A new survey by Bespoke Surgical has stirred up both curiosity and laughs with its deep dive into an often taboo topic: penis size—specifically, how much men exaggerate about it and where those claims differ most from reality. Though playful in tone, the study offers a surprisingly revealing glimpse into male self-image, honesty, and how geography may play a role in personal claims.
The research, conducted in 2023, asked over 1,300 men across the United States two simple but telling questions: What is your actual erect penis length, and what size do you tell potential partners? When compared to scientifically backed data from a 2020 *Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy* study—which found that the average erect length falls between 5.1 and 5.5 inches—the results were telling.
According to the Bespoke Surgical survey, the national self-reported average came in at a significantly inflated 6.41 inches. This discrepancy suggests that many men may be embellishing the truth, whether out of insecurity, societal pressure, or perceived expectations.
Breaking down the results by state, the numbers varied dramatically. At the top of the list, Alabama men reported the longest average length at 7.44 inches. They were closely followed by Louisiana, West Virginia, Vermont, and Utah. However, Louisiana also ranked first in exaggeration, with men there claiming an average length of 8.07 inches—nearly a full inch more than their reported actual size of 7.13 inches.
On the flip side, Delaware reported the smallest average size at 5.22 inches. Interestingly, though, it had one of the largest exaggeration gaps at 1.30 inches, implying that men there were more likely to pad the numbers. New Mexico and Maryland rounded out the bottom three in terms of reported size.
Nationally, about 26% of men admitted to inflating their measurements, with an average exaggeration of 0.98 inches. Surprisingly, honesty still held strong—62% of respondents claimed they told the truth about their size. Even more unexpected, 12% of men actually understated their size, offering a humbling counterbalance to the typical stereotype.
While some might find humor in the data, the survey touches on deeper issues surrounding masculinity, self-perception, and the pressure many men feel to meet unrealistic standards. Bespoke Surgical was careful to frame the survey as non-judgmental and purely observational, aiming to understand rather than ridicule. According to the company, the data highlights how cultural and societal influences continue to shape male body image—even in the most personal of areas.
In the end, whether exaggerated or downplayed, what this study most reveals is the wide spectrum of how men perceive themselves and what they think others expect to hear. While numbers may fluctuate from state to state and story to story, one thing is clear: authenticity still stands tall. Especially in places like Louisiana—where the bravado may be big, but honesty might just be more attractive.
