Kissing is killer, and sex is even better. Combining the two gives you the makings of a very, very good night.

Whether you’re an oral aficionado or just getting acquainted with all the amazing things a mouth can do, this guide to the best oral sex positions will put you on the path to A+ pleasure.

The art of good oral

Oral sex is an art. The best artists understand the materials they’re working with, so before looking at the most orgasmic positions for oral play, let’s break down the (gender-inclusive) body parts you need to know:

• The vulva: An umbrella term for the external parts of the female genitalia, including the labia, clitoris, and introitus (aka the vaginal opening).

• The labia: Plural for labium, which means “lip” — the lip-shaped folds of skin that border the vaginal opening. 

• The clitoris: The tiny (but incredibly sensitive) nub located at the top of the vaginal opening.

• The vagina: The internal canal connecting the introitus to the cervix.

• The penis: The external male sex organ. The head and the shaft are the key areas you’ll focus on during oral sex.

• The testicles: Two egg-shaped organs that hang below the penis. A sac of skin called the scrotum covers the testicles.

• The anus: Vulvas and penises are sex-specific, but everyone has an anus — the opening at the end of the rectum that those unaware of its sexual superpowers think of as only an exit.

This anatomical background makes it a little easier to understand where the names for the three different types of oral sex come from:

• Cunnilingus: Cunnus is Latin for vulva, and lingus means “to lick.” That’s why the art of orally stimulating the vulva or clitoris is known as cunnilingus.

• Fellatio: The proper word for giving a blow job, fellatio, also has ancient roots: Fellare is Latin for “to suck.”

• Anilingus: We’ve already covered the two key parts of this word — anus and lingus. Put them together and you get the proper term for orally stimulating the anus, also known as a rim job. 

The benefits of oral sex

Oral sex is about much more than momentary physical pleasure. Here are some of the top benefits.

1. Enhanced intimacy

Good oral sex requires good communication — expressing what feels pleasurable and what doesn’t. That includes listening and responding to the cues your partner gives so you can better their experience. It also means communicating your needs and preferences so everyone’s on the same page. All of that give and take will build trust and bring you closer to your partner, creating an intimate bond that transcends the bedroom.

2. Balanced pleasure

It might seem like oral sex is all about the sexual pleasure of the person on the receiving end. But it’s a two-way street. Pleasing a partner can feel empowering and fulfilling, while, of course, the receiver enjoys physical sensations. This balance fosters a healthy sexual dynamic where both partners feel involved and satisfied.

3. Improved sexual satisfaction  

Oral sex is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to banish boredom from the bedroom, whether it’s foreplay or the main event. Oral also targets the erogenous zones with a level of direct stimulation that’s hard to achieve with intercourse. It can change the game for those who struggle to reach climax through penetration alone, especially when paired with vibrators or other pleasure-enhancing toys.

4. Increased lubrication  

A high-quality lube can do wonders to reduce friction, and saliva works in much the same way. But oral also enhances arousal, helping the body produce its own natural lubricant to make the experience more enjoyable for all involved. The lubrication factor is one of the reasons oral sex is one of the best forms of foreplay out there.

From romantic to kinky: 7 sex positions for oral pleasure

You could spend days poring over Kama Sutra positions to find new moves to add to your repertoire. But there are better ways to use that time (if you catch our drift), so we’ve made it easy with a list of our favorite positions for oral sex.

1. Face-sitting

For the face-sitting position, the giver lies with their head on a pillow with the recipient straddling their face. It’s most common for people with vulvas to engage in face-sitting, a move that many within the BDSM community refer to as “queening” (think of the giver’s face as the throne). But this position isn’t just good for eating out a vagina — it also works for performing anilingus on people of every gender.

2. 69

The 69 position takes the balance of pleasure to a whole new level, allowing both partners to play the role of giver and receiver simultaneously. While one partner lies on their back, the other positions themselves on all fours above them, lowering their genitals onto the other’s face and pleasuring their partner from above.

3. Sideways 69

If you really want to make things equal, try the sideways 69, which features both partners lying on their sides with their faces between the other’s legs. This position is great when you’re feeling lazy, and it feels a bit more romantic (but no less pleasurable) than the classic 69.

4. Doggy style

Doggy is one of the best positions for penetrative sex, but it’s also great for oral. With the receiver on their hands and knees, the giver performs cunnilingus or anilingus from behind (the angle doesn’t quite work for penises). It’s easy for the giver to employ a dildo from this angle, and the position also allows the receiver to indulge in some clitoral stimulation with their fingers or a vibrator. Let’s just say once you have a doggy style orgasm, you’ll want more.

5. Giraffe

The giraffe position takes its name from the giraffe-like shape you and your partner make. While one person lies face-up with their head hanging off the edge of the bed, their partner stands, straddling the prostrate partner’s face. 

The effect is similar to the face-sitting position, but the giraffe is a better option for blowjobs since the receiver can tip their head back far enough to comfortably take the penis in their mouth. 

6. Standing

While the giver kneels or sits in a chair, the receiver stands facing them. This is another good option for blow jobs, and because it puts the giver in a submissive position, it works especially well for couples interested in power play.

7. The T

Struggling to find the right angle for clitoral stimulation? A right angle might be just what you need. While the vulva-haver lies face-up on a bed with one knee raised, the giver positions themselves perpendicularly, their two bodies creating a T shape. This position provides the giver’s tongue access to the clitoris from an angle that’s known to produce powerful orgasms, with the added benefit of allowing both partners to lie down (can you tell we’re fans of lazy Sunday sex?). 

Stimulate your mind with Quinn

We’ve suggested introducing sex toys to your oral sex sessions, but there’s one more thing that can elevate the experience even further — aural stimulation. That’s why we made Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world. If you’re interested in oral erotica, butt stuff, or power dynamics, the wide range of erotic content on Quinn is a great place to start.

To access thousands of audio stories and guided masturbation sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.