Anvil Sex Position: How It Works, Feels and Adapts

5 sept 2026 The Joybloom Team

I want to talk about a position that comes up a lot in our DMs that they have been thinking about it for weeks and are only now getting the words out.

The anvil sex position. Yes, that one.

Honestly, I have tried it. I have helped people who are willing to try it as well. I have read the long Reddit threads about it. And I have come to think the most useful thing I can say is this. Almost everything you have read about it is either too clinical or too performative. The actual experience is somewhere in the middle, and it depends almost entirely on whether you and your partner are willing to adjust the thing in the moment.

Let me walk through it the way I would talk about it if we were sitting on a couch.

What Is the Anvil Sex Position?

In plain words, it is a face to face position where the receiving partner lies on their back and gradually raises their legs toward the chest or toward the penetrating partner shoulders. The shift in alignment changes the angle of penetration. It can add pressure against the front wall of the vagina. It can pull two bodies closer together.

It can also feel intense. It can also feel awkward. Both of those can be true at the same time.

The reason it is called the anvil is the shape. The receiving partner forms a kind of horizontal base. The legs become the raised edges. It is a visual name, not a medical one, so any two illustrations of it can look slightly different. What defines the position is the raised leg alignment. The exact angle of the legs is up to you.

It can be used during penetration with a penis. It can also be used with a strap-on. The same logic applies to both.

Position Profile	General Rating
Difficulty	Moderate
Intimacy	High
Penetration depth	Medium to deep and adjustable
External clitoral access	Moderate
Receiving partner effort	Moderate hip and leg flexibility
Toy compatibility	Best with a compact external toy
Beginner-friendly	Yes, when modified

How to Try It Comfortably

Begin in a standard face-to-face position with the receiving partner’s knees bent and feet on the mattress.

Allow enough time for arousal, external touch and lubrication before changing the angle. Agree on simple phrases such as “slower,” “stay there,” “less deep” and “stop.” Consent remains reversible even after a position has started. [Planned Parenthood]

Once you are both ready, raise one leg. Then the other. Keep the knees bent. Do not try to straighten the legs. The partner on top can stay relatively upright at first and use a small, controlled range of movement. Leaning forward adds compression and depth, so that is a thing to ease into rather than do all at once.

When you change positions, pause. Withdraw slowly. Lower one leg at a time. There is no rush.

Why Can the Anvil Position Feel Different?

Raising the legs changes how the pelvis and penetrating body part align. Depending on individual anatomy, this may direct more pressure toward the front vaginal wall.

This area includes tissue associated with the urethral sponge and is sometimes called the G-spot area. Cleveland Clinic notes that pressure here feels pleasurable to some people—not everyone. [Cleveland Clinic]

Deeper pressure should therefore be treated as an option, not the goal.

The position may also leave room for external clitoral stimulation. In a U.S. probability sample of 1,055 women, only 18.4% reported that intercourse alone was sufficient for orgasm. Another 36.6% said clitoral stimulation was necessary during intercourse, while 36% said it improved the experience. [Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy]

A hand. A small external product. Those are usually more useful than pushing for more depth.

Make the Position Fit Your Body

If the full version feels demanding, here are the adjustments I usually suggest first:

Soft anvil: Keep both knees bent and rest the feet or calves against the partner’s torso.

One-leg variation: Raise one leg while leaving the other foot on the mattress.

Less depth: Keep the penetrating partner upright and use a shorter range of movement.

Additional support: Place a small, firm pillow under the hips, but remove it if the new angle feels too intense.

More receiving-partner control: Place hands on the partner’s hips to guide depth and pace.

Avoid pulling on the ankles or pressing the knees forcefully toward the chest. Flexibility is not a measure of sexual ability.

What Is the Anvil Position Best For?

This position may suit couples looking for:

Face-to-face intimacy
A different penetrative angle
Medium-to-deep pressure
Space for external stimulation
Clear verbal communication

It may be less suitable for people with hip, knee or lower-back limitations, tight hamstrings or discomfort during deep penetration.

If the position does not feel good, changing it is not a failure. It is useful information.

Choose the Sensation You Want

Your Priority	Suggested Direction
More front-wall exploration	Use a controlled angle or explore G-Spot Vibrators separately
More external stimulation	Keep the upper body open and add a hand or compact external toy
More comfort	Lower the legs, reduce depth and add water-based lubricant
More shared exploration	Take turns choosing the angle, rhythm or stimulation
Less effort	Return to missionary or try a side-lying position

Choosing by sensation is more useful than selecting a position because it appears on a “best positions” list.

Adding Pleasure Without Adding Pressure

A product should support an experience that already feels comfortable. It should not be used to override pain or to manufacture an orgasm that the body is not ready for.

Luna Bloom separates into an internal vibrating wand and an external suction component. The internal wand can be explored during warm-up to identify comfortable front-wall angles. During penetration, the smaller external component may be held near the clitoris if there is enough space.

Do not force an internal vibrator into the vagina alongside a penis or strap-on. Use one internal product at a time unless a device is specifically designed to remain in place during intercourse.

For additional glide, VelvetGlide Water Soluble Lubricant is a fragrance-free, water-based option with no added colors. Apply it before friction becomes uncomfortable and add more when needed.

Water-based lubricant can be used with latex condoms, while oil-based products may weaken latex and increase the risk of breakage. [CDC]

Lubricant can reduce friction. It cannot make an unwanted depth or painful angle safe.

When to Stop

Stop if you experience sharp pain, burning, numbness, bleeding or persistent pelvic discomfort.

Deep pain can become worse in certain positions and may be associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, endometriosis or other health conditions. Frequent or severe sexual pain should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. [ACOG]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the anvil position the same as the missionary?

It is a variation of missionary in which the receiving partner raises their legs. The leg position changes the angle and the possible depth. Otherwise the orientation, the eye contact, and the face-to-face closeness are all there.

Is the anvil sex position good for G-spot stimulation?

It may create front vaginal wall pressure for some people, but no position guarantees G-spot pleasure or orgasm.

Does it require good flexibility?

Not necessarily. Keep the knees bent, and place the legs lower or raise only one leg.

Can a vibrator be used?

A compact external vibrator may fit comfortably. Internal toys are generally better used before or after penetration.

Does the anvil position prevent pregnancy or STIs?

No. Sexual position does not provide contraception or STI protection. Use appropriate birth control and barrier methods.

What positions are similar?

Missionary, the legs-up position, flatiron and piledriver use related body alignments but differ substantially in depth, effort and flexibility.

The Takeaway

The anvil sex position is valuable because it can be adjusted—not because it looks advanced.

Begin with bent knees and a lower leg position. Change the angle gradually, let the receiving partner guide depth and add external stimulation only when it supports the experience.

The best version is not the one that matches an illustration. It is the one in which both partners remain comfortable, communicative and present.

Author Bio:
The Joybloom Editorial Team creates evidence-informed content about intimate wellness, body awareness and pressure-free pleasure.

Reviewed by Dr. Nacy J., Assistant Professor, UM

Medical Disclaimer:
This article provides general educational information and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for persistent or severe sexual pain.