Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or expert, a refresher on knowing what size snowboard to get is always helpful. While there are some things that influence snowboard sizing like height and weight, our snowboard sizing chart will give you a good idea of what board will match up for you. Picking a snowboard size doesn’t have to be complex.
Let’s dive into picking the right size snowboard and make it easy.
Can I Ride Any Size Snowboard?
If you could ride any size snowboard then there would be no need for sizing. While it is possible that you could ride any side snowboard, that doesn’t mean it will be the best size for you. For the best ride, you’ll want the more optimal snowboard for your body type.
Snowboard sizing is based on your height and weight. The manufacturers take this into account when sizing boards but not all boards are manufactured the same. If you aren’t familiar with the snowboard shapes available, learn about those too, to complement your snowboard sizing knowledge.
Key Takeaway: You shouldn’t be riding just any board. Proper sizing will lead to more enjoyable and easier riding with your snowboard.
How to Know What Size Snowboard to Get?
There are many factors that go into determining what size snowboard you should get. These factors include your height, weight, age, and skill level. You should also consider the type of snowboarding you plan on doing and where you plan on riding your board. Alright, lets look at how height effects snowboard sizing first.
How Height Effects Snowboard Size
The snowboard size will be determined by the height of the rider. If a person is shorter, then they will need a smaller board to accommodate their shorter legs. If a person is taller, then they will need a larger board to accommodate their longer legs. General statements right? Well, it is good to get those out of the way.
The taller you are, the longer your snowboard should be. The taller you are, the more weight you will have on the board, generally speaking. Snowboard calculators often take this into account of multiplying your height in inches x 2.542 x .88.
Formula to calculate snowboard length –
Your Height in Inches x 2.54 X .88 = Recommended snowboard length.
While the formula is a good option, not all manufacturers make their boards to the same specifications.
Another way is to stand a board up vertically in front of you. It should reach between your chin and collar bone. A shorter board is easier to turn for beginners and park riders. If you want deep carves then a bit longer board will do better. So then what is a longer board in terms of snowboard sizing and how long of a snowboard can I get?
Good question, if you asked it. A good rule of thumb is a long board could go from your nose, to just over the top of your head when it is standing up in front of you vertically. These aren’t hard and fast rules to live by but it’s going to get you in the right range.
Let’s touch on how your weight plays a factor in snowboard size next.
Key Takeaway: There are two ways to determine the length of your snowboard based on your height. The calculator method or you can stand the board up in front of you and use the reference points mentioned above.
How Weight Effects Snowboard Size
The weight of the snowboarder is another one of the most important factors in determining what size board they should use. Arguably it is more important than your height. While the boards are made in different flexes, a small snowboarder will struggle to flex a board that is too large and make turns.
Conversely, a snowboarder can always go down in board size a bit but they will lose control at high speeds. Often snowboarders will ride a little bit shorter park board than a mountain board because they don’t need all the carving capabilities.
For heavier riders, it can also make sense to get a bit longer board to deal with the weight. You don’t want too much weight on the board that it is flexing too much. A longer board will help counteract that for heavier riders.
Again, always make sure you are reading the manufacturer’s specs or speaking to someone at the shop but here is a good chart on snowboard weight and board length to get you started.
Age and Snowboard Sizing
It’s not often obvious that age should be taken into consideration with snowboard sizing. This is mainly for the younger riders out there who will be upgrading to longer boards and bigger boot sizes.
Have a think if you or your kid might be going through a growth spurt. It might be a good idea to future-proof just a bit and go with a little bigger board. This can save you from hitting the swap meet every year or two and having to upgrade to a larger board.
For adults, age really isn’t a factor that plays into snowboard sizing. It is just something to consider for the young ones.
Experience and Snowboard Sizing
Beginners
As we mentioned, beginner snowboarders should often go for a shorter board length when starting to snowboard. It will make it easier to turn which is one of the fundamentals to learn before moving to a board size outside your recommended sizing range.
