For some people, sex is unspeakably dirty and wrong, while for others, it’s incredibly beautiful and pure. Whatever your take on it is, whether at one extreme or the other, you can’t deny sex’s importance. After all, it is the reason we’re all here today.
But not all sex is created equal. Sex can be super short or hours long, full of excitement or painfully boring; it can have two, three, or really, any number of people involved. It can be good, bad, horrible, or fantastic. The only way to find out is to have it.
Of course, one thing that’ll impact what your sex is like is the position (or positions) you’re using. Are you a fan of the classics, like missionary and doggy style? Do you like to cycle through half a dozen different ones each time? Is there a less common one that you’re prone to attempt, like the criss cross, the butterfly, or the surfboard?
There are tons of different sex positions for you and your partner to try, and if you’re used to just one or two, it can be overwhelming to know how to do what’s new to you. Here, you’ll find an illustrated sex position guide to help you have better sex tonight (or at this very moment, if you can’t wait that long).
It’s broken down into sections based on different position types. Each position is accompanied by an illustration and a description that’ll help you determine whether it’s a good fit for you and your partner.
Whether you’re looking for positions that are great for slow, intimate, sensual sex or something more rough and intense, if you keep reading, you’ll find something for you.
1. Missionary Sex Positions
Missionary is one of the most well-known and popular positions for a reason. You don’t need to be flexible, there’s a lot of eye contact and physical closeness, and it doesn’t require anything except a flat surface. It’s also a great option for those who aren’t looking for anything too wild. However, if you are looking to keep things fresh, missionary can be tweaked in a bunch of different ways to alter the pleasure, intensity, and kink factors for both partners. Check out these missionary-inspired versions:
Missionary
The Missionary position (man on top, couple facing each other) is the most famous and classic of all positions. The eye contact, the mild male dominance and the angle of penetration make this a popular one, and odds are, the first time you had sex was in Missionary. A very comfortable option that allows for easy thrusting, and an easy pull-out if you’re a man, there’s plenty of benefits to it and it’ll work its way into basically any sexual encounter you find yourself in, at some point.
Coital Alignment Technique
Another spin on Missionary, the Coital Alignment Technique (C.A.T.), aka the Frog or the Perfect Position, looks to sacrifice elevation and power for proper alignment. Start in regular Missionary, and then flatten your torso as much possible, while your partner should arch her legs and put her legs on your butt. What you’re doing here is targeting the clitoris for more direct rubbing and friction. The pressure you put on her clitoris could help her get to orgasm quicker. You should also be staying nice and deep within her in the C.A.T. too, to ensure maximum penetration. In other words, this one is more for her pleasure than yours.
Legs on Shoulders
A classic take on Missionary, this one can either be done with you lying down on top of her, or with her positioned at the edge of the bed and with you in standing (or more accurately leaning in) with her legs on your shoulders as you go into her. This position gives the man all of the control of penetration, but it will also allow you to penetrate more deeply, so it’s a win-win. You may need to grasp her legs and pull in gently to prevent your thrusting from pushing her away from you.
The Pancake
A more extreme variant of Legs On Shoulders, this one really puts you in the driver’s seat. Start with your torso more or less vertical and her legs on your shoulders. Descend slowly until you’re basically folding her in half. For more leverage, you can reach around her back with your arms and pull her tightly against you. This one is very intimate, but it also gives her very little mobility, so it’s basically you who is 100% in charge of the thrusting. The pressure you’re putting on her muscles can also create a tightness in her pelvis, leading to an increased tighter feel for you. You should make sure she’s flexible enough to pull this one off — many women aren’t — and keep in mind you’ll probably be able to pull this off for just a few minutes.
Swivel and Grind
If you’re working with a little bit less than the average man, the Swivel and Grind is your friend. Instead of the ol’ in-and-out pumping, which is actually better for you than it is for her. Instead, once you’re inside her, use your hip rotation to grind and twist inside of her, pressing your shaft as hard as you can against her clitoris. The friction and pressure will be what brings her to orgasm, no matter what your size. To get maximum closeness, Missionary with legs on shoulders works best. You may also want to consider propping up her hips on a pillow or wedge (you can find specially made ones) to create the perfect angle.
