# Just how relative is a man's "size" when not excited? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 10, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479 "2010-02-10T21:40:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/1 "2010-02-10T21:40:16Z")
Can two non-erect males with seemingly same sized penises be different sizes erect? ---
**Author:** ![Lunchy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Lunchy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunchy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/2 "2010-02-10T21:45:38Z")
Yes,…i mean \*cough, i HEARD that they can be. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/3 "2010-02-10T21:52:48Z")
Look up the slang terms showers vs. growers. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/4 "2010-02-10T21:52:50Z")
> [@Lunchy](#): > > Yes,..i mean \*cough, i HEARD that they can be. Well this dude I know is only really see’s himself when flaccid, and it’s winter time so… there’s a reason he asks. Isn’t too worried though. He had a co-worker walk in on him, and wonders about what he’ll say. When he walked in, my, er… “friend”, who isn’t known for his wit, said; “You’re not my 8:45!?” > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Look up the slang terms showers vs. growers. Never heard that. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/5 "2010-02-10T21:56:27Z")
[Cecil says yes](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/461/does-average-human-penis-length-vary-among-ethnic-groups), specifically in the context of race-linked differences in flaccid size being greater than differences in erect size. However, this was back in 1985 and he was mostly summarizing data collected by Kinsey, so I don’t know if this is still regarded as trustworthy. Anecdotal evidence: IME, yes, flaccid size is not perfectly correlated with erect size. Naturally, there is some correlation, but similarly-sized-when-flaccid guys can have quite different “coefficients of expansion”, so to speak. Non-anecdotal (AFAIK) evidence: [Dr. Ruth says,](http://sexuality-encyclopedia.com/dr-ruth/Penis) > [@](#): > > There is a great variation in penis size and in the change in penis size from the flaccid, or soft, state to partial or full erection. This is true both when different persons are compared and for any single individual over his lifetime and even in the course of a single day. Sex therapists and researchers have established that size variations of the penis have little to do with the ability to please a partner or to father children. Variations in penis size are due, in part, to differences in the proportion of the penis that is buried (the crus) and exposed (the body) Individuals with a short crus have larger penises, but during erection the penis may point downward. Those with a larger crus may have penises with shorter bodies and erections that point outward or upward. Variation in the change of size of the penis from the flaccid to the erect state means that men with penises of similar size when flaccid will have erect penises of very different sizes. Individuals will also have erections of different sizes and firmness depending on their physical and emotional state and their state of arousal. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/6 "2010-02-10T21:58:57Z")
Cool, actual [penis science](http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022534701656829)! From the _Journal of Urology_: > [@](#): > > Mean flaccid length was 8.8 cm., stretched length 12.4 cm. and erect length 12.9 cm. Neither patient age nor size of the flaccid penis accurately predicted erectile length. Stretched length most closely correlated with erect length. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/7 "2010-02-10T22:04:55Z")
Naturally, [there’s research on this](http://www.altpenis.com/penis_news/showers_growers.shtml). and the answer is yes. Looking at the graph in the link, you’ll see a red line with a bunch of dots on either side. The red line is the average, the little dots are -um- examples above or below the average. The dots indicate that the size of an erect penic grows anywhere from 125% to 400% greater than its non-excited self. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/8 "2010-02-10T22:12:54Z")
Wow, I’m glad I asked. …for my friend. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/9 "2010-02-10T22:19:42Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > [Cecil says yes](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/461/does-average-human-penis-length-vary-among-ethnic-groups), specifically in the context of race-linked differences in flaccid size being greater than differences in erect size. No doubt the source of the old story, even if they got it backward: White guy with a special tattoo–“Wendy” when the captain is saluting; “WY” at rest–on vacation in Jamaica. Curious. Takes a peek to the next urinal over. Same WY on the side. “Hey; I see we got the same girlfriend Wendy!” "Sorry, mon; mine is ‘Welcome to Jamaica, and have a nice day.’ " ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/10 "2010-02-10T23:47:04Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Cool, actual [penis science](http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022534701656829)! From the _Journal of Urology_: > > > [@](#): > > > > Stretched length most closely correlated with erect length. So the “I AM SERIOUS NOW” dude with the laptop dangling from his man-parts might actually be onto something, or not. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-relative-is-a-mans-size-when-not-excited/528479/11 "2010-02-11T01:33:27Z")
It shrinks. Like a frightened turtle.