance around your cock.
That number helps you compare options more usefully than labels such as regular or large, which vary between brands. Two condoms with the same width may still feel different because of their shape and stretch.
Keep the number from a condom that fits well. It's a better shopping reference than trying to remember whether the packet was the gold one or the slightly more aggressive gold one.
Measure around your erect penis
Use a soft measuring tape around the shaft of your erect penis without pulling it tight. That gives you circumference. Match the measurement to the brand's fit chart, using its stated measuring position.
Don't simply turn your measurement into a condom size by halving it. Materials stretch, and fit charts account for that differently.
Length matters too: the condom needs to cover the penis properly down to the base. But when the problem is squeezing or slipping, width deserves attention before you start shopping for extra length.
Notice what the condom actually does
- It squeezes or digs in: a wider fit may be more comfortable.
- It feels baggy or repeatedly slips: a narrower fit may help.
- It drags during sex: compatible lube may be part of the answer, rather than a different size alone.
Slipping can also happen if an erection softens, so size isn't the only possibility. Hold the condom at the base when withdrawing, before the penis goes soft.
For friction, our condom and lube compatibility guide explains what to pair together. A little preparation is much nicer than interrupting things to interrogate the contents of the bedside drawer.
Try the fit before a date
You can practise putting a condom on alone. No audience, no hurry and no need to pretend the first packet you ever bought must be your lifelong favourite.
Use a fresh condom for sex, keep it on throughout and never layer two together. If one breaks or slips during sex, stop and get prompt advice about emergency contraception or STI care where relevant.
Choose texture after comfort
Ribbed, dotted and thinner condoms can feel different, but none fixes the wrong fit. If the material itself doesn't suit you, our latex and non-latex comparison covers other choices.
Browse our condoms for the width and feel you want. A well-fitting condom should leave you thinking about the person you're with, not the bloody packet.