Sex Positions: The Complete Guide to the Best Positions
Every sex position explained the useful way: how it actually works, what it is good for, how much control it gives you over depth and pace, and how to adjust it so it stays comfortable for both of you.
There Is No Single Best Sex Position
Most sex position lists are ranked as if one arrangement wins for everybody. In reality a sex position is just a set of trade-offs: how close your faces are, how much either partner has to hold their own weight, who controls the pace, and how much depth is possible.
Once you understand those four variables, you can pick the right position for any night instead of memorising a hundred names. Every sex pose on this page is explained through that lens, with modifications so it works across body types, heights, and energy levels.
How to Choose the Right Sex Position
Before the names, learn the six variables. Every sex position on this page is some combination of these, and knowing them lets you adjust anything on the fly rather than abandoning it.
Closeness
Face-to-face positions allow eye contact, kissing, and quiet conversation. They usually feel more emotionally intense, which matters more to most couples than anything acrobatic.
Depth Control
Whoever moves controls how deep things go. If one partner finds depth uncomfortable, choose a position where that partner sets the pace. This is the single most useful adjustment on this page.
Effort & Stamina
Some positions ask one person to hold their own bodyweight. If that person tires, everything else suffers. Lying and seated positions let you last far longer without strain.
Height Difference
A large height gap makes standing and some rear-entry positions awkward. Lying down neutralises it completely, and a step, cushion, or the edge of a bed solves most of the rest.
Joint & Back Comfort
Knees, hips, wrists, and lower back are the usual complaints. A pillow under the hips or knees changes almost any position from tolerable to genuinely comfortable.
Free Hands
Positions that leave a hand free allow additional touch, which for many people is what makes the difference between fine and genuinely enjoyable. Weight-bearing positions do not.
All Sex Positions, Family by Family
Nearly every sex position is a variation on six basic body arrangements. Learn the six families and the dozens of named poses stop being something to memorise.
Face-to-Face, Lying Down
Missionary
One partner lies on their back, the other above them supported on forearms or hands. The most common starting position worldwide, largely because it needs no coordination and allows constant eye contact.
Good for: emotional closeness, kissing, first times, talking through what feels good.
Comfort tip: a cushion under the lower back of the partner underneath changes the angle noticeably and relieves lower-back strain for both of you.
Coital Alignment
A missionary variation where the upper partner shifts slightly higher up the body, so movement becomes a steady rocking rather than a thrusting motion. Contact stays constant throughout.
Good for: partners who find standard missionary offers too little external stimulation.
Comfort tip: it relies on rhythm rather than force, so slow right down. Rushing it removes the entire benefit.
Legs Raised
From missionary, the partner underneath raises one or both legs, resting them against the other's shoulders or chest. This shortens the distance considerably and increases depth.
Good for: couples who both want more depth and a changed angle without changing position entirely.
Comfort tip: depth increases fast here. Start with one leg raised, check in verbally, and lower the leg immediately if anything feels sharp.
Side-by-Side
Spooning
Both partners lie on their sides facing the same direction, one curled behind the other. Neither person supports any weight, which makes this the least tiring position there is.
Good for: slow, unhurried sex, late nights, pregnancy, back or joint pain, and anyone with limited stamina or mobility.
Comfort tip: a pillow between the knees of the front partner keeps hips aligned and prevents lower-back ache.
Face-to-Face Side-Lying
Both partners lie on their sides facing each other, legs interlocked. It takes a moment to arrange, but once settled it is relaxed and both people keep a hand completely free.
Good for: long sessions, closeness with less intensity, couples who want to keep talking throughout.
Comfort tip: whichever arm is underneath will go numb. Tuck it above your head rather than under your body.
Scissors
Partners lie facing each other but offset, legs crossed through one another so the bodies form an X rather than lying parallel. Contact is broader than in most positions.
Good for: couples wanting full-body contact and shared control, with neither partner leading.
Comfort tip: support the top leg on a folded pillow so the hip is not held open by muscle alone.
Partner on Top
Riding, Facing Forward
One partner lies on their back while the other sits astride them, upright or leaning forward. The partner on top sets angle, depth, and pace entirely.
Good for: anyone who needs full control of depth, and for the partner underneath to have both hands free.
Comfort tip: leaning forward onto hands or the partner's chest is much easier on the thighs than staying fully upright.
Riding, Facing Away
The same arrangement with the upper partner turned to face the other way. The angle changes significantly and the partner underneath gets a very different view and reach.