The Viennese Oyster
In the Viennese oyster, the woman places her ankles behind her head while the man holds them there as he thrusts into her. Her tightened leg muscles mean it’s great for deep penetration. Meanwhile, she can use her hands to help support his body weight. This position isn’t super common, and it definitely isn’t for every couple — it requires a pretty flexible female partner, for one. That said, it offers a lot of control for the male partner, as well as eye contact. If those are musts for you, it might be worth a try.
Spread Eagle
This one’s not for beginners, as it requires a little light bondage. But if you’re exploring kinkier options with your partner, this is a great option that allows you to take a more dominant role while still offering both of you a lot of intimacy. With your partner on her back, have her spread her legs and tie her ankles and her wrists together. You then have total control for a very steamy, powerful romp.
2. Doggy-Style Sex Positions
Traditional doggy-style, named because it’s, well, how dogs have sex, features the woman on her hands and knees with the man kneeling behind her. It’s a less intimate option than missionary-style positions, but sometimes, that’s just what you’re looking for. Doing it from behind can also mean easier access to the clitoris for one or both of you, and kneeling or standing positions can mean a very different thrusting experience where you’re not supporting yourself with your arms and upper body. However, in this section, we’ve grouped all kinds of doing-it-from-behind positions, featuring standing, kneeling, and lying down options.
Doggy-Style
Doggy-Style is a favorite for millions of people for a few reasons. It’s the classic female submissive position and really lets the man be in control, and there’s more than a few variations on it. In its simplest form, you kneel on the bed, with your partner on all fours. Enter her from behind, and hold onto her hips and/or torso. You can decide to go slow or hard. If you want to add some roughness, and your partner is into that, Doggy is a solid option that allows for you to pull her hair or spank her as well, provided she enjoys that. If you have a free hand, a clitoral reach-around or playing with her breasts can add extra stimulation, too.
Reach for the Sky
Doggy-Style is normally done kneeling, but it doesn’t have to be. An easy transition from normal Doggy-Style, in this version you actually get up on your feet and stand up, and lean way over her. You’ll get somewhat of a less intense thrust than regular Doggy-Style, but in return you’ll have a different sensation, particularly for her, and a pretty decent workout for your hamstring and ankles from it. The leaning forward actually lets you get a somewhat deeper feel, and the difficulty quotient will make you feel all the more accomplished for pulling it off.
Bedside Doggy-Style
A lot of sexual positions have the woman on an elevated platform with the man on the ground — this one flips the script. Go the edge of the bed and kneel. Have her standing straight up and back up to you slowly, and then bend over at 90 degrees. You then enter her from behind and thrust away. This one has a little bit less of the hands-on potential of traditional Doggy-Style, but it’s an interest take on the position that’s arguably even more male-dominant. If you want to make things easier on her back, you can place a chair or desk to place her arms on for support.
Backdoor Planking
Sex expert Tyomi Morgan says: “This position not only accesses the G-spot and the A-spot to create squirting orgasms but it’s also comfortable for the female partner after switching into several positions. Backdoor planking is a position where the female partner lies on her stomach with her legs close together, and is penetrated from behind. This position requires little work on her behalf, but feels amazing because her legs are placed closely together which creates a tighter entry for him and increased sensation for her.”
Doggy-Style Stairs
Another set up that works for anal sex or vaginal sex, the Doggy-Style sex on the stairs takes advantage of the natural inclination and steps to create new angles and supports for a classic position. Again, carpeted steps or a towel to protect her knees are a good idea. Depending on your height, you can either be standing or kneeling for this one. The stairs mean she can keep herself more upright, and the fact that you’ll be on a lower step means you have a more natural, upright angle to enter her vagina than traditional Doggy-Style on a flat surface. Just make sure you don’t fall!
