Soccer Balls Sizes By Age: A Complete Guide

Ever wondered what soccer ball by size is appropriate for both kids and adults when buying or choosing a ball to play with?

The lack of knowledge in choosing the right ball size per age could lead to people buying the wrong size, but when you’re aware of the size to buy, shopping for a soccer ball wouldn’t be a problem

The biggest factors in selecting the right ball size are the age range and probably the size of the child or person buying the ball. Since there are worldwide standards for ball size according to age group, let’s take you through different sizes of soccer balls by age.

Why soccer ball sizes matter

Knowing the correct ball size to buy as a professional or kid is very important because a ball that is not the right size for you can lead to injury.

As a toddler or kid, kicking a ball not meant for your age range over time can lead to injury because the worldwide standard ball size comes with different diameters and pressure.

So in order to avoid picking up an injury while kicking a ball not meant for a particular age, the best thing is to have full knowledge about it and then purchase the appropriate ball.

Soccer Ball Sizes By Age

There are four basic standard sizes of a soccer ball for you to choose from, either as a kid or an adult, with each coming within a recommended age range.

Asides from distinguishing the size that best suit your soccer style and age, it’s also important to understand the purpose of each size.

Size (5) Soccer Ball

The size 5 ball is the professional soccer ball that the elite players use because it is the appropriate and ideal soccer ball recommended for players from the ages of 12 upward.

As the worldwide standard stated, the size 5 ball is the appropriate ball used in professional matches.

Size 5 soccer balls have a diameter of 8.6-9 inches (22-23 cm) and circumference of 27-28 inches (68-70 cm). The weight of a Size 5 soccer ball is between 14-16 oz (400-450 grams) with a pressure is typically between 8.5-15.6 psi (58.6-107.6 kPa).

Children or kids can’t play the size 5 because it is too big to handle and can as well injure them when struck by the ball.

When getting a size 5 ball, it is also important to get the FIFA-approved ones because it comes with the appropriate measurements.

Size (4) Soccer Ball

The size 4 is often referred to as medium and is meant for amateur soccer players. This size 4 ball acts as a buffer between the small and the big size because it helps the players have a grasp of the necessary skills before graduating to play the size 5.

The size 4 is suitable for players between the ages of 8 to 12,

Size 4 soccer balls have a diameter of 8-8.25 inches (20-22 cm) and circumference of 25-26 inches (63-66 cm). The weight of a Size 4 soccer ball is between 12-14 oz (350-390 grams) with a pressure is typically between 8.5-8.7 psi (58.6-60 kPa).

Although the size 4 is a bit closer in size to the size 5 meant for adults, it is important to know that players within the age range can’t play it until they’re mature enough to feel it.

Size (3) Soccer Ball

The size 3 balls are often used by junior-level soccer players between the age of 6 and 8, for a kid who chooses to use the size 3 while playing is obviously an excellent choice because it encourages proper ball handling and can’t hurt or damage their leg.

Size 3 soccer balls have a diameter of 7 inches (17.8 cm) and circumference of 23-24 inches (58-60 cm). The weight of a Size 4 soccer ball is between 10.5-11.6 oz (300-320 grams) with a pressure is typically between 8.5-8.7 psi (58.6-60 kPa).

With this ball size, children can easily learn the basic skills in soccer without any problem because it’s easy to handle and play around with it on the pitch.

In terms of its circumference, the size 3 ball is slightly bigger than the size 1 and can withstand harder kicks compared to the size 1, basically for toddlers.

Size (2) Soccer Ball

The size 2 soccer ball are not very common and are hardly ever used to play soccer.

The reason size 2 soccer balls are rarely used because they are so close in circumference to size 1 soccer balls.

Nonetheless, the size 2 soccer ball can be used by toddlers aged 4 or 5.

Size 2 soccer balls have a diameter of 5.5 inches (14 cm) and circumference of 19-21 inches (48-52 cm). The weight of a size 2 soccer ball is between 8.8-9.8 oz (250-280 grams) with a pressure is 7 psi (48 kPa).

Size (1) Soccer Ball

The size 1 soccer balls are known as mini-balls or skill balls because they are often used to train players in skill development and ball control for those who have yet to grasp the basic skills of the game.

It is usually used by kids aged 3 and below.

The unique thing about the size 1 soccer ball is that anyone can use it to improve their skills, ball control, and shot regardless of age.

Due to its diameter is also very lightweight and small in size, and it can easily be purchased for kids or toddlers who just start kicking.

Size 1 soccer balls have a diameter of 5 inches (12.7 cm) and circumference of 18-20 inches (46-50 cm). The weight of a size 2 soccer ball is between 6.8-7.2 oz (195-205 grams) with a pressure is usually 4 psi (28 kpa)

It can easily be handled by any toddler who just starts kicking a soccer ball and is quite affordable to purchase.