Skating is not just a sport; instead, it becomes a lifestyle for a skater. In a skater’s life, the most important thing is the skateboard. And, if you are preparing yourself for the next street league championship or cruise around the local parks, the very first thing you will need is the skateboard. But, getting a skateboard for yourself or your little ones is not as easy as it seems. Wondering why? Well, buying a skateboard is not tricky but purchasing the right-sized skateboard is always a challenge, especially when you have a little knowledge about the skateboard and its sizing.

I find lots of people who bought a wrong-sized skateboard, and as a result, they quickly got disappointed with this overwhelming sport. But, my friend, you don’t need to worry about how to choose the accurate size skateboard as I am going to share all the easy and essential things you need to know before purchasing a skateboard. It would help if you read further, and by the end of this guide, you will have a clear concept of the skateboard sizing chart.

Skateboard size chart

Skateboard comes in various sizes for every type of skater. As skating is growing its hype, skateboard manufacturers also bringing different sizes and shapes in skateboard decks. Among so many sizes, when you purchase the right sized skateboard, it helps you in improving your tricks fluently, learn, and progress smoothly.

Basically, we mean the skateboard deck width by the term different sizes of skateboards. That means you need to know the different widths of skateboards to understand the variations in sizing. As you become more experienced in this game, you will understand your preference for skateboard sizes. You will realize which sized skateboard is fulfilling your demands regarding skating. But, for now, as a newbie, you can follow the chart of skateboard size as it has the base guideline to choose the right sized skateboard.

You can use this chart to purchase your skateboard as a beginner. You might be noticed that skateboard sizes vary depending on the skater’s age, height, and shoe size through the chart. Another vital factor also helps you choose the correct type of skateboard for you, which is the riding style and terrain. When you will progress more and gain experience, you will be able to find the proper sizing according to these four factors.

Skater’s Body Height and Weight

Skater’s body height and weight affect the sizing of a skateboard gravely. It is a general fact that different sizes of bodies need other sized board decks. A longer skater can not skate, keeping balance with a shorter skater’s skateboard. Although almost every kind of street skateboard comes in the same length, the main difference lies in width. Even a .25 of width difference affects the functions of a skateboard massively. That’s why, in order to skate with ease, you need to consider your body height and weight while purchasing the skateboard.

You can see people with 4 feet 4 inches or lesser need a deck of 7 inches or shorter width in the table above. On the other hand, comparatively taller people having the height of 5 feet 3 inches or more are compatible with 7.5+ inches width skateboards. Similarly, skateboards having the width of 7 inches to 7.5 inches are absolutely perfect with 4 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 2 inches tall people.

Shoe Size

Shoe size is one of the most critical factors that affect the variety of skateboard width. You can’t ignore this factor while buying a skateboard for you or your loved ones. Shoe size is essential because you should notice how much space is left or not when you stand on the skateboard. When you are about to do any trick or flip around, a right-sized skateboard will help you a lot, depending upon your shoe size. Your skateboard deck can be too narrow or too wide or perfect according to your skating shoe size.

A skateboard’s width feels too narrow when your foot or the shoe can not get fit over the deck. You won’t be left with any space after standing over the board if you have a too narrow deck. Too expansive skateboard decks have the opposite scenario. There is so much space even after you stood over the deck. Generally, none of both is suitable for purchasing. Instead, find one which fits perfectly with your shoe size. You won’t feel any extra or narrow space after standing on the skateboard with a perfect width of the deck.

I have attached the shoe sizes and their preferable board sizes. If you want to buy a skateboard after visiting a store physically, I would recommend you to stand over the board to realize if the board is perfect for you before making the purchase.

Skater’s Age

As skating is such a popular sport worldwide, people of almost every age admire this sport so much. Even the toddlers show interest in this fascinating game. Parents want their children to practice skating since their childhood. Adults show the same expression towards the sport; skating. That means almost every aged people admire this game and also skate. So, there are different sized skateboards available at the market according to the different aged people. Naturally, skateboards made for toddlers are not suitable for teenagers. And the skateboards that teenagers use can not be used by adults.

If you want to buy a skateboard for a child of 8 years or younger, you should prefer buying a skateboard of 7 inches or less width. For a teenager of age 8 to 12, a 7’25” to 7’50” width skateboard would be suitable.

You will find three main categorized skateboards depending on different ages.

Micro skateboards: These kinds of skateboards usually have a width from 6’5” to 6’75” with a length of 27.2” – 27.6”. Micro skateboards are widely the right choice for skaters under six years old. These skateboards are absolutely perfect for the junior beginner of your home. It is suitable for your little ones to progress in skating. Usually, children of less than 3’5” tall use the micro skateboards.

