8 Most Popular Sex Positions Based On Statistics & Research

You like what you like, but are you curious about what other people like? NapLab, which knows a thing or two about what people like in bed, recently updated their list of the most popular sex positions in the United States. Take a guess now before you start reading — you may be surprised! (Also, people in Alaska have the most sex, just in case you were wondering.)

And the winner is…

1. Doggy-Style

Doggy is the overall winner at 29.4% and sweeps the states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin).

This is not surprising, because doggy-style offers deep penetration and G-spot stimulation as well as the opportunity to use hands or a sex toy for clitoral stimulation as well. If either partner likes sex with a butt plug in, doggy works for that too!

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner positions themself on their hands and knees on the bed with legs slightly spread. They can use a pillow under their hips for support if desired.
2. The penetrating partner kneels behind the receiving partner, between their legs.
3. The receiving partner arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

2. Missionary

Missionary is the second-most popular sex position, but honestly, it’s not even all that close at 21.68%. This was actually the biggest surprise to us — not so much that people like doggy and people like missionary, but that the race wasn’t a little closer.

Interestingly, even though missionary won second place overall, it only took 11 states (Arkansas, Florida, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming). This suggests that it has a solid following even in the states where it didn’t win.

Missionary typically gets a lot of love for full-body and face-to-face contact. It’s also one of the most versatile sex positions because it can suit any mood from gentle to growly.

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner lies on their back on the bed with legs spread and slightly bent. They can put a firm cushion under their hips for support and to change the angle if desired.
2. The penetrating partner lies on top of the receiving partner, between their legs.
3. The receiving partner arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

3. Cowgirl

Cowgirl is a pretty close third at 19.33% and seven states (California, Connecticut, Idaho, Maryland, New York, South Carolina, and South Dakota).

In the classic cowgirl position, the receiving partner controls the angle, depth, and pace of penetration, while the penetrating partner gets to lie back and enjoy both the ride and the view. Besides wrangling the optimal angle, the cowgirl (or their partner) can use their hands or a small vibrator for clitoral stimulation.

What We’re Doing

1. The penetrating partner lies on their back on the bed. If they bend their knees, the receiving partner can lean back and use them for support.
2. The receiving partner kneels, straddles, or squats over the penetrating partner, with the receiving partner’s legs on either side of the penetrating partner’s waist.
3. The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

4. Standing

There’s a precipitous drop-off after the top three! #4 on our list, standing sex, has just 4.9% of respondents rating it as their favorite. Remember, though, that even if it isn’t people’s most preferred/common position, this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get plenty of love.

It makes sense that standing might not be everyone’s go-to because one of the great things about being an adult is having sex in our own beds — but it’s still great fun when the mood strikes!

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner stands facing a wall or another solid surface with legs slightly spread. They can brace their arms against the wall or lean over a sturdy table/counter.
2. The penetrating partner stands behind the receiving partner, between their legs. They can grasp the receiving partner’s hips for support.
3. The receiving partner arches their back, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

5. Face-Sitting

Face-sitting comes in at 4.7%, which feels low to us but again, that figure is the number of people who voted for face-sitting as their favorite sexual position.

We are sure that a lot more than five percent of sex-having adults enjoy face-sitting as part of foreplay even if they voted for doggy or missionary intercourse as their ultimate favorite.

What We’re Doing

1. The giving partner lies on their back on the bed with legs spread. They can use a small, firm cushion under their neck for support or a better angle for breathing.
2. The receiving partner kneels or squats over the giving partner’s chest. They can support some of their body weight on their knees/legs.
3. The receiving partner backs up so that their genitals are aligned with the giving partner’s mouth, and the giving partner performs oral sex.

6. Reverse Cowgirl

Surprisingly, reverse cowgirl earned a lot fewer votes than classic cowgirl at 4.7%. It offers many of the same advantages, such as deep penetration and G-spot stimulation; some couples find that the angles in reverse cowgirl are even more advantageous.

It is also often easier for the receiving partner to support some of their weight with their legs, which makes it easier for the penetrating partner to thrust.

What We’re Doing

1. The penetrating partner lies on their back on the bed.
2. The receiving partner kneels, straddles, or squats over the penetrating partner’s body, facing their feet.
3. The receiving partner leans forward, and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

7. Spooning

4.63% of respondents voted for spooning as their favorite sex position. We know that spooning is almost universally enjoyed (at least occasionally) because it is a comfortable and connected position, but it seems to be true that while it’s on a lot of folks’ menus, it isn’t necessarily the main course.

What We’re Doing

1. The receiving partner lies on their side on the bed with their knees bent, curled in a half-moon position.
2. The penetrating partner lies on their same side behind the receiving partner, facing the same direction.
3. The receiving partner lifts their top leg (the penetrating partner can help support), and the penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.

8. The 69

Wrapping up our list with 3.89% of the vote is 69 (mutual oral sex), with another reminder that this is 3.89% of respondents ranking 69 as their ultimate favorite sex position. We know that far more of you consider it to be an important part of your sex lives even if intercourse actually earned your vote!

What We’re Doing

1. Partner 1 lies on their back on the bed with legs spread. They can use a small, firm cushion under their neck for support or a better angle for breathing.
2. Partner 2 kneels or squats over Partner 1’s chest. Partner 2 can support some of their body weight on their knees/legs.
3. Partner 2 backs up so that their genitals are aligned with Partner 1’s mouth, and leans forward so that they can reach Partner 1’s genitals with their mouth.
4. Both partners perform oral sex.

Maggie

Maggie Hart has written about sexual well-being and sexuality in society for quite a few years now. She is active in communities that celebrate sex for older adults.

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