What the clitoris actually is:
The clitoris is a sex organ made of spongy erectile tissue that swells up and becomes sensitive when stimulated. Only a small part of the clitoris, the ‘glans’, is visible on the vulva. The rest of the clitoris sits inside the body and is shaped like a wishbone, with arms or ‘crura’ that extend down along both sides of the vagina.
The clitoral glans is approximately the size of a pea. It’s usually covered by the clitoral hood, which is a small piece of skin that can pull back during arousal. The entire clitoris can be around 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide, making it much larger than it appears on the surface.
The clitoris is often described as the only organ in the human body whose function is solely pleasure. It contains thousands of nerve endings. Unlike other sexual organs, whose functions are connected to reproduction and excretion as well as pleasure, the clitoris only exists to create pleasurable sensations. Although only the glans can be stimulated or touched directly, the rest of the clitoris can be stimulated indirectly through penetration and touch.
Where is the clitoris?
The clitoral glans is located at the top of the vulva, just beneath the pubic mound. It’s above the opening through which urine leaves the body (the ‘urethra’) and between the inner lips of the vulva, or the ‘labia minora’. The internal parts of the clitoris, including the crura, extend along the vulva and down alongside the vagina.
Clitoral anatomy, part by part
Glans
The clitoral glans is the pea-sized part of the clitoris that sits on your vulva. It’s generally the same colour as the rest of your vulva, and may feel firm to the touch. During arousal it can become larger, more sensitive, firmer, and darker in colour. When people talk about the clitoris or the clit, it’s often the glans that they’re referring to.
Hood
The clitoral hood is the piece of skin that sits above the glans. Normally it covers the glans, but during arousal it pulls back, or retracts. The hood is often called the ‘clit hood’ or just the ‘hood’, and everyone’s is different. Some hoods are larger, some are smaller; some may cover the entire glans, while others might only cover part of it.
Body/shaft
The body or shaft of the clitoris sits just behind the glans. If the glans is a plant, think of the body as the root that goes underground. The body is technically called the ‘corpora’, and the other parts of the clitoris all extend off it.
Crura
The crura are the two arms of the clitoris that extend down to ‘hug’ the urethra and the opening of the vagina. They’re what gives the clitoris its wishbone shape. Although they’re not visible on the outside of the body, they can be stimulated by touching the outside of the vulva and through vaginal penetration.
Vestibular bulbs
The vestibular bulbs sit on either side of the vaginal wall, alongside the crura. They can swell and become engorged with blood during arousal, which makes them grow in size. Like the crura, they can’t be seen on the outside of the body but may be stimulated by touching the vulva or penetrating the vagina.
Why clitoral stimulation matters for orgasm
Pleasure looks different for everyone, but many people need clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm. The numbers vary depending on the study, but anywhere from 4% to 18% of women and people with vulvas are able to orgasm from penetration alone. In fact, one researcher, who surveyed thousands of women on this topic, found that 96% of people she interviewed needed clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm. In our own 2025 study, we found that 92% of respondents needed clitoral stimulation to orgasm, making it three times more important than penetration!
This isn’t because penetration isn’t enjoyable or pleasurable. It comes down to anatomy. The majority of nerve endings in and around the vulva are clustered in the clitoris, so it makes sense that for many people, stimulating those nerve endings is key to reaching orgasm.
The pattern of women, and people with vulvas, needing clitoral stimulation to orgasm shows up consistently across many studies. A study published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy found that 36% of women report their orgasms feeling more pleasurable if their clitoris is stimulated during penetration, and that the same amount of women report not being able to orgasm without clitoral stimulation.
A similar study in JSM Sexual Medicine found that very few women report orgasming from penetration alone, and most prefer clitoral stimulation with a partner and when masturbating. The same study proposed that the assumption that women should orgasm solely from penetrative sex contributes to the ‘orgasm gap’, or the discrepancy between the amount of times women orgasm during partnered sex compared to their male partners.
It makes sense, then, that when we’re seeking to have more orgasms or just more pleasurable sex, we turn to clitoral stimulation.
How to stimulate the clitoris
‘Clitoral stimulation’ refers to the touching of the clitoris using a body part or a toy.
There’s no single right way to stimulate the clitoris. Everyone has a different idea of what feels good to them, and no two bodies respond to touch in the same way. We encourage you to explore your own body and discover what feels good for you. Here are some tips to help get you started.
Direct vs. indirect stimulation
‘Direct’ stimulation means stimulating the clitoris directly, by touching, rubbing, or using a toy on it. ‘Indirect’ stimulation means stimulating the area around the clitoris, which can still feel very pleasurable given how much of the clitoris sits below the skin. If you find that direct stimulation can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming or even unpleasant, you may want to try indirect stimulation.
