Skateboard: What size should you choose?
Choosing the right skateboard size is essential for comfort, stability, and progression. A board that is too small or too large can make skating less enjoyable and may even hinder learning the basics. In this article, we review the key factors to consider when selecting the size of your skateboard, whether you are a beginner or an experienced skater.
1 – DECK WIDTH: THE MAIN CRITERION
The width of the skateboard (measured in inches) is the most important factor. It directly affects:
Stability
Maneuverability
Ease of performing tricks
Comfort under your feet
Most common skateboard widths
Skateboard widths | Typical use |
7.5" – 7.75" | Children |
7.75" – 8.0" | Technical street skating |
8.0" – 8.25" | All-around (street/park) |
8.25" – 8.5" | Skatepark, bowl |
8.5" et + | Cruising, pool, old school |
Today, the majority of adult skaters use a board between 8.0" and 8.5". If you are an adult getting back into skateboarding primarily for fun and cruising, rather than for technical street skating, don’t hesitate to choose a wider board, around 9.0" or even 9.25", for greater comfort and stability.
2 – CHOOSING THE SKATEBOARD SIZE BASED ON SHOE SIZE
Shoe size can serve as a useful guideline, especially for beginners. It helps prevent choosing a board that is too narrow or uncomfortable.
Shoe size (EU) | Recommended width |
< 38 | 7.5" – 7.75" |
38 – 41 | 7.75" – 8.0" |
42 – 43 | 8.0" – 8.25" |
44 – 46 | 8.25" – 8.5" |
Attention, these guidelines remain approximate: your riding style is also an important factor. The table above is more suited to skatepark riding, with an emphasis on maneuverability for performing tricks. For a more relaxed cruising or carving style of riding, you can opt for a board 0.25" to 0.5" wider.
3 – SKATEBOARD SIZE BASED ON SKATING STYLE
Street
Focused on tricks and flat ground
Narrower, lighter boards
Recommended width: 7.75" to 8.25"
Skatepark / Bowl
Higher speeds and sharper curves
Stability is key
Recommended width: 8.25" to 8.5"
Cruising / Commuting
Comfort and stability are priorities
Wider decks
Recommended width: 8.5" and above
Again, these recommendations remain approximate. If you practice street but wear a EU 47 shoe size, a board between 8.5" and 8.75" will generally be more suitable. Conversely, for a young child practicing bowl, an 8.0" board can be perfectly suitable.
4 – WHAT ABOUT SKATEBOARD LENGTH ?
The deck length plays a secondary role but remains important:
Standard adult deck lengths range between 31" and 32"
Longer boards provide greater stability
Shorter boards are more maneuverable
The length is often related to the wheelbase (the distance between the trucks), which influences the turning radius and stability.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT WHEELBASE
The wheelbase corresponds to the distance between the two trucks. It directly influences the skateboard’s stability and maneuverability. The shorter the wheelbase, the more responsive and easier to turn the board generally is. Conversely, a longer wheelbase provides greater stability and comfort, particularly when riding curves.
As a general guide:
13–14": short wheelbase, highly responsive, suitable for small decks and young children.
14–14.5": good maneuverability, particularly suited to technical street skating.
14.5–15": a balance between maneuverability and stability, suitable for versatile riding.
15–15.5": greater stability, suitable for skatepark, bowl and carving.
15.5–16" and above: more stable and comfortable, particularly for cruising and larger riders.
These figures remain guidelines: the deck length, its shape and the truck position can also significantly affect the feel of a given wheelbase. However, it is worth noting that most skateboards available on the market have a wheelbase between 14" and 14.5". A 14.25"Â wheelbase is often a very good compromise for those looking for a deck that is both comfortable and maneuverable.
5 – WHAT SIZE SKATEBOARD FOR A CHILD ?
The choice of a skateboard for a child can be challenging. The mass market often simply adapts adult models rather than offering boards genuinely designed for young riders. Board weight is also a criterion that is often overlooked: it affects not only maneuverability and the ability to perform tricks, but also the child’s comfort when carrying the skateboard.
So, how can you choose a board that is truly suited to a child? By choosing a deck whose dimensions are proportionate to the child, but also a lightweight construction designed around their weight and body shape.
The number of plies is one variable worth considering. Manufacturers traditionally use 7-ply maple constructions, which offer a good compromise for adults. For a child, however, it is entirely possible to use a 6-ply maple construction to reduce the weight of the board. In relation to a child’s weight, this construction is not necessarily more fragile than a 7-ply construction designed for an adult.
To benefit from this type of construction and precisely adapt the deck to the child’s characteristics, it is generally best to turn to an artisan shaper who can adjust these different parameters.
For children, it is therefore recommended to choose:
narrower decks (7.25" to 7.75"), with a lightweight 6-ply Canadian maple construction;
a length suited to their height, with 29"Â being a good compromise for many young riders;
a lightweight setup, with trucks suited to the deck width and smaller-diameter wheels to make handling and learning easier.
The Little Rider model from Merlin Skateboards, designed specifically for children, is particularly well suited to these requirements.
CONCLUSION
SKATEBOARD: WHAT SIZE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
To choose the right size skateboard, start with the deck width, then adjust according to your shoe size and riding style. The length and wheelbase can then be used to fine-tune the board’s characteristics.
For an adult, 8.0" to 8.5" is suitable for versatile riding; for cruising or carving, 8.5" and above will provide greater comfort. For a child, opt for 7.25" to 7.75", a length of around 29", and a lightweight 6-ply maple construction.
These are guidelines: the final choice should primarily match the rider’s size and riding style.
