What Size Football Should I Buy? NFL, NCAA, High School, Junior, Pee Wee 🏈
From peewee to pro, football players come in a wide range of sizes, and so do the footballs they use. Because of the sport's nature, there are many instances where a player is required to hold, throw or catch the ball with one hand. Depending on what you're using it for, you may want to get one of these different size options that a football comes in.
NFL Football Size
An important metric often considered by NFL scouts when recruiting a quarterback or receiver is the player's hand size and ability to effectively secure the ball using one hand.
For obvious reasons, the largest available football size is used in the National Football League. The NFL rulebook states: "It shall have the form of a prolate spheroid and the size and weight shall be: long axis, 11 to 11 1/4 inches; long circumference, 28 to 28 1/2 inches; short circumference, 21 to 21 1/4 inches; weight, 14 to 15 ounces." Ages Adult +
College and High School Football Size 9
Footballs used at the college and high school levels have the same measurements, which are slightly smaller than the ball used in the professional leagues. They have a length of 11 inches, a width of 7 inches, and a diameter of 21 inches. This slightly smaller ball allows for the on-average smaller players at the lower levels of competition to handle the ball more easily. Ages 14 & Up
Intermediate / Youth Football Size 7
A bit smaller than the official college and high school footballs are the intermediate size 7 footballs which are used for 12 to 14-year-olds. Youth footballs have an average weight of 12.5 ounces, with a roughly long circumference of 26.25 inches and a roughly short circumference of 19.25 inches
Junior Football Size 6
Slightly smaller than college and high school footballs are junior-sized footballs. Junior footballs have an average weight of 11 ounces, with a long circumference of roughly 25 inches (12.5 Inches Diameter) and a short circumference of roughly 18.5 inches. These are generally used for 10 to 12-year-olds.
Pee Wee Football Size 5
The little guys also need their own football, so the smallest commonly used football option is a pee wee-sized football. Pee Wee footballs have an average weight of 9.5 ounces, with a long circumference of roughly 23 inches (11.5 Diameter) and a short circumference of roughly 17.25 inches. . Age 9 & Under
American Football Size Chart
| Age | Football Size | Football Weight |
| Ages 9 and under |
Pee-Wee |
10 ounces |
| Ages 10-12 |
Junior |
11 ounces |
| Ages 12-14 |
Intermediate/Youth |
12.5 ounces |
| Ages 14 & up |
Official |
14-15 ounces |
