This is probably the first question that comes to your mind when you think of buying or building a new skateboard. The size of the skateboard, especially the deck width, plays a significant role in how well you will be able to ride and perform tricks.
While choosing the skateboard size you need to consider your skill level, riding style, weight, and height. In addition to deck size, you need to consider the wheel and truck size to make a well-balanced and highly maneuverable skateboard for yourself. So here is an extensive guide discussing what skateboard size should I get.
What Size Skateboard Should I get?
Choosing a skateboard size that is perfectly in line with your body requirements, riding style, and skill level will help you ride safely and improve quickly. Skateboard size is a commonly used term referring to the width of skateboard decks. Generally, skateboard size varies between 7.5 inches to 9 inches. Based on the sizes, skateboards are categorized into three classes. Here are three types of skateboards based on size.
These three classes of skateboard are the most common but skateboards can be as narrow as 6.5 inches and as wide as 9.5 inches. Here are the most crucial factors that help you decide on the right skateboard size:
Riding Style
You need to consider how you will be riding your skateboard in the future. If you want to skate on flat surfaces like streets, parks, pools, and verts, stability and balance should be among your top concerns. These riding styles are called transition riding and for this, you need a wider board.
A wider board means a larger surface under your feet and more balance and stability. However, if you want to perform tricks like flips, jumps, and twists you need a more handy and maneuverable setup under your feet. So for tech skating, you need a narrow board as it is easy to turn, flip and twist.
7-7.5 inches:
These are good for serious tech skaters or youth riders. If you want to learn and perform serious skating tricks, you should get a board in this size range.
7.5-8.5 inches:
Ideal for transition skating. If you're skilled enough and want to perform tricks on flat surfaces and streets you can get a board in 7.5 to 8.0 inches. Skateboards in this size range are ideal to learn and perform technical tricks on all types of surfaces. For regular skating on streets, verts, skate parks, and paved terrains around the town you can get a deck size between 8.0 to 8.5 inches. These boards will help you learn light tricks.
8.5 and up:
These wider skateboards are ideal for cruising on flat surfaces like skateparks, roads, and pools. If you are interested in transition skating and bigger street tricks you will find the best option in this size range.
Body Height And Weight
If you're short or mini you will better ride a smaller board and if you are big and tall a wider board is ideal for you. Though many people overlook these factors, it is very important to choose a size that works best for your body.
The length of most skateboards is the same and a small variation in length doesn't make a great difference. However, a minor change in width will completely change the deck's ability to balance, stability, and speed. Skaters older than 13 years who wear 8+ shoes can ride a full-size skateboard.
What Size Skateboard Should I Get For My Weight?
Your body weight is another important factor as more weight on your body increases the balance and stability requirements. If you're heavier than 100 lbs you must look for full size boards 8.0 inches and above. If you are between 50 to 100 lbs you should look for medium-sized decks while kids and teenagers under 80 lbs should go with mini skateboards. Here are some general skateboard size guidelines for weight:
What Skateboard Size Should I Get For My Shoe Size?
Well, this is one of the most crucial factors as there's direct contact between your skating shoes and deck surface. You need a perfect fit between the shoe and board size for both transition and tech skating. If your board is too wide or too narrow for your shoes you won't be able to get stability and balance even on flat terrains.
Also, you will not be able to retrieve the balance after flipping, ollieing, and jumping. You must look for a skateboard that is the right width for your feet. A skateboard should be wide enough so that you can stand on the deck with your shoulder width apart.
Shoe Size | Skateboard Size |
|---|---|
4 (kids) | 6.5 inches |
4-6 (kids) | 7-7.25 inches |
6-8 (kids) | 7.5 inches |
8-9 | 7.75 inches |
9-10 | 8 inches |
10-12 | 8.25 inches |
12+ | 8.5-9.5 inches |
What Board Length Should I Get?
Deck width is the most important factor but while choosing the skateboard size, you must consider the deck length. Skateboard deck length varies between 28 inches to 33 inches. The maximum length of the full-size skateboard is 33 inches while micro skateboard decks can be as short as 28 inches. The length of the skateboard doesn't have a big impact on your skating performance and the length of the board usually depends on the width you choose.
