BDSM.tech the plain-English kink reference The Kinks List
Restraint
Bondage
Bondage covers the consensual restraint of a partner with rope, cuffs, tape or similar gear, limitin…
Shibari
A Japanese style of rope bondage, shibari puts the emphasis on aesthetically arranged ties and on th…
Predicament Bondage
Predicament bondage ties someone so that comfort in one position brings strain or a consequence in a…
Sensation
Impact Play
Impact play means striking a partner's body for erotic sensation, using a hand, paddle, flogger, can…
Sensory Deprivation
Sensory deprivation strips away one or more senses, usually sight, sometimes sound or touch, so that…
Wax Play
Wax play drips warm candle wax onto the skin for a sharp-then-soothing rush of heat. It's one branch…
Spanking
Spanking strikes a partner's buttocks with an open hand or an implement, for erotic, disciplinary or…
Sadism & Masochism
Sadism and masochism (S&M) is the consensual giving of pain or intense sensation (sadism) and the re…
Sensation Play
Sensation play explores the body with varied physical stimuli, temperature, texture, pressure, a lit…
Knife Play
Knife play is an edge-play kink that uses a blade for sensation and psychological intensity. Usually…
Cock and Ball Torture (CBT)
CBT is consensual sensation and impact play focused on the male genitals, from light squeezing and s…
Tickling
Tickling (knismolagnia) is arousal from tickling or being tickled, a light, playful form of sensatio…
Power exchange
Dominance & Submission
Dominance and submission (D/s) is a consensual dynamic: one partner takes authority, the other yield…
Financial Domination
Financial domination (findom) is the fetish where a submissive gets erotic gratification from handin…
Chastity
Chastity play is a power-exchange kink: one partner takes charge of the other's orgasms, often with …
Edging
Edging repeatedly brings someone to the brink of orgasm and then stops, building intense arousal thr…
Primal Play
Primal play is a raw, instinct-driven style of kink that trades rules and rope for growling, chasing…
Orgasm Denial
Orgasm denial is consensually controlling and withholding a partner's orgasm, from a single teasing …
Collaring
Collaring is the giving and wearing of a collar as a symbol of a D/s relationship, a mark of ownersh…
Funishment
Funishment is a punishment both partners actually enjoy: play dressed up as discipline that's really…
Free Use
Free use is a consensual fantasy dynamic where a submissive agrees, inside firm limits negotiated in…
Roleplay
Pet Play
Pet play is a roleplay kink where one partner takes on the persona and behaviour of an animal, often…
DDlg (Age Play)
DDlg (Daddy Dom/little girl) is an age-play dynamic: one adult partner takes a nurturing authority r…
Dollification
Dollification is a roleplay and objectification kink where a submissive is turned into a doll, posed…
Breeding Kink
Breeding kink is a fantasy roleplay built around the idea of conception and breeding. The pull is th…
Ageplay
Ageplay is consensual roleplay where an adult steps into a younger (or older) headspace and role, al…
Uniform Fetish
A uniform fetish keys on uniforms, nurse, military, police, maid and the rest, on the authority, the…
Psychological
Humiliation
Humiliation play is a psychological kink: consensual embarrassment, teasing or degradation gets used…
Exhibitionism
Exhibitionism is arousal from being seen, whether undressed, performing or sexual, by consenting oth…
Foot Fetish
A foot fetish (podophilia) is sexual attraction to or arousal from feet, one of the most common feti…
Voyeurism
Voyeurism runs on watching others who are undressed, sexual or intimate. It's the consensual flip si…
Cuckolding
Cuckolding is a kink where one partner is turned on by their partner having sex with someone else, u…
Latex & Rubber
A latex or rubber fetish runs on the look, feel, smell and second-skin sensation of latex clothing, …
Praise Kink
A praise kink runs on genuine praise, encouragement and validation during intimacy, the kind of 'goo…
Consensual Non-Consent
Consensual non-consent (CNC) is a negotiated kink where partners agree ahead of time to role-play a …
Degradation
Degradation is consensual play with demeaning talk and treatment that a submissive finds erotically …
Nylon & Stocking Fetish
A nylon or stocking fetish fixes on nylon hosiery, stockings, tights and pantyhose, drawn to the she…
Leather Fetish
A leather fetish centres on leather clothing and gear, drawn to its look, smell and feel, and to the…
Shoe & High-Heel Fetish
A shoe or high-heel fetish gravitates to footwear, high heels most of all, drawn to the look, the wa…
Hair Fetish
A hair fetish (trichophilia) fixes desire on hair, its length, style, colour or texture, expressed t…
Spandex & Lycra Fetish
A spandex or lycra fetish latches onto tight, stretchy, often shiny synthetic fabric, leggings, swim…
Edgeplay
Edgeplay is high-risk BDSM that sets out to push physical, psychological or emotional edges, breath …
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FAQ
How many kinks are there?
There is no fixed number: kinks are as varied as people. This list covers the most common and widely recognised ones.
What is the most common kink?
Surveys consistently rank power exchange (dominance and submission) and light bondage among the most common.