Using a male condom correctly every time reduces the risk of unplanned pregnancy by 98% and significantly lowers the chance of sexually transmitted infections. The process takes seconds once you know the steps, but small errors are surprisingly common. Nearly 38% of condom users report putting one on after sex has already begun, and about 28% experience slipping or breakage, often due to preventable mistakes. Here’s how to do it right.
Check the Package First
Before you open anything, look at the expiration date printed on the wrapper. Condoms degrade over time, and an expired one is far more likely to tear. You should also feel the package for a small air cushion. When you press on the wrapper, it should puff slightly, like a sealed bag of chips. If it feels flat, the seal may be compromised and the condom inside could be dried out or weakened.
When you tear the wrapper open, push the condom to one side first so you don’t accidentally nick it. About 11% of users report using sharp instruments like scissors or teeth to open the package, which risks puncturing the condom before it’s even out of the wrapper. Use your fingers and tear along the serrated edge.
Once the condom is out, take a quick look at it. If it feels dry, sticky, or stiff, throw it away and use a fresh one.
Choose the Right Size
Fit matters more than most people realize. A condom that’s too tight is uncomfortable and more prone to breaking. One that’s too loose can slip off during sex. Condom boxes list a “nominal width,” which is the measurement across the opening when the condom is laid flat. The three general categories are:
- Snug or slim fit: 49 to 52 mm
- Standard or regular: 52 to 56 mm
- Large: 56 to 60 mm
If a standard condom feels like it’s squeezing too tightly or leaving a red ring at the base, size up. If it bunches or slides around, try a snugger fit. Getting this right makes the condom more comfortable and more effective.
Putting It On Step by Step
The condom goes on after the penis is fully erect and before any genital contact. Waiting until after sex has started is one of the most common mistakes people make.
Place the rolled condom on the tip of the penis with the rim facing outward, so it looks like a little hat. If you accidentally start unrolling it the wrong way (inside out), don’t flip it over and reuse it. Pre-ejaculate fluid may already be on the outside, so grab a new one.
Pinch the small reservoir tip at the top with your thumb and forefinger. This step removes trapped air, which is one of the leading causes of breakage during sex. While still pinching the tip, use your other hand to roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis. It should unroll smoothly without much resistance. If it fights you, it may be inside out or the wrong size.
Never unroll the condom first and then try to pull it on like a sock. It won’t fit properly and is much more likely to tear.
Use the Right Lubricant
Extra lubrication reduces friction, which makes sex more comfortable and significantly lowers the chance of the condom breaking. But the type of lubricant you use matters enormously if you’re using a latex condom.
Oil-based products can weaken latex in as little as 60 seconds. That includes baby oil (which is primarily mineral oil), petroleum jelly, coconut oil, and many hand lotions. Any of these can cause a latex condom to tear during use. Stick to water-based or silicone-based lubricants, which are safe for latex.
If you or your partner has a latex allergy (about 4% of the population does), polyisoprene and polyurethane condoms are both viable alternatives. Polyurethane condoms are thinner and transfer heat better, which can increase sensation. However, they’re less stretchy and roughly five times more likely to break compared to latex. Polyisoprene condoms stretch more like latex and tend to be a safer middle ground for people avoiding latex. Lambskin condoms exist but are porous enough that they don’t protect against STIs, only pregnancy.
Withdrawal and Removal
This is where many people slip up. After ejaculation, don’t wait. The penis begins to soften, and as it does, the condom loosens and can slide off, potentially spilling its contents. Hold the condom firmly at the base of the penis with your fingers, then pull out while the penis is still at least partially erect. Keep holding the rim the entire time.
Once you’ve pulled out, carefully slide the condom off away from your partner. Tie the open end in a knot to contain the contents, wrap it in tissue, and throw it in the trash. Don’t flush condoms. They don’t break down in water and can clog plumbing.
Use a new condom every single time, even if you’re going for a second round shortly after. And if you switch from one type of sex to another (anal to vaginal, for example), change condoms between each one. One study found that 83% of participants did not use a new condom when switching between types of sex.
Common Mistakes That Reduce Protection
Knowing the steps is half the battle. The other half is avoiding the errors that quietly undermine the condom’s effectiveness.
Storing condoms in your wallet, back pocket, or car glove compartment exposes them to heat and friction that weakens the material over time. About 19% of users store condoms in wallets regularly. A cool, dry drawer is a better option.
Putting the condom on late or taking it off early are both common and both defeat the purpose. Any unprotected contact before or after ejaculation can transmit infections or expose your partner to pre-ejaculate, which can contain sperm.
Skipping the pinch at the tip is another frequent error. That tiny pocket of air inside an un-pinched reservoir creates a weak point. Combined with the friction of sex, it’s a recipe for a mid-act blowout.
Finally, never use two condoms at once, whether that’s two male condoms layered together or a male and female condom used simultaneously. The friction between the two layers makes both more likely to break.