What Size Surfboard Do I Need?
Original Article: https://surfing-waves.com/board/board_size.htm
The choice of surfboard size depends on many different factors, but the two main ones to consider are the ability of a surfer and time in the water. In general, the bigger the board is, the better it will be to catch waves with. Take a look at the tables below to get an idea about the minimum sizes that you should be looking at for your surfboard. Be sure you make the right choice when buying a surfboard; have a chat with the surf shop staff for their advice.
Be honest when choosing a surfboard, picking the wrong one may result in less waves, slower progression and reduced fun.
- A novice surfer will need a larger board than a more skilled surfer.
- A surfer who only surfs occasionally will need a bigger board than one who surfs regularly.
- A board that is too small will hold back a surfer's improvement and probably result in frustration.
Shortboard Sizes
Note that the sizes below should be used as a guide only. If you're in doubt, get something a little bigger than suggested below, or post on our surfboard advice forum for some impartial advice. Surfboard measurements are still in imperial, so it's feet and inches.
Surfing a shortboard less than 1 day per week
| Surfer Weight (lbs) | Surfer Weight (kg) | Surfboard Length | Surfboard Width | Surfboard Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A guide to shortboard size for surfers who will surf less than one day a week | ||||
| 100-140 | 45.4-63.5 | 6′2″-6′4″ | 18¾″-19¼″ | 2¼″-23⁄8″ |
| 140-160 | 63.5-72.6 | 6′4″-6′8″ | 19″-20″ | 23⁄8″-2½″ |
| 160-180 | 72.6-81.6 | 6′6″-6′10″ | 19½″-20½″ | 2½″-25⁄8″ |
| 180-200 | 81.6-90.7 | 6′10″-7′4″ | 20″-21½″ | 2¾″-3″ |
| 200 + | 90.7 + | 7′4″ + | 21½″-22½″ | 3″-3¼″ |
Surfing a shortboard at least 1 day per week
| Surfer Weight (lbs) | Surfer Weight (kg) | Surfboard Length | Surfboard Width | Surfboard Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A guide to shortboard size for surfers who will surf at least one day a week | ||||
| 100-140 | 45.4-63.5 | 6′0″-6′4″ | 18½″-19″ | 2¼″-23⁄8″ |
| 140-160 | 63.5-72.6 | 6′2″-6′6″ | 18¾″-19¼″ | 23⁄8″-2½″ |
| 160-180 | 72.6-81.6 | 6′4″-6′8″ | 19″-19¾″ | 2½″-25⁄8″ |
| 180-200 | 81.6-90.7 | 6′8″-7′2″ | 19½″-20½″ | 25⁄8″-27⁄8″ |
| 200 + | 90.7 + | 7′2″ + | 20″-21½″ | 3″-3¼″ |
Funboard Sizes
Funboards (mini-mals) are much more suited to someone new to surfing and are ideal to start getting waves straight away. You still need to make sure the board is large enough to suit your weight and surfing ability.
Surfing a funboard / hybrid / minimal less than 1 day per week
| Surfer Weight (lbs) | Surfer Weight (kg) | Surfboard Length | Surfboard Width | Surfboard Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A guide to funboard / minimal size for surfers who will surf less than one day a week | ||||
| 100-140 | 45.4-63.5 | 7′0″-7′4″ | 20¼″-21″ | 2½″-2¾″ |
| 140-160 | 63.5-72.6 | 7′2″-7′8″ | 20½″-21½″ | 2¾″-3″ |
| 160-180 | 72.6-81.6 | 7′6″-8′0 | 21″-21¾″ | 2¾″-3″ |
| 180-200 | 81.6-90.7 | 7′10″-8′4″ | 21½″-22¼″ | 3″-3¼″ |
| 200 + | 90.7 + | 8′2″-8′8″ | 22″-22¾″ | 3¼″ + |
Surfing a funboard / hybrid / minimal more than 1 day per week
| Surfer Weight (lbs) | Surfer Weight (kg) | Surfboard Length | Surfboard Width | Surfboard Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A guide to funboard / minimal size for surfers who will surf more than one day a week | ||||
| 100-140 | 45.4-63.5 | 6′8″-7′2″ | 20½″-21¼″ | 2¼″-2½″ |
| 140-160 | 63.5-72.6 | 6′10-7′4″ | 20¾″-21½″ | 2½″-2¾″ |
| 160-180 | 72.6-81.6 | 7′2″-7′8″ | 21″-21¾″ | 2½″-3″ |
| 180-200 | 81.6-90.7 | 7′6″-8′0″ | 21½″ -22¼″ | 2¾″-3¼″ |
| 200 + | 90.7 + | 7′10″-8′4″ | 22″-22¾″ | 3″-3¼″ |
Longboard Sizes
Longboards are the ideal surfboard for beginners and are suitable for surfers of all standards. As with the funboard, you'll need to choose the right board for your surfing ability. Be honest.
