You’ve made snowboarding your next hobby, and gear is en-route. You need a board, and you need the right one.
Learning what size snowboard you need is confusing. So, we’ve made it ridiculously easy (as in, you’ll have your answer within 2 minutes).
Below, we’ve included a snowboard size chart, which shows you what size snowboard you need at a glance.
And, if you want to understand what really determines suitable snowboarding sizing, we’ve covered the 4 most important factors after the chart...
Snowboard Size Chart
This snowboard sizing chart gives you an idea of the range in cm you’ll be wanting in terms of length.
Remember, there are factors beyond your height and weight that determine snowboard sizing that’s suitable to your riding (we’ve explained them in the next section).
| Board Size (cm) | Height (cm) | Height (ft and in.) | Weight (lbs) |
| 128cm - 136cm | 142cm - 152cm | 4ft 8' - 4ft 11' | 100lbs - 115lbs |
| 133cm - 141cm | 153cm - 156cm | 5ft -5ft 1' | 115lbs - 130lbs |
| 139cm - 147cm | 157cm - 162cm | 5ft 2' - 5ft 3' | 120lbs - 135lbs |
| 144cm - 152cm | 163cm - 166cm | 5ft 4' - 5ft 5' | 130lbs - 145lbs |
| 149cm - 157cm | 167cm - 172cm | 5ft 6' - 5ft 7' | 140lbs - 155lbs |
| 154cm - 162cm | 173cm - 176cm | 5ft 8' - 5ft 9' | 150lbs - 165lbs |
| 159cm - 165cm | 177cm - 182cm | 5ft 10' - 5ft 11' | 160lbs - 175lbs |
| 160cm or longer | 183cm - 187cm | 6ft - 6ft 1' | 170lbs - 185lbs |
| 165cm or longer | 188cm - 192cm | 6ft 2+ | 180lbs - 200lbs |
| 165cm or longer | 193cm or taller | 6ft 4'+ or taller | 190lbs - 200lbs+ |
Sussed what size snowboard you need? We found some for sale from leading brands on sale here.
4 Factors That Affect What Size Snowboard You Need
Weight
The weight of a rider is the most important factor when it comes to snowboard sizing, and that’s why it’s the first thing you’ll need to make a note of before using the size chart above.
A board that is too short will be extremely hard to control as you build speed, due to weight flexing the board too much. That’s almost certainly going to lead to you bailing, and probably injuring yourself in the process.
Purchased a board that’s too long? You’re going to have the opposite problem. You’ll struggle to make the board flex, so slow speed maneuverability is going to nothing short of horrific!
Height
After weight, your height is the next most important factor. In general, weight and height offers enough information about a rider to select the right board size, but it’s not an exact science.
Sometimes, your height can help to more accurately determine what size snowboard you need. For instance, if you’re weight puts you looking at a snowboard that’s 135-140cm, if you’re at the higher end of the height table, you’ll want to be at the higher end in terms of length too (140cm).
Gender
One of the most common questions we are asked is the difference between women’s and men’s snowboards. You’ll notice stores offer male and female specific boards (you can compare them here).
The answer, in a roundabout way is, there isn’t any difference, aside from design.
A lot of websites cite things like women’s boards are shorter (because women are typically lighter and shorter) and the waists are smaller (because women’s feet are typically smaller).
Whilst women might be lighter, shorter and have a smaller shoe size (in general), board sizing is exactly the same. Plug in 5”5, 80kg into any good snowboard size calculator, regardless of whether you’re a man or woman, the result is going to be the same.
Shoe Size & Board Waist
When it comes to determining the correct waist size for your snowboard, it's important to consider not only your shoe size but also your riding style, weight, and height. A general rule of thumb is that the waist width of your board should match the width of your foot at its widest point.
If you have smaller feet and plan to ride mainly on groomed slopes, you may be able to get away with a narrower waist width. However, if you have larger feet, plan to ride in deep powder, or prefer a freestyle riding style, you'll need a wider waist width to provide ample room for your feet to maneuver and prevent drag in deep snow.
As a starting point, a shoe size of 9-10 typically corresponds to a waist width of around 25-26 cm, while a shoe size of 11 or larger usually requires a waist width of 26 cm or more. It's essential to consult the manufacturer's sizing charts and recommendations to ensure you choose a board with the appropriate waist width for your specific needs.
Ultimately, the right waist width will provide you with optimal stability, balance, and manoeuvrability on the mountain, allowing you to shred with confidence and precision.
| Shoe Size (US) | Waist Width (cm) |
|---|---|
| 6-7 | 24-25 |
| 7.5-8.5 | 25-26 |
| 9-10 | 25-26 |
| 10.5-11.5 | 26-27 |
| 12+ | 27+ |
Ready To Ride?
That’s it. Our snowboard size guide should have helped you determine what board you need. There’s a ton of cool boards you can check out here at reasonable prices.
Enjoyed our snowboard sizing chart? We constantly post up cool tips and reviews (like our piece covering night ski goggles). So, bookmark our snowboard page and check back soon.