The 5 Most Popular Sex Positions Everyone Does

While there is no definitive answer to what the most popular sexual positions are, and since sexual preferences and practices can vary greatly from person to person, there are many different sex positions that people can engage in. And what is popular among one group of people may not be popular among another. Many online polls say the most common sexual positions everyone does include the missionary position, doggy style, spooning, cowgirl and reverse cowgirl, and the 69 sex position, so we’ll describe in detail on the what the right way is to perform these popular but extremely pleasurable ancient sex positions.

It’s worth saying, however, that sexual positions are not just about giving and receiving physical pleasure, they also play a role in emotional intimacy and personal preference. So it’s up to each individual and their partner(s) to discover what positions they enjoy most and feel comfortable with.

What are the most popular, or “most heard of”, sex positions?

According to various surveys and studies, the most commonly used sexual positions are:

The Missionary Position:

Sex position - The missionary position
The missionary position involves the man on top, with the woman lying on her back. It is often considered the most intimate position because it allows for kissing and eye contact. Credit: Seedfeeder CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Missionary position is a sexual position where the penetrating partner is on top of the receiving partner, facing them. This position is considered to be one of the most traditional and classic sexual positions.

To do this position, the receiving partner lies on their back on the bed or other flat surface, while the penetrating partner kneels or lays on top of them, facing them. The penetrating partner then enters the receiving partner and can move in rhythm with each other for sexual stimulation. This position allows for a lot of intimacy and allows the partners to look into each other’s eyes and kiss during intercourse.

It allows for deep penetration and it’s a good position for couples trying to conceive, but it may also provide less stimulation for the receiving partner’s clitoris. It can be modified by the use of pillows or cushions to support the receiving partner’s head or back and change the angle of penetration.

This position also can be modified in different ways, such as by having the receiving partner raise their legs or resting them on the penetrating partner’s shoulders, which can change the angle of penetration and provide deeper or more stimulating sensations.

Doggy Style:

Sex position - doggy style
The Doggy Style position involves the woman on all fours, with the man behind her. It allows for deep penetration and can be more physically demanding for the woman. Image credit: Seedfeeder CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The “Doggy Style” position, also known as the “Rear-entry” position, is a sexual position where the penetrating partner enters the receiving partner from behind. This position is considered a more intense and animalistic position that allows for deep penetration and provides a good angle for stimulating the G-spot.

To do this position, the receiving partner gets on their hands and knees while the penetrating partner kneels behind them, facing the same direction. The penetrating partner can then enter the receiving partner from behind and can thrust in and out for sexual stimulation. The receiving partner can also arch their back to change the angle of penetration or to stimulate different parts of their genitals.

This position allows for deep penetration and can be quite intense for both partners. It also allows the receiving partner to control the pace, angle, and intensity of the thrusting.

Also this position can be modified by the receiving partner to be in a more comfortable position, like resting on the elbows or on one arm, or resting the head and upper body on a pillow.

Cowgirl/Reverse Cowgirl:

The Cowgirl and Reverse Cowgirl positions
The Cowgirl or Reverse Cowgirl position involves the woman on top, facing either towards or away from the man. They allow the woman to control the speed and depth of penetration. Image credit: Seedfeeder CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The term “woman on top” can also refer to both the “cowgirl” and “reverse cowgirl” positions. In either variation, the woman is the one who is in the dominant position, on top of the other partner and straddles him, and has more control over the thrusting movements and the stimulation, therefore the name ‘woman on top’.

The Reverse Cowgirl position, also known as the “Backwards Cowgirl” or “Reverse Rider”, is a variation of the traditional Cowgirl position where the receiving partner straddles the penetrating partner, facing away from them instead of facing them. This position allows for deep penetration and also provides a good angle for the receiving partner to stimulate their own clitoris.

To do this position, the penetrating partner lies on their back on the bed or other flat surface, while the receiving partner straddles them, facing away from them, with one leg on either side of the penetrating partner’s hips. The receiving partner then lowers themselves onto the penetrating partner’s erect penis and can move in rhythm with each other for sexual stimulation. The receiving partner can also lean forward or back to change the angle of penetration or to stimulate different parts of their genitals.

It’s a position that allows for deep penetration and can be quite intense for both partners. It also allows for the receiving partner to control the pace, angle, and intensity of the thrusting. The Cowgirl variation can also be good for stimulating the female partner’s G-spot and allows the male partner to stimulate her breasts, shoulders, and head.

Spooning:

Sex position the vSpoon or Spooning
In the spooning position, both partners lie on their side, with one partner behind the other. Image credit: Seedfeeder CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

In the spooning position, both partners lie on their side, with one partner behind the other. The Spooning position is a sexual position where both partners lie on their side, facing the same direction, with one partner behind the other. This position allows for a comfortable and intimate experience and it’s also suitable for couples who prefer a slower, more sensual pace.

To do this position, both partners lie on their sides, facing the same direction, with one partner behind the other. The partner in the back can then wrap their arms around the partner in front and enter them from behind. The partner in front can also move their hips to increase the stimulation. This position also allows for a lot of intimate contact such as kissing, touching and cuddling.

The spooning position is considered a more intimate and romantic position, it allows for both partners to be close to each other and it’s suitable for people who have hip or knee issues or just prefer a less intense position. It can be modified by using pillows or cushions to support the receiving partner’s back and neck.

Also, this position also can be known as the “Rear Entry” and it can also be a variation of the “spooning” position, but with different angle.

The 69 position:

69 sex position allows both partners to perform oral sex on each other at the same time.
In the 69 position, both partners perform oral sex on each other at the same time. Image credit: Seedfeeder CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

“69” is a sexual position in which two people perform oral sex on each other at the same time. The position is named “69” because the two participants are in a mutual oral position, with one person’s head at the other person’s genitals, and vice versa. The partners can be either facing each other or facing opposite directions, The position can be performed by any combination of genders, and it can be a way for both partners to receive pleasure at the same time, or a way to provide pleasure to each other. The position is considered an intimate one and requires a high level of trust and communication between partners to ensure that both people are comfortable and enjoy the experience.

Keep in mind that oral sex carries a risk of STI transmission, thus it is important to use barrier protection like dental dams or condoms if this activity is performed with a new partner.

A couple having sex in the T-square sexual position.
A couple having sex in the T-square sexual position. Some sex positions may not work for everyone, so it’s important to communicate with your partner about what positions feel good for both of you and make adjustments as necessary for your comfort. Image by: Seedfeeder CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.jpg

Some sex positions require a certain level of flexibility, comfort and strength from the receiving partner than other sex positions, and may be adjusted with the use of pillows or cushions to support each other’s bodies for comfort.

When trying any new sex position, it’s important to make sure both partners are comfortable with the position and to communicate throughout the experience to ensure that both partners are enjoying themselves and are not experiencing any pain or discomfort.

After you’ve mastered these common sex positions and are ready to take the leap to try more daring and fulfilling sexual positions in the bedroom, check out these 15 more daring sex positions you can try tonight.