Direct stimulation:
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Touching or rubbing the clitoral glans
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Using a sex toy that touches the clitoral glans, like a vibrator
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Indirect stimulation:
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Touching or rubbing the area around the clitoris
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Using a sex toy that stimulates the area around the clitoris, like an air toy
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Stimulating the clitoris through fabric, such as underwear
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Stimulating the clitoris through the clitoral hood
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Vary the pressure and rhythm
In the same way that there’s no one right way to stimulate the clitoris, there’s no one correct pressure or rhythm to use when stimulating the clitoris. Some people prefer gentler touches, others a more firm pressure; some people like a faster rhythm, others slow. Experiment with different styles of touch, pressure, and speed to work out what feels good for you.
Why arousal and time are so important
It’s a common misconception that because the clitoris is so packed with nerves, it’s an ‘instant pleasure button’ just waiting to be pressed, but this isn’t the case! Clitoral stimulation can be really enjoyable, but many people find it even more pleasurable when they’re already aroused and their clitoris is stimulated over a short period of time (say, between a few minutes to up to an hour).
If clitoral stimulation isn’t leading to orgasm, whether it’s a once off, or more frequently, that’s really common, and it doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem. A lot of things can impact how we respond to pleasure and how easily we reach orgasm, including our arousal levels but also including tiredness, stress, any medications we may be using, alcohol and other substances, and how relaxed and comfortable you feel in the moment.
It might be worth taking the goal of having an orgasm off the table for a little while and just focusing on what feels good, or adjusting one thing at a time (such as the pressure you’re using, or the type of stimulation) until you have a better idea of what works for you and what doesn’t. You may choose to speak to a health professional or sex therapist if you’re struggling to reach orgasm often.
Stimulating with a toy
For some people, toys are key to pleasurable clitoral stimulation. There are a huge amount of sex toys out there that can be used on and around the clitoris, but in general they can be put into two categories: vibrators and air toys.
Vibrators
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Use a small motor to produce a vibrating, buzzing, rumbling, or pulsing sensation
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Can be used for direct stimulation (on the clitoris) or indirect (on the vulva, or through underwear)
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Don’t touch the clitoris directly but sit over and around it
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Use air sensations to create a pleasurable pulsating feeling
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As with any kind of stimulation, what feels good to you and what kind of toy you prefer are personal preferences.
Here are some more useful articles if you would like to explore deeper:
Every clitoris is different
We’ve always believed that there’s no normal ‘down there’, and that is absolutely the case with clitorises as well. Clitoral anatomy is unique! Every clitoris is different, and there’s no ‘right’ way for a clitoris to look. Clitorises vary in size, shape, colour, visibility, sensitivity, and in how much they’re covered (or not covered) by the clitoral hood.
Clitorises also change over time, with arousal, with the menstrual cycle, during and after menopause, and during and after pregnancy and birth. The increase or decrease of blood flow to the vulva can make the clitoris change in size or sensitivity during these times. If you notice any changes that you’re concerned about, we encourage you to speak to a doctor, but some small changes over time are absolutely normal.
Common questions about the clitoris
The clitoris has been historically under-studied, so it makes sense that many of us have a lot of questions about it! Here are some of the ones that we get most frequently:
How many nerve endings does the clitoris have?
A 2023 study from The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that there were over 8,000 nerve fibres in the clitoris! The clitoris is also very densely-packed with nerves: studies have found that the nerves in the clitoris are positioned around six times more densely than the penis, which explains why it’s such a sensitive part of the body.
Is the clitoris the same as the g-spot?
Possibly! Although historically people have thought that the clitoris and the g-spot were two different things, some people now think that the g-spot may actually be a part of the clitoris that sits inside the body. At the moment there’s no conclusive answer to exactly what the g-spot is or whether it’s a part of the clitoris, but we’re excited to see what future studies in this area reveal.
Can the clitoris change size?
Yes, the clitoris can definitely change size, shape, and colour. The appearance of the clitoris can change over time due to things like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, birth, and menopause.
Is my clitoris normal?
There’s no such thing as ‘normal’ when it comes to the way our genitals look, because everyone’s are so different! Everyone’s clitoral anatomy is unique, so no two clitorises or vulvas look exactly alike.
Is a clitoris diagram accurate for everyone?
Not quite. A clitoris diagram gives us a good idea of how the clitoris looks from an anatomical perspective, but it won’t be an accurate picture of your body. In reality, people’s clitorises can look quite different from those in diagrams: they can be bigger, smaller, a different colour, positioned slightly differently, asymmetrical, have a larger or smaller hood, and be more or less visible. Think of a clitoral diagram as a useful but approximate reference.
What’s the best method for clitoral stimulation?
There’s no singular ‘best’ method. What’s best for each person depends on their own preferences. The ‘best’ way to find out what you like, though, is to experiment, take things slowly, use lots of lube to reduce friction, and to communicate with your partner (if you’re exploring together).