Spooning
Spooning is one of the “cuddliest” of all the positions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it intense. You lie on your side, with your partner in front of you, facing away. Enter her from behind, and then both of you can control the pace and depth of thrusting. Spooning is comfortable; it’s great for longer sexual sessions with a lot of sensual touching and kissing of the back of the neck. You can also get quite handsy and reach around the play with her nipples or even reach down and add extra stimulation to her clitoris from the front, and it also works great as an anal option.
Kneel Together
This position is a great variation on regular Doggy-Style. In this edition, you enter her from behind as you would normally with Doggy-Style, only then both of you straighten your torsos straight up. This position means her hands are a load free-er than they’d normally be during Doggy-Style, which means she can more easily play with her clitoris or even reach down and grab your balls.
Hyper-Connected Doggy
Sex expert and founder of Sexpressed.com Scott Brown says: “It’s a variant of the Doggy-Style position we are all familiar with. The man stands on the floor at the edge of the bed, and the woman gets into the typical Doggy-Style kneeling pose on the bed. After the man has entered his partner he pulls her up towards him so that she is now kneeling at the edge of the bed, instead of being an all fours. He supports her with one hand wrapped around her torso. This position is great because it allows you to get that deep penetration so many love about Doggy-Style, but you’re more connected with your partner because her whole body is up against you. Added benefits are that you can pull her hair, see her face, and also whisper nasty things into her ear, all at the same time, since you have one free arm. It’s intense, intimate, and feels good!”
Chicken Wing Doggy-Style
While this is a pretty straightforward doggy variation that gives you even more control, it might be tricky for couples if the man struggles to support the woman’s body weight. You start in the typical doggy style pose with your partner on all fours, then lift her up by her thighs from behind, with your arms underneath her legs to help support them. If need be, you can prop up one of her legs with your knee or thigh by planting your foot on the bed while your other leg remains in a kneeling position.
The Superhero
Perhaps the ultimate strength test position, the “Superman” sees you bend her over a desk or table, with her using it for support. Then, once you’re inside her, lift her pelvis up slowly until her feet are actually off the ground, and you’re holding on to her as you thrust in and out. The sheer physical intensity of this one means it’s not for the faint-hearted, but can provide an adrenaline rush as you go closer and closer to your breaking point. Keep safety in mind and let her down gently as soon as your strength starts to wane, and make sure you don’t pull out too much.
The Lean Doggy
Dating writer Jeremy Glass writes: “How it looks depends on (a) your partner and (b) the thing she’s leaning over. If you have a really understanding woman-friend who doesn’t mind being boned from behind while she rests her elbows on a wooden desk, all is well. Leaning your partner over, say, a table and taking her from behind requires work from her end (no pun intended) but allows the dude to go about sexy times while literally just standing there. Literally! How it feels depends on the surface. If you’re leaning your partner over a bathroom sink, it probably won’t be the best for her. However, if you’re leaning her over the bed and there happens to be a plate of pancakes and waffles on said bed… everyone’s happy.”
Bent-Over Standing Doggy
This standing twist on Doggy-Style takes some serious flexibility and commitment, but if you’re up for it (or down for it) it can be a fun addition to your roster of positions. This is also a great choice if you’re trying to get it on in public without being caught — she can completely dip down behind a bush or parked car for cover.
Out-of-Control Cowgirl
If you’re looking for a doggy variant that offers her a bit more control, you could try the out-of-control cowgirl. In this version, rather than kneeling forward, the man kneels back with his butt on his heels, shifting it from a thrusting position to more of a riding position. The woman lowers herself onto him, actively riding him rather than lying down or resting on her hands and knees. This one offers the man easy access to her clitoris and breasts for extra stimulation, as well as lots of body contact if she’s leaning back into his chest.
The Cowboy
Before we get to the Woman On Top positions (aka different variations of the Cowgirl) let’s check out the Cowboy! Finally, your chance to ride. This is a variant on the Backdoor Planking position that sees you putting your thighs outside of your partner’s thighs instead of inside them. Your partner should push her butt up in the air a little bit to help give you a better angle — a pillow can help here.
The Toad
In the Toad, the guy gets behind the woman and penetrates her — but rather than classic doggy style or standing doggy, here, both partners are crouched over together. A good option for those who find that the Frog isn’t crouch-y enough, the Toad is a master class in getting it on while your knees bent. While this one should be considered for experts only, it’s a strong choice if you’re trying to sneak in a quickie and want to keep a low profile without fully lying down.
