Think you know how to put on a condom?
There’s about a 50% chance that you’re doing it WRONG.
That’s right, you heard me. Studies have found that over HALF of men put condoms on the wrong way! Not only is that very unstylish, but it also increases your chances of pregnancy and getting an STI.
And ladies, you get some shade too. Despite female condoms having a 95% effectiveness rate, about 21% of women who use female condoms get pregnant every year.
That’s what happens when you don’t know how to wear a condom. Babies. So many babies.
To avoid a Niagara Falls-worth of babies cascading into your life, it’s worth taking a few seconds to learn how to put on a condom the right way.
Jump to:
👉 How to wear a condom: The Basics
👉 The COMPLETE guide to putting on a condom
👉 What to do with a condom after sex
👉 How to put on a Female condom
How to Put on a Penis (Male) Condom
How to put it on... the complete guide
Alright guys, let’s take this step by step. And ladies? You’ll want to know these steps too. Guys can get a little...excited when it comes time to suit up.
1. Check the Wrapper for the Expiration Date and Damage
Condoms are not invincible, and they don’t last forever. Before opening one up, make sure that it isn’t damaged or expired. An expired or damaged condom is not effective, so throw it away!
For example, that condom you’ve had in your wallet for the past 6 months is probably looking a little worse for wear. It may have been torn or punctured. Check the edges for rips and feel the packaging to see if it’s no longer air-tight (it means the seal has been broken).
2. Rip that Bad Boy Open
Open your condom with your fingers along the serrated edge of the wrapper. This is the ONLY way you should open a condom. Don’t open it with your teeth and NEVER open it with a sharp object like scissors. You might puncture the condom.
3. Make Sure the Condom is Right-Side Up
It’s easy to put a condom on upside-down because it looks the same from both sides. But if you unroll it the wrong way, you’ve got to throw it away and start again.
When the condom is right-side up, it looks like a hat. You can clearly see the rim of the unrolled condom and the reservoir tip poking upward.
4. Add a Dollop of Lube
Lube and condoms go together like David Bowie and Freddy Mercury in the 1981 hit song Under Pressure. Lube keeps the condom from bunching or drying up. It makes everything more comfortable and reduces the risk of breaks.
Put a little lube on the head of your penis before putting the condom on. Make sure you get the right kind of lube for use with condoms. Water-based lube is the best and safest. Never use an oil-based lube with condoms, as it can cause them to break.
Need some lube? Stock up on water-based lube here.
5. Position the Condom and Pinch the Tip
Once you’ve applied lube, put the condom on the top of your penis like a little hat.
Make sure the reservoir tip is pointing up. Give the tip a pinch and hold on tight until the condom is fully unrolled. This will keep the top of the condom in place and ensure that the tip is roomy enough to do its job.
6. Roll it Down the Shaft
Pinching the tip of the condom, use your other hand to roll it down your shaft. Make sure you roll it down as far as it can go. It should roll down to where the shaft meets the balls. You have to be fully erect to roll a condom on.
Once the condom is on, take a look to make sure that it’s smooth and not bunched up. Give the tip a security tug to make sure there’s room for your head.
7. Lube up... Again
Add a generous amount of lube to the exterior of the condom and spread it from top to bottom. Condoms come with a bit of lube, but they can get dry and uncomfortable for your partner during sex.
Try a warming lube or a flavored lube for a spicy twist.
8. Boom! Time to Sex
That’s it! You’re ready to do the deed. If you’ve put your condom on correctly, sex will be a lot more comfortable and pleasurable. Keep an eye on the condom to make sure it stays on securely, and don’t forget to reapply lube regularly.
If your condom still doesn’t feel right, you may be wearing the wrong size.
Learn your condom size in 60 seconds and find a condom with the perfect fit here.
The Aftermath (Male Condom Edition)
Taking off a condom correctly post-sexing is just as important as putting it on.
1. Take the Condom off Immediately after Ejaculation
As soon as you splooge, your condom becomes a bag of baby ingredients just waiting to leak. You have less than a minute after ejaculating before your dong starts to dwindle and loosen the seal of the condom.
The moment the curtain falls on your orgasm, take the condom off while kneeling or standing. If your partner wants more, go back in with your fingers or your mouth until you’re hard again. Then, get a NEW condom.
Never reuse an old condom. That’s super gross.
2. Dispose of Your Dude Fluid Correctly
Make sure that those fluids won’t leak by wrapping your condom in a tissue and putting it carefully in a covered trash container. Semen attracts bugs and bacteria.
And don’t throw condoms into the toilet. They’ll plug your pipes.
