How to Use a Cock Ring: A Beginner's Guide

Wondering how cock rings work, if they’re safe, and whether your balls go in or out of the ring? We’ve got you covered.

Cock rings are popular sex toys for men and when you know how to use them, it’s easy to see why. In this article, you'll discover how simple cock rings are to use and the different types you can experiment with… even if you don’t have a penis.

Cock rings (or penis rings or c-rings) are (you guessed it) rings worn at the base of the penis to enhance pleasure and boost sexual performance. They do this by applying pressure and trapping blood in the shaft of the penis to give a longer-lasting, bigger and harder erection.

Cock rings offer so much more than lasting erections, though. Some are designed with partnered sex in mind and have features for clitoral pleasure, too, like textured pads or rabbit ears. Others vibrate and offer varying intensity levels, giving more intense orgasms.

Whatever sensations you (and your partner) enjoy, you’ll have fun exploring different cock rings and everything they’ve got to offer.

Cock rings come in a variety of materials and therefore some cock rings are more rigid than others. Soft, flexible silicone will stretch a lot more than a leather cock ring, which will provide more give than a stainless-steel penis ring.

If you’re choosing a cock ring for the first time, consider what you might use it for – whether that’s solo masturbation, longer-lasting erections during penetrative sex, or clitoral stimulation for your partner. For example, vibrating cock rings and ones with textured nodes might be more fun to use with a partner than a solid penis ring.

• Stretchy cock rings are made from flexible silicone which is perfect for cock ring beginners because they’re typically more affordable and comfortable to wear. That said, the soft silicone is still sturdy enough to provide a snug fit for longer-lasting erections. Go for a non-vibrating, stretchy cock ring if you’re focused on lasting longer and want to get used to the sensation before trying something more adventurous.

• Solid cock rings are non-vibrating and made from rigid plastic or metal. Solid cock rings are best left to more advanced users of cock rings as they are more difficult to put on and are typically worn behind the scrotum. Stainless steel can be (gently) heated or cooled before wear to excite you even more. In the Lovehoney Forum, one user says, “The weight is a real turn-on.”

• Twin rings (aka double cock rings and cock and ball rings) sit around the testicles as well as the base of the penis. As you approach climax, your balls pull up towards your body. With a ring around them, they encounter a little resistance, meaning your orgasms might last longer. Twin rings are typically made of silicone or leather because these materials offer more give than rigid plastic or metal, making them a bit easier to put on. If you enjoy your balls being played, try a cock and ball ring.

• Vibrating cock rings are a fun way to enhance solo masturbation or stimulate your partner’s clitoris. They have a small battery-powered or rechargeable motor that delivers vibrations to the wearer and partner. Textured nodes or “rabbit ears” at the top of the vibrating cock ring can heighten sexual pleasure for both of you and make climaxing feel more intense.

• Adjustable cock rings don’t vibrate and look more like a loop than a circular ring. The loop is placed over the base of the penis (and around the testicles if desired) and fastened at the top. The fastenings vary; some adjustable cock rings will have a plastic slider to change how tight or loose the penis ring is, and others might have poppers, snaps, or Velcro.

Like many types of male sex toys, using a cock ring is easy once you know how. It might take a few tries to get used to putting on your cock ring and getting it into a comfortable position – but following these simple steps will have you reaching for your penis ring each time you’re ready to play.

How to measure yourself for a cock ring

Cock rings are measured by diameter. This is the measurement across the widest part of the hole in the ring. Cock rings are designed to restrict blood flow, so they need to fit snugly rather than slide off.

1. Measure the diameter of your erect penis by wrapping a tape measure around the base of your shaft. This will give you the circumference of your penis.

2. Divide your circumference measurement by 3.14 to get the diameter.

3. Choose a cock ring with a diameter that’s just a little smaller than the diameter of your penis.

How to put on and wear a cock ring

To put on your cock ring, start with a flaccid penis. It’s much easier than when you're already hard!

1. Apply a small amount of good quality, water-based lube to the inside of the penis ring and your penis to help you slide the ring(s) over your cock or cock and balls (depending on the type of cock ring you’re using). Use just enough lube that the ring slides on without friction.

2. When you’re putting on a cock ring, slide the ring over the head of your penis and then down the shaft so it rests at the base. If you’ve sized your ring right, it should feel snug and stay in place easily once you’ve got an erection.

3. If you want to wear a cock ring behind your balls and penis, roll the cock ring down your shaft, then stretch it before gently putting your balls through the ring, one at a time.

4. If you’re using a twin ring, put the testicles through the larger ring first, one at a time. Then, carefully bend your penis up through the smaller ring and slide it into a comfortable position. One ring should be close to your body, behind your balls and the other should be at the base of your cock, in front of your balls.

5. When you want to remove your cock ring, gently roll it down the shaft of your penis (or loop it over your testicles then down the shaft, depending on the type of cock ring you’re wearing).

6. Don’t forget to clean your sex toys after using them.

Tips for using your cock ring

Cock rings are easy to use but there are still a few best practices to know about. Here’s what we recommend.

• If you’re wearing a condom at the same time as a cock ring, put on the cock ring before putting on the condom. It’s much easier to put a cock ring on a flaccid or semi-erect penis.

• Keep an eye on the time – only wear your cock ring for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time and don’t fall asleep with your cock ring on.

• A cock ring should be tight but not painful. If at any time while wearing a cock ring you feel pain or notice discolouration in your balls or penis, remove the ring.

• Enjoy experimenting with what feels good. Wear the cock ring traditionally or try sliding the ring over your balls to experience perineal pleasure.

• Avoid wearing a cock ring with performance enhancing pills, like Viagra. It can be much harder (a-hem) to remove the ring if your penis can’t become flaccid.

• Don’t use silicone lube with silicone rings as it can corrode the material. If in doubt, stick to water-based lubes.

• Cock ring sets offer different-sized rings to experiment with so they can be a good place to start if you’re new to wearing cock rings.

How to use a cock ring without a penis

Wondering if you can use a cock ring with a dildo? The answer's yes! Sliding a vibrating cock ring onto a dildo can create a custom rabbit vibrator. You’ll also have full control of the depth of penetration by varying how far down the dildo’s shaft you place the cock ring. Another fun way to use a cock ring without a penis is by popping it on a strap-on or putting your fingers through the ring(s) to add an exciting sensation during manual stimulation.

Have fun with new sensations from your cock ring

Hopefully, it’s clear by now that cock rings aren’t just for men with erectile dysfunction. They can be a fun way to enhance sexual pleasure and orgasms whether they’re placed over a penis for penetrative sex or over fingers for manual stimulation. Experimenting with sex toys in the bedroom is a fun way to learn more about your own and your partner’s bodies, so grab that lube, slide on your cock ring and enjoy new levels of pleasure.

If you’re not sure where to start here’s our guide to sex toys for beginners.