The clitoris is located at the top of the vulva, where the two inner lips of skin meet. If you trace the inner labia upward toward the pubic bone, they converge into a small fold of skin called the clitoral hood. Just beneath that hood sits the glans, the external tip of the clitoris, which is the most nerve-dense part of the human body. It’s small, often pea-sized, and can be felt as a firm, rounded nub distinct from the softer tissue surrounding it.
Step-by-Step Location
Start by looking at or touching the vulva from the front. The two outer folds of skin are the outer labia. Inside those are the inner labia, thinner folds that run vertically. Follow the inner labia upward, toward the belly button. Where they meet at the top, they form a small protective covering: the clitoral hood.
The glans sits directly underneath this hood. You can gently retract the hood by pulling the skin upward toward the lower belly, which will expose the glans more fully. It feels firm and rounded, roughly the size of a pea, though this varies from person to person. In contrast to the soft, smooth tissue around it, the glans has a distinct, slightly raised texture because it’s packed with nerve endings and very little of the spongy tissue found elsewhere in the vulva.
If you’re having trouble finding it visually, touch is often more reliable. Place a finger at the top of the vulva where the inner lips meet, then apply gentle downward pressure. The glans will feel like a small, firm bump beneath the skin. Even if it isn’t visible without retracting the hood, you’ll be able to feel it.
Why It Looks Different on Every Body
No two clitoral hoods look the same. Some are larger and more prominent, fully covering the glans even when aroused. Others are smaller and leave the glans partially or fully exposed. The size, shape, and positioning of the inner labia also affect how visible the clitoris is. On some bodies, the inner lips extend well past the outer lips, making the hood and glans easier to see. On others, the outer lips sit close together and everything is more tucked in.
These variations are completely normal and don’t change how the clitoris functions. If the hood is larger or thicker, you simply need to retract it a bit more to access the glans directly. Some people find indirect stimulation through the hood more comfortable anyway, since the glans can be extremely sensitive to direct touch.
What You’re Actually Touching
The visible part of the clitoris is just the tip. The full structure extends inside the body, shaped like an upside-down wishbone. From the glans, a shaft (called the body) runs inward and then splits into two legs that extend down along either side of the vaginal canal, plus two bulbs of tissue that sit alongside the vaginal walls. The entire structure is roughly 3.5 to 4.25 inches long and about 2.5 inches wide.
This matters for understanding sensation. When you stimulate the external glans, you’re activating a network that branches through the surrounding tissue. Research from Oregon Health & Science University found the clitoris contains more than 10,000 nerve fibers, about 20% more than the 8,000 figure commonly cited in older sources (which was originally estimated from livestock studies, not human anatomy). That concentration of nerve endings is what makes the glans so responsive to touch.
How Arousal Changes Things
During sexual arousal, blood flows into the clitoral tissue, causing the entire structure to swell. The internal bulbs can double in size, and the external glans becomes engorged and more prominent. This can actually make the clitoris easier to find by touch, since the swelling pushes the glans forward and it becomes more firm and distinct under the fingertip.
After arousal ends, the tissue returns to its resting size. This means the clitoris may feel more or less prominent depending on the moment, which is normal. If you’re trying to locate it for the first time, some degree of arousal can make the process easier simply because the tissue is more engorged and responsive.
Tips for Stimulation
The glans is the primary site of pleasurable sensation, but “the clitoris” in a functional sense includes all the internal tissue surrounding the vaginal canal. Pressure applied to the front wall of the vagina, for example, can stimulate the internal portions of the clitoral structure.
For external stimulation, most people respond to gentle, rhythmic pressure on or around the glans. Some prefer direct contact with the glans itself, while others find that too intense and prefer stimulation through the hood or on the tissue just beside the glans. Experiment with different pressures, speeds, and patterns. Circular motions, side-to-side movement, and steady rhythmic tapping are all common techniques. Using lubrication reduces friction and often makes the sensation more comfortable, especially for direct contact with the glans.
Communication helps more than technique. If you’re with a partner, ask what feels good. Small adjustments in position, pressure, or rhythm can make a significant difference, and preferences vary widely from person to person.