Most Popular Condoms
Looking for a condom to test out your spankin’ new skills with? Here are some of Condomania’s best sellers:
Top 3 Ultra-Thin Condoms
Kimono MicroThin Condoms
$4.99
Kimono MicroThin Condoms Kimono MicroThin condoms are in the ULTRA-thin category of condoms. They’re thinner than the thinnest Trojan condoms. They’re thinner than the thinnest Durex condoms. In fact, they’re just about the thinnest latex condoms you can buy. … Read More
Trojan Raw Ultra-Thin Condoms
$6.99
$7.99
Trojan Bareskin Raw Condoms If you want to get closer, look no further. This is America’s thinnest latex condom. In our latest innovation, we pulled out all the stops to bring you BareSkin™ Raw™. New from Trojan™, the thinnest condom… Read More
Ultra Thin Condom Sampler
$12.99
$18.99
Ultra Thin Condom Sampler Pack These condoms are your golden ticket to this world of pleasure. Handpicked by the connoisseurs at Condomania, this sampler pack is a treasure trove of both well-known and hidden gem brands. We believe that variety is the… Read More
Related Article: 5 BEST Ultra-Thin Condoms
Top 3 Small Size (aka Snugger Fit) Condoms
LifeStyles "Snugger Fit" Condoms
$8.99
$10.99
Condomania's #1 Best-Seller: LifeStyles Snugger Fit Lifestyles Snugger Fit condoms are smaller size condoms for guys that need an extra confident fit. Measuring about 7" long and 49mm wide, these rubbers are made for men who are a bit shorter and… Read More
Snugger Fitting Condom Sampler
$12.99
$18.99
Find Your Fit with the Snugger Fitting Condom Sampler What do you get when you order our snug-fitting condom sampler pack? You get 12 snugger-fit condoms, putting you on the fast track to finding your next favorite condom. Did you… Read More
Caution Wear IRON GRIP Snugger Fit Condoms
$6.99
$7.99
Caution Wear IRON GRIP Condoms Caution Wear Iron Grip Condoms are narrower in width for a tighter fit, with traditional straight parallel-sided construction. This condom falls into the slim fit, or 'snug' category -- if standard size condoms tend to… Read More
Related Article: Best Small Size Condoms
Top 3 LARGE Size Condoms
Trojan Magnum Bareskin Condoms
$5.99
$6.99
Trojan Magnum Bareskin Condoms Trojan Magnum Bareskin Condoms: Less Boring, More Fun in the Bedroom! Hey there, adventurous folks! We know, "fun" and "condom" usually don't go together in a sentence. But when you're talking about Trojan Magnum Bareskin Condoms,… Read More
Kimono Maxx Flared Large Size Condoms
$12.99
Kimono Maxx Flared Condoms (LARGE Size) 👉Barely There Feeling!👉.057mm Thin Sensitive Latex.👉No Parabens or Glycerin in the silicone lubricant👉5X Tested, Exceeds US & International (ISO) standards Kimono MAXX condoms are truly unique. They are longer than average (200mm) and… Read More
Large Size Condom Sampler
$12.99
$18.99
Large Size Condom Sampler This Large Condoms Sampler pack, put together by Condomania.com, offers our larger customers a nice assortment of 12 of the roomiest condoms available. The average condom is either too small or too large for many men.… Read More
Related Article: Best Large-Size Condoms
A Few More Tips for Your Tip
Condoms are very reliable during sex IF you put them on correctly. They are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy and STI transmission. However, there are a few mistakes you can make during sex that could lead to an infection or a condom break.
Only wear one condom at a time
Keep an eye out for breaks during sex
Lube up regularly
Change condoms before switching from one type of sex (vaginal, anal, oral) to another
How to Put on an Internal (Female) Condom
Ladies, it’s a good idea to know how to put on a female condom even if you don’t use them often. The chances of pregnancy go up significantly when wearing a female condom incorrectly.
1. Check the Packaging
Take a good look at the package to make sure there are no tears or punctures. Check the expiration date too. Never use an expired or damaged condom.
2. Open it Up
Carefully tear the wrapper open with your fingers. Never use your teeth or a sharp edge. You might knick the condom.
3. Add some Lube
Apply some lube to the outside of the condom. This will make it easier to insert.
4. Squeeze the Smaller Ring with Your Fingers
The internal condom has an open end and a closed end. On the closed end, there’s a small flexible ring that holds the condom in place against your cervix. Squeeze the edges of the ring together so that its opposite sides are touching. This will make it easier for the ring to travel down the vaginal canal.
5. Insert the Condom into the Vagina
Put a finger or two into the condom and push the smaller ring into the vagina until you hit the cervix. The ring should open again, creating a barrier against your cervix. To make it easier, put one leg up on a chair or stool.
Once in, it should feel comfortable. The inner ring should be deep inside the vagina and the outer ring (the opening) should be outside of your vagina.
If the condom feels uncomfortable, remove it, throw it away, and try again with a new one.
6. Secure the Condom and You’re Ready to Go
Before getting to the good part, insert a finger into the condom again to make sure there are no twists. A twist can cause your partner to thrust the condom completely into your vagina.
When your partner is ready to penetrate, put a finger on the external ring to hold the condom in place as they enter. If entry is smooth, you’re good to go!
The Aftermath (Female Condom Edition)
1. Don’t stand up!
If you stand up after your partner has ejaculated, you risk getting goo all over your pubic area, legs, and bedsheets. Lie down on your back to remove the condom.
2. Twist the External Ring and Remove the Condom
Give the exterior ring of the condom a few twists. This will seal those fluids inside the condom while you take it out. Then pull the condom out of your vagina gently.
3. Dispose of the Condom Carefully
Wrap the condom in a paper towel or tissue and throw it in a covered trash bin. Never throw a condom into the toilet either. They’ll clog your pipes.
Other Tips for Internal Condom Use
Female condoms are 95% effective against pregnancy and STI transmission IF you use them correctly. Follow these tips to stay healthy.
Secure the larger ring during penetration
Use a separate internal condom for anal sex
If it’s uncomfortable, toss it and try again
Lube up before and after inserting the condom
Next Step: The Perfect Fit
There you have it. You now know how to put on a condom like a PRO.
Now that you know how to dress up down there, why not find some sweet duds to improve your game in bed? There are loads of different styles, sizes, and sensations to explore.
Take our 60-second condom quiz to get personalized condom recommendations.
Or, browse the largest curated condom selection on the web right now.