Here is the general skateboard deck length guide in relation to the width:
Does Wheelbase Size Make Any Difference?
Wheelbase is the distance from one set of bolts to another. It directly corresponds to the length of the deck and therefore the size of the wheelbase is not a big concern. Since most skateboard decks come in 30 to 31-inch lengths the common wheelbase size is between 13.8 to 14 inches. Mini skateboards with 7.5-inch deck width come with a shorter wheelbase like 12.5 inches. Skateboards wider than 8.25 inches come with slightly larger wheelbases like 14.38 inches.
What Size Skateboard Wheel Should I get?
After skateboard deck width, wheels are the most important thing to consider. The size of the wheels has a significant impact on your riding performance. It affects the speed, stability, and maneuverability of the skateboard. Skateboard wheel size is the diameter of the wheels and it is measured in millimeters. The skateboard wheel size varies between 50 mm to 60 mm. Here is how you choose the right skateboard wheel size:
Small Wheels: 50 mm to 53 mm:
Small wheels are easy to accelerate. They pick up the speed quickly. Smaller wheels are ideal for flat grounds and on the surfaces where chances of wheel bites are higher. These wheels provide more space between the board and the wheel reducing the chance of wheel bite.
However smaller wheels are a little hard to balance and lack stability and sometimes get stuck in the cracks and bumps. These wheels are ideal for tricks as they enhance maneuverability and help you perform flicks, ollies, and other tricks.54-59 mm:
Wheels in this size range are used by most riders. The most common skateboard wheel size is 54 mm. These wheels offer the right balance between stability, speed, and maneuverability. Depending upon the deck size and shape chances of wheel bite can be high or low. These wheels have decent speeds and are popular for both tech and transition skating.
59 mm and above:
Large wheels are usually seen in old-school setups. The wheels are more about stability. The chances of wheel bites are higher and they are hard to accelerate. This wheel size is most popular for downhill skating, dirtboard riding, and rough surfaces.
How Do I Pick A Beginner Skateboard?
As a beginner, you should look for a skateboard that is easy to ride and offers the best stability. Balance and stability will help you learn skating quickly. The ideal deck size for beginners is between 7.75 inches to 8.25 inches. This size is a sweet spot between balance, stability, and ease of riding.
If you go with a too-narrow deck, you may not get the balance. If you choose a wide full-size board, you won't be able to push it around with your beginner riding skills. For beginners, the ideal deck length is 31 inches with a 14-inch wheelbase.
Also, you should go with medium-sized wheels like 54mm to 56 mm to get maximum stability with minimum wheel bite chances. Also, you should consider other factors like the truck set up, the hardness of wheels, and deck construction while choosing a new skateboard for beginners.FAQs
Height is a crucial factor to consider while choosing the skateboard size. Taller people need wide skateboards while short riders need small skateboards. If you are taller than 5 ft 6 inches you should get a full-size skateboard like 8.5 inches and above. If your height is between 4 ft 6 inches to 5 ft 6 inches you should look for a deck size between 7.5 to 8 inches. If you're shorter than 4 feet 6 inches you can find a skateboard size between 7.5 to 8 inches.
It depends upon your personal preference. For some riders, 7.5 inches is better than 8 inches. If you are taller than 6 ft 4 inches and wear a 9 or have shoe sizes, you need to consider big deck sizes like 8 inches and above. However for teens, and adults a 7.5-inch deck is ideal for transition skating and tech skating as it is easy to flip, push, turn, and twist.
8.25 inches is a big skateboard size. If you are shorter than 5 ft 5 inches and interested in tech skating, it's too big for you. This size is ideal for cruising and big street tricks. This size is ideal for big guys who are taller than 5’5” and weigh above 120 lbs.
Wrapping Up
Skateboard size is a crucial factor and you cannot pick a deck size randomly. Also, you should consider the wheel size of the skateboard to get the best out of your skateboard. I'm hopeful this guide will help you make the right decision. This guide contains general guidelines about the skateboard size.
If you're buying your first skateboard, I advise you to try multiple sizes to choose a size that is perfectly in line with your skill. You can find multiple pre-assembled skates in various stores. A test ride will help you choose the best size.