Volleyball Size Guide
Volleyball is one of the world’s favourite sports, being a fun and exciting way to pass the time, whether watching, playing recreationally, or competing professionally. It happens to be the third most popular sport in Australia by participation, so it’s no surprise if you find yourself or your children interested in starting up.
But if you’re new to the sport you may be asking “what size is a volleyball?”, “how heavy should it be?”, or perhaps “is there a difference between beach and indoor volleyball balls?”. If you’ve asked one or more of these questions, you’re in the right place, as we’ve put together a useful guide to give you all the information you need before making a purchase.
Ball Size in Volleyball
The way size is measured with volleyballs is three-fold, with circumference, weight, and internal pressure (usually measured in psi or pounds per square inches) each coming into play. The circumference and weight are self explanatory, while the psi is a way of measuring the density of the ball, which is an important aspect of the way it behaves in a game.
The size of a volleyball is contained within a smaller range than the equipment used in many other sports, with three primary sizes available to all players. While there are a number of smaller, lighter, and oversized ‘volleyballs’ available on the market, none of these will come into play in the real practice of the sport, and therefore will not appear in this blog. If you’re just playing casually with your family, an oversized inflatable might be all you need to have a good time, but this is a guide for those that are serious about sport.
It’s worth noting however that some argue that a lighter oversized ball is the right choice for getting a child familiar with the sport, giving them a wider target to work with while putting less pressure on their arms.
Youth Volleyball Size (Indoor)
Younger players generally play volleyball with smaller and less dense balls than adults. This is because younger players are more prone to injury, and the pressure exerted on the forearms by playing volleyball can be a little bit dangerous.
The volleyball regulation size for a youth ball is generally set at 63-65cm in circumference, weighing in at 260-280grams, with a psi of 4.3. The weight of these balls is comparable if not identical to those of adult balls, but the level of pressure and density makes a large difference to the game.
While a youth ball is a great way to get a younger person interested and excited about volleyball, the jump to an adult ball is essential if they plan to take the game seriously.
Beach Volleyball vs Indoor Ball
When it comes to women’s and men’s volleyball size, the primary differences come from the distinction between the beach and indoor iterations of the sport. While the difference in the balls’ circumferences and weights is either small or non-existent, the psi makes a huge difference in the play of indoor and beach volleyball.
With the sandy setting, UV rays, and heat from the sun involved in a game of beach volleyball, the balls have to be considerably less dense than their indoor counterparts. This is to allow for them to bounce somewhat, even on the absorbing surface that sand creates. It’s also worth noting that a beach volleyball has a rougher outer texture, lending itself better to the outdoor nature of the game.
The official volleyball size and weight for an indoor ball (or Size 5 Volleyball) lands at a circumference of 65-67cm and 260-280grams, while its psi will land somewhere between 4.3-4.6. While these differences may seem insignificant when compared to youth balls, they can have a huge impact on gameplay.
A beach volleyball ball has a circumference between 66-68cm, while it weighs the same as an indoor or youth ball at 260-280grams. As stated, the biggest difference comes in the psi, which sits at somewhere between 2.5-3.2, for the sake of the environmental factors.
Volleyball Size Chart
Although there aren’t that many distinguishing factors between the three primary forms of volleyball balls, we’ve still gone to the trouble of putting together this handy chart in case you ever need a quick top up on the information.
|
Size |
Circumference (cm and inches) |
Mass (grams and ounces) |
Internal pressure (psi and kgf/cm²) |
Purpose (who for?) |
|
Youth Indoor |
63-65cm or 25-26” |
260-280g or 9.2-9.9oz |
4.3 or 0.3 |
Younger players learning the basics. |
|
Standard Indoor |
65-67cm or 25.5-26.5” |
260-280g or 9.2-9.9oz |
4.3-4.6 or 0.3-0.325 |
Everyone from local leagues to professionals |
|
Beach |
66-68cm or 26-27” |
260-280g or 9.2-9.9oz |
2.5-3.2 or 0.175-0.225 |
Same as above, just on the beach! |
Where to Go
Now that you understand the nature of the youth ball vs the standard indoor ball vs the beach volleyball, you’re probably keen to get one of your own and start practicing your palm work. If you’re ready to start serving and spiking, you need to find a good sports equipment supplier, to make sure that you get the perfect ball for your needs.
At Mill Sports NZ we have a great selection of volleyballs ready for both indoor and outdoor play, covering a wide variety of brands and price points. Check out the full range here, and begin your journey to becoming king or queen of the court today, or go to our homepage to see the wide variety of other sporting goods we offer.