Researchers Create 3D-Printed Penises to Test if Size Really Matters

By Mark Jessen - News Published: 20 Mar 2021, Last Updated: 20 Nov 2023

Evidently, there’s no limit on what you can use 3D printers for. Researchers from UCLA and the University of New Mexico are using a MakerBot 3D printer to make phallic-shaped models to study just how much size actually matters. The study used 33 models that ranged in a combination of shapes and sizes. The range went from 4 to 8.5 inches in length and 2.5 to 7 inches in girth.

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The researchers then asked 75 female participants in the study to pick the model that they felt best represented the average size of an erect penis. The results were that participants chose a model between 5 to 6 inches in length and between 4 and 5 inches in girth. Seems that the ladies were spot on.

Literature on the subject reports that the average length is 5.5 inches and the average girth is 4.8 inches. The study seems to suggest that women accurately recall size when it comes to a man’s penis, and that their preferences actually call for one that is only slightly larger than average. Interestingly, when it comes to short-term—i.e. one night stands—relationships, the women in the study preferred something slightly larger, but for long-term relationships, the preference was for something more average. The study also reported that 27 per cent of participants had reportedly broken off relationships because of the size issue (though that was primarily because things were shorter than desired).

“Since context matters, men should be thinking ‘fit’ rather than ‘fat’ with respect to their penis size,” lead researcher and Sexual psychophysiologist Dr. Nicole Prause told The Daily Beast. “In other words, women may prefer different sizes for different reasons at different times, so chances are very good any guy is someone’s ideal for the relationship type they are seeking.”

So the long and short of the debate—excuse the pun—is that most men are probably already well within the range in terms of size if you’re looking for a long-term relationship. Granted, if you’re looking to just have some fun, you might be better off with a larger member, but in the long run, you’re not. Also, women tend to “misremember” the actual size, judging things to be smaller than they are. So stop worrying about size—it doesn’t appear to matter in the way that you think.

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Mr Mark Jessen

Mark Jessen studied English at Brigham Young University, completing a double emphasis in creative writing and professional writing/editing. After graduating, Mark went to work for a small publisher as their book editor. After a brief time as a freelance writer, Mark entered the corporate world as a copywriter. These days, his hours are spent mostly in proofing and editing, though he continues to create content for a wide variety of projects. In 2017, Mark completed UCLA's Creative Writing Certification. A prolific writer, Mark has over 20 years of experience in journalism.

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