How to use it
- Choose the sport, age group or category in the list.
- Read Official ball size, Circumference and Weight.
- Open the table to see the other sizes of that sport and the age group each one is for.
Where the sizes come from
Football: the IFAB Laws of the Game, Law 2, set the match ball as size 5, 68 to 70 centimetres and 410 to 450 grams. Basketball: the FIBA Equipment rules 2026 give size 7 for men's competitions, size 6 for women's and size 5 for mini's basketball, with the tolerances of Table 1.
Volleyball: the FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028 (Art. 3.1) give one ball, 65 to 67 centimetres and 260 to 280 grams. Handball: the IHF Rule 3:2 gives sizes 3, 2 and 1 by age group for balls with resin.
What this chart does not cover
- Football sizes 3 and 4 for younger players, and the size of rugby balls: their official figures were not confirmed, so they are not shown.
- Futsal and beach balls, which have their own rules.
- Balls without resin: the IHF gives different figures for them, which are not shown here.
Example: women's handball from 14 years
Under the IHF rule for women aged 14 and above, the ball is size 2: a circumference of 54 to 56 centimetres and a weight of 325 to 375 grams, for balls with resin.
The youngest groups, women aged 8 to 14 and men aged 8 to 12, use size 1: 50 to 52 centimetres and 290 to 330 grams.
| Size | Circumference | Weight | Age group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 58–60 cm | 425–475 g | Men 16 and above |
| 2 | 54–56 cm | 325–375 g | Women 14 and above; men 12 to 16 |
| 1 | 50–52 cm | 290–330 g | Women 8 to 14; men 8 to 12 |
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no size 4 for football here?
The IFAB Laws of the Game give the match ball as size 5 and do not give the figures for smaller sizes. The sizes for younger players were not confirmed in an official text, so they are left out.
Why do basketball balls have sizes 7, 6 and 5?
The FIBA rules give size 7 for men, size 6 for women and size 5 for mini's basketball, each with its own circumference and weight range.
Is the weight of a new ball always within the range?
The rules give a range for each size, and a ball must be in it when it is used. Check the manufacturer's stamp or the competition's list of approved balls.
Why do the handball figures depend on the age group?
The IHF sets a smaller ball for younger players, so that they can handle it. The sizes are given by age group in the rule.
Can I use this for training balls?
The figures are the official sizes for matches. A training ball can be a different size, but it is best to use the size the age group plays with.
Sources
- IFAB, Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 2 (the ball)
- FIBA, Official Basketball Rules 2026, Equipment (section 2.4, Table 1)
- FIVB, Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028 (Art. 3.1; English)
- IHF, Rules of the Game, indoor handball (Rule 3:2; English)
Figures and text last checked on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.