Putting on a condom correctly takes about 30 seconds and makes a significant difference in protection. Used perfectly every time, condoms prevent pregnancy 98% of the time over a full year. With typical use (meaning occasional mistakes), that number drops, so getting the technique right matters. Here’s exactly how to do it, step by step.
Check the Package First
Before you open anything, look at the expiration date printed on the wrapper. Expired condoms are more likely to break because the material degrades over time. If you can’t find an expiration date, don’t use it.
Storage matters too. Condoms should be kept below 104°F (40°C) and away from direct sunlight, humidity, and heat. A wallet, glove compartment, or back pocket are all bad long-term storage spots because body heat and friction wear down the material. A cool, dry drawer or nightstand is ideal. If a wrapper looks damaged, dried out, or sticky, toss it and grab a fresh one.
Open the Wrapper Carefully
Push the condom to one side of the package with your fingers, then tear the wrapper open from the edge. Don’t use your teeth, scissors, or a knife. Long fingernails can also puncture the condom without you realizing it, so take your time. If the condom feels brittle, sticky, or stiff when you touch it, throw it away.
Check Which Way It Unrolls
This is the step most people skip, and it’s one of the most common mistakes. Hold the condom up and look at the rim. When the condom is right-side out, the rim sits on the outside like a little hat, with the reservoir tip pointing up in the center. It should unroll smoothly downward. You can test this by unrolling it just slightly with your fingers before placing it.
If you place it on and it won’t unroll, it’s inside out. Do not flip it over and reuse it. Once a condom touches the penis, it can pick up pre-ejaculatory fluid, which may contain sperm or carry infections. Throw it away and start with a new one.
Pinch the Tip and Roll It On
The reservoir tip at the end of the condom exists for a reason: it holds semen after ejaculation and reduces pressure on the material during sex. If air gets trapped in that space, the condom stretches unevenly, and the risk of tearing or slipping off goes up significantly.
Place the condom on the head of the erect penis. With one hand, pinch the reservoir tip between your thumb and forefinger to squeeze out the air. With your other hand, roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis. It should fit snugly without bunching up or feeling painfully tight. If it’s too loose or too tight, you likely need a different size.
Only put a condom on an erect penis. Trying to roll one onto a soft or semi-erect penis leads to poor fit, trapping air, and slippage during sex.
Use the Right Lubricant
Extra lubrication reduces friction, which lowers the chance of the condom tearing. But the type of lube you use depends on the condom material.
- Water-based lubricants are the safest all-purpose option. They’re non-irritating and compatible with every condom type.
- Silicone-based lubricants last longer than water-based and are safe with latex, polyurethane, and polyisoprene condoms.
- Oil-based products (coconut oil, lotion, massage oil, petroleum jelly) break down latex and polyisoprene condoms and should never be used with them. Oil-based lubes can also leave a coating inside the body that promotes bacterial infections.
Apply lube to the outside of the condom after it’s on. You can also add a small drop inside the tip before rolling it on for increased sensation, but don’t overdo it or the condom may slip.
Remove It the Right Way
After ejaculation, hold the base of the condom against the penis and pull out while still erect. This is important: if you wait until the penis softens, the condom loosens and semen can spill out. Holding the base keeps everything sealed.
Once you’ve pulled out, slide the condom off away from your partner’s body. Tie it off or wrap it in tissue and throw it in the trash. Don’t flush condoms because they clog pipes. Never reuse a condom, and use a new one every time you switch between types of sex (oral, vaginal, anal).
Choosing the Right Material
Most condoms are made from latex, which is affordable, stretchy, and widely available. But roughly 1-6% of people have a latex allergy that causes itching, redness, or rash. If that’s you, three alternatives exist:
- Polyisoprene condoms are synthetic rubber without the proteins that trigger latex allergies. They’re just as stretchy and strong as latex, though slightly thicker.
- Polyurethane condoms are thinner than latex, conduct heat better, and have no odor. They’re less stretchy, though, which makes them slightly more prone to slipping or breaking.
- Lambskin condoms are made from a thin membrane of lamb intestine. They prevent pregnancy effectively and some people prefer the sensation. However, the material is porous enough to let viruses through, so lambskin condoms do not protect against STIs.
Oil-based lubricants are safe to use with polyurethane and lambskin condoms, but not with latex or polyisoprene.
If the Condom Breaks
A condom that tears during sex is not the end of the world, but you should act quickly. If pregnancy is a concern, emergency contraception is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It can be taken up to 72 hours (three days) afterward, and some options remain available up to five days later.
For STI concerns, talk with your partner about their testing history. If you’re unsure about potential exposure, getting tested is a reasonable next step. If there’s any chance of HIV exposure specifically, preventive treatment called PEP must be started within 72 hours to be effective. Call a clinic and confirm they offer the services you need before going in.
Common causes of breakage include trapped air in the tip, using the wrong lubricant, an expired condom, and incorrect sizing. Getting the steps above right prevents the vast majority of condom failures.