Have you ever wondered how kinky you are?

Creating an exhaustive list of every type of kink in the world would be impossible, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun trying. We’ve compiled a glossary of some of the most common kinks to educate and inspire your kinkster journey.

But first, what’s the definition of kink, and what does having one say about you?

What qualifies as a kink?

The most conservative people might consider anything beyond missionary-style sex taboo. But these days, most sexually active adults don’t just know what types of kinks there are — they’ve tried some of them.

Merriam-Webster defines a kink as an “unconventional sexual taste or behavior” — anything outside the realm of vanilla sex. Kinksters enjoy everything from spanking and light bondage to role play and threesomes. If it’s consensual and not vanilla, it probably qualifies as a kink.

You’ll sometimes hear “kink” and “fetish” used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. While kinks spice things up and might be a preference, a true fetish is something (usually a particular inanimate object or body part) that must be present to make sexual arousal, enjoyment, or gratification possible. Fetishes are a type of kink, but not every kink is a fetish.

Here’s an example: If you get turned on when someone tickles your feet with a feather, that’s a kink. If getting your feet tickled is the only way you can get aroused, you have a fetish.

Are kinks “normal”?

If you believe that sex is only for reproduction, not fun, all kinks probably seem like abnormal sexual behavior. But kinks are incredibly common, and many are completely harmless.

A better question to ask might be this: Are kinks healthy? And while there’s no one right answer, you can assess your kinks according to the RACK philosophy. RACK stands for:

• Risk-Aware: When everyone involved knows the risks at hand.

• Consensual: When everyone’s involvement is voluntary and enthusiastic, never forced or coerced.

• Kink: When you’re participating in alternative sexual activities.

Having a kink doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. If it’s not harming you or your partner(s) physically or emotionally, there’s no reason to assume the behavior is unhealthy.

An abridged guide to sexual kinks

Ready to let variety spice up your sex life? Here are some common (and not-so-common) kinks to explore.

1. Age play

If you like being called mommy, daddy, or other pet names that suggest a significant age difference, you might enjoy age play. This is a type of roleplay between two consenting adults where one partner pretends to be older or younger than they are. 

2. Agoraphilia

Do you get a thrill from the thought of having sex in public? You might be an agoraphiliac. Be careful with this one, though — the fear of getting caught might excite you, but actually getting caught could mean traumatizing innocent passersby or legal trouble. Remember: Unless a third party has explicitly and enthusiastically consented to seeing or hearing you have sex, it’s not okay to cross that boundary.

3. BDSM

BDSM stands for bondage and discipline (BD), dominance and submission (D/s), and sadism and masochism (S/M). This acronym covers a wide range of erotic activities and toys, including:

• Handcuffs and ropes (bondage)

• Whips (discipline and sadism/masochism)

• Dom/sub relationships

Since BDSM often involves some degree of pain or restraint, establishing a safe word is essential so the more vulnerable partner can quickly signal when a line has been crossed.

4. Blindfold sex

Sensory deprivation is popular in BDSM, and blindfolds are an easy, safe way to achieve it. Removing one partner’s ability to see can feed into the power dynamics that many couples enjoy, and it shifts focus to the unseeing person’s other senses.

But for some people, blindfold sex (also known as amaurophilia) isn’t just a kink. Turning off the lights to simulate blindness can be very calming for those who struggle with anxiety, insecurity, or sexual shame, making it a sometimes therapeutic form of fetishism.

5. Bondage

Like most BDSM kinks, bondage exists on a spectrum, from light bondage to serious restraints. Whether using soft handcuffs or something as hardcore as a ball crusher, remember that consent is key — and either partner can revoke consent at any time. 

6. Claustrophilia

Claustrophobia is a common fear, but for some people, small spaces are a turn-on. You might enjoy the danger of feeling boxed in, or being in a tight spot might help you feel safe and secure.

7. Cuckolding

“Cuck” often gets tossed around as an insult, insinuating that the insulted party’s partner cheats on them. But in the world of kink, cuckolding isn’t a bad thing — watching a partner have sex with someone else gives some people an erotic thrill.

8. Degradation/humiliation

Degradation involves dehumanization, like a dom forcing their sub to bark like a dog instead of talking. Many doms and subs also enjoy humiliation, where the dom talks down to the sub or tells them to do something particularly mortifying, like licking their shoe clean. As always, consent and care are key.

9. Exhibitionism

In case we haven’t made this clear, kink requires consent. Exhibitionism involves exposing yourself to others, but it can land you in big trouble if those on the receiving end haven’t signed up to see your private parts.

If you want to show off, make sure you’re practicing ethical exhibitionism — disrobing at a nudist beach, for example, or stripping seductively while your partner watches from a few feet away.

10. Foot fetish

Perhaps the most well-known obsession amongst fetishists, a foot fetish is exactly what it sounds like — an intense sexual interest in feet. Some enjoy a stockinged foot, while others love the look of bare toes. And some might get off on massaging and tickling, while others enjoy sucking or smelling. There’s no right or wrong way to worship another person’s foot. As long as there’s mutual consent, anything goes.

11. Gagging

Another popular sex toy in dom/sub relationships is the gag, a device designed to hold the sub’s mouth open or prevent them from speaking. A ball gag straps a rubber or silicone ball between the wearer’s teeth, while a bit gag is a rubber bar that looks much like the bit you’d find in a horse’s bridle.

Gagging can be risky, so prioritize safety when trying this kink. Make sure the wearer can breathe through their nose and establish a nonverbal alternative to a safe word, such as a specific pattern of grunts or a hand signal. Wiffle gags provide more airflow than traditional models, offering a safer option that's still just as fun.

12. Impact play

If you’ve ever been spanked in the bedroom, you might have dabbled in impact play without even realizing it. This kink can take the form of erotic spanking, either with a hand or a rigid object like a paddle. Erotic flagellation is another form of impact play more commonly known as whipping or flogging. 

13. Orgasm control

Having a partner orgasm involuntarily is one form of orgasm control. Orgasm denial is another. And you’ve probably heard of edging, the practice of delaying gratification by repeatedly stopping just before orgasm, then starting back up again — consensually, of course!

14. Roleplay

Sexual roleplay is a great way to add a touch of fantasy to your sex life. It can be as simple as calling your partner daddy during sexual acts (think: age play) or as involved as buying costumes to change your look for some new, exciting foreplay and in-character intercourse.

15. Wax play

Ready to turn up the heat? You might enjoy dripping hot wax on your partner’s bare skin. Some people enjoy the burning sensation of melting wax, but if you’re after warmth instead of discomfort, try massage candles, which are sensual without causing pain. Wax play can be dangerous, so shop for candles designed specifically for BDSM. Make sure no hot liquid will splatter into either party’s eyes, and get a feel for the submissive partner’s heat tolerance before dripping too much wax on the skin.

Spice up your self-pleasure with Quinn

You don’t need a partner to enjoy the benefits of kink — the right porn or erotica can take your solo play to new heights. That’s why we made Quinn, the audio erotica app created by women for the world. If you’re interested in domination, submission, voyeurism, degradation, or dirty talk, 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.