How Large Can A Clitoris Get And Can It Affect Orgasm?

​In this article we’ll cover everything about the clitoris, including the average size, how large a clitoris can get, cultural preferences, the clitoris anatomy, its placement, its impact on the female orgasm, and more. Plus, keep reading to see the length of the largest clitoris!
Human fascination with sex has led to a curious exploration of sexual records throughout history. From the largest and smallest genitalia to bizarre aphrodisiacs and unusual contraception methods, societies have shown a keen interest in documenting and discussing sexual anatomy and practices.
Moreover, modern-day expectations and perceptions surrounding labial and clitoral lengths have raised concerns about body image and self-acceptance. The worst part, is there’s not much education on the topic. It seems that there are forces in this world who would like us to live years thinking there is something wrong with our body. I’ve experienced this myself. When I was younger, I thought my doctor or gynecologist would have some answers. I was wrong, and often left those appointments instead feeling bad I had even asked.
It took me years of education and study to get to the place I am now. Today, I’m going to share that knowledge with you.
As a society, we know plenty about male anatomy. It’s time for us to learn more about female anatomy! In this article, we delve into the intriguing world of sexual records, explore clitoral size's historical and cultural importance, and shed light on the normal variations of female anatomy. We even cover the length of the largest clitoris!
Please note: As a relationship coach, I try to create an inclusive space, and recognize that every body is unique. Some women don’t have this anatomy, and some men do have this anatomy. For simplicity’s sake, I will be referring to the anatomy described in this article as “female anatomy”, as it describes the anatomy that most people assigned female at birth are born possessing. Please let me know if you have questions, concerns, or feedback in the comments.

Expectations Regarding Clitoral Length and Size

In a 1992 study of 200 women, it was found that the average clitoris head was about 3.4 mm across (although, this could easily range from 2.4 mm – 4.4 mm), and the average length was about 16.0 mm tall (although, this could easily range from 11.7 mm – 20.3 mm). The visible part of the clitoris is about the size of a green pea. 

Anatomy of the Clitoris

The clitoris is a small, highly sensitive, and erectile organ located in the female genitalia. It plays a central role in sexual arousal and pleasure. Despite its relatively small size from the outside, the clitoris is a complex structure. It’s larger under the skin.
Believe it or not, there are seven main parts of the clitoris! This includes the glans, hood, shaft, crura, corpora cavernosa, vestibular bulbs, and many nerve endings. Learn more about each of these pieces:

• Glans: The visible part of the clitoris, located at the top of the vulva, just above the urethral opening. It is typically covered by a fold of skin known as the “clitoral hood”.
• Clitoral hood: Also known as the “prepuce”, this fold of skin covers and protects the clitoral glans. The clitoral hood is analogous to the foreskin in males, covering and enclosing the person’s sensitive glans.
• Shaft: The shaft of the clitoris extends from the glans and is hidden beneath the clitoral hood. It contains erectile tissue that can become engorged with blood during sexual arousal, causing the clitoris to become more sensitive and enlarged.
• Corpora cavernosa: These two chambers have erectile tissue that fill with blood when excited. On average, the corpora cavernosa is about 5 inches long.
• Crura: These are two elongated internal structures that extend from the sides of the clitoral shaft and run along the pelvic bone. They are essentially the roots corpora cavernosa and clitoris, and are made up of erectile tissue.
• Vestibular bulbs: These are two structures located on either side of the vaginal opening, beneath the skin. During sexual arousal, they can become engorged with blood, contributing to increased sensitivity and lubrication.
• Nerve endings: The clitoris has an extensive network of nerve endings. The clitoris has about 15,000 nerve endings, to be exact! This makes it one of the most sensitive areas in the female body. Stimulation of the clitoris can lead to sexual pleasure and orgasm.

Here’s a labeled diagram of what the clitoris looks like under the skin. 

I’m sure you’ll notice that terms like “glans” and “shaft” are also used to describe the anatomy of a penis. There’s a lot more similarities to biologically male and female bodies than we are aware! 

