The expression catching print on TikTok refers to a sexual content trend: it involves trying to guess the size of a man’s penis from the outline visible through his clothing. Those taking part even use a chart that links certain outlines to supposed measurements and classifies them using the letters A, B and D.
Before decoding this unusual alphabet, the key point is that this is not a reliable method or one backed by scientific studies. It is a social media entertainment phenomenon, complete with memes, comments and a debate about objectification.
What the catching print chart means
The so-called catching print chart is the visual guide behind this trend. The idea is to observe where the genital outline protrudes in relation to the crotch of the trousers and assign it a category. The letters serve as labels within the meme, not as a recognised anatomical classification:
- Type A: describes an outline whose most prominent point sits at or above the centre of the crotch. The chart assigns it an approximate length of between 10 and 15 centimetres and presents it as a subtler outline, supposedly harder to make out through the fabric.
- Type B: places that point in the central or lower part of the crotch and associates it with measurements of between 15 and 20 centimetres. According to the logic of this classification, the shape would be visible, though not particularly pronounced.
- Type D: refers to a curved profile, similar to a semicircle or a banana, with an outline resembling the letter it is named after. This category is assigned a length of 20 centimetres or more.
All these figures are part of the viral theory: they are not estimates that can be treated as valid simply by looking at a photograph.
Where it comes from and how it is used on TikTok
According to wikiHow, the expression is attributed to Anwar White, a dating coach and TikTok content creator. In March 2026, he posted a video in response to women asking how to identify these outlines, accompanying his explanation with a diagram distinguishing the different types. The post received more than eight million views.
His presentation also included a kind of quiz featuring photographs of celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Michael B. Jordan, inviting viewers to assign categories. This format mixed explanation with a game, positioning the idea as entertainment rather than anatomy education.
From there, other users brought the expression into their own videos. Examples include jokes about how it changes the way people look at dating profiles, humorous interpretations of each type and posts applying the classification to photographs of well-known figures in the technology sector. So when someone mentions catching print in comments or videos, they are usually joining in that humorous conversation, not describing a measurement technique.
Why it is unreliable and what concerns it raises
Besides lacking scientific validation, the chart overlooks the fact that the fabric of the trousers and the type of underwear can change what is visible from the outside. It attempts to interpret something as a physical characteristic when it also depends on clothing.
So-called growers also come up in this conversation, although they are not a category on the chart. The term refers to men whose penis is smaller when flaccid and grows with arousal, adding another limitation to any attempt to infer its dimensions from the outline beneath clothing.
The other issue concerns the people being observed. Although many videos are intended as jokes, some men may feel objectified, uncomfortable with the thought of being assessed in public, or pressured to measure up to a particular size. The trend has also sparked conversations on YouTube about the objectification of men and women: understanding the meme does not mean having to normalise scrutiny of other people’s bodies.
