Where is the Clitoris?

Think great sex is all about penetration? Think again. When it comes to creating pleasure for people with vaginas, one part stands alone in its ability to do so: the clitoris.

This highly sensitive part of the vaginal anatomy is the primary source of pleasure and plays a significant role in sex and orgasm. It’s clear why so many people are interested in this seemingly tiny nub.

Looking to learn more about the clitoris? It turns out finding the clitoris is not as hard as you might have thought. Read on to learn all about the clitoris, where it is, and how to engage it for your best sex yet.

What is the Clitoris Located?

The clitoris is the epicenter of sensation and pleasure for people with vaginas. While on the surface, the clitoris looks like a tiny nub, it’s a much more complex body part than many expect.

The nub is only the visible part of the clitoris—much more lies beneath the skin. The visible nub is simply the head of the clitoris. The rest of this wishbone-shaped part is much larger. Let’s review its parts:¹

Glans clitoris: This is the little nub that most know as the clitoris, situated at the top of the vulva. The glans hold most of the clitoral nerve endings, making it extremely sensitive. Clitoral glans vary in size greatly. Some are large and noticeable, whereas others are small and nearly invisible. These are all normal clitorises.
Clitoral hood: The vaginal lips are situated on either side of the glans. They meet at the top, creating a hood for the clitoris, known as the clitoral hood. The clitoral hood is like a little covering for the clitoris. Some clitoral hoods may cover the clit entirely, whereas others may be slight and hard to see.
Body: Beneath the surface, the body of the clitoris sits behind the glans. It extends back and slightly downward, forming the tip of the wishbone, and splits in half to form the legs.
Crura: These are the legs of the clitoris. They extend downward along either side of the vagina, forming the legs of the wishbone.
Bulbs: Inside the crura are the vestibular bulbs, which are two parts that line the legs and swell with blood when aroused. The bulbs are situated between the legs and the labia minora.

Why the Clitoris Matters in Sexual Pleasure

One of the things to know if you can’t orgasm is why the clitoris matters. The clitoris is designed for one single purpose: sexual pleasure. The majority of sensation in the vagina comes from the clitoris.

Within the clitoris are approximately 10,000 thousand nerve fibers, with more than 8,000 nerve endings in the glans alone.² Most of the pleasure experienced during sex comes from the stimulation of these nerve endings. For many, orgasms come from clitoral stimulation. Without stimulating the clitoris, they may not be able to reach orgasm.

The clitoral glans are not the only part of the clitoris that produces pleasurable sensations. The clitoral bulbs on either side of your labia minora act somewhat like the erectile tissue of a penis. When you become aroused, these parts swell. They cause your labia minora to grow, contributing to the natural lubrication and pleasurable sensations produced by the vagina.

Where is the Clitoris?

The glans, or head, of the clitoris, is located at the top of the labia minora, just beneath the clitoral hood. The rest of the clitoris sits inside your body. Its legs run along the length of the labia minora, and its bulbs sit between the legs and the labia minora.

Common Myths About the Clitoris

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about the clitoris. Let’s review common myths and discover the truth about this essential part of the vagina.

The Clitoris is Only Located Externally

In reality, only a very small portion of the clitoris is located externally. Most of the clitoris is situated inside the body. The body of the clitoris, its legs, and the clitoral bulbs are all beneath your skin and cannot be seen. These parts of the clitoris are just as important as the glans itself.

The Clitoris is Only for Reaching Orgasm

While clitoral stimulation is a primary path to orgasm for many, it’s not the sole purpose of the clitoris. The clitoris is designed for pleasure—which doesn’t always mean reaching orgasm. Though there is a lot of focus on orgasm in sex, it isn’t the most important thing.

Sex has so many purposes: building intimacy, giving feelings of pleasure, and connecting with others, to name a few. All of these things can be achieved without ever reaching orgasm.

The clitoris has other roles, too. The swelling of its bulbs plays a huge role in penetrative sex. As the bulbs swell, they squeeze your labia minora together and stimulate the production of your natural lubrication. This, in turn, allows for comfortable penetration and increases pleasure during penetrative sex.¹

Clitoral Stimulation is Only Effective When Done Firmly

Just like every clitoris looks a little different, every person experiences different sensations from clitoral stimulation. When it comes to understanding how to naturally increase female sensitivity, it’s important to remember that the clitoris is an incredibly sensitive part of the vagina. The glans alone contain over 8,000 nerve fibers. For many, firm clitoral stimulation is far too aggressive and may result in extreme discomfort or even pain.

How to Find Your Clitoris

Looking for your clitoris? You can start by using a mirror to get a view of your vagina. Part your vagina and follow your labia minora to the top. There, you may find a small nub. That’s your clitoris! For some, the clitoris is so small that it’s hard to see. In this case, it can be helpful to use your fingers and feel around. If you find an extremely sensitive spot, you’ve found your clitoris.

How to Find Your Partner's Clitoris

If you’re wondering how to prepare for your first time, or you simply need a refresher, finding your partner’s clitoris is not as complex as pop culture makes it sound. First, identify your partner’s labia minora. These are the internal vaginal lips. Then, follow them to the very top. Where they meet, you’ll find the clitoral hood. Just beneath that, you’ll find your partner’s clitoris.

Again, if you’re unsure whether you’ve found it, try touching it gently. If they have a significant reaction, it’s likely you’ve found their clitoris.

Still lost? Don’t be afraid to ask! Your partner likely knows where their clitoris is and they can guide you. They may also be able to show you how they like their clitoris to be touched. This can open the door to clear and honest communication about sex, resulting in your best sex yet.

How to Stimulate the Clitoris

There’s no one way to stimulate the clitoris. Each person has their own likes, dislikes, and sensitivities. When stimulating the clitoris, it’s best to start small. It is such a sensitive part of the vagina that even a light touch can create a world of sensation.

The clitoris may be stimulated with fingers, with sex toys, or with other parts of the body. Try out different things and see what feels best. You may prefer a clockwise motion, a counterclockwise motion, an up-and-down stroke, or any other touch.

Plus, remember that the glans aren’t the only part of the clitoris. You can stimulate the legs and bulbs of the clitoris by stroking down along the sides of the labia minora.

If you’re ever unsure how to stimulate a partner’s clitoris, the best thing to do is ask. They can tell you what feels best and what type of stimulation to avoid.

Knowledge about the clitoris is just one part of great sex. Another component of great sex is safety. To prevent unwanted pregnancy and the spread of STIs, it’s imperative to use condoms each time you have sex. With our line of ribbed condoms, pre-lubricated condoms, and more, you’ll be having your best sex yet.