Function of the Clitoris

The primary function of the clitoris is to provide sexual pleasure and arousal. When a person with a clitoris becomes sexually aroused, the erectile tissue in the clitoral shaft and glans becomes engorged with blood. This leads to increased sensitivity. Stimulation of the clitoris, either directly or indirectly, can lead to pleasurable sensations and sexual climax, or orgasm.
It is important to note that the clitoris serves no reproductive function by itself. This is different than the penis in males, which also plays a role in urination, and has a reproductive function to deliver sperm. The clitoris’ sole purpose is to provide sexual pleasure, highlighting the significance of pleasure in human sexual experiences.
Although the clitoris does not serve a reproductive function on its own, there is something to be said about how if sex wasn’t pleasurable, we probably wouldn’t have kept doing it over thousands of centuries!

Sex-tremes

The quest for sexual records has been driven by a fascination with human anatomy and a desire to surpass societal norms. Researchers and authors have documented unusual sexual traits, such as the largest and smallest genitalia.
As of 2023, the longest penis in the world is 18.9 inches. On the other end of the spectrum, there have been reports of micro-penises, some measuring only 1/16th of an inch. Those extremes are both a vast difference from the average size of a penis, which is 5 – 6.5 inches in length and 4 – 5 inches in circumference, according to the Kinsey Institute.   
As a society, we know plenty about male anatomy, and we understand that penises come in different shapes and sizes. So, why would we assume the same isn’t true for female anatomy?
I was recently an Erotic Educator at the 2023 Electric Forest. There, I taught about the Erotic Blueprints course. The crowd there was most interested in learning more about the human body. For one exercise, I asked participants to look around the room and ask if any face looked the same? I explained that there is no part on our body that is the same for everyone. 

With that in mind, there should be no surprise that female anatomy comes in lots of different shapes and sizes. We are all different. So we should treat all parts of ourselves with love and compassion. It’s our duty to learn more about ourselves and our own personal anatomy. Let’s take a closer look at anatomy differences in the clitoris.  

Largest Clitoris

Clitoral size has been documented to vary in different individuals. Here are a few that stand out the most in history.
Theo Lang mentions a woman with a two-inch clitoris that extends to three inches when full erect. A historical account from the eighteenth century mentions a woman with a seven-inch clitoris. Ultimately, the largest clitoris on record was 12 inches long. W. Francis Benedict mentions a 12-inch clitoris in the book, The Sexual Anatomy of Women.

Position of the Clitoris

I hate to admit it, but I did not learn until I was 50 years old that the distance between the clitoris and vagina opening is different for everyone. For most women, the distance between the clitoris and urethra opening (and vagina opening by proxy) is about 0.63 inches to 1.77 inches. And I’m sure there are people outside of those averages, too! 

Along with the distance between the vaginal opening and the clitoris glans, it’s good to also consider the size ratio between the clitoris glans and the clitoris hood. This can be different for everyone as well. The more unveiled the clitoris glans is from the hood, the easier it is to see and find. The amount of cover from the clitoris hood can also impact how sensitive the clitoris feels. 

Clitoris Size and Position Impacts the Female Orgasm

7% of women say they always have orgasms. 27% of women say they never have orgasms. And the rest, are somewhere in the middle. 

The clitoris is a central part of female sexual anatomy and plays a crucial role in the sexual response cycle. Understanding and appreciating the clitoris can contribute to more fulfilling and pleasurable sexual experiences for individuals with clitorises and their partners.
The size and position of the clitoris can impact how easy it is to have a female orgasm.
As mentioned earlier, the amount the hood covers the clitoris glans can impact the level of sensitivity there. For those with a larger hood, they may need more vibration to stimulate the nerves there.
On a similar note, the size of the clitoris glans can also impact the female orgasm. Individuals with a larger clitoris experience increased sexual pleasure and likelihood of orgasm. There’s simply more nerve endings on the outside, making it easier to stimulate.  
Last but not least, the distance between the clitoris and vaginal opening makes a difference too. Several studies have found that the further away the clitoris and vaginal opening are, the harder it is to have an orgasm with penetrative sex.
Princess Marie Bonaparte, a French psychoanalyst, was actually the one that noticed this. Like many of us, she was fed up with her lack of orgasms during penetrative sex. Unlike many of us though, she decided to conduct a study on her patients!
She talked to her patients about how often they orgasmed and compared it to the distance between their clitoris and vaginal opening. Her research found that individuals with a clitoris and vaginal opening 2.5 cm (0.98 inches) apart or less, were more likely to orgasm. This ideal orgasm distance has been lovingly referred to as the “rule of thumb” since the distance between the tip of the thumb to the first knuckle is also about 2.5 cm. 

