Ball sizes by sport and age
A size 5 soccer ball is 68 to 70 cm round under the Laws of the Game. The official size of every common ball, from the rule books, and which size to buy for a child's age.
Ball sizes by sport and age: the tool
Ball size by age
Official ball sizes
| Sport | Ball | Rule | Circumference | Diameter | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soccer | size 5 (all matches under Laws of the Game) | IFAB | 68 to 70 cm | 410 to 450 g | |
| Soccer | high school | NFHS | 27 to 28 in | 14 to 16 oz | |
| Basketball | size 7 (men) | FIBA 2026 | 750 to 770 mm | 580 to 620 g | |
| Basketball | size 6 (women) | FIBA 2026 | 715 to 730 mm | 510 to 550 g | |
| Basketball | size 5 (mini basketball) | FIBA 2026 | 685 to 700 mm | 465 to 495 g | |
| Basketball | lightweight size 5 (mini basketball) | FIBA 2026 | 685 to 700 mm | 360 to 390 g | |
| Basketball | size 7 (men), superseded 2014 rule | FIBA 2014 | 749 to 780 mm | 567 to 650 g | |
| Basketball | size 6 (women), superseded 2014 rule | FIBA 2014 | 724 to 737 mm | 510 to 567 g | |
| Basketball | high school boys | NFHS | 29.5 to 30 in | 20 to 22 oz | |
| Basketball | high school girls | NFHS | 28.5 to 29 in | 18 to 20 oz | |
| American Football | NFL (Wilson) | NFL | 28 to 28.5 in (long circumference) | 14 to 15 oz | |
| American Football | high school (9th grade and above) | NFHS | 14 to 15 oz | ||
| Volleyball | indoor | FIVB | 65 to 67 cm | 260 to 280 g | |
| Volleyball | high school | NFHS | 25 to 27 in | 9 to 10 oz | |
| Tennis | Type 1 (fast) | ITF | 6.54 to 6.86 cm | 56 to 59.4 g | |
| Tennis | Type 2 (medium) | ITF | 6.54 to 6.86 cm | 56 to 59.4 g | |
| Tennis | Type 3 (slow) | ITF | 7 to 7.3 cm | 56 to 59.4 g | |
| Tennis | High altitude | ITF | 6.54 to 6.86 cm | 56 to 59.4 g | |
| Tennis | Stage 3 red foam (10 and under) | ITF | 8 to 9 cm | 25 to 43 g | |
| Tennis | Stage 3 red standard (10 and under) | ITF | 7 to 8 cm | 36 to 49 g | |
| Tennis | Stage 2 orange (10 and under) | ITF | 6 to 6.86 cm | 36 to 46.9 g | |
| Tennis | Stage 1 green (10 and under) | ITF | 6.3 to 6.86 cm | 47 to 51.5 g | |
| Golf | conforming ball | R&A / USGA | 1.68 in (42.67 mm min) | ||
| Baseball | official | MLB | 9 to 9.25 in | 5 to 5.25 oz | |
| Baseball | high school | NFHS | 9 to 9.25 in | 5 to 5.25 oz | |
| Softball | 12 in | USA Softball | 11.875 to 12.25 in | 6.5 to 7 oz | |
| Softball | 11 in | USA Softball | 11 in (at least) | 6 oz (at least) | |
| Softball | 16 in | USA Softball | 16 in (at least) | 9 oz (at least) | |
| Softball | 14 in | USA Softball | 14 in (at least) | 8 oz (at least) | |
| Softball | 12 in slow pitch | NFHS | 11.875 to 12.25 in | 6.25 to 7 oz |
Soccer ball size by age
| Size | Ages | Circumference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | mini / skills | 18 to 20 in |
| 3 | under 8 | 23 to 24 in |
| 4 | 8 to 12 | 25 to 26 in |
| 5 | 13 + | 27 to 28 in |
Basketball sizes
| Size | Circumference | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 22 to 22.5 in | 12 to 14 oz |
| 5 | 27 to 28 in | 16 to 18 oz |
| 6 | 28.5 to 29 in | 18 to 20 oz |
| 7 | 29.5 to 30 in | 20 to 22 oz |
Football size by age
| Size | Ages |
|---|---|
| 6 | up to 9 |
| 7 | 10 to 12 |
| 8 | 12 to 14 |
| 9 | 14 + |
FIBA changed its ball tolerances: the 2014 rules allowed size 7 at 749 to 780 mm and 567 to 650 g; the 2020 and 2026 rules narrow this to 750 to 770 mm and 580 to 620 g, and size 6 from 724 to 737 mm / 510 to 567 g to 715 to 730 mm / 510 to 550 g. Use 2026.
Related tools
Coaching a youth team? Soccer scoreboard.
Questions
What size soccer ball for a 9 year old?
Size 4 on Nike's chart (ages 8 to 12). Leagues can set their own ball size, so check with the coach.
What size is an official basketball?
FIBA size 7 (men) is 750 to 770 mm round and 580 to 620 g; size 6 (women) is 715 to 730 mm and 510 to 550 g (2026 rules). US high school boys use 29.5 to 30 in, girls 28.5 to 29 in.
How big is a soccer ball?
A size 5 ball is 68 to 70 cm round and 410 to 450 g under the Laws of the Game.
Sources
- IFAB: Law 2 - The Ball (checked 2026-10-02)
- FIBA: Official Basketball Rules 2026 - Basketball Equipment (checked 2026-10-02)
- FIBA (copy hosted by AWBB): Official Basketball Rules 2014 - Basketball Equipment (checked 2026-10-02)
- NFHS: 2025 Authenticating Mark Manual (Ball and Puck Specifications) (checked 2026-10-02)
- NBA: Rule No. 1: Court Dimensions - Equipment (checked 2026-10-02)
- NFL: 2025 Official Playing Rules of the National Football League (Rule 2) (checked 2026-10-02)
- FIVB: Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028 (Rule 3) (checked 2026-10-02)
- ITF: ITF Approved Tennis Balls, Classified Surfaces & Recognised Courts 2025 (checked 2026-10-02)
- The R&A: Rules of Equipment Part 4: Conformance of Balls (checked 2026-10-02)
- MLB: Official Baseball Rules 2025 Edition (Rule 3.01) (checked 2026-10-02)
- USA Softball: The Official Rules of Softball 2026 (checked 2026-10-02)
- Nike: Soccer ball size chart (checked 2026-10-02)
- Nike: Basketball size chart (checked 2026-10-02)
- Nike: Football size chart (checked 2026-10-02)
Last checked: 5 October 2026