How to Put on a Condom Correctly: How to Get It Right the First Time and the Biggest Mistakes
Putting on a condom correctly is the most important thing, but it’s often also the most annoying part of sex because it always creates that annoying pause.
These instructions will help you put on a condom perfectly in just a few seconds, spot any problems, and avoid the biggest mistakes.
We also have some tips for you on how to make the whole experience even more enjoyable for both of you—and even turn it into something very erotic.
So be sure to read through the guide carefully—then putting it on will go off without a hitch.
How to Put on a Condom Correctly - Step-by-Step Instructions
With these 6 steps, you and your partner will be on the safe side, and putting on a condom will be a breeze. In Step 4 of this guide, we’ll discuss the foreskin; if you’re circumcised, you can of course just skip this step.
1. Follow the instructions in the package
Even if you’ve read through these instructions for putting on a condom, you can always refer to the instructions inside the condom package if you’re unsure. There you’ll find all the information you need to put on the condom correctly.
2. Tear open the condom package
Once you have the plastic condom package in your hand, you can easily tear it open along the perforated edge with your fingers. If it doesn’t tear easily at one corner, it often helps to try another corner.
It’s very important that you never use scissors, a knife, your teeth, or any other sharp or pointed objects to open the package.
You could damage the condom without realizing it.
3. Remove the condom & hold it the right way up
Once you’ve opened the package, you can take the condom out.
Before removing it, however, make sure your fingers are clean and free of semen or pre-ejaculate.
If you’ve come into contact with any of these, your partner could still get pregnant even with a condom.
To check whether you’re holding the condom the right way, hold it by the tip and gently pull on the outer ring.
If the outer ring then forms a small ridge, it’s the right way up. If you see a continuous surface and can’t pull the ring any further down, it’s the wrong way up.
4. Pull back the foreskin, if you have one
If you have a foreskin, now is the time to pull it back as far as possible with one hand. Your partner can also help you with one or two hands. This also helps maintain your erection and adds a little more fun.
5. Place it on and roll it down
Almost done! Now hold the condom over the tip of your penis like a little hat, while holding onto the tip. This works best with your thumb and index finger.
It’s essential to make sure there’s no air left in the tip, because that can increase the risk of the condom breaking after you put it on.
Once the air is out and the foreskin is pulled back, you can unroll the condom as far as possible. It should cover the entire shaft of the penis, all the way down to the base.
6. Have fun
The condom is on, the air’s out of the tip, and it fits snugly? Great—that’s how you use a condom properly. Now you’re ready for some wonderful moments together.
If things aren’t going quite as smoothly as you’d like, it’s best to use some lube. Not only will that feel better for both of you, but it will also protect the condom from breaking due to too much friction.
You can read here about which lubricants work particularly well—and which ones aren’t suitable at all.
The Most Common Problems When Putting on a Condom
Condom is put on the wrong way
If you accidentally tried to put the condom on the wrong way around, you should always use a new condom if you’ve already had contact with the tip of your penis.
This is so important because otherwise, pre-ejaculate containing sperm could be on the outside of the condom, which could cause your partner to become pregnant.
The condom is difficult to unroll or only unrolls partially
If the condom is hard to unroll, won’t unroll at all, or you can only unroll it partially, it could be due to two things:
1. You put the condom on the wrong way around 2. You’re using the wrong condom size and are trying to unroll one that’s too small
In the first case, as described earlier, you should use a new condom. In the second case, we recommend that you determine your correct condom size before your next sexual encounter at the latest.
Using the right size condom not only makes it much easier to unroll, but it also increases your safety and enhances your experience during sex.
Here you’ll find information and resources to help you determine your condom size.
Erection disappears after putting on the condom
If you put on the condom and then lose your erection shortly afterward—or can’t maintain it properly—this could also be a sign that the condom is too small.
That’s why we recommend measuring yourself.
If the condom is too big
If your condom is too big, it may slip off easily, not fit snugly enough, and consequently fail to provide protection against unintended pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections.
That’s why you should always make sure you’re using the right condom size.
Don'ts When Putting on a Condom—Mistakes You Should Avoid
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, there are a few things you should definitely avoid. Most of this may seem obvious to you, but you shouldn't forget these things:
Old and damaged condoms
Condoms that have expired, have been crumpled up in your wallet, or have been left in the heat for too long, etc., don’t belong on your penis—they belong in the trash.
Before putting it on, check that both the package and the condom are undamaged. If there’s still air in the package that you can squeeze out, you should also throw the condom away.
Massage oil & oil-based lubricants
Condoms hate grease! When combined with oil, Vaseline, butter, etc., they become porous in no time and break down.
So be careful with massages before sex—because you’ll usually still have oil on your hands and body afterward. The same goes if you’ve applied hand cream beforehand. You can find more information on this in our guide to lube and condoms!
The condom is too small or too big
Having sex with a condom that doesn’t actually fit can quickly backfire. It doesn’t fit properly, is almost impossible to put on without using force, is more likely to break, and you feel less sensation.
Not to mention the risk of STDs and unintended pregnancies. That’s why you should always use the right condom size.
Getting Started If You’re Inexperienced
If you’ve never put on a condom before, it can be very helpful to practice putting one on yourself a few times. This will give you more practice, which can be a huge help when it matters most.
Not only will this make you more confident, but you’ll also get it done faster and make a better impression overall.
If your partner has more experience with this, they can also put it on for you.
You should only let your partner do special things, like putting on the condom with their mouth, if they’ve really mastered it and can do it safely for both of you.
Pre-ejaculate and semen on the condom
If you have pre-ejaculate or semen on your fingers and touch the outside of the condom with them, that’s it—the protection is gone.
That’s why it’s important to have clean hands.
If in doubt, wash your hands quickly. And if something goes wrong, just use a new condom.
Reusing condoms
Once a condom has been put on the penis, it must be disposed of. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve ejaculated or not.
Once the condom is unrolled, it must be used or discarded.
Unplanned anal sex
If you’re planning to go the backdoor route, it’s only possible with proper preparation, a condom designed for that purpose, and plenty of lube.
Otherwise, it won’t just be painful—and possibly your last adventure of this kind—but there’s also a high risk that the condom will tear due to friction.
And that’s something you definitely want to avoid. So prepare well, and then dive into this thrilling experience.
Conclusion - How to Put on a Condom Correctly
Especially the first few times, it can be challenging to put on a condom correctly and quickly, which almost always leads to a brief pause.
But that doesn’t mean you have to let it bother you. Instead, you can consciously incorporate putting on the condom into your foreplay by celebrating it as a special moment.
For example, your partner can take over putting it on with their hand or mouth and “prepare him” for sex. This way, you turn a mood killer into an erotic ritual that gets you both even more excited.
Finally, we’d like to remind you once again to find out your condom size to ensure you’re optimally protected and have as much fun as possible.