Which gender has thicker thighs? A look at fat distribution and muscle mass

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to several studies, the average thigh circumference often differs between men and women, with males sometimes having a slightly larger absolute measurement. However, the real answer to the question, Which gender has thicker thighs?, lies in the underlying composition of muscle and fat.

Quick Summary

On average, males tend to have a larger overall thigh circumference due to greater absolute muscle mass, while females typically store a higher proportion of fat in their thighs, driven by hormonal factors.

Key Points

Fat vs. Muscle: Total thigh thickness is a combination of both muscle and fat, with hormonal differences driving gender-specific fat distribution patterns.
Hormonal Influence: Estrogen typically promotes fat storage in the hips and thighs (pear shape) for females, while testosterone drives more central fat storage (apple shape) in males.
Muscle Mass Differences: On average, males have a greater absolute muscle mass in their thighs, which can contribute to a larger overall circumference.
Healthier Fat Distribution: The peripheral fat often stored in the thighs of females is generally associated with a lower metabolic risk compared to the visceral fat more common in males.
Individual Variation: Genetics play a major role in determining bone structure and body type, meaning thigh size can vary significantly regardless of gender.
Beyond Averages: While average population data shows trends, healthy thigh size is not defined by a specific number, and lifestyle factors like exercise are significant determinants.

The Role of Hormones and Genetics in Thigh Size

The distribution of fat and the development of muscle throughout the body are heavily influenced by genetics and hormones. This is why male and female body shapes often differ significantly, especially around the hip and thigh areas.

Hormonal Influences on Fat Storage

Estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, plays a key role in fat distribution. Higher levels of estrogen during puberty and reproductive years encourage the storage of fat in the hips, buttocks, and thighs. This evolutionary trait serves as an energy reserve for pregnancy and lactation. This is known as a 'gynoid' or 'pear-shaped' fat distribution pattern.

Conversely, testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, promotes fat storage in the abdominal region, often referred to as an 'android' or 'apple-shaped' pattern. Men also tend to have a higher metabolic rate, which is linked to increased testosterone levels and higher muscle mass, contributing to lower overall body fat.

Genetic Predisposition and Body Type

Genetics are a significant factor in determining where an individual stores fat and builds muscle. You may inherit a tendency for a certain body type from your parents, regardless of gender. The body's bone structure, as well as the proportion and distribution of muscle and fat mass, are all influenced by genetic factors. This means that a person's individual thigh size is a product of both their sex-based hormonal profile and their unique genetic makeup.

Muscle Mass vs. Fat Distribution

It's important to distinguish between the two main components that contribute to thigh thickness: muscle and fat. While average measurements can provide some insight, they don't reveal the whole picture.

Absolute Muscle Volume

Studies show that males, on average, possess a larger absolute muscle volume, including in the thigh area. Research comparing national-level sprinters, for example, found that males had significantly higher muscle volume in their thighs compared to females. Another study using MRI segmentation in older adults also confirmed that males have a greater cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh muscles. This difference in muscle mass often results in a larger overall circumference for males, especially in athletic or strength-trained individuals.

Fat Infiltration and Subcutaneous Fat

While males may have more absolute muscle, females often have a higher percentage of fat within their thigh muscles (fat infiltration) and a thicker layer of subcutaneous fat. The fat stored in the hips and thighs of premenopausal women is generally considered metabolically healthier than the visceral fat stored around the abdomen, which is more common in men. After menopause, however, women's fat distribution can shift towards a more central pattern, becoming more similar to that of men.

Comparison of Male vs. Female Thigh Characteristics

To provide a clear overview, the table below compares general trends in thigh composition between the average male and female. Individual results will vary widely based on genetics, fitness, and age.


Characteristic	Average Male Thighs	Average Female Thighs
Overall Circumference	Often slightly larger due to greater absolute muscle mass.	Often slightly smaller, but can have a wider range of variation.
Primary Contributing Factor to Size	Higher absolute muscle volume.	Higher percentage of body fat, especially subcutaneous fat.
Hormonal Influence	Higher testosterone, promoting less fat storage in the thighs.	Higher estrogen, promoting fat storage in the thighs and hips.
Fat Distribution Pattern	Tends towards an android (apple) shape, with fat stored more centrally.	Tends towards a gynoid (pear) shape, with fat stored more peripherally.
Health Implication of Fat	Visceral (abdominal) fat is linked to higher metabolic risk.	Peripheral (thigh/hip) fat is linked to lower metabolic risk.

Lifestyle Factors and Individual Differences

While genetics and hormones set a baseline, lifestyle choices can significantly impact thigh thickness for any individual. Regular strength training can increase muscle mass in the thighs, while a balanced diet and cardiovascular exercise can help manage overall body fat.

The Importance of Exercise

Targeted strength training, including squats, lunges, and deadlifts, can build muscle mass in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, leading to increased thigh thickness and strength. For example, athletes focusing on lower-body strength may have thicker, more muscular thighs regardless of gender. However, the extent of muscle growth is influenced by genetics.

Diet and Weight Management

Achieving and maintaining a healthy body composition through a balanced diet is crucial. For those aiming to reduce thigh fat, creating a calorie deficit can lead to overall weight loss. It's important to remember that 'spot reduction' of fat from a specific body area is not possible; fat loss occurs across the entire body.

Conclusion: Looking Beyond the Measurement

Ultimately, there is no single answer to which gender has thicker thighs? The size of an individual's thighs is the result of a complex interplay between their sex, genetic makeup, body composition (muscle vs. fat), and lifestyle choices. While population averages may indicate slight differences, individual variation is vast. A person's thigh size should not be seen as a measure of health or fitness. Instead, focusing on the function and strength of the thighs is a healthier perspective than conforming to an arbitrary ideal. For more information on general health and wellness, consult authoritative sources such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Health Beyond Circumference

It's also worth noting that some studies have shown that individuals with a larger thigh circumference have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and mortality. However, this link is complex and does not mean that larger thighs are always healthier. It’s a correlation that might reflect greater muscle mass or specific fat distribution patterns, rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, having thicker thighs does not automatically mean you are unhealthier. In fact, some studies have found that larger thigh circumference can be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Health is determined by a range of factors, including the ratio of muscle to fat and overall body composition, not just size.

You cannot 'spot reduce' fat from a specific area like your thighs through exercise alone. Fat loss occurs across your entire body. A combination of a healthy diet to create a calorie deficit and regular exercise can help reduce overall body fat, which will in turn affect your thighs.

Estrogen, the main female sex hormone, encourages the body to store fat in the hips, thighs, and buttocks, particularly during reproductive years. This is an evolutionary trait for energy storage. Post-menopause, this fat distribution pattern may shift.

Yes, men carry fat in their thighs, though on average they tend to store less of their total body fat there compared to women due to hormonal differences. Their primary fat storage tends to be in the abdominal area.

Yes, strength-training exercises that target the thigh muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings) like squats and lunges can increase muscle mass, which will make your thighs thicker. This is especially true when combined with a diet that supports muscle growth.

There is no single 'healthy' thigh circumference, as it depends on individual factors like height, body composition, age, and genetics. Instead of focusing on a specific number, concentrating on overall health through balanced diet and exercise is more beneficial.

While it varies greatly, men tend to have a larger absolute muscle mass in their thighs compared to women. Since muscle is denser than fat, this can result in a larger overall thigh circumference, even if a woman has a higher percentage of fat in her thighs.