Surfboard Size Chart: Length, Width, Thickness and Volume
How surfboard sizes are written, the length range of every board type in feet and centimeters, and how to pick the volume that suits your weight and ability.
Surfboards range from 5 ft 6 in to 6 ft 6 in (168 to 198 cm) for shortboards, 7 to 8 ft (213 to 244 cm) for funboards and mid-lengths, and 9 ft (274 cm) and up for longboards. Beginners usually start on an 8 to 9 ft soft-top. Volume in liters matters more than length: a beginner needs roughly 1 liter per kg of body weight, an advanced surfer about 0.4.
- Shortboard
- 5'6"–6'6" (168–198 cm)
- Longboard
- 9'0"+ (274 cm+)
- Beginner volume
- ~1 L per kg
- Advanced volume
- ~0.4 L per kg
On this page
How surfboard sizes are written
A board's dimensions are given as length × width × thickness, in feet and inches, followed by volume in liters. For example: 6'0" × 19¼" × 2⅜", 30.5 L.
- Length is measured tip to tail along the deck's centerline, not around the curve of the rocker.
- Width is the widest point, usually near the middle. A difference of ½ in is a big change in stability.
- Thickness is the deepest point, typically under the chest. Thicker boards float and paddle better but are harder to sink on the rail in turns.
- Volume combines all three with the board's outline and foil. It is the best single number for comparing boards of different shapes.
Surfboard size chart by type
| Board | Length (ft) | Length (cm) | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance shortboard | 5'6"–6'6" | 168–198 | 18–20 in | 2¼–2⅝ in | 24–35 L |
| Fish / hybrid | 5'2"–6'4" | 157–193 | 20–22 in | 2⅜–2¾ in | 30–45 L |
| Funboard / mini-mal | 7'0"–8'0" | 213–244 | 21–22½ in | 2¾–3 in | 45–60 L |
| Mid-length / egg | 6'6"–8'0" | 198–244 | 20½–22½ in | 2⅝–3 in | 40–60 L |
| Longboard | 9'0"–10'0"+ | 274–305+ | 22–24 in | 2¾–3¼ in | 60–90 L |
| Soft-top (foam) learner | 7'0"–9'0" | 213–274 | 21–24 in | 3–3½ in | 55–100 L |
| Step-up / gun | 6'8"–10'0" | 203–305 | 18½–20 in | 2½–3 in | 30–50 L |
These are typical ranges, not standards; any shaper can build outside them. Two boards of the same length can differ by 15 liters if one is wider, thicker and fuller in the nose and tail.
Surfboard length chart in feet and centimeters
Boards are sold in feet and inches worldwide, but metric conversions help when you compare with a car or a storage rack.
| Length | cm | Length | cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'6" | 167.6 | 7'6" | 228.6 |
| 5'8" | 172.7 | 8'0" | 243.8 |
| 5'10" | 177.8 | 8'6" | 259.1 |
| 6'0" | 182.9 | 9'0" | 274.3 |
| 6'2" | 188.0 | 9'6" | 289.6 |
| 6'4" | 193.0 | 10'0" | 304.8 |
| 7'0" | 213.4 | 10'6" | 320.0 |
Surfboard volume by weight and skill
The usual method multiplies your body weight in kilograms by a "guild factor" for your level. Shapers' calculators use the same idea with extra inputs for fitness, age and wave type.
| Surfer weight | Beginner (×1.0) | Novice (×0.7) | Intermediate (×0.55) | Advanced (×0.42) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 lb (50 kg) | 50+ L | 35 L | 28 L | 21 L |
| 132 lb (60 kg) | 60+ L | 42 L | 33 L | 25 L |
| 154 lb (70 kg) | 70+ L | 49 L | 39 L | 29 L |
| 176 lb (80 kg) | 80+ L | 56 L | 44 L | 34 L |
| 198 lb (90 kg) | 90+ L | 63 L | 50 L | 38 L |
| 220 lb (100 kg) | 100+ L | 70 L | 55 L | 42 L |
Add 5 to 10% if you surf infrequently, are over about 45, or mostly ride small, weak waves. Subtract a little for steep, powerful surf, where a lower-volume board is easier to control. Remember to weigh yourself in a wetsuit: a 5 mm suit adds a couple of kilograms when wet.
Intermediate surfers often move to a short, low-volume board too soon. If you catch fewer waves than before, or the board sinks under you while paddling, you have dropped too much volume. Going back up 5 liters fixes it more often than better technique does.
Picking a length by height
- Beginners: 2 to 3 ft taller than you. A 5'8" adult learns on an 8'0", a 6'2" or heavier adult on a 9'0".
- Progressing to a mid-length or funboard: about 1 to 2 ft taller than you, 7'0" to 8'0" for most adults.
- Performance shortboard: roughly your height to 4 in taller. A 5'10" surfer typically rides 5'10" to 6'2".
- Fish: 2 to 6 in shorter than your usual shortboard, but wider and thicker so the volume stays similar.
Fins and leash sizes
| Fin size | Rider weight (lb) | Rider weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | under 120 | under 55 |
| S | 120–155 | 55–70 |
| M | 145–175 | 65–80 |
| L | 165–200 | 75–90 |
| XL | 185+ | 85+ |
Ranges overlap because fin brands differ slightly. Leash length should roughly equal board length: a 6 ft leash for boards up to about 6'6", 7 ft for 7 ft boards, and a 9 to 10 ft knee or calf leash for longboards.
Bags, racks and transport
- Board bags are sold by board length. Buy the size that matches your board or 2 to 4 in longer; a loose bag lets the board shift and ding.
- Inside a car: a 6'0" board (183 cm) fits in most hatchbacks with the seats folded. A 9'0" (274 cm) longboard does not fit inside most cars and needs roof racks; see the roof rack guide.
- Overhang: many US states require a red flag on loads that extend more than 4 ft past the rear of the vehicle; rules differ by state and country.
- Flying: airlines limit board bag length, commonly somewhere between about 6'6" and 9'6" (200 to 290 cm), and fees vary widely. Check the specific airline as of your travel date.
Stand-up paddleboards are sized with a different volume rule; see the paddleboard size chart. For other boards and boats, the kayak size guide, the snowboard size chart and the sports sizes hub cover length and fit.
Frequently asked questions
What size surfboard should a beginner get?
An 8 ft (244 cm) soft-top suits most adult beginners up to about 175 lb (80 kg); heavier beginners do better on 9 ft (274 cm). Look for at least 22 in of width and 60 liters or more of volume. Stability and paddle speed matter far more than maneuverability in the first months.
How do you read surfboard dimensions?
Surfboards are listed as length × width × thickness, for example 6'0" × 19¼" × 2⅜". Length is in feet and inches tip to tail, width is measured at the widest point, and thickness at the thickest point. Volume in liters is usually listed alongside.
How long is a longboard surfboard in cm?
A longboard is at least 9 ft, or 274 cm. Common sizes are 9'0" (274 cm), 9'4" (284 cm), 9'6" (290 cm) and 10'0" (305 cm). Traditional logging contests require a minimum length of 9 ft.
Should a surfboard be taller than you?
Usually yes. Beginners ride boards 2 to 3 ft taller than themselves. Advanced surfers on performance shortboards ride boards roughly equal to their height up to about 4 in taller.