Intermediate Riders
Intermediate riders can then progress to either riding a bit longer board outside their normal “chin range” or stick with a shorter board when riding park. Board length starts to become more of a tool at this stage for what you plan to ride.
Advanced Snowboarders
The snowboarders who can ride the longest boards for their height & weight or even the shortest are advanced riders. Advanced snowboarders can go with the long board for mountain riding or stay short in the park. Although probably not new information for advanced riders, it is helpful to remember.
What Is More Important to Snowboard Sizing? Height or Weight?
The board’s length should be proportional to the rider’s height, while the width should be proportional to their weight.
Snowboarders should consider both their height and weight when choosing a board. That being said, weight is the most important factor when sizing a snowboard. If you can’t flex the board then the length won’t matter. Match up your weight first in the chart and then look at height.
Snowboard Weight and Board Length Chart
Match up your weight to the snowboard size for a good starting point. Then move down to the height chart.
| Snowboarder’s Weight (lb) | Snowboarder’s Weight (kg) | Snowboard Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 80 or less | 36 or less | 90-135cm |
| 80-110 | 36-50 | 135-146cmm |
| 110-120 | 50-54 | 142-148cm |
| 120-130 | 54-59 | 144-149cm |
| 130-140 | 59-63 | 146-152cm |
| 140-150 | 63-68 | 148-154cm |
| 150-160 | 68-73 | 151-156cm |
| 160-170 | 73-77 | 152-158cm |
| 170-180 | 77-82 | 153-159cm |
| 180-190 | 82-86 | 155-161cm |
| 190-200 | 86-91 | 157-163cm |
| 200-210 | 91-95 | 158-165cm |
| 210 and up | 95 and up | 159-168cm |
Chart Of Snowboard Lengths for Common Heights
| Snowboarder’s Height (ft/in) | Snowboarder’s Height (cm) | Recommended Snowboard Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 4’1″ | 124cm | 110-120cm |
| 4’5″ | 137cm | 115-130cm |
| 4’11” | 149cm | 125-135cm |
| 5’1″ | 155cm | 130-140cm |
| 5’3″ | 160cm | 135-145cm |
| 5’4″ | 163cm | 140-150cm |
| 5’5″ | 165cm | 145-152cm |
| 5’6″ | 168cm | 148-153cm |
| 5’7″ | 170cm | 150-155cm |
| 5’8″ | 173cm | 152-155cm |
| 5’9″ | 175cm | 153-157cm |
| 5’10” | 178cm | 154-159cm |
| 5’11” | 180cm | 155-160cm |
| 6′ | 183cm | 156-162cm |
| 6’1″ | 185cm | 157-163cm |
| 6’2″ | 188cm | 158-166cm |
| 6’3″ | 191cm | 159-167cm |
| 6’4″ | 193cm | 160-170cm |
30.5 cm are in 1 ft.
Do I Need a Wide Snowboard?
The main benefit of a wide snowboard is that it provides more stability for riders who are heavier or have wider feet. This can be helpful for beginners who are still learning how to balance on their board, provided they have larger feet.
You want your boot to hang over a bit of the board but not so wide that the boot doesn’t hangover at all. It is a fine line because if your board is too narrow, you’ll get heel drag.
One thing you can do before going to a wide board is to play with your stance angle. It can help larger boots still fit on regular width boards. For a further analysis, we break down the sizes of wide snowboards and if you need one.
How to Know What Size Snowboard to Get? The Verdict
Now, you are going to start to be able to pull a board, size it up and see if it fits but that is just the beginning. Make sure you have checked out the different profiles of snowboard shapes and which type of riding influences the snowboard to choose. All that aside, you should have a great handle on knowing what size snowboard to get.
Using the above charts and information, you should be able to take into account your height and weight to get a good idea of where to start. Let us know if it helped you size your snowboard and if you have a better understanding.