Good for: variety without learning anything new, and a noticeably different angle of contact.
Comfort tip: the partner underneath should keep their knees slightly bent to give the person on top something to lean back against.
Lying Forward on Top
From riding forward, the upper partner lowers fully onto their partner's chest so both bodies are flat against each other. Movement becomes small and rocking rather than vertical.
Good for: maximum skin contact, and continuing when thighs get tired without stopping.
Comfort tip: this is the natural resting place when a riding position becomes tiring. Move into it rather than stopping.
Rear-Entry
All Fours
One partner rests on hands and knees while the other kneels behind. Depth is naturally greater here than in most positions, and the receiving partner can control it by shifting forward or back.
Good for: a deeper angle, and leaving one partner's hands entirely free.
Comfort tip: drop onto forearms instead of hands to protect the wrists, and put a folded towel under the knees on a hard surface.
Lying Flat, Rear
The receiving partner lies flat on their front, legs together or slightly apart, with the other lying over them. Because the legs stay closed, depth is naturally limited.
Good for: the rear-entry angle when full depth is uncomfortable, and for anyone with knee problems.
Comfort tip: a pillow under the hips lifts the angle and makes this far more comfortable for the person underneath.
Edge of the Bed
One partner lies or kneels at the edge of the bed while the other stands on the floor. The bed height does all the work, which is what makes this so adaptable.
Good for: couples with a significant height difference, and for the standing partner to keep both hands free.
Comfort tip: if the bed is the wrong height, stand on a book or kneel on a cushion rather than bending awkwardly.
Seated & Standing
Seated Lap, Facing
One partner sits on a sturdy chair or the edge of the bed while the other sits astride them, facing them. Both people can move, so pace becomes genuinely shared.
Good for: closeness with eye contact, kissing throughout, and equal control for both partners.
Comfort tip: use a chair without arms and with a solid base. A rolling office chair is a genuinely bad idea.
Seated Lap, Facing Away
The same seated arrangement with the upper partner facing outward, leaning back against the other's chest. Both partners keep their hands free.
Good for: a relaxed rear-facing angle without the effort of kneeling positions.
Comfort tip: feet flat on the floor gives the upper partner leverage. Dangling feet make it tiring quickly.
Standing
Both partners standing, usually with one leaning against a wall or bracing on furniture. It is the most demanding family here and rarely lasts long, which is part of its appeal.
Good for: spontaneity and a change of setting. It is not built for long sessions.
Comfort tip: always brace against a wall, never balance freely, and never attempt lifting positions on a wet bathroom floor.
Best Sex Positions by Goal
Rather than asking which sex position is best, ask what you want tonight. The answer changes the shortlist completely, and it changes again next week.
For emotional closeness: missionary, face-to-face side-lying, seated lap facing. All keep you eye to eye.
For beginners: missionary and spooning. Both are forgiving, need no coordination, and are easy to stop or adjust.
For depth control: any position where the receiving partner is on top or in front, because they set the pace.
For limited mobility or joint pain: spooning and lying flat. Neither asks anyone to hold their own weight.
During pregnancy: spooning, side-lying, and edge-of-bed keep pressure off the abdomen. Confirm anything specific with your midwife or doctor.
For a large height difference: anything lying down, plus edge-of-bed where furniture height does the work.
For long sessions: the low-effort families. Nobody lasts long in a position that is quietly exhausting them.
Comfort, Props & Safety
The difference between a position that works and one you never try again is almost always a cushion, some lubricant, or one sentence spoken out loud.
Pillows Change Everything
A firm cushion under the hips alters the angle of nearly every lying position and takes strain off the lower back. It is the cheapest and most effective adjustment available, and it works in almost every position on this page.
Lubricant Is Not Optional
Deeper and rear-entry positions create more friction. Water-based or silicone-based lubricant reduces soreness, tearing, and condom breakage. Oil-based products damage latex, so avoid them with condoms entirely.
Pain Means Stop
Sharp or deep pain is not something to work through. Stop, change angle, add lubricant, or switch position entirely. Pain that keeps returning is worth discussing with a healthcare professional rather than tolerating.
Switch Before You Have To
Most couples hold a position until someone is genuinely uncomfortable, which turns the change into an interruption. Switching every few minutes by choice keeps everything easier and more enjoyable.
Protection Still Applies
No position reduces the risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Barrier protection works the same in every position, and changing position is a sensible moment to check the condom is still correctly in place.
