Surfboard Size Calculator
Find the surfboard volume that suits your weight, skill level and fitness.
About You
Turning confidently, linking cutbacks
Paddle fitness matters more than raw strength. Less fitness means more volume.
Recommended Volume
Recommended board volume for an intermediate surfer
Start near the upper end if you surf small or weak waves, want to catch more waves, or are stepping up in skill. Move toward the lower end for steeper, more powerful surf.
How This Works
Surfboard volume is measured in litres and describes how much water the board displaces — in practice, how much it floats you. It is the most reliable single number for matching a board to a surfer, more so than length alone.
The standard approach is to multiply your body weight in kilograms by a volume coefficient that falls as your skill rises. A beginner needs roughly their body weight in litres to paddle and catch waves easily; an expert rides closer to a third of it, trading float for responsiveness.
Recommended volume (L) = body weight (kg) × volume coefficient
Already have a board and want to know its volume? Work it out from its dimensions, then compare it against the range above.
Surfboard Volume Chart
Recommended volume in litres by body weight and skill level, at average fitness.
| Body weight | Beginner | Novice / Improver | Intermediate | Advanced | Expert / Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 kg (110 lb) | 45 – 55 L | 35 – 45 L | 25 – 35 L | 20 – 25 L | 18 – 20 L |
| 60 kg (132 lb) | 54 – 66 L | 42 – 54 L | 30 – 42 L | 24 – 30 L | 21 – 24 L |
| 70 kg (154 lb) | 63 – 77 L | 49 – 63 L | 35 – 49 L | 28 – 35 L | 25 – 28 L |
| 80 kg (176 lb) | 72 – 88 L | 56 – 72 L | 40 – 56 L | 32 – 40 L | 28 – 32 L |
| 90 kg (198 lb) | 81 – 99 L | 63 – 81 L | 45 – 63 L | 36 – 45 L | 31 – 36 L |
| 100 kg (220 lb) | 90 – 110 L | 70 – 90 L | 50 – 70 L | 40 – 50 L | 35 – 40 L |
These figures are a starting point, not a rule. Board outline, rocker and your local wave conditions all shift the right number, so treat the range as a guide and talk to a shaper for anything custom.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is surfboard volume?
- Volume is the amount of space a surfboard occupies, measured in litres. It determines how much the board floats you, which in turn affects how easily you paddle and catch waves. Because it combines length, width and thickness into one number, volume is a more reliable way to compare boards than length alone.
- What volume surfboard do I need?
- Multiply your body weight in kilograms by a volume coefficient that depends on your skill level. Beginners use roughly 0.9 to 1.1 times their body weight, intermediates around 0.5 to 0.7, and experts about 0.35 to 0.4. An 80 kg intermediate surfer therefore lands somewhere around 40 to 56 litres.
- Should beginners ride more volume?
- Yes. Extra volume floats you higher, makes paddling less tiring and lets you catch waves earlier, which means more time riding and faster progress. The trade-off is that a high volume board is harder to turn and duck dive, so you reduce volume as your skill improves.
- Does volume matter more than length?
- For matching a board to a surfer, yes. Two boards of the same length can differ by several litres depending on width and thickness, and will feel completely different underfoot. Length still affects paddle speed and how the board handles down the line, but volume is the better starting point.
- Do age and fitness change the volume I need?
- They do. Paddle fitness matters more than raw strength, so a surfer with lower fitness, or one over about 45, is usually better served by adding roughly 10 to 15 percent to the recommended range. A very fit surfer can comfortably ride slightly less.
- How do I find the volume of a board I already own?
- Many boards are not sold with the volume printed on them. If you know the length, width and thickness you can estimate it from those dimensions and the board type, then compare the result against your recommended range.