Anal training and butt plug sizes: from first plug to XXL

Anal training is nothing more than teaching your body, session by session, to relax around something a little bigger than last time. Done patiently it stays comfortable; done in a hurry it hurts and sets you back. This guide explains how butt plug sizes are measured, how a training set works, how often to train, which lube to use, and how experienced players move on to tapered cones and XXL plugs such as the Gigantor.

If you are new to kink gear in general, our guide to BDSM gear for beginners gives the wider picture first.

Butt plug sizes explained

Four measurements tell you how a plug will feel.

• Insertable length: everything above the base that goes inside.
• Widest diameter: the thickest point of the bulb. This is the number that decides whether a plug is easy or a challenge. Multiply by 3.14 if a shop lists circumference instead.
• Neck: the narrow part just above the base. Your sphincter closes around it, so a slim neck makes a plug comfortable to wear for longer.
• Base: the part that stays outside. It must be clearly wider than the plug itself, flared or T-shaped, so the toy cannot slip in. Never use anything without a flared base.

Butt plug size table in cm

These ranges are a practical guide, not a standard. Brands label sizes differently, so compare the widest diameter, not the word small or large.

Width grows faster than it looks on paper. A step from 3 to 4 cm diameter adds more than 3 cm of circumference, which your body feels clearly.

How an anal training set works

An anal training set gives you three or four plugs of the same shape in rising sizes. Because the shape stays the same, the only new thing at each step is the width, which makes the progression predictable. You use the smallest as a warm-up, train with the middle one, and keep the largest as the goal.

Good examples of an anal training toy set are the Doc Johnson Tush Trainer with plugs 10, 13 and 15 cm long, and the XR Brands Triple Spire trainer set, whose tapered pieces have a suction cup base for hands-free use. If you prefer to buy in steps, the Levelz Slim set in four sizes covers small to extra large in one box.

For a single first plug, look at something slim and short such as the Levelz Slim Small or the 6.5 cm Ouch! Smooth Silicone Plug. All our models are in the butt plugs category.

How often and how long to train

• Three to four sessions a week is plenty. Leave at least one rest day between sessions, and a full day off after a longer or bigger session.
• Start with 10 to 20 minutes of wear and build up to an hour or two over several weeks. Do not sleep with a plug in.
• Move up a size only when the current plug goes in easily, without pushing, for several sessions in a row. For most people that takes one to a few weeks per step.
• On days your body is less relaxed, go back a size.

Warm-up, breathing and relaxing

Never start with the plug you are training for. Begin with a finger or the smallest plug of your set, plenty of lube, and slow movement for five to ten minutes. Arousal helps, so combine training with masturbation or partner play.

Breathe out slowly while you press the plug in, as if you were blowing out a candle. The sphincter relaxes on the out-breath. A gentle push, as you would on the toilet, opens it further. Hold the plug still at the point of stretch, breathe, and only continue when the pressure has eased. The widest point should slide past rather than be forced.

Which lube for anal training

The anus does not make its own lubrication, so lube is not optional. Use more than you think you need and reapply often.

A plain, unscented water-based anal lube is the simplest choice for silicone plugs and training sets. With PVC, glass or metal toys you can use silicone lube, which lasts much longer during long sessions. The Fist It Hybrid sits in between and suits larger toys. Never put silicone lube on silicone toys: it can make the surface sticky and porous. More options are in lubricants.

Avoid numbing gels and sprays. Pain is your signal to slow down, and a numbed body cannot give it.

Hygiene and douching

Many people play without douching; a bowel movement an hour or two before is often enough. For larger toys or longer sessions, a light rinse with a bulb such as the Ouch! Anal Douche Small gives peace of mind. Use plain lukewarm water, one to three gentle rinses, and wait half an hour before play so the last water can come out. Do not douche every day and do not add soap or other products to the water. More bulbs and shower nozzles are under hygiene and douches.

Tapered cones and XXL plugs for advanced players

Once large plugs feel easy, many players move to tapered cones. A cone widens gradually along its whole length, so you decide exactly how far to stretch each session and can measure progress by how deep you go. The XR Brands Giant Ribbed Anal Cone has 26 cm of insertable length and widens from 3 to 9 cm, with ribs that let you feel each step.

Giant plugs, the kind often searched for as ass master butt plugs, are the next stage. The Gigantor XXXL butt plug by XR Brands is made of phthalate-free PVC, has a long taper before the full width and works with water-based or silicone lube. It is meant for people who already take large toys comfortably. Before you get there, a heavy plug such as the Heavy Hitter weighted plug XL is a good intermediate step. For very large toys without a plug shape, see our guide to huge and giant dildos.

At these sizes, take longer warm-ups, use thicker lube and plan more rest days.

When to stop

Stop immediately if you feel sharp pain, burning or cramping, or if you see blood. Light pressure and fullness are normal; pain is not. Give your body several days off after any bleeding, and see a doctor if bleeding continues or comes back. Never use force, alcohol or numbing products to get a size in.

Wearing a plug during BDSM play

A plug adds fullness during bondage, spanking or service and gives the dominant partner something to control.

• With chastity: plug and cage together are a classic combination. Make sure the cage ring does not press on the base when you sit or kneel. Our guide on how to choose a chastity cage and the chastity category help with fit.
• Under fetish wear: a plug with a slim neck and a flat or T-shaped base stays in place under latex, leather shorts or a harness and is comfortable when you walk or sit.
• When restrained: the person wearing the plug cannot remove it, so the partner checks in regularly and takes it out at the first sign of discomfort.

Cleaning and storage

Wash every toy straight after use with warm water and mild soap, or a toy cleaner. Solid silicone plugs without electronics can also be boiled for a few minutes; PVC toys cannot. Dry them fully and store each toy separately, so different materials do not touch.

Frequently asked questions