What Is Dry Humping?

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributor
Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on September 30, 2025
5 min read

Dry humping generally involves rubbing or grinding your genitals against your partner’s body or genitals. In many cases, one or both partners are at least partially clothed. Since dry humping can lead to orgasm, it can be pleasurable without the risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or during times you would prefer not to have sex.

Dry humping may happen in addition to sex with penetration or may act as foreplay. Dry humping can also be done alone by rubbing your clothed genitals against a pillow or piece of furniture.

Like many sexual acts, there are plenty of alternate words for dry humping. It’s known as frottage, dry sex, outercourse, and grinding. While everyone might go about it slightly differently, there’s one common theme — the act is "dry." Body fluids are not exchanged between partners.

Dry humping vs. sex

Dry humping doesn’t involve direct genital contact or penetration. Usually, partners still have some clothes on, and no body fluids are exchanged. The lack of skin-to-skin contact provides some important protection from STDs and pregnancy for many people.

Dry humping vs. masturbation

When done as a solo act, dry humping is another form of masturbation. It is an act of self-stimulation of the genitals. In this case, dry humping may also be called bed humping or pillow humping.

Dry humping is commonly performed by younger people or people who want to wait to have fully penetrative sex. This does not make it a "lesser" sexual act. In fact, many people may find that they prefer dry humping to other sexual acts because it offers more effective stimulation. In particular, people with clitorises sometimes find that dry humping offers a comfortable balance of stimulation without overstimulating themselves.

It may be simplest to try it on your own first. In your bed or somewhere comfortable and private, you can try humping a pillow, cushion, or blanket.

If you decide to try dry humping with a partner, talk about your limits in advance. Some people may view dry humping as an act of foreplay, while others may not want it to lead to penetration or other types of sex. Discuss your boundaries and expectations to make sure that you are on the same page and that you have full consent before dry humping with a partner.

As with any sex act, it's important to take some precautions when dry humping, with a partner or on your own. Dry humping can cause friction, so wear soft, smooth clothing to prevent chafing on your genitals or inner thighs. You could also consider lubricants like petroleum jelly for your genitals.

It's important to know that dry humping can lead to skin-to-skin contact if you aren't careful. Since some STDs can spread through skin-to-skin contact, the risk goes up with less clothing between you and your partner. It's a good idea to have other forms of pregnancy and STD protection on hand. Being prepared helps you stay safe if you decide to do more.

  • Dry humping involves rubbing or grinding genitals against your partner's body or genitals, usually with at least some clothing on.
  • It can lead to orgasm and provides sexual pleasure without the higher risks of pregnancy or STDs associated with penetrative sex.
  • You can do it alone (bed humping or pillow humping) or with a partner as foreplay or as a standalone sexual act.
  • The risk of pregnancy from dry humping is very low if you keep clothes on and no semen contacts the vaginal area, but it's not zero.
  • STDs can still spread through genital contact even without penetration, so the less clothing between partners, the higher the risk.
  • Many people prefer dry humping because it offers effective stimulation, especially for people with clitorises who may find it offers comfortable stimulation without overstimulation.
  • Talk with your partner about boundaries and expectations beforehand to ensure you're both comfortable and consenting.
  • Wear soft, smooth clothing to prevent chafing from friction.
  • Dry humping is a normal sexual activity for people of all ages and relationship stages.

Can you get pregnant from dry humping?

The risk of pregnancy from dry humping is very low, but it's not zero. If you and your partner keep your clothes on and no semen comes into contact with the vaginal area, you won't get pregnant. However, pregnancy is possible if semen gets on or near the vulva, even through thin clothing. This can happen if your partner ejaculates and semen soaks through underwear or other clothing. To be safe, consider keeping multiple layers of clothing on or having other forms of birth control available.

Is dry humping considered sex?

Whether dry humping is considered sex depends on your personal definition. Some people view any genital stimulation as sex, while others reserve the term for penetrative acts. What matters most is that you and your partner communicate about what different activities mean to you and respect each other's boundaries.

Is dry humping safe?

Dry humping is generally safe, especially when both partners keep their clothes on. The risk of STDs is much lower than with penetrative sex because there's less direct skin-to-skin contact. However, STDs can still spread through genital contact, even without penetration. Wearing soft, smooth clothing can help prevent chafing and irritation from friction.

Why do people dry hump?

People dry hump for many reasons. It can provide sexual pleasure and lead to orgasm without the risks of penetrative sex. Some people find that dry humping provides more effective clitoral stimulation than other sexual acts. Others may choose dry humping because they want to wait before having penetrative sex, or they may simply enjoy it as part of their sexual routine.

Is dry humping normal in a relationship?

Yes, dry humping is a normal sexual activity. People of all ages and relationship stages engage in dry humping. It can be part of foreplay, a standalone sexual act, or the main form of sexual activity in a relationship. What's normal in your relationship is what feels right for you and your partner.