3. Girl on Top Sex Positions
A lot of people will associate missionary and doggy-inspired sex positions with the male partner being in control. That’s all well and good, but if you want to switch things up, girl on top positions are the way to go. These options give her more control over the speed, intensity, and angle of penetration to best suit both her pleasure and her comfort level. Different woman on top variations let you both face each other or away from each other, and with versions that involve more thrusting for him or more riding for her, there’s sure to be one for every couple.
Cowgirl
Probably one of the first positions you learned, there’s more than a few reasons why the Cowgirl is one of the most popular positions in the world. You get to lie back and get a simply wonderful view of your partner moving up and down; she gets excellent clitoral stimulation and a lot of control of depth and penetration. Penetration-wise, this is arguably the quickest way for a woman to get an orgasm, although quite a bit more difficult for you. Use your free hands to massage her breasts, and if the two of you want to add an element of dominance despite her being on top, you can place your fingers gently around her neck.
Reverse Cowgirl
A lot of people will associate missionary and doggy-inspired sex positions with the male partner being in control. That’s all well and good, but if you want to switch things up, girl on top positions are the way to go. These options give her more control over the speed, intensity, and angle of penetration to best suit both her pleasure and her comfort level. Different woman on top variations let you both face each other or away from each other, and with versions that involve more thrusting for him or more riding for her, there’s sure to be one for every couple.
Crouching Reverse Cowgirl
The Reverse Cowgirl is usually done in something of a vertical T-position, with the man lying flat on his back and the woman bouncing up and down mostly upright. You can add a variation to this by having her lean forward, so that her head is actually almost over top of your feet. By planting her arms onto the ground/bed or even grabbing your shins, she can really get a lot of leverage to move herself back and forth. This one really leaves her in control, and lets you sit back and relax, essentially.
Girl Lying on Top
This position requires a lot of exertion on the woman’s part but could be very intense; it can also work for anal sex, and give her a lot of control in that scenario. It’s pretty self explanatory; you lie flat on your back hold her by the hips or butt, while she partly props herself up using her elbows and legs, arching her back and placing her shoulders and shoulder blades on your chest. Then she lowers herself up and down, to control how deeply you move in and out of her. To prevent her from getting tired, help her by supporting her butt and taking some of the weight.
The Backseat Special
The Waterfall
The Waterfall is one of the strangest-looking positions out there, but once you try it you’ll understand why it’s worth it.
Sex expert Dr. Emily Morse says: “The Waterfall is a variation on the popular Cowgirl position, but packs a super-sized climactic punch. Start by laying on the couch or bed with your head near the edge and your partner on top of you, but instead of riding you from her knees, she’ll need to lean back and shift her weight to her feet. Once she’s got the stance down, inch toward the edge of the bed or couch, letting your head and shoulders slide off onto the ground while your hips remain elevated. If you’re on a couch, drape your legs over the back of the seat or simply let your knees fall open. From here, your partner has complete control over the speed, depth and intensity of her gyrations, not to mention a free hand to use as she wishes — clitoral stimulation, anyone? There are a couple of ways to execute this pose: You can either use it as a bridge while building to orgasm, or moving into it right before the big finale. Either way, this position will cause the blood to rush to your head (and your other head) for an explosive climax.”
Zen Sex
Some people want lustful, intense, passionate sex… and some people want more relaxed sex. If you’re in the mood for something a little more zen, try this position. In order to pull it off, your partner should put her legs into a full lotus position and lean forward on her hands. Or, she can move her hips up and down. Alternately, you can help by lifting her hips from behind to achieve an up and down motion.
4. Oral Sex Positions
Not all sex has to be exclusively genitals-on-genitals. Oral sex is always a great pleasure option, whether you’re giving or receiving — or both at once. Not to mention that many women report enjoying oral sex more than penetrative sex. So what are your options when it comes to blowjobs, cunnilingus and 69ing? Let’s check it out.
