What Size Skateboard Should I Get for My Height?

Portrait of African American woman with skateboard and yellow urban wall background in Granada, Spain. Woman urban wall african american afro yellow city blue

How to know what size skateboard to get is crucial when buying your first deck. The width of your skateboard should correlate somewhat with your height. For example, if you’re purchasing your first skateboard you should follow these guidelines:

  • 4’6″ or shorter: 7.25” to 7.75”
  • 4’6″ to 5’6″: 7.75” to 8.00”
  • 5’6″ or taller: 8.00” to 8.50”

With that in mind, there are many other variables that come into play such as shoe size, weight, and ride style. The most essential component of a skateboard is the skateboard deck, which varies in size depending on where and how it will be utilized. Skateboard decks range in size depending on where and how they will be used. For example, a shortboard is ideal for street skating and vert skating, while longer boards are better for traveling and cruising.

Height and Weight

When it comes to choosing the correct size skateboard deck, you must take your weight and height into account. The fundamental idea is that the taller you are, the larger the board you’ll need. The length of a street skateboard is usually the same, however the width varies significantly. When skating, the difference in width between two boards may make all the difference.

Another thing to consider when selecting a skateboard is your weight. Having a heavier physique has both benefits and drawbacks. While you may have more momentum going downhill, for example, you’re also more likely to suffer a more serious injury if you fall. As the saying goes, “the bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

Here’s a list of skateboard sizes organized by weight that may help you choose the right size:

  • 6.50 to 6.75: 45lbs and under
  • 7.00 to 7.50: 46lbs to 59lbs
  • 7.50 to 8.00: 60lbs to 101lbs
  • 8.00 to 8.50: 101lbs to 150lbs
  • 8.50 and up: 151lbs and over

Riding Style, Terrain, and Age

Skateboarding has a variety of riding styles, including transition skating, which is when you skate vert, parks, or pools. Then there’s street skating, which involves performing flip tricks and skating freestyle. For stability while transitioning, you’ll need a greater surface area beneath your feet if you’re going to skate vert, parks, or pools. However, if you want to skate on the street, you may wish to choose a board that is narrower. Simply put, the width of the board is only one aspect of the equation.

Here’s a list of skateboard sizes and who they’re intended for, which can help you make your decision:

  • 6.5 to 6.75: Best for kids 5 and under.
  • 7.00 to 7.50: Narrow decks are better for youths 8 to 12 years old.
  • 7.50 to 8.00: A medium deck width is best for teens age 13 and older or adult riders who street skate or skate on street terrain.
  • 8.00 to 8.50: A slightly wider deck is ideal for both street and transition terrains, including the street, parks, pools, rails, and stairs.
  • 8.50 and up: Wider decks are awesome for transition skating, granting the skater more security for bigger street tricks, pools, or just cruising.

Shoe Size

An important detail that many skaters, especially beginners, tend to neglect is their shoe size. If your feet are too long or too short for the deck width of your skateboard, it can make for a not-so-fun experience. Doing technical tricks and simply maneuvering your board to turn properly requires a good foot-to-board ratio. This is also why skateboard shoes are a thing. Selecting a deck that works with your shoe size is important to staying safe and properly learning how to skateboard.

Check out this graphic for some help:

Shoe size skateboard width chart

Which Size Skateboard Trucks Should You Get

When purchasing a new set of skateboard trucks, the first thing to consider is the deck width. You’re trying to match the overall truck width to the deck width, such as a 7.75″ deck fits a 5.0″ truck and an 8.0″ deck fits a 5.25″ truck.

Function and style are both factors. When the trucks match the deck width, the skateboard will be more steady when performing spinning tricks like Kickflips and Heelflips since the centrifugal mass of the skateboard will be more centered. Another benefit is that it makes it simpler to determine where your wheels are while grinding rails or ramp coping.

Learn more about sizing skateboard trucks in this full guide on skateboard truck sizes. There you’ll find the perfect size of skateboard trucks for your deck.

What Size Skateboard Decks Do Professional Skaters Ride?

Almost all of the pros will be riding a deck in the sweet spot, a typical street deck with a range that I outlined previously. It’s most likely to be between 7.75″ and 8.5″ wide and 31″ and 33′ long. To see the precise dimensions they ride, look for the pro’s last name plus the brand of skateboard that they use.

A pro model is a skateboard deck with the name of the professional skater printed on it. These decks are not always superior or inferior to another board from the same manufacturer. A pro model deck may be obtained by purchasing a portion of the sales.

Conclusion

The size of the skateboard you need ultimately depends on your height, weight, shoe size, and skating style. If you are a beginner street skater, a medium-sized deck between 7.50 and 8.00 inches wide should suffice. However, if you are a transition skater or skating pools, vert ramps, or bowls, you’ll need a wider deck for stability. If you’re a beginner, it might be best to start with a smaller deck and work your way up as you gain confidence and skating ability. And remember, the most important thing is to have fun!

And finally, if you have long feet or are a big dude, you might need a wider deck just to fit your shoes. Ultimately, it’s important to try different sizes and see what feels best for you. Experiment and have fun! Skateboarding is supposed to be enjoyable after all.

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