A new study from the University of California and the University of New Mexico has found that women prefer a slightly larger penis for a one-time sexual encounter compared to a long-term partner. The research used 33 different-sized 3D blue plastic models to minimise racial skin-colour cues, and 75 women aged 18 to 65 participated.
When asked to select their preferred size for a long-term partner, the average choice was 6.3 inches (16cm) in length and 4.8 inches (12.2cm) in circumference. For a one-time sexual experience, the preferred model was slightly larger at 6.4 inches (16.3cm) long and 5.0 inches (12.7cm) around.
This is the first study to use 3D erect models, providing hard evidence that women's ideal penis size is slightly above the global average. Previous research relied on 2D images of flaccid penises. The global average erect penis is 5.2 inches (13.1cm) long and 4.6 inches (11.7cm) in circumference, according to a 2015 analysis of 15,000 phalluses.
Participants also completed a questionnaire about their sexual history. Reported penis sizes encountered ranged from 2.5 inches to 8 inches. Notably, 7% of women said they had ended a relationship because a partner's penis was 'too large', while 20% cited it being 'too small' as a contributing factor.
