You know what they say about guys who have big feet, right? They wear condoms that fit their cocks. No, people aren’t saying that.

“If the shoe fits, wear it!” You’re probably more familiar with that one. Can you imagine if you bought shoes two sizes too big in order to impress someone? That would be silly, not to mention a tripping hazard. So why buy condoms that don’t fit your penis? I have a pretty good idea where the “bigger penis equals better sex” fallacy came from—porn—but I won’t hold them solely responsible. The idea also stems directly from a lack of proper sex education. Penis diversity is never talked about—let alone different sizes of condoms.

But before we get into that, let’s talk about penis size.

A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Urology International found that, globally, the average erect penis length is a little more than five inches—a bit shorter than the iPhone 6s. There are outliers, of course, but if we surveyed 100 penis owners, only about 15 would have penises longer than six inches and only five would have penises shorter than four inches. The average penis girth found in the study was 4.6 inches. With the magic of pi, we know that means an average of about 1.5 inches in diameter.

Knowing your particular dimensions is key when selecting a condom. So how does one find the right fit?

Don’t worry about asking to borrow your friend’s phone that hasn’t been upgraded since 2015 so you can measure your penis. The ideal measuring device is probably already in your house: a roll of toilet paper. This may have been a difficult task earlier this year (#Covid), but I’m confident you have one to spare. Make your penis hard and insert it into the cardboard tube. If it fits comfortably, you will likely do well with most standard-sized condoms. If it is a little roomy, you may want to explore slimmer-fitting brands. If it’s tight or you can’t fit your erect penis into the tube, you should consider Magnums and other brands of larger condoms.

Why does this matter?

When used properly, condoms are a great way to prevent pregnancy and STI transmission, so we want condoms to work the way they are supposed to. A properly sized condom fits the penis well, doesn’t cause the user discomfort and doesn’t break. If your condom looks like a sandwich bag on your penis, that isn’t a good fit. Due to user error, many condoms’ effectiveness rates are lower during real-life sex than when tested for breakage, and having poor-fitting condoms definitely contributes to those lowered rates.

Knowing the condom size that’s right for you is great, but you also have to consider the variations of your penis. This is your permission slip to really inspect the specifics of your penis. Is the head particularly large? Is the shaft slim all the way up and down? Does it have a wider base? These factors can all impact how a condom is going to both fit and feel. Don’t think, “I tried them once and they didn’t work for me,” or the classic, “I’m too big for a condom.” If you watched my recent Playboy Advisor Live, you saw me put a condom over my entire forearm. If you’re larger than that, we should chat.

Based on the numbers in the British Journal of Urology International study, it stands to reason that penis owners may need to explore more size options.

Let’s review how to put a condom on a penis properly. First, make sure the condom isn’t expired and the packaging hasn’t been compromised. Open it with your hands—not your teeth!—and check the tip orientation of the rolled-up condom. It should be applied to an erect penis like a little hat, so you can roll it down with ease.

An additional option: Stretch out the condom ring before you put it on. Maybe a certain size almost fits you, but the bottom digs into your base. Give the ring a few stretches before you roll it on, which may help alleviate the pinching tightness at the base.

You can also add a drop of lube in the tip for added sensation. It really makes a difference! Now pinch the tip of the condom and roll it down the penis shaft until you reach the base. (Bonus points if you can do it with your mouth.) Now you can have fun!

It’s absolutely okay to change up the brand and style of condoms you use. There are literally hundreds on the market. Whether you need a snugger fit, a wider one because you’re particularly girthy or a larger reservoir tip for your head, I’m confident your Goldilocks perfect-fitting condom is out there. Leave your ego in aisle six and pick up the right fit for you. It’s also okay if you are just now learning about condoms. Thank you for taking the time to invest in safer sex, and high-five to you for using a condom!