Putting on a condom correctly takes about 10 seconds once you have done it a few times. The five steps that matter: check the package and expiration date, open the wrapper carefully without using teeth, pinch the tip to leave a reservoir, identify which side is the outside, and roll it down to the base of the erect penis before any genital contact. Done right, condoms are 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. The 11 percent gap between perfect-use and typical-use effectiveness is almost entirely user error, and the errors are predictable. This guide walks through each step in detail.

Before You Start

Check the expiration date

Every condom wrapper has a printed expiration date. Past that date the latex starts to degrade and is more likely to break. Most latex and polyisoprene condoms are good for three to five years from manufacture; lambskin lasts about one year. See Do Condoms Expire? Shelf Life & Storage.

Check the wrapper

The wrapper should be intact, with no holes, tears, or signs that it has been crushed or compressed. Press lightly on it. You should feel a small air bubble inside (an indication the wrapper is sealed). If the wrapper feels flat or you cannot feel the bubble, throw the condom away and use a new one.

Have lube ready

Pre-applied lubricant on most condoms is enough for short sessions but not for longer sex or anal sex. Water-based or silicone-based lube is safe with latex and polyisoprene. Never use oil-based lube with latex. See Condoms & Lube: What's Safe to Use.

Step 1: Open the Wrapper

Tear open the wrapper at the tear notch (usually marked with arrows or serrations) using your fingers. Do not use teeth, scissors, or anything sharp. Teeth especially are a leading cause of pre-application damage. Push the condom to one side of the wrapper before tearing so you do not catch the condom in the tear.

Step 2: Identify the Right Way

The condom should look like a small hat when you take it out: a flat ring at the base and a small bulge at the top. The rolled rim should be on the outside, pointing away from you. If you place it on the penis and try to roll it down and the latex resists rolling, the condom is inside-out. Throw it away and use a new one. Do not flip an inside-out condom and use it. Pre-cum can be on the outside of the flipped condom, which carries pregnancy and STI risk.

Step 3: Pinch the Tip

Pinch the tip of the condom between your thumb and forefinger before rolling it on. This creates a reservoir for ejaculate. Without the pinch, air gets trapped at the tip and ejaculate has nowhere to go, which can push the condom up the shaft or even cause it to break.

Most condoms have a built-in reservoir tip (a small nipple shape at the top). Pinch that flat to expel the air.

Step 4: Roll It Down

With the tip pinched, place the condom on the head of the erect penis. Use your other hand to roll the rolled rim down the shaft to the base. The condom should unroll smoothly. If it resists, check that you have it the right way around (rolled rim outside).

Two things to watch for:

• If the condom is uncircumcised, pull the foreskin back gently before rolling the condom down.
• If you have long hair near the base, push it out of the way before rolling to avoid trapping hair under the condom.

Step 5: Check the Fit

Once on, the condom should fit snugly without pinching at the base. Some signs of correct fit:

• Rolled down all the way to the base.
• Reservoir tip pinched (no air bubble at the top).
• Smooth fit without bunching or excess looseness.
• Comfortable, not painfully tight.

If the condom feels too tight at the base or too loose, you may have the wrong size. See Condom Sizes Explained + How to Measure.

During Sex

Two practical points for during:

• Add more lube as needed. Friction is the leading cause of condom breakage. Generous lube is helpful.
• Periodically check that the condom is still in place. It is rare for a condom to slip off during sex if it fits correctly, but worth checking.

After Ejaculation: Withdrawal

This is where slip-related failures most commonly happen:

Common Mistakes

Putting it on after starting

Some couples put the condom on partway through. This carries pregnancy and STI risk because pre-cum can contain sperm and STIs. Put the condom on before any genital contact.

Reusing a condom

Never. Use a new condom for each act of intercourse, including switching between vaginal, oral, and anal.

Using two condoms

Two condoms rubbing against each other create friction and are more likely to break than one. One condom in the correct size is more effective than doubling up.

Storing in a wallet

Body heat and friction degrade latex. A condom carried in a wallet for weeks is functionally expired regardless of the printed date.

Using expired condoms

Check the date every time. Expired condoms are more likely to break.

Using the wrong lube

Oil-based lubes (Vaseline, coconut oil, lotion, baby oil) destroy latex in seconds. See Condoms & Lube: What's Safe to Use.

If Something Goes Wrong

If the condom breaks, slips off inside your partner, or you discover after the fact that you used an expired condom:

• For pregnancy concern: emergency contraception (Plan B, Ella) is available over the counter at most pharmacies. Most effective within 72 hours, can work up to 120 hours.
• For HIV exposure concern: PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is most effective started within 72 hours. Call a healthcare provider or go to an urgent care.
• For STI testing: most STIs have a window period before they show up on tests. Talk to a clinician about testing timing.

See Why Condoms Break (and How to Prevent It) for prevention.

Practice Before You Need To

If you are new to condoms or want to refresh, practice putting one on by yourself. The mechanics become automatic with a couple of tries. Practicing alone eliminates the pressure of fumbling during sex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need