Ball Size by Age Calculator

How it works

Soccer: size 3 under 8, size 4 ages 8–11, size 5 from 12 (U13) · Basketball: 3 (≤ 4), 4 (5–8), 5 (9–11), 6 (women and girls 12+, boys 12–14), 7 (men and boys 15+) · Volleyball: light size 5 under 12, size 5 from 12 · Handball (IHF): 1, 2 or 3 by age and gender

Youth leagues use smaller, lighter balls so children can control, kick, dribble and shoot with proper technique. Soccer follows US Youth Soccer and most national federations (size 5 is the IFAB Law 2 ball, 68–70 cm and 410–450 g). Basketball sizes come from FIBA and youth programs: mini-basket (under 12) uses size 5, women play with size 6 and men with size 7. Handball sizes are set by IHF Rule 3 by age and gender, and youth volleyball uses a lighter version of the regulation size 5 ball. Local leagues may vary slightly, so check your competition rules.

Worked example

A 10-year-old soccer player is in the U9–U12 group (ages 8 to 11), so the right ball is a size 4: 63.5–66 cm around and 350–390 g. At 12 (U13) the player moves up to the full-size size 5 ball.

Sources: IFAB — Laws of the Game, Law 2: The Ball · IHF — Rules of the Game, Rule 3: The Ball · FIBA — Official Basketball Rules

Frequently asked questions