Surfing a longboard less than 1 day per week
| Surfer Weight (lbs) | Surfer Weight (kg) | Surfboard Length | Surfboard Width | Surfboard Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A guide to longboard size for surfers who will surf less than one day a week | ||||
| < 154 | < 70 | 9′4″ | 22¾″-23½″ | 2½″-3½″ |
| 155-198 | 70-90.7 | 9′4″-9′10″ | 22¾″-23½″ | 2½″-3½″ |
| 200 + | 90.7 + | 9′10″+ | 23″+ | 3½″+ |
Surfing a longboard more than 1 day per week
| Surfer Weight (lbs) | Surfer Weight (kg) | Surfboard Length | Surfboard Width | Surfboard Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A guide to longboard size for surfers who will surf more than one day a week | ||||
| < 154 | < 70 | 9′4″ | 20½″-21¼″ | 2¾″+ |
| 155-198 | 70-90.7 | 9′4″-9′10″ | 20¾″-21½″ | 2¾″+ |
| 200 + | 90.7 + | 9′10″+ | 21″-21¾″ | 2½″ |
Surfboard volume
The length, width and thickness of a surfboard multiplied together gives the surfboard volume in litres. This volume can be thought of as the space the surfboard occupies. The greater the volume the more floaty the board is. (Avoid using floaty in day-to-day use!). The shape of the board will also affect the board volume, so it is possible for two boards with the same length, width and thickness could have a different volume.
If you know what your desired board volume is, you can choose the right surfboard for you more easily.
Surfboard volume calculation
Calculation surfboard volume is hard to do due to the shape of a board but typically you can order or buy a board based on given length, width, thickness and volume. You may see the following dimensions on the bottom of a board or on the information at a surf shop:
(6'5 x 21" x 3" / 42.7L)
The above shows a shortboard that is 6/5 long, 21"wide and 3" thick and has a volume of 42.7 litres.
Factors to consider with surfboard sizes
Along with the length, width, thickness and volume there are also other factors that should influence your choice of board:
- Your age
- Your weight
- Your fitness level
- Your surfing standard
- The types of waves you'll be surfing
Surfboard size FAQs
What is the best size for a beginner?
The bigger the better. A larger board is easier to paddle, will catch waves more easily and will be more stable. You can find more about surfboards for beginners here.
How do you know what size to get?
The right sized board will depend on lots of different factors including your age, fitness, surfing standard, where you are surfing and more. Head over to our forum to get bespoke advice to get the right board based on what you need without the hard sell.
Is a 6-foot board good for beginners?
No, a 6-foot board is too small for a beginner. Ideally a beginner should start on a nice big longboard to make the maximum progression in the shortest amount of time. Shortboards are for more experienced surfers and can delay progression and limit fun.
Can you duck dive an XX size surfboard?
The greater the volume a board has the harder it becomes to duck dive. This becomes less of a problem for more experienced surfers who are efficient at duckdiving. One surfer may be able to duck a board and another surfer may not. Learn more about how to duckdive a surfboard.
How does surfboard length affect volume?
Other factors aside, the longer a board is the larger the volume.
How many litres should my surfboard be?
This will depend on many different factors, see above.
There is a topic on the forum where you can discuss board sizes further and ask any questions that may not have been answered. Please post any questions about specific board size on the forum.