Mini skateboards: Mini skateboards are also kind of small skateboards, especially suitable for beginners. These skateboards are 7 inches in width, and the average length is 28 inches. If you are thinking of buying a skateboard for a 6 to 8 years old beginner, then a mini skateboard would be the appropriate choice for you. A mini skateboard is also compatible with people having a height from 3’5” to 4’4” and shoe size from 4-6 regardless of age.

Mid-sized skateboards: Popularly known as mid skateboards, they have a width of 7.3” or more and an average length of 29 inches. Boys and girls of 8 to 12 years old can quickly skate with mid skateboards. Mid skateboard is also compatible with people having the height of 4’5” to 5’2”. Even skaters who wear 7-8 size shoes can skate with these skateboards.

Besides these skateboards, there is also a type of skateboard which is commonly suitable for all the people aging 13+. These skateboards have a standard width of 7.5 inches and a length of 29 inches or more. Obviously, you can use any size of your preference, but I am introducing the general rules of sizing according to your age and other factors.

Riding Style and Terrain

The riding style of a skater can change an entire preferred size of a skateboard. You might calculate the right size of skateboard according to all the factors except your riding style. The result can come out in an entirely negative way and cause you to spend more money on another skateboard. That’s why it’s smart to concentrate on your riding style and choose which size is best for you before making the purchase.

There are transition skaters who like skating in different parks, pools to improve their stability. Skaters who fall in this category are beginners, and their motive is to gaining stability on any surface. They can have some great skating lessons with slightly wider skateboards. Wider boards help skaters to skate smoothly without losing control. If you are among the skaters who are working on flip tricks and comfortable in simple street freestyle, you must be one of the followers of street skating. Street skating requires a narrower deck in comparison to transition skaters. Generally, people of intermediate levels prefer these skateboards much.

Look at the following table to know which width deck you need according to your riding style.

Types of skateboards

Along with various sizes, you will find different types of skateboards as well. Generally, skateboards are categorized depending on riding style. We discussed above the size variations according to the skater’s riding style. Now, we will get to know about the types of skateboards available according to your riding style.

Standard Skateboards

If you are a beginner or wish to skate in all riding style, these are the skateboards you are looking. Standard skateboards are usually great for all types of skating. You can do street skating, skate parks, and almost every other style with this beginner friendly skateboard. These skateboards have a shape similar to the popsicle stick because they have both a nose and a tail. Also, they come with hard wheels. It will be your favorite choice if you do not intend to bind yourself into one specific skating style.

Cruiser Skateboards

Cruiser skateboards are nearly similar to standard skateboards with a few differences. Standard skateboards and cruiser skateboards have almost the same length, but the difference is seen in their shapes. You will find lots of variety of shapes while buying a cruiser skateboard. They are ridden with comparatively soft wheels for a smoother and faster roll on almost every rough surface. Being so lightweight than longboards, it allows you to bob and weave through urban obstacles. I recommend you cruiser skateboards if you want to get mastered in transportation and flip tricks.

Longboards

If you already gained experience in skating and thinking of upgrading your skills to the next level, you should definitely try out longboards. You can understand by the name that these skateboards are relatively longer than other standard or cruiser boards. Longboards are more stable and provide more control than most other boards. You can quickly learn balancing with the help of these boards. I highly recommend these longboards if your goal is mellow cruising, pushing long distances, and skating down hills at high speed.

Pre-built or Customized Skateboards?

You can get your skateboard in two options; pre-built and custom complete. Pre-built skateboards are one built-in all together, and you get to buy the ready-to-go unit. In the case of complete custom skateboards, you have to buy all the parts and then customize them yourself. The question is, which one would be better for you? If you ask me, I would say pre-built options are the best choice for beginners as you don’t have any extra trouble finding the parts and joining them. Pre-built boards come with everything you need for a complete skateboard. As you gain experience with time, you will know how you want your skateboard, and then you can customize your board as per your need. Till then, I will suggest you stick with a pre-built one and learn all the technical tricks.

Generally, a skateboard has the following parts.

• A skateboard deck: It is the platform where you stand. A deck is made with laminated wood.
• A set of the truck: There are two pieces of the truck in a set. These trucks allow the board to turn and provide axles for the wheels.
• A set of wheels: you will find four wheels in a set. Wheels are for rolling and provide housing for the bearings.
• A set of bearings: There is a total of 8 bearings. Each wheel has two bearings. Bearings cause the wheels to spin freely.
• Hardware: A skateboard’s hardware includes eight nuts and bolts that help the trucks attach the board.
• Grip tape: It is one kind of sand-paper located on the top of a skateboard to increase grip.

Choosing the correct sized skateboard makes skating so much easier and convenient for the skaters. It can also raise difficulties, so if you get confused about picking the accurate size of the skateboard. Hopefully, you won’t have any more tough times when you go shopping for a skateboard, whether it’s your first skateboard or 15th. Wrapping up, I would wish you happy skating and request you to feel free to approach any query in the comment section below if you have any.