Sports Ball by Size

November 29, 2022November 29, 2022 by Egle Goleckyte

Sports continue to be a fun way to pass the time or burn some calories. Many individuals enjoy playing or watching sports all across the world. The value of the global sports market has risen to over $500 billion in recent years due to how pervasive the business has become (skip straight to the sports ball by size charts).

You can participate in various activities, including soccer, American football, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, and more. However, various balls are a feature of many competitive sports. Particularly ball sports have been a part of human history for thousands of years, and today, the Olympic games include roughly thirteen of them. These include handball, rugby, hockey, water polo, ice hockey, badminton, volleyball, and other sports.

Each of these sporting activities has its own set of rules. They also often differ in ball size, weight, countless colors (some come in bright colors, others in dull colors, depending on the game), and many materials used (foam cushioning, hard lignum vitae, etc.), ball air retention, and ball design.

This article will guide the different types of sports balls available, including a list of ball sizes and answers to some of the internet’s most frequently asked questions.

Jump right into the Frequently Asked Questions

Sports Ball Size Chart

Type of ball	Ball diameter (inches)	Ball diameter (mm)
Squash	1.56 – 1.59’’	39.6 – 40.5 mm
Table Tennis	1.6’’	40 mm
Golf	1.68’’	42.7 mm
Jai Alai	2.2’’	55 mm
Racquetball	2.25’’	57 mm
Billiard balls	2.25”	57 mm
Pool	2.3 – 2.4’’	57.2 – 60.3 mm
Carom billiards	2.42’’	61.5 mm
Lacrosse	2.5’’	63.5 mm
Tennis	2.6 – 2.7’’	65.41 – 68.58 mm
Pétanque	2.4 – 3.1″	70.5 – 80 mm
Cricket	2.8 – 2.9’’	71.3 – 72.9 mm
Field Hockey	2.8 – 3’’	71.3 – 74.8 mm
Baseball	2.9 – 3’’	73 – 76 mm
Pickleball	2.9 – 3’’	73 – 75.5 mm
Wiffle Ball	2.87 – 3.1’’	73 – 80 mm
Polo	3 – 3.5’’	76 – 89 mm
Softball (slowpitch)	3.5’’	88.9 mm
Croquet	3.6’’	92 mm
Softball (fastpitch)	3.82’’	97.1 mm
Bocce	4.2’’	107 mm
Lawn Bowls	4.6 – 5.1’’	117.5 – 130.2 mm
Shot Put	4.33 – 5.12’’	110 – 130 mm
Rhythmic gymnastics ball	7.1 – 7.9’’	180 – 200 mm
Team Handball	7.3 – 7.5’’	185 – 191 mm
Volleyball	8.15 – 8.39’’	207 – 213 mm
Bowling	8.5 – 8.6’’	215.9 – 218.3 mm
Football (Soccer)	8.5 – 8.8’’	216 – 223 mm
Korfball	8.5 – 8.8’’	216.5 – 224.4 mm
Water polo	8.5 – 8.9’’	216.5 – 226 mm
Netball	8.9’’	226 mm
Basketball	9.4’’	238.8 mm

What are ball sizes?

Balls used in playing sports often come in different sizes; some come in tiny sizes such as squash balls and table tennis balls which come in 1.56’’ (39.5mm) and 1.6’’ (40mm) respectively.

Others come in large sizes such as netballs and basketballs which come in 8.9’’ (226mm) and 9.4’’ (238.8mm) respectively. Knowing the sizes is the first step to understanding the game as a beginner.

In addition, understanding the different ball sizes found in similar games, such as table tennis and long tennis, will help you to further understand the different rules applied to the games.

Check out this video about different ball sizes

_{Balls Size Comparison | Sport balls size comparison in 3D by WORLD TV Studio}

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger a soccer ball or a basketball?

Basketball and soccer balls are frequently confused with one another. However, the gameplay and the size and type of balls utilized in the two games are very different.

The basketball is a little larger than the soccer ball; the former has a diameter of around 8.5’’ to 8.6’’ (216.5mm – 226mm), and the soccer ball, on the other hand, has a diameter of 9.4’’ (238.8mm).

Which is bigger a baseball or a tennis ball?

The baseball is a little larger than the tennis ball; it has a diameter of 2.9’’ to 3’’ (73mm – 76mm), and the tennis ball, on the other hand, has a diameter of 2.6’’ to 2.7’’ (65.41mm – 68.58mm).

Which is the bigger ping pong ball or a golf ball?

The ping pong (table tennis) ball and golf ball are also frequently mistaken as they are roughly the same size and color Nonetheless, the balls used in playing golf are still a little bigger than those used to play ping pong.

Golf balls have diameters of about 1.68’’ (42.7mm), while ping pong balls come in diameters of 1.6’’ (40mm).

Which sport uses the smallest ball?

Squash balls are famously known as the smallest used in popular sports followed closely by table tennis (ping pong) balls.

Squash balls have diameters ranging from 1.56’’ to 1.59’’ (39.5mm – 40.5mm).

On the other hand, Ping pong balls have about 1.6’’ (40mm).

What is a size 5 sports ball?

Sports Soccer ball sizes are generally classified into sizes 4, 5, or 6. These balls differ in diameter and pressure and different organizations (Juventus FC soccer ball, Liverpool FC soccer ball, etc.) have different regulation sizes depending on the game type, teams’ soccer skills, game style, ball grip, ball control, etc.

Size 5 (FC soccer ball) is the official size for most professional games, it is also used in high school and college games and is the best fit for players older than 12 years old (adult-sized ball). The size 5 ball has a diameter of around 8.5’’ (216mm) and a pressure of 0.6BAR. This has the FIFA-compliant ball weight.

Kids’ soccer ball (size 4) or playground ball, on the other hand, is often required to be smaller (mini balls) and have lesser pressure. It is used for less competitive games or casual games.

Which sport ball is heaviest?

Of all sports, the balls used in bowling (candlepin bowling balls) are by far the heaviest often weighing about 6 pounds (2.7kg) to 16 pounds (7.2kg).

Which sports ball is bigger netball or basketball?

The netball is far smaller than the basketball; it has a diameter of 8.9’’ (226mm), while the basketball, on the other hand, has a diameter of about 9.4’’ (238.8mm).

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have found this article on the sports ball size chart to be helpful. Sports remains a favorite pastime for many people, whether it be football to basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, or bowling. The wide range of sports played across the world make use of a variety of balls and the article above served as a guide to the different types of sports balls available, as it included a sports ball size chart and answers to some of the internet’s most frequently asked questions.

Remember that although basketball and soccer balls are frequently confused, the size and type of balls utilized in the two games are very different as basketball is a little larger than the soccer ball. Also, baseball is a little larger than a tennis ball and golf balls are a little bigger than ping-pong balls.

Squash balls are famously known as the smallest used in popular sports followed closely by table tennis (ping pong) balls, and of all sports, the balls used in bowling are by far the heaviest.

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Picture in this post is by Jacob Rice on Unsplash