Lying for Him
This is probably the least work you’ll ever have to do to achieve orgasm, as you just lie back and let your partner do the work. This allows her to control everything that’s going on, too, meaning she has full control over the speed, the angle, the duration and more, making this a great option for both of you.
Lying for Her
One good turn deserves another — this position is the gender-swapped version of the above one and similarly allows her to relax and you to really get to work. It’s also perfect for amping things up a bit by adding some fingering to the mix to really take her pleasure to the next level.
Standing for Him
This has been a staple of porn scripts for a long, long time. While it might be a little less relaxing position to receive a blowjob, it’s a great option if there isn’t a bed available and/or if you want to feel more dominant or engage in role play while receiving oral pleasure. It also means you can experiment (only with your partner’s express consent!) with thrusting a little rather than just being passive.
Standing for Her
This is a bit trickier than the male equivalent, but it’s a solid option if there isn’t a bed available — although trickier to pull off in more public situations if your partner’s wearing pants or shorts. Just kneel at her feet, have her spread her legs a bit and go for it.
Face-Sitting for Him
Face-sitting can be very hot because it adds an extra element of dominance and submissiveness to your oral play. Have your partner lie on her back; she can prop up her head either using a pillow or leaning her shoulders against the wall. Then, thrust into her mouth. It’s a good idea to go gently here because you could make this uncomfortable otherwise. Talk to her beforehand to establish some boundaries and maybe a signal for whether you should stop; then during the act, work with her body language and cues to figure out your rhythm and how deep you can go.
Face-Sitting for Her
For female on male, this version works even better. The mechanics are pretty simple: You lie flat on your back, and she straddles your face with her thighs, lowering her crotch onto your head. You can also use a pillow to take some of the pressure off your neck. Women love this position, but a lot of guys do too, a) because it’s a pretty comfortable way to eat her out and b) there’s a bit of female dominance to it. You also get the full experience: The taste, the heat, the smell and the moisture of her vagina are all right in your face. She can also add a bit more pressure if you want to kick the intensity up a notch — though in that case, you’ll want to work out a signal in case you find yourself struggling to breathe.
The 69
The classic mutual pleasure oral position, 69-ing is a thrill for the head-to-toe positioning. It also works for any combination of two sex partners. If you’re lying one on top of the other, typically woman on top is easier, with each of you pleasuring the other orally. An intense oral option that’s not for everybody, the 69 also tests your concentration and your ability to pleasure your partner while she’s doing the same for you. Work on this one and play with various configurations so you’re most comfortable.
Sideways 69ing
Another fun option for the 69 is to simply turn it on its side. While sideways 69ing requires a bit more effort than the upright version, it’s a great option if lying on top of each other is tricky for whatever reason, and offers a fun new spin — literally — on a classic oral position.
The Upside-Down 69
Not satisfied with simply turning the 69 sideways? Amp it up another level with the Upside-Down 69. This variation, which is not for beginners, also requires some specific hardware, as you’ll need a chin-up bar or some sort of equivalent bar for the top person to hang from. Don’t try this without first ascertaining that it can hold your weight (or your partner’s), though. You can also alternate which one of you is upside down if you’re really enjoying yourselves.
Sideways Oral
Recline on your side, and have your partner position herself so that her head is in line with your crotch. She should also be on her side, using and can wrap her arm around your legs for balance and leverage. From there, it’s up to you; you can totally sit back and let her do all the work, or provide the thrusting motion yourself. This is an incredibly comfortable and relaxed position for both of you. Your partner may need to tuck her legs in to prevent her legs from overhanging the bed (if that’s where you’re at) or even placing a chair next to the bed if you’re a taller couple so that her legs aren’t overhanging into nothingness.
Elevated Cunnilingus
A table, a windowsill, a countertop, whatever the case, having your partner up above means that you can go down on her… without going down too much. Have her bring her legs right up to the edge of whatever platform she’s on, and then either kneel or stand (depending on her and your height) and give in to the pleasure of cunnilingus. This is another one that is great for getting it on in public, because you don’t need a nice cushy surface to lie down on.
