Non-Spherical Sports Ball Comparison
Sports balls come in many different sizes and shapes, though being balls they are mostly spherical (round). We have compared the size of the round balls from most of the major sports, from the smallest from squash to the largest from basketball. What was obviously missing from that list where the balls from the football codes such as rugby, American football and Australian Rules. We have compared these below, and added a couple of non-ball sports items too.
sports balls come in many different sizesWhat Shape is a Football?
The oval football is actually a prolate spheroid, and it is shaped this way because historically the first balls were made from an inflated pig's bladder which tended to be that shape, though early on the size and shape varied. The ball shape is fairly standard for each sport, though the prolate spheroid used in the rugby codes and Australian football has rounded ends, while the ball used in American football and Canadian football has more pointed ends.
Ball Size, Shape and Weight Comparison
| Sport | Shape | Size | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Football | prolate spheroid | Length About 28cm (11 in), circumference at its widest point about 53-56cm (21-22 in). | 410–425 g (14 to 15 oz) | An official NFL football is slightly larger than high school or other professional leagues. |
| Australian Football | prolate spheroid | Length 27-28cm (10.5-11 in), 72–73 cm (28–29 in) in circumference end-to-end, and 54.5–55.5 cm (21.5–21.9 in) transverse circumference. | 450-500 g (15.9 to 17.6 oz) | size 5 |
| Rugby Union | prolate spheroid | 28–30 cm (11–12 in) long and 58–62 cm (23–24 in) in circumference at its widest point. | 410–460 g (14–16 oz) | regulation football |
| Rugby League | prolate spheroid | ~27 cm (11 in) long and 60 cm (24 in) in circumference at its widest point. | 383-440 g (13.5-15.5 oz) | "international size" or "size 5" |
| Ice Hockey | disc | 1 inch (25 mm) thick and 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter | 156-170 g (5.5-6 oz) | |
| Ultimate Frisbee | disc | 272cm (10.75 in) diameter | 175g (6.2 oz) | |
| Badminton | open conical shape | 4.75-5.50 g (0.168-0.194 oz) |
Sources
The ball size information is from a wide range of sources online. Although they are believed to be correct, you should check with official sources if it is important. If you have a correction or a sport ball size to add, please let us know below.
Related Pages
- Comparison of the size of round sports balls
- Ball weights
- About sports balls
- Sports equipment
- Technology in sports
- About the soccer balls used at the FIFA World Cup
- List of the world's largest sport stadiums
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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