I personally learned a lot about the difference in female anatomy while studying Sexological Body work, and have done further research for this article.
I’ve always had empathy for females as more than 90% don’t have consistent orgasms. I’ve since grown to also have so much empathy for our partners. Even if our partners can find the clitoris, they may not know what to do with it since every body is truly unique.  

Historical and Cultural Differences

Studies show that the average penis size is different across several countries and races. WorldData.info claims that the average penis length ranges from 10.04 cm in Cambodia to 17.61 cm in Ecuador. (That’s about 3.95 inches – 6.93 inches respectively). The diversity in size based on race has also been seen in female anatomy. Studies have observed variations in clitoral size among different racial groups, with larger clitorises being more common in certain populations. 

The size and position of an individual’s female anatomy is based on how they were born.
Blame your parents, I guess.
The views towards the clitoris and its size also varies across different populations. For example, in Mangaia, the southern-most Cook Island, men were taught “to feel shame if he [failed] to bring his partner to orgasm” according to a Berkeley article. At the other extreme, the terrible act of female genital mutation is still common in several countries. This female genital mutation can come in the form of “clitoridectomy” which is the partial or total removal of the clitoris or hood. The idea behind the operation is that sex shouldn’t be pleasurable for women. 

Views Towards the Clitoris

The experience of each person is different. In the United States, there’s not much education on the clitoris or its impact on the female orgasm.
Why is this an issue?
Without education on the mechanics of the human body and mechanics of sex, many people might feel like something is wrong with them just because they can’t reach orgasm. I can’t speak on behalf of everyone, but I know I’m not alone in this experience.
For me, when I was when I was young, growing up with church, I had the desire to be a “good girl and wait” until my marriage to have sex. I got married not knowing much about myself or my own anatomy. As a young woman, I would ask my friends if they often had a female orgasm. Many claimed they experienced it every time. How much of that was the truth? I’m not sure to this day. Unfortunately, a lot of people lie about their orgasms. But at the time, it made me feel like something was wrong with me. 

I would read romance novels at that time. Often, the main character would find their pleasure and orgasm in chapter two. Meanwhile, I wouldn’t have that experience until chapter 15 in my life! Lots of time could have been saved with some understanding of my own body and anatomy. 

Conclusion

The exploration of sexual records throughout history reveals our curiosity about human anatomy and sexual practices. From the fascination with genital size to the quirky aphrodisiacs and contraception methods, humans have displayed a unique interest in sexual experiences.
It’s more than that, though. This information could really help a lot of lives and save a lot of relationships.
As we navigate the complexities of human sexuality, we must foster an environment of acceptance and education, celebrating the diversity of sexual experiences and anatomy while respecting individual choices and preferences. Embracing the wild and fascinating world of sexual records is an invitation to understand and appreciate the rich tapestry of human sexuality and cultural perceptions across time and space.
​This is the same reason I offer the Erotic Blueprint™ Course. This comprehensive course can enhance your relationship and release any concealed emotions of guilt, concern, or self-criticism that might exist about the most intimate parts of your body. This course offers a secure and enriching avenue to fulfill your profound, innate longings for genuine closeness and contentment with your partner. Now that you’ve learned more about your body, wouldn’t it be the best time to learn more about your Erotic Blueprint™ Type?

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Life Coach Shelley

Wife. Certified coach. Erotic Blueprint™ educator. Burlesque and dance performer. 
In my articles, I take what I've learned about relationships and share with you. That way, you and your partner(s) can have more rewarding interactions, more engaging conversations, heightened intimacy, and a more fulfilling relationship overall. Consider my articles a sort of guide for your relationship. Let's learn together!