Say It Out Loud
"Can we try something else?" and "Slower" are the two most useful sentences here. Neither ruins anything. Guessing what your partner wants, in silence, is what actually ruins it.
Important
This guide is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For persistent pain, pregnancy-specific guidance, or any symptom that worries you, speak to a qualified healthcare provider. Our protection and sexual health chapter covers the basics in more detail.
Six Sex Position Myths Worth Deleting
Most position anxiety comes from ideas that were never true to begin with.
"There is one best position."
Reality: what works depends on two specific bodies, the mood, and the day. The best position is whichever one you both want to stay in.
"Harder positions are better."
Reality: difficulty and enjoyment are unrelated. Most couples report their favourites are among the simplest, precisely because nobody is concentrating on staying upright.
"Deeper is always better."
Reality: depth is a preference, not an upgrade. Many people find shallower angles more comfortable and more pleasurable, and that is entirely normal.
"Some positions are only for certain body types."
Reality: almost every position adapts with a cushion, a changed leg angle, or furniture. Very few need ruling out entirely.
"Switching means it was not working."
Reality: changing position is normal and expected. Most encounters involve two or three, and moving on is not a verdict on the last one.
"Some positions prevent pregnancy."
Reality: no position prevents pregnancy or infection. Contraception and barrier protection are the only things that do.
Keep Reading
New to all of this? Start with our complete beginner's guide, which covers consent, preparation, protection, and what to expect the first time. For Him, For Her, and our intimacy tips guide go deeper on each partner and on long-term relationships. Our health and safety guide covers protection and testing in full. For anything about our editorial standards, see about us or the FAQ.
For clinical and public-health information beyond the scope of an educational guide, these independent sources are worth reading:
Sex Positions: Frequently Asked Questions
The questions people actually ask about positions, answered plainly.
What is the best sex position?
There is no single best sex position, because the right one depends on two specific bodies and what you both want on that particular day. Rather than ranking positions, decide what matters most right now: closeness, depth control, low effort, or free hands. That narrows a hundred options down to two or three immediately.
What are the best sex positions for beginners?
Missionary and spooning. Both need no coordination, neither partner has to hold significant weight, and both are easy to pause or adjust mid-way. Beginners often try complicated positions too early and end up focusing on balance rather than on each other.
How many sex positions are there?
Lists claim hundreds, but almost all of them are variations on six basic body arrangements: face-to-face lying, side-by-side, partner on top, rear-entry, seated, and standing. Learning the six families is far more useful than memorising names, because you can then adapt any of them yourself.
Which sex positions are most comfortable?
The ones where neither partner supports their own bodyweight. Spooning, face-to-face side-lying, and lying flat are the least tiring, which is why they suit long sessions, joint pain, pregnancy, and limited mobility. A cushion under the hips improves the comfort of almost any lying position.
How do I control how deep it goes?
Whoever is moving controls the depth. If depth is uncomfortable for one partner, choose a position where that partner sets the pace, such as riding or seated lap positions. Positions with the legs together also naturally limit depth, and both partners can always ask for less.
Do sex positions work for all body types?
Almost all of them, with small adjustments. Cushions change angles, furniture solves height differences, and lying down removes size and height as a factor entirely. Very few positions need ruling out completely, and the ones that do are usually the acrobatic ones that few people enjoy anyway.
Which sex positions are safe during pregnancy?
Positions that keep pressure off the abdomen are generally most comfortable, particularly spooning, side-lying, and edge-of-bed. Comfort changes considerably as pregnancy progresses. Because every pregnancy is different, confirm anything specific with your midwife or doctor rather than relying on a general guide.
Is it normal to change position several times?
Yes, and it is worth doing before someone becomes uncomfortable rather than after. Most encounters involve two or three positions. Switching is not a sign that the previous one failed, and treating it as normal removes the awkwardness entirely.
Why does a position hurt in one angle but not another?
Angle changes both depth and where pressure falls, so a small shift can remove discomfort completely. Try adding lubricant, changing the leg position, or placing a cushion under the hips before abandoning a position. Pain that persists across positions is worth raising with a healthcare professional.
Can any sex position prevent pregnancy?
No. No position, angle, or timing prevents pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Only contraception and barrier protection do that, and they work identically in every position. Our protection chapter covers the options.
New to all of this?
Start with the fundamentals: consent, communication, protection, and what to genuinely expect the first time.